Alison Seabeck MP- | News

Two Plymouth midwives win award for 'Excellence in Improving Public Health'

Two midwives from Plymouth Hopsitals NHS Trust, have won one of the UK’s top midwifery prizes at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Awards, the UK’s most prestigious midwifery awards, held in London on 25th January, 2012. Midwives Sue Hancock and Nicola MacPhail scooped the Pregnacare Award for Excellence in Initiatives in Improving Public Health and Reducing Health Inequalities for their work improving safeguarding practice in their Maternity Service. The project pioneers a public health approach to child protection issues. Alison said “ I was delighted to be able to attend the annual awards event for the Royal College of Midwives at which Plymouth was represented by Sue Hancock and Nicola MacPhail. Midwives like nurses and other health care staff do a fantastic job day in, day out and at the moment are under enormous pressure because of cuts in the NHS and so...
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Alison Seabeck MP voices concerns over Rail Franchise Criteria

Alison Seabeck MP has written to Ministers highlighting concerns over the 'judging' criteria which will be used for the Greater Western Franchise. The text of her letter is set out below:- Dear Theresa, I am writing in advance of making a formal response to the consultation for the Greater Western Franchise to clarify one or two points and ask you to consider some additional points to those which you heard raised during the Westminster Hall debate on this subject as well as those which you yourself have highlighted. I cannot stress the importance to the wider economy of getting this franchise ‘right’ this time round. You are very clearly aware of the importance of this as indicated by your comment, ‘that rail connectivity supports jobs and growth’. The document which has been published does set out in various places the value of...
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Alison Seabeck MP joins call for more time on clock change bill

The Daylight Saving Bill was derailed by a small group of MPs on Friday 20th January but pressure is growing on the government to give the bill a fair hearing. Plymouth MP Alison Seabeck has joined scores of other politicians and organisations calling for more parliamentary time to see it through. Even with huge support from over 140 MPs at Friday's debate, a couple of politicians were able to block the bill by simply running down the clock. "I, and many of my colleagues, set aside Friday to attend this debate but despite overwhelming public support, a tiny minority of MPs employed wrecking tactics to scupper the bill. It's important that the Government give the bill more time - so it can have the hearing it deserves" said Alison Seabeck MP. The bill would mandate the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the costs and benefits of putting clocks...
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Alison Seabeck MP supports the International Diabetes Federation in raising awareness of diabetes in Parliament

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth, Moor View, joined volunteers from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Bayer and Novo Nordisk to raise awareness of the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the UK. Alison attended a diabetes testing event in Parliament following on from the success of World Diabetes Day held last November. Diabetes is a significant and growing health issue, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. The IDF believes that, unless action is taken, this could rise to 500 million within a generation . The IDF and its member organisations – which include Diabetes UK – is working to improve the political and public awareness of the diabetes pandemic and the critical interventions that are necessary to counter it. Around 2.9 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, but it is estimated that a further 850,000 people may be living with the condition without...
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Alison calls for change to cigarette packaging to protect children

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth, has pledged her support for a campaign to protect children and young people by putting tobacco in plain, standardised packaging. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) are urging the government to put all cigarettes in plain packs with no attractive colours. Evidence shows young people find current packaging more attractive and the health warnings have less impact than on plain packs. At a meeting hosted by the charities in Parliament this month (January 18), MPs watched a short film featuring the reactions of young people to current packaging and then plain packs. They also heard that more than a quarter of young smokers mistakenly believe one pack of cigarettes is healthier than another based on the pack design alone. Three quarters of young people think selling cigarettes in plain packs would make it easier for people to smoke less...
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Alison Seabeck MP calls for nominations for Rock the House

Alison Seabeck MP is taking part in the second annual Parliamentary live music competition, Rock the House, and invites under-18s, solo artists, bands and live music venues in the Plymouth Moor View constituency to write and nominate themselves. The competition was founded by Mike Weatherley MP in support of the UK live music sector to raise the profile of intellectual property rights issues and counts rock legends Alice Cooper and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as Patrons. Musicians and live music venues within the Plymouth postcode area can find all forms and information on the competition at www.rockthehouse2012.com and can send in their nominations to Alison Seabeck MP at alison.seabeck.mp@parliament.uk. Any musicians outside the Plymouth Moor View constituency can still write to their MP to nominate themselves to take part. Prizes include music equipment; a chance to play at high profile festivals; and mingle with the great and the good of...
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Tories’ Power Cut to Solar Feed-in Tariffs

This Conservative-led Government, which claims to be the “greenest Government ever”, have again managed to leave many small businesses, homeowners and charities high and dry. Many will now not be able to pursue their plans for installing solar panels to reduce their energy bills. The initial plans to reduce the Feed-in Tariff in April were abruptly brought forward to the end of 2011 without any consultation or foresight on the impact on local communities. When we introduced the scheme, we set it at a fair level to attract small and medium sized businesses and individual home owners to invest in the scheme. A review was scheduled for 2013 but again, this government are cutting too far too fast. People who are in the process of having the panels installed are seeing a deficit of over 50 per cent and many are now unable to complete. I have been contacted by...
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MP in last ditch attempt to get Government help for Airport

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, today wrote to the Transport Minister in a final attempt to save Plymouth Airport. Ms Seabeck said: “I am extremely disappointed that no solution could be found to save the airport. It will be a great loss to Plymouth, especially to the business community. I have been talking to many constituents and entrepreneurs who have all expressed their deep concerns. I have also been in touch with VIABLE who have tried to come up with a business plan which would enable the airport to stay open, but clearly time is running out. We really are now at the 11th hour.” “I am writing to Theresa Villiers because she very recently promised to look at state aid for regional air services. If I can again demonstrate to the Government, as I did before when meeting the Business Secretary, what the loss of our air...
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MPs join forces to tackle BBC spending cuts

Gary Streeter and Alison Seabeck have joined forces to write to Lord Patten the Chairman of the BBC Trust calling upon him to intervene in the proposed spending cuts that threaten to weaken local BBC news gathering and broadcasting. The BBC is currently consulting on a wide range of proposed spending cuts to local services including the possible closure to the popular Plymouth part of the radio Devon morning news show hosted by Gordon Sparkes. “Losing Gordon Sparkes in the morning would be like cutting of your right arm,” said Gary Streeter the MP for SWDevon. “I urge the BBC to look at cutting back some of the fat cat salaries paid to senior BBC executives and their top talent, and to leave the local radio programmes alone.” Plymouth Moor View MP Alison Seabeck said “local radio is a lifeline to many of my constituents, especially the elderly, and the...
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Tories Economic Plan Isn't Working

Families, pensioners and businesses in Plymouth know it’s hurting, and today we’ve found out it isn’t working Hard-pressed families and pensioners, young people out of work and businesses in Plymouth already know that the Tory-led Government’s economic plan is hurting, but today, we’ve found out that it isn’t working either. Independent forecasts today show the Government is set to borrow £158 billion more than they planned a year ago – the bill for the economic failure, higher unemployment and bigger benefits bill their failed plan has created. Alison Seabeck MP “Despite the pain of £40 billion more spending cuts and tax rises the Chancellor boasted about last year, the recovery he choked off and the higher unemployment he created means billions more borrowing for failure. “Unemployment is reaching crisis levels and this Government’s half measures are just not doing the job. Since January the number of young people claiming jobseeker's...
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Alison Seabeck MP helps launch Labour’s £1 membership for veterans and serving armed forces personnel

Plymouth Moor View MP, Alison Seabeck and Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Jim Murphy have launched Labour’s new organisation Labour Friends of the Forces which will campaign on the service community’s issues, including Labour’s £1 membership rate for serving and veterans forces personnel. In recognition of the unique role that former and current members of the armed forces play in our country the Labour Party are the first ever Party to offer a reduced membership rate of just £1. The new rate demonstrates the value Labour places on the defence community. Labour Friends of the Forces will aim to help the service community to participate as they can within politics and use their experience to help build the best possible policy programme - one which will help serve our Armed Forces around the world and the defence community at home. Alison Seabeck MP, said: “To recognise the...
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Alison Gives Evidence to the Boundary Commission

Alison Seabeck MP has given evidence to the Boundary Commission about why Moor View should continue to be represented by a Plymouth MP. As part of measures by the Government to reduce the number of MPs the Boundary Commission has recently redrawn the boundaries for Plymouth’s three MPs. Under the proposals that are currently being consulted on, the city’s Moor View ward of Plymouth is being chopped out of Plymouth and given to the new Dartmoor seat that includes Okehampton. Alison Seabeck, the Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor view said: “It is crazy to suggest that the residents of Estover, Thornbury, Leigham and Glenholt have more in common with Okehampton than the rest of Plymouth.” “It surely cannot be right that Plymouth’s iconic buildings and essential services: Derriford Hospital, the Plymouth Herald and Plymouth Airport are to be represented by the MP for...
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Let's "Plug the Debt"

Alison Seabeck MP today welcomed the joint Consumer Focus/Citizens Advice campaign which aims to help advise people who are falling behind with their energy bills. With temperatures starting to plummet, many people face the challenge of how to afford to keep their home warm this winter. 50% of people in the South West are unsure whether they can afford to pay their energy bills this winter according to the watchdog Consumer Focus.1 The most recent figures show that new cases of household energy debts nationwide have increased by 20%.2 Consumer Focus and Citizen’s Advice are concerned that many more people will be pushed into debt to their energy supplier this winter, with average price increases of 14% hit homes. The organisations have launched the new awareness campaign - ‘Plug the Debt’ - to help people know what to do and what their rights are when they fall behind on their...
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Alison Seabeck Supports New HoPE for Honicknowle

Alison Seabeck MP hosted a visit by Baroness Jan Royall to the Honicknowle Partnership of Extended Services (HoPES) project in Plymouth on Friday 28th October at 11am. The visit took place at the YMCA, Honicknowle Lane, Plymouth and representatives from the YMCA, All Saints Academy, Stepping Stones, local churches, Plymouth City Council, and Plymouth Adult and Community Learning Service were allpresent to highlight the excellent work being carried out in partnership to provide youth services in Honicknowle. Alison said “The HoPES Partnership is an excellent example of what can be achieved when local organisations work together within a community. HoPES are developing some excellent projects to maximise the level of youth provision available in the Honicknowle area at a time when Council provided services are experiencing significant cuts. Young people are at the heart of the project and have significant input into the design and content of...
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MP WARNS OF ECONOMIC MELTDOWN IN PLYMOUTH

Alison Seabeck MP has warned that Plymouth faces a potential economic meltdown as national figures released yesterday show that unemployment is at its highest level in 17 years. Alison said ” In my constituency there are 273 more people looking for work than this time last year. That means that nearly 6% of the population who could be working are unemployed with little prospect of finding alternative employment”. She added “ I am worried that levels of unemployment are set to get worse. In Councils across the South West a total of 15,600 jobs have been lost since May last year. Plymouth only accounts for 1,454 of this total, yet we have heard this week, that a major restructure of Council jobs will be taking place leading to more jobs losses. This is on top of jobs already lost in other parts of the...
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