Jon Trickett meets with retired NUM miners

Jon Trickett met with retired miners at the NUM Union Office at Weston Hall in South Elmsall last week. The miners wanted meet with Jon to ask him to look into the matter of their concessionary fuel allowance. The miners believe they are regularly short changed by those who deliver their coal, often receiving fewer bags than they should and bags that are not full. Jon has agreed to write directly to the National Concessionary Fuel Office asking them what steps they take to ensure that the correct amounts are being delivered. Jon Trickett said: “It is wrong that former miners and their widows are being treated in this way. I am interested to hear if this is happening to any other people in the area and would ask anyone affected to contact my office in Hemsworth (01977 722290) and let me know their details”

Jon Trickett is pictured with John Picken (01977 647616) and Jeff Parson (01977 640110)

Street Surgery in Hemsworth

I was pleased to take to the streets of Hemsworth yesterday for a street-surgery; accompanied by District Councillor Sandra Pickin, Town Councillor Darren Campbell and Inspector Geoff Carter and Sergeant Woodmason of the Neighbourhood Policing Team. It was a really useful exercise to be able to meet constituents in their own homes.

It was also a good opportunity for constituents to voice their concerns to myself, Councillors and the Police about issues concerning them within their community.

A big thank you to all those who greeted us and welcomed us warmly into their homes

Any individuals who wish to do so, can still contact:
My constituency office on 01977 722290
Councillor Sandra Pickin on 07821 227340
Neighbourhood Policing Team on 01924 295413

Government forces closure of local Remploy factory

Last week the Tory-led Government went ahead with their enforced closure of the Remploy factory near Pontefract and dozens of others thoughout the country. Ever since the Government announced their ideologically-driven plans earlier this year, I have been working very closely with the many Remploy workers and the GMB Union in my constituency to protect and support them over the coming months.

Last Thursday, I joined Remploy workers and supporters on a march to mark the closure of the Pontefract factory.

Below is a copy of my letter to Remploy workers in my constituency:

I am writing to you about the closure of the Remploy Factory. It was a very sad and bitter occasion on Thursday morning marching up Skinner Lane to the cemetery to mark the closure of Pontefract Remploy. I was determined to show my respect to you by doing the journey up from London and back in order that I could be there.

It is beyond belief that the Coalition Government failed to listen to the pleas to keep the factory open especially because the factory had a full order book.

Speaking to some of you on Thursday I know that Job Centre advisors are visiting you in your homes in the next week or so. I am also working alongside Yvette Cooper, MP for Pontefract and contacting local employers to see if they can help in any way, although we are all aware of the current climate in which we are operating.

These are difficult times and I am aware of the problems you face. I know you will be keeping in contact with our Union, the GMB. I hope you will also keep in contact with my office and let me know how you are getting along.

If there is anything at all you think I can help with please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Jon Trickett MP

Youth unemployment in Hemsworth rises again: our young people are paying the price for this Government’s economic failure

New unemployment figures released today (15^th August) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in Yorkshire and Humberside unemployment has gone up by over 25,000 in the last few months alone.

The ONS figures reveal that in the last year, unemployment rose from 8.6% to a rate of 9.8% in the region.

The latest increase in unemployment is hitting young people hardest, with youth unemployment up 575% in Hemsworth in the last year. Young people, both in Hemsworth and across the country, are paying the price for this Government’s economic failure.

The news comes just a day after it was revealed that Britain is now one of only two G20 countries that are in recession, yet further proof of the catastrophic economic decisions of the Chancellor and the Tory-led Government.

Commenting on today’s unemployment statistics, Jon Trickett MP said:

“Young people in Hemsworth continue to pay the price for this Government’s complete economic failure.”

“Long term youth unemployment here in Hemsworth is up 575% in the last year, but Government Ministers are still clinging to the failing policies that have driven our economy back into recession.”

“Out of touch Ministers need to wake up to the jobs crisis they’re responsible for and take urgent action now. They should start with a tax on bankers’ bonuses to help provide the funds to get over 100,000 young people back into work.

Labour’s plans would also focus on house building, which is not only vital to meet demand but would get construction workers and people in the supply chain of the construction industry back to work.”

More information can be found on the ONS website here.

Cameron must stop blaming the civil service for the failings of his Government

Jon Trickett MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, commenting on reports today that ministers could be given new powers to dismiss senior civil servants, said:

“David Cameron needs to stop blaming the civil service for the failings of his Government, and take some responsibility.”

“We have a double dip recession made in Downing Street because of the decisions he and George Osborne have made – the idea that we need even more politicised Tory appointees is completely out of touch.”

“David Cameron has already broken his promise to limit the number of special advisers: now it seems he wants even more of them.”

Jon’s full response can be found on the Labour Party website: http://www.labour.org.uk/pm-needs-to-stop-blaming-civil-service-for-govt-failure,2012-08-01