postcard from parliament may - june 2013

7/28/2019 Postcard From Parliament May - June 2013

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MAY - JUNE 2013 POSTCARD FROM PARLIAMENT UPDATE FROM ROGER GODSIFF MP

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41,000 received food aid in the

West Midlands last year

Roger has tabled an Early Day Motion, 223,

which draws attention to the growing

pressure on the nations already over stretched

food banks.

http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/223

Roger said: A recent report from the Trussell

Trust (the biggest provider of food banks in the

UK) stated that more than 350,000 people turned to

their food banks for help in 201213, almost triple the

number who received food aid in the previous year and

100,000 more than anticipated. The true figure of those

receiving food aid last year is, however, nearer 500,000

when other independent food banks, churches,

charities and community groups are taken into

account.

He went on to say: The impact of food poverty has

been particularly dramatic in the West Midlands with

the Trussell Trust seeing the biggest ever increase in

West Midlands food bank use with a 200% rise in

numbers turning to foodbanks in last 12 months. Over

41,000 people in the West Midlands have received at

least three days emergency food from Trussell Trust

food banks during the last 12 months, more than triple

the number helped in 2011-12.

There are many underlying causes for this dramatic

increase in demand for food support - not least

increasing unemployment. However, the Trussell

Trusts own research suggests that 45% of all referrals

are as a result of benefits problems which include

benefit delays (30%) and benefits changes (15%).

Roger also believes that a significant causal factor is

likely to be the rising tide of draconian benefit sanctions

although at the present time there is only anecdotal

evidence to support this and rising levels of complaints

from constituents.

He concluded: There is every indication that levels of

food poverty show every sign of growing as further

changes to the benefits system take effect. Suchdevelopments, I believe, are wholly detrimental to the

social fabric of the UK, further marginalising the poor,

the unemployed and already socially disadvantaged and

are incompatible with the functioning of a modern,

compassionate society. I have called on the

government to launch an urgent enquiry into causes of

food poverty, particularly in respect of the

administrative failure of the Dept of Work & Pensions

(DWP) to deliver benefits effectively and its widespread

use of punitive benefit sanctions.
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/223http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/223http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/223http://www.parliament.uk/


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The DWP is never backward in reminding us all how

much money it is managing to save the UK taxpayer but

wouldnt it be nice if it actually got the money that

people are entitled to distributed before they had to

visit their local food bank.

Roger fights Corporation

Tax demand on market

from HMRC

Organisers of the popular Moseley Farmers Market

were thrown into confusion recently with a demand for

Corporation Tax of a 1000 from HMRC.

Its a farce says Roger who has written in the

strongest terms to Lin Homer, Chief Executive of HM

Revenue & Customs. Two HMRC officials have stated

clearly that they believe the market to be exempt from

tax, another believes that it is and hence the demand

for just under 1000 but with no backdating.Roger went on to say: The Treasurer of the Moseley

Farmers Market CIC, Jill Adams, has filled in a return to

the Inland Revenue every year since the Community

Interest Company (CIC) was formed and she has

sought, and has been granted, an exemption from

paying Corporation Tax on the grounds that as all

surpluses were returned to the community and the

market is run by unpaid volunteers there was no

Corporation Tax liability.

When Ms. Adams submitted the return to the Inland

Revenue this year she was shocked to receive a letter

from HMRC which stated that the Moseley Farmers

Market Community Interest Company 'does not in fact

qualify for this Extra Statutory Concession' and needs

to pay Corporation Tax.

In his letter to Lin Homer, Chief Executive of HMRC,

Roger points out that: There are other Farmers

Markets in Birmingham such as the one in Kings Norton

which is also CIC and they have continued to be grantedan exemption from Corporation Tax.

Roger has asked Lin Homer to examine the evidence

again and reinstate Moseley Farmers Market exemption

from Corporation Tax in line with the exemptions given

to other Farmers Markets in Birmingham.

Roger signs Justice for the 21 e-Petition

Roger has signed a petition to: Implement a fresh

inquiry to establish the truth in order to identify andbring to justice the perpetrators responsible for the

worst outrage on British Mainland in the 20th century

in respect of the memory of the 21 innocents who were

killed in the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings.

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4

2684/signature/new

Mr Bumble says: It doesnt collateYou can ask Iain Duncan-Smith,

Secretary of State at the Deptfor Work & Pensions (DWP)

many things and he will have

an answer for most of them.

Quick as a flash he will be able

to tell you how many benefits

claimants have been

sanctioned, how many

appealed this sanction, how

many were unsuccessful at

appealing this decision and
https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42684/signature/newhttps://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42684/signature/newhttps://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42684/signature/newhttps://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42684/signature/newhttps://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/42684/signature/new


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humane and sensible approach to the problem of the

spread of Bovine TB.

He said: There was a debate in Parliament recently on

this issue and I regret the fact that the Conservatives

and Lib.Dems voted against the Motion put forward bythe Labour Party condemning the Badger cull.

Roger opens the Bee Garden at Jubilee Gardens, Longmore Street,

Balsall Heath

Roger supports a clean energy target

On the 4th June Roger voted to support renewableenergy and jobs by backing a move to clean up UK

power and tackle climate change.

He voted for an amendment to the Energy Bill, currently

in Parliament, that would set the Government a legal

target to remove carbon emissions from the UKs power

supply almost entirely by 2030.

Roger said: Green is working the green economy

supports almost a million jobs already and it is helping

to stop dangerous climate change.

But green companies and their supply chains will only

make long-term investments in the West Midlands

region if theres a clear pathway for renewable energy

in the future.

Thats why I voted for a target to cut the carbon from

our electricity by 2030 it would help stabilise the

climate and provide much needed jobs, as well as

keeping bills as low as possible in the long-term.

He concluded: It was announced recently that the

world still has record reserves of fossil fuels to exploit

with ever improving technology but that in reality our

weather systems can only support about a third of this

consumption. The appearance of ever more extreme

weather events and the dramatic reduction in the size

of the polar ice caps is continuing testimony that we

cannot go on pumping more and more carbon into the

atmosphere with impunity.

Roger agrees with Bob that W Mids police

commissioner should be scrapped

Following reports that the West Midlands police

commissioner Bob Jones, has said his own role should

be scrapped in favour of something more efficient and

less party political Roger said: I have never been a fan

of police and crime commissioners and voted against

the measure in Parliament.

Roger doesnt believe that bringing politics into policing

is especially popular and the electorate would seem to

agree as the turnout across the West Midlands force

area in November's elections was 12%. The turnout

figure was lowest in Coventry at 10.18%.

Whilst I like Bob and would not want to make him

redundant I do agree with him that elected police

commissioners should be scrapped.

Roger (far left) with Bob Jones (centre) on the election trial in

happier times.


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Roger welcomes news of Telephone Tax

removal

HMRC has begun removing the Telephone Tax from its own

helplines which is a welcome move says Roger. He believes

that this is the beginning of its fulfillment of an assurance

that all HMRC 0845 numbers will be replaced by 03 numbers

by the end of the summer. HMRC is setting an example

to other departments and public bodies he believes.

The National Audit Office is investigating claims that the

use of premium-rate phone lines by government

departments amounts to a telephone tax and expects

to deliver its verdict in July.

A number of Government departments including crucially

the Dept for Work and Pension (DWP) will continue with

0845 numbers thereby further penalizing those on benefits

who call up for help and advice.

The primary HMRC helpline numbers, covering VAT,

National Insurance and Income Tax, and Self Assessment are

all changing from 0845 to 03.

New Numbers:

http://hmrc.gov.uk/news/new-numbers-helplines.htm

The Fair Telecoms Campaign has indentified 938 NHS GP

surgeries in the UK which are imposing the Telephone Tax.

In these cases it is retained for the benefit of the GPs, in

covering part of the cost they incur in providing NHS services

under contract. There are also many NHS hospitals and

other NHS bodies which impose the Telephone Tax, through

use of 084 numbers.

www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/uploads/1/1/4/5/11456053/ukgp

s.pdf

Roger votes for Robin Hood Tax

Roger said: I have always been a strong supporter of

the implementation of such a tax and I was very happy

to support the measure in a Commons vote recently.

I believe it would be one of the most effective ways of

ensuring that the financial community, who caused the

financial crisis in this country and other western

countries in 2008, make a contribution towardsalleviating the suffering that they have caused both in

the UK and abroad.

Roger concluded: A global Robin Hood Tax could raise

250 billion every year, including tens of billions right

here in the UK.

Roger intervenes in Ngobeni case

Roger intervened in the case of Ms Ngobeni who, with

help from friends, the TUC and Duncan Lewis Solicitors,

a firm experienced in similar immigration casework,

managed to halt imminent removal proceedings and

secure time for further legal representations to be

made.

Ms Ngobeni has been an active campaigner for

democratic rights in Swaziland whilst in the UK and

feared for her safety if she were forced to return. She

also did not want to be bride No. 14 in the Kings

harem!
http://hmrc.gov.uk/news/new-numbers-helplines.htmhttp://hmrc.gov.uk/news/new-numbers-helplines.htmhttp://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/uploads/1/1/4/5/11456053/ukgps.pdfhttp://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/uploads/1/1/4/5/11456053/ukgps.pdfhttp://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/uploads/1/1/4/5/11456053/ukgps.pdfhttp://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/uploads/1/1/4/5/11456053/ukgps.pdfhttp://www.fairtelecoms.org.uk/uploads/1/1/4/5/11456053/ukgps.pdfhttp://hmrc.gov.uk/news/new-numbers-helplines.htm


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Picture courtesy of the Mail Online

Tintswalo Ngobeni who fears for her safety if she were

to return to Swaziland fled to the UK after drawing

the unwanted attentions of the oppressive ruler

of Swaziland, King Mswati II.

Picture courtesy of the Mail OnlineKing Mswati II, 45, is permitted to choose

a new bride every year and wanted Ms Ngobeni

to join his harem of 13 wives.

And arrest ofMaxwell Diamini

Roger has also written a letter to Foreign Secretary,

William Hague, over the imprisonment of Maxwell

Diamini, Secretary General of the Swaziland Youth

Congress. Maxwells arrest follows a number of events

over recent years in which student unionists inSwaziland have been unable to carry out their

legitimate activities without fear of arrest or

harassment by the Swazi government.

Advice Agencies under massive pressure as

benefits confusion grows

Roger has written to Welfare Reform Minister, Lord

Feud, regarding the introduction of updated plans for

the Local Support Services Framework in October. This

framework will establish how how Universal Credit

claimants are going to be supported.

He said: Organizations such as Citizens Advice (CAB)

are rightly concerned, as I am, that the new framework

is set up in a way to ensure that local voluntary

organisations are at the centre of delivering thissupport and are given the resources that they need.

In the last year CAB have helped people in Birmingham

with over 11,000 problems related to benefits and tax

credits and it will come as no surprise that they are

predicting a significant increase in demand for help over

the next few years as the reforms are rolled out.

I also know that the CAB has already suffered badly

from funding cut backs and has had to release many

knowledgeable advisors who will no longer be there tohelp claimants negotiate their way through the new

complex maze of welfare changes. All this is happening

at a time when the cuts in the legal aid budget are

cutting out many of the advocacy services for people at

benefits tribunals.

Roger is also concerned that benefits confusion over

all the new legislation is leading to big delays in

payment as claimants, through no fault of their own,

make mistakes in filling out forms and have claims

rejected.

Roger under fire for criticism of the

Westminster Nursery

Roger has been criticised by colleagues after he

condemned the decision to set up the nursery, which is

used by the children of MPs and officials, and is

subsidised by the taxpayer to the tune of 100,000 a

year.

An unrepentant Mr Godsiff said: Im not against

nurseries and crchesIm a strong supporter.


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"But what are my constituents supposed to think when

they see MPs enjoying this subsidised and lavish facility

while their own local services are being cut?

While the nursery has room for 40 children, only 24

places have been filled and only six of the youngsters

are full-time attendees. David Camerons children use

the nursery.

Roger said: The nursery is still running at a projected

loss of 100,000 in this financial year and records show

that the accumulated running losses and capital costs

now amount to well over 1 million at a time when

public nurseries and Sure Start centres are closing or

drastically reducing their provision.

This continual drain on public monies is no longer

justifiable.

Mr Godsiff added: If a private nursery was run this

way, then it would have to close. If it was run by the

local council, then theyd need to find some way of

controlling costs.HELP LINE LIBRARY BELOW

Benefit cap helpline number:0845 6057064 or

Textphone 0845 6088551 (for people with hearing

or speech impairments)

www.gov.uk/benefit-cap

http://www.affordablewarmthapply.co.uk/

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can

_help/housing_advice_helpline

Shelter provides a free, national telephone advice

line staffed by trained housing advisers. We have

helped thousands of people, from finding them a place

to sleep to suggesting how to handle mortgage arrears.

Ring 0808 800 4444

8am-8pm Monday-Friday

8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday

Helpline: 0845 608 4455 Email:[email protected]

The Patients Association, PO Box 935, Harrow,Middlesex HA1 3YJ

T: 020 8423 9111 F: 020 8423 9119 E:[email protected]

Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL)

0800 882200
http://www.gov.uk/benefit-caphttp://www.gov.uk/benefit-caphttp://www.affordablewarmthapply.co.uk/http://www.affordablewarmthapply.co.uk/http://www.affordablewarmthapply.co.uk/http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helplinehttp://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helplinehttp://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helplinemailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helplinehttp://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helplinehttp://www.affordablewarmthapply.co.uk/http://www.affordablewarmthapply.co.uk/http://www.gov.uk/benefit-cap


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Lines are open 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday to Friday.

From a landline your call is free.

This is a confidential telephone advice and informationline for peole with disabilities, carers and

representatives. It covers England, Scotland and Wales.

BEL can provide general benefits advice and

information, but staff do not have access to any

claimant records and are therefore unable to give

information on the progress of a claim or benefits you

are already receiving. It is a confidential service and

nothing you ask or say will go on your file.

FINANCIAL ADVICE

Citizens Advice consumer helpline on

08454 04 05 06

Consumer Credit Counselling Service OurFREEPHONE helpline is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to

3pm on Saturday.

0800 138 1111

http://www.cccs.co.uk/Contact.aspx

National Debt Line 0808 808 4000

Office of Fair Trading - Enquiries and Reporting

Centre on 0845 7 22 44 99

[email protected]

FREE LEGAL ADVICE

http://www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/Legal-

advice/Free-legal-advice.htm

http://www.lawworksclinics.org.uk/bflag/index.phpht

tp://www.lawworks.org.uk/list-of-lawworks-member-

clinics

Children families and disabilities

Get in touch with the helpline

ofContact a Familywho work

with young children. They may be able to refer you to a

local network of refer you to a local network of trained

advocates. Free helpline on 0808 808 3555

Other organisations that may be able to help are:

Every Disabled Child Matters

Norfolk Coalition Of Disabled People

Norfolk Disabled Persons Alliance

The Council for Disabled Children

Independent Living Advice Line

Provides advice to disabled people and their carers:

Tel: 0845 026 4748 or email:

[email protected]

BIRMINGHAM

CONSTITUENCY OFFICE:

Tel: 07889 650544

0121 603 2299

[email protected]
http://www.cccs.co.uk/Contact.aspxhttp://www.cccs.co.uk/Contact.aspxmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/Legal-advice/Free-legal-advice.htmhttp://www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/Legal-advice/Free-legal-advice.htmhttp://www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/Legal-advice/Free-legal-advice.htmhttp://www.lawworksclinics.org.uk/bflag/index.phphttp://www.cafamily.org.uk/http://www.cafamily.org.uk/http://www.cafamily.org.uk/http://www.edcm.org.uk/http://www.edcm.org.uk/http://www.ncodp.org.uk/http://www.norfolkparents.org.uk/http://www.norfolkparents.org.uk/http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://c/Users/hughesi/Documents/davina/Postcards/Jan%202013/[email protected]://c/Users/hughesi/Documents/davina/Postcards/Jan%202013/[email protected]://c/Users/hughesi/Documents/davina/Postcards/Jan%202013/[email protected]:[email protected]://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/http://www.norfolkparents.org.uk/http://www.ncodp.org.uk/http://www.edcm.org.uk/http://www.cafamily.org.uk/http://www.lawworksclinics.org.uk/bflag/index.phphttp://www.lawworksclinics.org.uk/bflag/index.phphttp://www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/Legal-advice/Free-legal-advice.htmhttp://www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/Legal-advice/Free-legal-advice.htmmailto:[email protected]://www.cccs.co.uk/Contact.aspx