Just what part of Rapid Response do the Tories not understand!
Local MP, Angela Smith has slammed local Tories over accusations Corus workers are not getting help.
She has asked them just what part of ‘Rapid Response’ do they not understand. While she recognises there have been issues with individuals suffering some delays in receiving training, which Angela has been busy sorting out, recent comments by leading local Tories show just how out of touch they are from reality and how little they understand what is really happening.
The Hillsborough MP points out that the Rapid Response service offered to the Corus steelworkers means that all those made redundant have day-one access to JCP programmes on leaving and appropriate access to Rapid Response Service funding for training, providing it is applied for within 13 weeks of their redundancy date.
Unfortunately, at a time when local people need help and guidance all the local Tories seem to be interested in is trying to make cheap political points, even if this is at the of expense of people losing jobs.
Commenting Angela said,
“Spencer Pitfield’s claims about the service offered by Jobcentre Plus for redundant steelworkers was inaccurate and misleading. What part of Rapid Response does he not understand?
I am aware that some steelworkers have suffered delays in accessing the service, but I am on hand to help deal with these problems.
Pitfield’s intervention on this matter creates confusion at a time when steelworkers suffering redundancy need clear, accurate information in order to help them move forward. The Tories irretrievably damaged the steel industry in the early eighties and the last thing we need is more of the same from someone who clearly does not know what he is talking about.”
Local MP Concerned over the closure of the Chapeltown Halifax
After being contacted by constituents local MP Angela Smith has written to the Chief Executive of Halifax Bank of Scotland to ask for clarification relating to their plan to stop delivering banking services at their Chapeltown branch.
Local customers of the bank have been informed that the branch will close shortly and this is causing concern.
The nearest Halifax branch will be in Hillsborough if this branch does close, meaning a long bus ride for many customers.
She has also asked for clarification about the future of employees working at the branch, asking whether they will be transferred to other branches nearby.
Commenting Angela said
“The possible closure of this branch has to be of concern to many Halifax customers. The nearest Halifax branches are some distance away and are difficult for many customers to access. I would like to know what alternatives the management of the Halifax are going to offer these customers, if the closure goes ahead. I have also asked what is to happen to the staff currently employed at the branch, whether they are to be re-located to other branches or not. At a time when you hear that some bankers are being offered huge bonuses it is concerning that this local branch relied upon by local people may be closing.”
It’s time for local MP to wear it pink and help beat breast cancer
Angela Smith MP is joining forces with Breast Cancer Campaign to raise awareness of for its award winning fundraising event, wear it pink, on Friday 30 October 2009.It’s time to wear it pink it’s time to beat breast cancer and Angela is urging residents, young and old to get their pink outfits on. Schools, colleges and businesses throughout the country are encouraged to wear it pink in support of Campaign and donate £2 each to fund innovative world-class breast cancer research.
Last year over one and a half million people took part in wear it pink to help improve survival rates for the one in nine women who experience breast cancer during their lifetime. This recession busting fundraiser is affordable and easy to take part in, giving everyone the chance to help make a difference.
Angela says ““Every year over 45,500 women and 300 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. Like many others, I know people who have lost friends and family members to breast cancer. I would like to encourage everyone in my constituency of [insert name] and throughout the country to support wear it pink on October 30, to raise valuable funds for breast cancer research.”
To take part in the UK’s original and best pink day. Call freephone 0800 107 3104 or visit www.wearitpink.co.uk and register to receive your free fundraising pack now.
LOCAL MP CONCERNED ABOUT JOB SUPPORT FOR CORUS WORKERS
Local MP Angela Smith has called for Corus workers about to be made redundant to contact her to relate their experiences of the retraining and employment support they have been offered by Jobcentre Plus.
Angela has heard so far some very mixed views on the quality of the support offered. In some cases, unnecessary bureaucracy has led to unacceptable delays in securing funded places on training courses, leading to anxiety and frustration on the part of workers who are already having to deal with the trauma of redundancy.
These individual problems have been tackled by the MP, who represents the Stocksbridge plant, but she does not want anyone out there to feel that they should suffer an inferior service. Even if the numbers who feel let down by the service are small, Angela Smith is keen to know about these cases.
Not only will she take up the individual case, but she intends to take up her concerns with the government.
Angela says,
“The Government made it absolutely clear that fast, efficient and effective support should be put in place to support workers made redundant at places like Corus. It is important that we make sure this is happening on the ground. If it’s not Ministers need to know and know quickly.”
“I have been very keen to ensure that the Government should do all it can to secure the future of the plant itself, but equally important is the support we give to those members of the workforce who have lost jobs because of this global recession in steelmaking.”
Any Corus worker who wants to contact Angela can do so on 0114 283 1855, by email on
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or by writing to her constituency office. Of course all correspondence will be in confidence.
Local Tories Challenged to condemn remarks made by Tory MEP
South Yorkshire MP Angela Smith challenges local Tories to condemn Tory MEP Daniel Hannan’s view that the NHS is a 60 year mistake.
Sheffield Hillsborough MP and Labours candidate for Penistone & Stocksbridge has today challenged local Tories to denounce the views held by their MEP Daniel Hannan on the NHS. The MEP has been reported as telling an American audience that NHS is a 60 year mistake and he wouldn’t wish it on anybody.
The comments, made by one of the Tories’ elected representatives, is a view which it is alleged is also held by many other Tories and lays bare the Tories' deep ambivalence towards the NHS. Now Angela has challenged local Tories to condemn the views.
Commenting on the report, Angela says,
The remarks made by Tory MEP Daniel Hannan to an audience of Americans are not only deeply offensive to the many 1000’s of people whose lives have been saved by the NHS but also to the doctors, nurses and all the other staff whose hard work has made the NHS such a prized national institution.
The worry is that this view is shared by many Tories around the country. I think local Tories should denounce these views. If they won’t the voters of Penistone and Stocksbridge should take from their silence that they tacitly agree with these despicable views.”
The Tory MEP is said to have made his comments while criticising US President Barak Obama’s health care plans on the American network Fox News.
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