MP honoured for animal welfare stance

The manifesto included policies such as support for the hunting ban, the abolition of battery cages and reducing the number of animals that suffer in experiments.[ii]

Angela Smith said:
‘I am very pleased to be awarded the Protecting Animals in Democracy Certificate. Cruelty to animals is a shame on our society and our political system needs to do more to protect animals from abuse. I am dedicated to representing the many constituents who write to me about animal welfare problems. Many animals suffer because of political decisions, so I believe it is vital to speak up for these voiceless victims.'

PAD's Dr Dan Lyons said:
‘The way we treat animals is a fundamental indication of the state of our society. Angela's support for compassionate politics is, therefore, a sign that they have the character and ethics much needed to stand in Parliament and help enhance the integrity of our political system.

We look forward to working with Angela and other conscientious representatives to build a truly fair society where our fellow animals are treated as individual beings worthy of respect.'

Angela Smith slams Liberal Democrat and Tory betrayal of local pensioners

Angela Smith has condemned the Liberal Democrats and Tories for voting against a plan to protect local pensioners from the VAT hike.

The Commons' vote came as new research showed Britain's pensioners will be stung by an £8 billion VAT bill over the course of this Parliament.

There are many thousands of pensioners in Barnsley and Sheffield, all of whom will be affected by the rise in VAT from January 2011.

Worse still, figures hidden in the Budget show that local pensioners will be hit every year by changes that hit them in the pocket;

From January, pensioners will face a £400 million VAT tax bill which they will have to start paying months before any increase in the Basic State Pension. Pensioners face paying nearly £8 billion in VAT over the parliament.

In 2011, weekly pension increases fall behind VAT-fuelled price rises.

In 2012, pension rises fall behind price rises again, after the Treasury quietly changed the way the so-called ‘triple lock' up-rates pensions in practice.

By 2013, pensioners face cuts to Disability Living Allowance benefits, which may total £350 million a year by the end of the Parliament, alongside cuts to Housing Benefit and the lower uprating of public service pensions and benefits.

Angela Smith MP last night sought to protect local pensioners by supporting an amendment to the Finance Bill which would have delayed the VAT increase until a proper plan for shielding pensioners was in place.

But Liberal Democrat and Tory MPs ganged up to block the move.

Pensioners in South Yorkshire will now start paying £33 million extra in VAT a month starting in January.

Angela Smith MP said:

"This is a betrayal of our local pensioners by the Tory-Liberal government. Our retired community has paid in for a life-time and is now being hit hard in the pocket.

"I wanted a plan in place to protect local pensioners from the £8 billion VAT bill but the Liberal Democrats refused to help.

"I can't believe the Tories and Liberals are trying to disguise the tax bill with a few promises which on closer inspection just don't add up. The Budget small print says pensioners keep up on getting hit every year with a host of Treasury tricks".

ANGELA SMITH OPPOSES POLICE CUTS IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Angela Smith MP has today voted against cuts of £125 million which will impact on policing in South Yorkshire.

Today MPs debated Tory Lib Dem proposals to cut £125 million of the Government's core police funding. These cuts were proposed despite both the Tories and the Lib Dems supporting the current police grant, which was passed without a vote back in February.

In South Yorkshire it means South Yorkshire Police will see their budget cut from £110.2 million to £107.4 million, a £2.8 million cut, equivalent to a 4.5% cut in police officer numbers.

Commenting Angela, said:

"At the last election we were committed to giving the police the resources to maintain front line police numbers. This Government has made no such commitment and in opposition the Lib Dems called for 3,000 more police officers.

Unfortunately, one of the first acts of the new coalition is to slash the police budget for this year. This was a budget which they supported on the run up to the General Election.

"This is clearly unfair as local police forces like South Yorkshire Police, have already set their precepts and will now have to make savings which will have an impact on police numbers and the services they can provide the people of Barnsley and Sheffield.

"I opposed this new funding package today as it does not protect the interests of the people of in north Sheffield and Barnsley."

Shadow Policing Minister David Hanson MP said:

"The decision to cut the Home Office Police Grant, the Capital Grant and the Counter Terrorism Budget is part of a sustained attack by the new Government on neighbourhood policing.

"The funding allocation was supported by both the Tories and the Lib Dems whilst in opposition but opposed now they are in Government.

"We already know the Tory Lib Dem Government intend to take 25 per cent out of the Home Office budget and this will undoubtedly have an impact on frontline policing.

"Under the previous government crime fell by 36 per cent and there were record numbers of police on the beat. This cut will mean less police on the beat, working to make our communities safer."

Angela Smith backs brush up for oral health

Angela Smith, MP for Penistone & Stocksbridge, has backed a call for better oral health this week. Attending a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dentistry at Parliament, she lent her support to the group as it aims to increase awareness of oral health issues.

The meeting highlighted the current state of the nation's dental health, emphasising the value of preventive care and the role patients and dental professionals play in its improvement. It also explored issues including the increasing number of cases of mouth cancer in the UK and the inequalities that mean children as young as five-years-old are undergoing multiple extractions because of the tooth decay they suffer.

Angela said:
"It is well recognised that good oral health is an indicator of good general health. To maintain good oral health it is important that everybody has the opportunity to access a dentist, brushes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and appreciates the role of good diet in maintaining oral health. I'm delighted to lend my support to the All-Party Parliamentary Group's campaign to improve the oral health of the nation."