Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin - Heywood & Middleton MP

Members of Parliament are under the spotlight on expenses’ claims and this will continue until the publication of receipts in July. Most MPs make claims within the present rules. However it is right that these rules should be re-examined by the Independent Committee under Sir Christopher Kelly that deals with standards in public life.

To enable MPs to do their work representing their constituents effectively there does need to be an allowance system as exists in many other employment agreements in different walks of life.

The problem with the existing system is that successive governments from Mrs Thatcher to the present incumbent have resisted addressing the basic salaries of MPs and have used the allowance system as a substitute. This needs to change but should be the subject of an independent commission enquiry away from the Parliamentary system completely.

I have been fortunate enough to have inherited the bulk stationery supplies from former MPs who retired at the last election. My present surplus should enable me to continue until well after the next election without any major stationery orders being placed. This has meant that the taxpayer has saved a considerable amount in paperwork and postage. My stationery supplies can be viewed by any constituent who wishes to do so in the interests of transparency.

Let’s get the whole issue resolved by agreement across the parties and accept the recommendations from Sir Christopher Kelly.

Wednesday 29 April was the day we debated the Gurkhas’ Settlement Rights. I was in my Select Committee for most of the debate but managed to listen to the later stages. I informed the Government whips that despite some major concessions by the Government it did not go far enough.

It was an opposition motion from the Lib Deems where as usual they were being all things to all people. Their motion will open the door to thousands of other individuals and their families from other countries and the cost has been estimated at £1.5 billion. Their motion was carried.

My view was that the Lib Dem motion was too open ended and therefore I abstained. A number of Labour MPs did likewise which was sufficient to defeat the Government. The cost of this defeat may turn out to be a huge burden for the tax payer.

Labour’s budget for jobs announced a new £1billion Future Jobs Fund which aims to create 150,000 jobs for people at risk of long term unemployment. The Future Jobs Fund is part of more than £30billion investment in skills and training which should guarantee work or training for every 18-24 year old.

The government’s aim is to have this in place by 2010 but they are looking to develop this as soon as possible.

I want to hear local people’s views on what needs to be done locally.

The Fund though only announced last week is open for business and already sports organisations have pledged to create 5000 jobs for young people.

The Equality Bill was given its first reading on Monday and should be introduced in the autumn of 2010. The Bill is about challenging disability discrimination and outlawing age discrimination at work. It is about fairness.

I attended a breakfast debate about the place of mutuality in the banking and building society sector and the place of mutuality and Co-operative enterprise in the financial world. The Co-op model was given a fair hearing.

I congratulate Sue Verity on becoming Rochdale’s Woman of the Year, a thoroughly appropriate and worthy choice in recognition of her contribution to music and charity.

I received around 700 letters from students of Matthew Moss School encouraging the Government to support reading programmes across the developing world. I presented these letters to the Prime Minister, who I am sure will reply in due course. These young people deserve plaudits for their caring efforts.

I then travelled to Boarshaw Primary School in Middleton and was met by the Head Boy and Head Girl who told me about the school and introduced me to the Headteacher, Stephen Williamson, and the Deputy Head. I was then escorted round the school where I saw the tremendous progress that has been made.

In the evening I presented interior design awards to successful adult students who have been studying design programmes that will enable them to start up their own businesses or upgrade their skills. I saw some very impressive projects and everyone very obviously enjoyed the course. It was funded by Heart of Heywood.

Following the launch of the new Middleton Arena by Sir Steve Redgrave on Saturday 25 April we attended a thrilling performance of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci performed by Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society at Heywood Civic Centre. It was a wonderful evening with fine acting and singing accompanied by an excellent orchestra.

On Sunday 26 April I sponsored the Cricket between Norden and Middleton where my invited guests enjoyed a pleasant afternoon and gave me the opportunity to meet with local constituents. I recognise the contribution of our sports clubs in the community especially for our young people.

I hosted an event in Parliament to launch a charter in support of the Voluntary or Third Sector by my Trade Union Unite during the financial downturn. I represent my colleagues in Parliament as the link to the Government on behalf of the Voluntary Sector who make a huge contribution to local service delivery.

A Treasury Minister Ian Pearson agreed to meet with Graham Whiteman and Michael Pedley, two aerospace entrepreneurs to discuss their ideas in the sector.

Before heading for the constituency on Thursday 30 April I met Lord Nicholas Windsor, son of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, to discuss the pro-life issues I am dealing with in the Commons.

In the evening Pat and I joined members of the St Thomas More Retirement Group in the Church Hall for a dinner and dancing to celebrate their 30th anniversary as a group. It was a nice relaxing evening and it was great to meet up with Canon Tony McBride and Rev Maureen Thorpe of St Michael’s C of E Alkrington who were guests that evening.