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Some Issues and Some Questions
Childcare/ Under 5’s / Parenting
An increasing number of parents balance work and family responsibilities. Being a good parent can be difficult when children are exposed to a variety of influences.
What more support should be made available?
What should we do to eliminate child poverty?
Education
The vast majority of parents want their children to do well at school and go on to college, apprenticeships or university. Poor discipline and bullying continue to cause
concern.
How can we ensure every child has the chance to pursue their potential and that good teachers are valued and supported?
NHS
There has been record investment, slashed waiting times, five new medical centres are being built locally and most staff are better paid.
How do we create an NHS which is convenient for you to use, gives you a greater voice and puts power in the hands of front line doctors, nurses and matrons?
How do we support people to take greater responsibility for their own health?
Crime
Overall crime has significantly reduced but people still feel threatened and insecure. There is a feeling that the system too often protects the criminal and neglects the
victim. Gang, gun and knife crime are new menaces which require different solutions.
How can we strengthen public confidence in the system, tackle both crime and its causes while supporting the police in the difficult job they do on our behalf?
Local Community
Ainsworth, Prestwich, Radcliffe, Simister, Unsworth and Whitefield are all distinct communities. Local people want to live in areas with pleasant green spaces and parks, clean
streets, decent retail and leisure centres and safe neighbourhoods.
What would most improve your community?
Can we do more together to create a better community spirit?
Should residents have more control over decisions made about local services?
Environment/Transport
Climate change is a crucial issue which threatens the nature of the planet we leave our children and grandchildren. Our quality of life, environment and economy requires a truly
integrated public transport system.
In responding to these challenges, what is the appropriate balance of responsibility between government, business and the individual citizen?
Business
In the global economy Britain is acknowledged as a good place to do business. Our levels of unemployment and inflation are at a record low level.
How do we ensure Britain is equipped to respond to the challenge of globalisation?
Can we do more to support small and medium sized businesses?
Do employers treat workers with sufficient respect and dignity?
Citizenship/Immigration/ Asylum
Britain has a proud tradition of welcoming people fleeing persecution and immigrants who have skills we need in our economy and public services. However, it is important
citizens feel the system is being competently managed and has a zero tolerance approach to fraud and abuse.
How can we develop an agreed definition of what it means to be British?
How can we support integration while allowing people to practice their own faiths and beliefs?
Faith
In our democracy people have an equal right to practise the faith of their choice or assert their lack of religious belief.
However, there is an increasing tendency to deride faith and hold religion responsible for the division and violence in our society. This seems to ignore the positive
contribution of faith groups to the wellbeing of all communities through education, welfare and the fight against world poverty.
How can we support people with and without faith to develop mutual respect?
How can we encourage faith groups to have a dialogue on issues of common interest and concern?
Older People
The people who built our families and our country deserve dignity and respect. Many want to be supported to lead active lives and make a positive contribution to our community.
Others through illness or disability require high quality care and support.
What extra help should be made available to ensure older people have a high quality of life?
How can we better support those caring for ageing family members?
Should we do more to break down the barriers between older and young people in our community?
Disabled People
Disabled people now have a right to expect equality of citizenship. They want the family life, careers and social life many take for granted.
How can we tackle the stigma which disabled people and people with mental health problems continue to experience?
Are employers willing to employ more disabled people?
Are councils and the NHS listening to the views of disabled people?
How can we ensure new funding for respite care properly meets the needs of families with disabled children?
Young People
The vast majority of teenagers are positive and law-abiding citizens. They are a credit to their families and schools despite the challenges presented by adolescence. The small
minority who make people’s lives a misery deserve to be held accountable for their actions and, if negligent, so do their parents.
How can we improve youth and sports activities for young people?
Do we listen enough to the views and concerns of young people?
In addition to ASBOs, what should we do to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour?
Voluntary Sector
Volunteers and Voluntary Organisations are at the heart of our caring community. Whether it be the soccer mums and dads running junior teams, pensioners serving tea at
friendship clubs or professionals running social care services the voluntary sector is essential to the welfare of our society.
In a busy world how do we recruit more volunteers?
As people retire earlier how do we harness their talent as volunteers?
How can we achieve more stable funding for voluntary organisations?
Foreign Policy
Whatever our differences over Iraq and Afghanistan we should show our support and respect for the service personnel who are serving our country with courage and
professionalism.
How should we deal with the threats of fundamentalist terrorism, undemocratic states who seek weapons of mass destruction and the despots of Darfur, Zimbabwe and Burma?
British national interest means we should be an active and influential member of the EU. If this is true how do we resolve the tensions between the areas of policy which require
joint action and others which should be the decisions of national governments and parliaments alone?
Making Poverty History
We live in a world where rising wealth and poverty exist “cheek by jowl”. In Africa and parts of Asia millions of children die through malnutrition, disease and violence. HIV
Aids is rife, clean water in short supply and education a luxury only available to a few.
What more should Britain and the international community do in debt relief, aid and trade policy to truly make Poverty history?
How can local groups and individuals do more to make a difference?
Sign up now to be informed of local listening events in your area as well as other ways to get in touch with Ivan and tell him what you think.
www.burysouthlabour.com/lewisliveautumn07.html
| barry john king - Message left at 11:40 am, Tue 19th Aug 2008 |
Dear Ivan, Congratulations! How good it was to read yesterday about a labour politician who has some real principles of Socialism and has the courage to opine about them.How true it is that our
society needs to tackle greed and inequality by taxing those with much It is not a matter of envy at all,but due to the understanding that in any truly socialist society "the cake needs to be shared
out more fairly".Francis "fanny" Maude once said that it was not helpful to tax the over rich because it would not help the poor. This was a simplistic statement but the point is that taxing the rich
could help the less well off with the right socialist political will. It is just a a matter of fairness.I remember a pithy remark once made by the late "Beast of Bolsover",Dennis Skinner,M.P. " we
have a lot of people in our country living off of the fat of the land".It is a pity that we do not have more like him. It must be very frustrating for truly socialist politicians in our government
today,as they have to contend with the official party line.I recently saw a T.V. clip of Tony Blair who when challenged about the lack of taxation of the super rich replied" What do do want us to
do,tax David Beckham?". The correct answer to that was of course,Yes,David Beckham and all his like should be taxed more because they have far too much,talent or not,and nobody really needs all that
money. A lot of it is just wasted anyway. It would be better if football was nationalised and ticket prices reduced to reasonable levels so that ordinary people could afford to go to matches with
their families without having to take out a bank loan.Ihe last time I attended a Crystal Palace match I got a good seat for £11 ! When I hear children sometimes today enthralled by how many millions
certain footballers get I feel very sad about our standards.There is also the issue of the "fat cats" in the city.The government is frightened that taxing these people properly would frighten away
investors.Peter Hain also gave up the courage of his convictions because he had his "fingers burned" when he came out over this issue.Of course our society needs to reward people who contribute well
to our society and international wellbeing, personal wealth does not have be the main incentive for being a British citizen?Our society now is often obsessed with celebrity and wealth. Tony Blair was
of course one of the greatest sycophants. He courted celebrities and was not really interested in more social equality. No wonder he didn't want to tax David Beckham properly!.Last but not
least,Britain has a problem at present with problems with youth murders and other problems. As a teacher of many years I know how good many young people are. However I believe that now we need a
system of compulsory residential national service for teenagers based on army discipline but without the military combative element. im other words we would not wish to train our young people "To
Kill".However there are many jobs which need doing in our society to bring up the standards of repair and cleanliness in our environment.Going on a recent train journey to London I was surprised by
all the graffiti.The energy of youth is often frittered away these days. The new national service could last one or two years depending on the ability of students to follow higher education courses
such as university.The national service should not be a soft option,and any absconders should be brought back with "force majeure!"I believe that most young people would actually enjoy and benefit
from this.Regards, Barry. |
| Ivan Lewis - Message left at 02:53 pm, Mon 9th Jun 2008 |
David, Thanks for getting in touch. I accept this is a difficult time for you and many families being hit by the impact of the Credit Crunch originating in America and spiralling oil prices. We will
do everything we can to help people who are working hard and struggling to pay the bills. Equally, we will manage the economy in a responsible way so we can get through this challenging period
without causing lasting damage which would lead to a return of mass unemployment, high inflation and interest rates. Please come and meet me to discuss your concerns. You can arrange a mutually
convenient meeting by contacting Hazel at my office on 0161 773 5500. Best wishes, Ivan |
| Ivan Lewis - Message left at 07:38 am, Tue 3rd Jun 2008 |
Sammy, I hope the present study will lead to a National Strategy for Adults. Our aim should be that adults with Autism and Aspergers have the best possible quality of life and their families the
support they need. Best wishes, Ivan |
| David Beagan - Message left at 07:31 pm, Mon 2nd Jun 2008 |
Hi Ivan, i'm in my fifties and a self employed courier(no one would employ me after a couple of heart attacks)and i am struggling on a day to day basis. i am facing bankrupcy with the spiralling cost
of fuel. I know the government are happy with the price going up as it means more in taxes. Apart from the taxes on fuel, i pay tax on my vehicle insurance, tax on my goods in transit insurance, road
tax, income tax and VAT at a flat rate which used to be 6% but is now 9%. My wife contributes all her pension as she is now retired and although £25 a week seems a paltry sum after working and
raising children all her life, it does buy a chinese takeaway occasionally. As a lifelong labour voter and someone who believes everybody should use their vote i did not vote at the local election
for the first time ever. I would not vote against labour but am so downhearted i could not vote for your party. Will things change before i go bust?. Unlikely. I do not want to face life on the dloe
but thats just around the corner. Kind regards David Beagan |
| Ivan Lewis - Message left at 08:23 am, Mon 19th May 2008 |
Janice, thank you so much for your kind and generous comments. You more than most know how frustrating the system can be for too many families. It would be unforgivable if after achieving significant
improvements for disabled children and their families we did not ensure the transition stage and adult services also ensured people could have the maximum possible quality of life. I hope the recent
announcement I made will ensure adults with autism and their parents in the future are not either abandoned by services or inappropriately referred to services lacking sensitivity and expertise.
Please keep in touch; I hope Alex and the rest of the family are well. Best wishes Ivan. |
| Janice Shand - Message left at 10:53 am, Thu 8th May 2008 |
Hi Ivan, I want to thank you again for all your wonderful support for children and adults with disabilies. I have just read the email from the National Autistic Society about the new measures you
have announced. I myself have been extremely fortunate to have you as my MP and have been grateful for the support you have shown with regard to my son Alex. It has made a difference to us as a
family to know that you are so approachable and interested enough to help us fight Alex's corner and that of other disabled children and adults. The people in your constituency are extremely lucky.
Thanks again. |
| Sammy Green - Message left at 07:31 am, Thu 8th May 2008 |
I heard your name mentioned on the Today programme with reference to adult autism Despite coming from a medical family and having easy access to local psychiatric services our son was diagnosed with
autism aged 32yrs!! This at the end of a huge battle for diagnosis. The result leaves us with absolutely no help in the areas of employment or housing. We are a family of graduates, our son if
intelligent & working for a degree but he despairs at the fear of his future when we are not here to support him The cost to NHS etc will be huge if we cannot invest money now to help these
adults. Our voices must be heard. Thankyou for highlighting our plight & that of this 'lost generation'. |
| Ivan Lewis - Message left at 07:59 am, Tue 6th May 2008 |
Dear G Filz, Mant thanks for your comments. I creased to be the Skills minister in 2005 and I am currently a Health minister. With regard to your concern I cannot see how an incentive system which is
part of an Ema can be extended to non-Ema recipients. Although schools and colleges are free to operate their own attendance incentive schemes separate to the Ema "Package". I hope this reply is
helpful, Ivan |
| g filz - Message left at 07:59 pm, Thu 3rd Apr 2008 |
can i bring in the interest of the public this matter. ema is advertised by the govt to give teenagers money up to 30 pounds as an allowance for what is not quite clear, this is means tested. on top
of that they do not advertise that attendees that perfom 100% attendance each term get a bonus of 100 pounds. however those that dont get ema and do have 100% attendance dont receive a penny at all.
this is discrimatory and ivan lewis minister for skills and vocational eduacation is eliminating these people from the sytem if ther parents salary goes one pound over the limit. i understand fully
the need for means testing but the discrimiantory payments to keep others on role is appalling |
| Viv Hubball - Message left at 08:37 pm, Sun 30th Mar 2008 |
Thank you so much for speaking out for the forgotten masses. The government needs to remember that they represent us, when I say us I mean the folks who have worked all of their lives paid into the
system and some of whom have given their lives and are still doing so for this country of ours. We have lost our freedom to protest our freedom of speech but we have not lost our freedom of thought
and Mr Lewis you have read our minds. Or could it be that is what you are thinking yourself? |
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