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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/7/28/2019 Postcard From Parliament May - June 2013
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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/new7/28/2019 Postcard From Parliament May - June 2013
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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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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.
7/28/2019 Postcard From Parliament May - June 2013
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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.htm7/28/2019 Postcard From Parliament May - June 2013
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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.
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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"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-cap7/28/2019 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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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
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:
BIRMINGHAM
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE:
Tel: 07889 650544
0121 603 2299
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