David Hanson MP News

Hanson Backs Freedom From Fear Campaign

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 02:53:00 -0600

Delyn MP and Shadow Policing Minister David Hanson will visit Tesco in Holywell this Monday as part of Usdaw’s Respect for Shopworkers Week. Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Campaign seeks to prevent violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers. This year they have organised a Respect for Shopworkers Week to highlight these important issues. Usdaw understands that the threat of verbal abuse and physical attack is a year round worry. However members are concerned that the number of abusive incidents increases dramatically during the festive period. As the shops become busier, customers become more stressed and sometimes things can boil over. David Hanson said: “Shopworkers should be able to do their job free from the fear of abuse from customers. Any form of violence, threats or abuse against shopworkers is unacceptable.”

Hanson Votes to Protect Compensation

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 02:52:00 -0600

Delyn MP David Hanson has voted to stop the Coalition Government’s cuts to compensation for over 90% of seriously injured victims of violent crime and for the dependants of murder victims. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme currently supports over 30,000 injured victims each year with relatively small payments which help to make up for lost pay whilst victims of crime are unable to work due to their injuries. The Government’s proposed cuts would mean that compensation would not be available to victims who sustain injuries such as facial disfigurement, permanent speech impediment or multiple fractured ribs. The victims of dog attacks would no longer receive any compensation, no matter how serious their injuries. Even those most seriously injured would have their payments slashed, as compensation for loss of earnings will be limited to the rate of Statutory Sick Pay – just £85 a week. And any victim who has had a period out of work in the previous 3 years (around a third of the UK workforce) will not receive any compensation for loss of earnings. These same cuts and conditions will apply to the dependants of murder victims, drastically reducing their compensation and financial security following the death of a loved one. After the debate and vote in the House of Commons, David Hanson said, “The Government have sought to make these huge cuts to compensation for 90% of injured victims of crime by the back door, with no discussion by the full House of Commons. Labour MPs called this debate as a final opportunity for MPs to demonstrate to Government Ministers the fundamental flaws in their program of cuts to Criminal Injuries Compensation. “It was also a chance for MPs to stand up for the victims of crime and demonstrate to the Government that there must be a better way to make cuts than to 90% of seriously injured victims of violent crime and to the dependants of murder victims – who have no other means of redress.” “If the Government finally succeeds in passing these cruel and unnecessary cuts, in Delyn constituency alone, in the next 2 years over 100 seriously injured victims of crime would have their criminal injuries compensation either abolished or cut. “I promise that I will continue to put the interests of victims first, but I am deeply disappointed that Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs chose to ignore the plight facing so many seriously injured victims of crime, and failed to vote against these cruel and unnecessary cuts.” The shopworkers’ union Usdaw have been campaigning against the cuts in compensation on behalf of many of their members who fall victim to violent robberies. Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett welcomed David’s support, “Thousands of shopworkers and other innocent victims of violent criminals desperately need the relatively small amounts that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides. Most who suffer serious injuries need to take considerable time off work to recover. “We believe that seriously injured victims of violent crime have suffered enough and should not have to face possible deprivation and debt as well. The Government seem to want victims of crime to suffer financially as well as physically. “Usdaw are very grateful for the support of David Hanson MP. We will continue to do all we can together to prevent these abhorrent cuts from being passed.”

Theresa May is being completely dishonest about police numbers

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:12:00 -0500

David Hanson, Shadow Policing Minister, said:

"Theresa May is being completely dishonest about police numbers. She claimed, extraordinarily, that frontline police are being "protected". But the Home Office's own figures show nearly 7,000 frontline police officers have already been cut in the first two years of the Tory-led Government. This loss is even worse than the experts predicted.

"She also tried to claim there were more neighbourhood police, but in truth many forces have redefined and merged existing units of officers. For example in Gloucestershire they count 537 officers as neighbourhood, but just 27 as 999 response. The previous year, however, they had 450 described as 999 response, the majority of which have now switched to being counted as neighbourhood. In reality forces are being forced to double up the jobs and merging responsibilities to cover for the cuts.

"According to the Home Office's own figures the total number of neighbourhood police, response unit police and traffic cops has fallen by 7,500 since the general election.

"The measures on restorative justice that Ed Miliband called for in April will be undermined if there aren't enough police officers to enforce them.

"And if she wants more action on organised crime, she should support the plans set out by Yvette Cooper to get back more of the cash they have stolen.

"And she failed to apologise for the behaviour of Conservative Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell, who insulted the police officers she is supposed to be backing in the fight against crime.

"The Home Secretary announced no new action to reduce crime, support the police or meet her immigration target. Despite all the government's tough rhetoric they are cutting 15,000 police and undermining their work - this is a government that is weak on crime and weak on causes of crime."

ends

Hanson Visits Flintshire Nursery to Promote World Milk Day

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 03:21:00 -0500

Delyn MP David Hanson will this Friday visit The Tree House Nursery, Oakenholt, this Friday to help promote World Milk Day. World School Milk Day is organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and is celebrated in over 30 countries around the world. Launched in 2000, the day is used to promote the importance of drinking milk at school to children in a fun and educational way. The goal of World School Milk Day is to celebrate school milk on one day of the year at the same time all across the world. At the schools they will be handing out school milk to 1,000's of children and judging drawing competitions. David Hanson said: “We all know that milk can have huge benefits for young people and I am delighted to be able to support and promote World Milk Day this year.”

MP to Call into Coffee Morning

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:04:00 -0500

Delyn MP David Hanson will take part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 28th September at Barclays Bank branch in Flint.

The Coffee Morning is part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s flagship fundraising event, which raised over £10 million for people affected by cancer in 2011. Barclays branches across the UK are taking part again this year and inviting their customers to get involved too. Last year Barclays raised over £630,000 on the day for people affected by cancer.

David Hanson said:

“I have taken part in the Macmillan Coffee Morning for many years and I will be raising a cuppa again to support this very important cause.”

Hanson Backs Million Meal Food Drive

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 03:05:00 -0500

Delyn MP David Hanson has pledged to support the local food drive in Flintshire. The Million Meal Appeal where shoppers can donate food to help local people in crisis is being organised by charity FareShare and Sainsbury's stores across the country. As part of the campaign the Delyn MP is backing the appeal locally. On the weekend of the 6-7th October, volunteers will be asked to greet customers and encourage them to buy an extra item of food from the Million Meal Appeal shopping list. Donations will be collected as shoppers leave the store. FareShare will then deliver the donated food to over 700 charities and community projects across the UK to help families in need. Sainsbury’s will match the level of food donations collected over the weekend. FareShare is seeking more volunteers to assist with the two-day food drive. Volunteers can sign up at http://www.fareshare.org.uk to register, and choose their preferred store and time slot. The Million Meal Appeal comes as the economic crisis deepens and the rising costs of living hits households in Flintshire hard. Food prices rose by more than four per cent over the last year and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimate that around 5.8 million people in the UK struggle to afford everyday essentials like food. David Hanson MP said: “The Million Meal Appeal will help local families struggling with rising living costs and cuts to tax credits. Flintshire food bank does an excellent job but I know that demand is rising under this government. I am supporting the Million Meal Appeal and I urge others to visit www.fareshare.org.uk to see how they can help.” ENDS Notes Last year the Million Meal Appeal collected food for 1.2 million meals for disadvantaged people with Sainsbury's customers buying an additional item of food for FareShare, which the charity then distributed to hostels, day centres, breakfast clubs and local projects.

Hanson to Attend Flint Hospital March

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 03:04:00 -0500

Delyn MP David Hanson has confirmed he will be joining local residents and Town and Community Councillors at the Flint Cottage Hospital March at 5.00pm on Tuesday 18th September. Mr Hanson said: “There is tremendous feeling in Flint about the proposals from the Betsi Cadwaladr Trust, with regard to Flint Cottage Hospital, and I will be both joining the March, and attending the Consultation, in order to listen to what constituents are saying and to hear from the Trust direct. I will be responding to the Consultation for both Flint Hospital and for the services at Mold Cottage Hospital, before the end of the Consultation. The Consultation ends on the 28th October 2012, and I encourage all constituents, who have concerns, to make their views known before the end of the Consultation.” Mr Hanson also intends to attend Theatre Cymru, Mold at 2.00pm on Friday 28th September, to listen to constituents in Mold, and the Trust, with regard to the proposals for Mold Cottage Hospital.

Hanson Slams Government Over Regional Pay

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:57:00 -0500

Delyn MP David Hanson has today spoken in opposition to proposals to move towards localised pay bargaining in the public sector.

During a Welsh Grand Committee debate this morning the Delyn MP urged Minister’s to think again and throw out proposals to undermine the pay review bodies by shifting wholesale to regional and local bargaining in the public sector.

The Flintshire MP was speaking ahead of a vote in the House of Commons later today which will oppose moves intended to weaken or dismantle efficient and stable arrangements for negotiating and setting public sector pay.

David Hanson said:

“The national pay review bodies have been an effective way of keeping a tight control of costs whilst balancing the need to recruit and retain staff here in Flintshire and across the UK.

“I have consistently opposed the Government's plans to undermine the pay review bodies by shifting wholesale to regional and local bargaining in the public sector.

“This would have a hugely negative impact, not only on the 18,000 public sector workers here in Flintshire, but on the thousands of other jobs that rely on that money being reinvested in our local economy.

“Increasing local and regional differentiation in public service pay would also exacerbate a North South divide, punishing regions already hard hit by unemployment and other effects of the recession.”

20th Anniversary Dinner in Delyn

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 07:38:00 -0500

Dinner with The Rt Hon David Hanson MP The 20th Anniversary of his election to Parliament.Friday 6th July 2012At the Beaufort Park Hotel, New Brighton, Mold, CH7 6RQ£20 per ticketIncludes hot buffetSpecial Guest Speaker: The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP Shadow Home SecretaryContact Bryan Grew on 01352 759673

Hanson Slams "Fire at Will" Proposals

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:22:00 -0500

Delyn MP David Hanson has slammed Tory plans to make it easier for employers to sack their staff. The Government-commissioned Beecroft report proposes allowing firms to fire their staff at will – something that will alarm employees already facing great uncertainty in the current jobs market and economic climate.

The introduction of a ‘no fault dismissal’ procedure could result in people being fired almost instantaneously and for no valid reason. Adrian Beecroft, the report’s multi-millionaire venture capitalist author and Tory donor, admitted his proposals would mean that bosses could sack employees simply because they didn’t like them and that this was a “price worth paying”.

But these proposals actually risk damaging the economic recovery further as cutting employment rights could undermine the confidence of millions of employees who could subsequently limit their consumer spending for fear of losing their jobs.

David Hanson said:

“The UK already has the most competitive employment regime in the world. The Tories are demonstrating just how out of touch they are; having tried to blame Britain’s businesses for the recession they are now blaming hard-working employees as well.

“This Government’s failed plan has resulted in a double-dip recession made in Downing Street and 2.6 million people unemployed, but instead of admitting their mistakes they are making the incredulous claim that growth is being held back by the employment rights we all enjoy at work.

“These are tough times and people in Flintshire are already worried about losing their jobs without the Tories making it even easier for them to be made unemployed. We all want to feel secure in our jobs and the Tory plans would lead to even more anxiety for hard-working families who want to plan for their futures.

“To end this recession made in Downing Street we need a proper plan for jobs and growth, not Beecroft’s fire-at-will manifesto.”