My notes on going to war..

Setting off at 4.40am to head of Parliament to vote on whether the UK should take military action in the Middle East again.


I have received correspondence requesting I vote both against and for I respect those views: that we must take action and that no good can come of it. My view is that the proposed action of military airstrikes in Iraq only is a policy of partial containment and in that

Labour has to liberate the working classes from the dead hand of the state UPDATE

Returning from Conference I'd like to thank LabourList for
allowing me to share a platform to discuss the issue of Working Class representation.
It caused some commentary for my comments on Union selections but this was a
misrepresentation of the wider points I made.

Whilst unions have their chosen candidates, often not drawn from the membership
but

MISERY OF THE COALITION’S BEDROOM TAX CONTINUES DESPITE VOTE IN PARLIAMENT

I've spoken to many people in Hyndburn who have told me that they are struggling to cope with the hated bedroom tax, introduced by the Tories and Liberal Democrats in Westminster. In the North West alone over 75,411 people have been affected – by far the highest of any region in the country.

This is a policy that unfairly hits hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people, such as those with

MPs backing Rossendale dementia friendly community

I am delighted to give my full support to Dementia Friendly Rossendale – this is a great initiative which will raise awareness of the issue and support those who are suffering. I recently attended an information session at Rossendale Youth Zone and I would encourage others to engage and support the ‘dementia friendly’ campaign.


Over a 1,000 people in Hyndburn suffer from dementia. For a liong

Voicing concern for uninsulated Hyndburn Homes

Last Thursday, I voiced the concerns of many residents to the Secretary of State, concerning his decision to scrap the vital 'Home Improvement Fund' in Hyndburn. Scrapping the scheme will leave many homes with inefficient heating, and unmanageable bills.

The Home Improvement Fund targeted housing that was poorly insulated, and that was in dire need of restoration. According to the last

Why a unitary local authority for East Lancashire is worth investigating..

There are many common sense and practical reasons why people in East Lancashire, particularly MP's are beginning to ask the question: 'Is it in the best interests of Lancashire and East Lancashire that the county is dissolved into separate unitary authorities?'.

Two stand out straight away. Band D council tax in 2014/15 in Blackburn is £1,486.46 whilst in two tier Hyndburn it is £1,557.87.;

Politics goes pink for breast cancer awareness

Visiting Accrington student Megan McCann & myself supporting 'Wear it Pink'

I am joining the fight against breast cancer by wearing pink by taking part in Breast Cancer Campaign’s flagship fundraiser, wear it pink day.

The theme of wear it pink this year is to ‘look good, do good’ in support of breast cancer research. On Friday 24 October people across the country will come together to find

Read On. Get On.

Dear Graham



Reading is the key to a child’s future: it unlocks their
potential and opens up a world filled with possibilities.

And yet, almost a quarter of

Booktrust partners with new campaign to ensure all children are reading well by age 11

From: Events [mailto:Events@booktrust.org.uk] To: JONES, Graham Subject: Booktrust partners with new campaign to ensure all children are reading well by age 11



Dear Mr Jones



I hope you are very well. Thank you so much again for attending Booktrust’s parliamentary reception in July.



Booktrust has now come together with Save the Children and others to launch today ‘Read On. Get On

How to Avoid Contractor Fraud

Starting a house project? Read these helpful tips before you hire a contractor.

                -Get a list of reputable contractors from your insurance company, the Better Business Bureau or a specialized consumer organization like Angie’s List.

                -Contact multiple contractors, and obtain more than one estimate.

                -Don’t allow a contractor to inspect your property if you’re not home.

                -When the contractor is inspecting your property, personally watch him conduct the inspection.

                -Obtain the terms and conditions of the project in writing, including details on specific supplies being used     and who will purchase and deliver them. Include an estimated completion date and a price-deduction schedule if work takes longer than promised.

                -Ask about warranties on work.

                -Make sure the contractor gets the necessary permits and puts them in his name.

                -Ask for references from recently completed work. Call them and look at the work if possible. Ask if there were issues and if the homeowner would use the contractor again.

                -Ask the contractor if he has liability insurance, and get the policy number and agency’s name. Call the agency, and ask them to provide you with a liability certificate of insurance. There should be no charge to you as a customer of a contractor.

                -Avoid signing the contract until the document is reviewed fully and/or discuss the terms of the contract with a legal representative or a knowledgeable source.

                -Pay the contractor by check or credit card rather than in cash.

                -Don’t pay for work in advance. If possible, don’t pay until the work is done. If you do agree to pay portions at different stages, make sure the bulk of the payment is made at the end of the project after inspections are passed.

                -Get these details in writing.  

 

        -Ask for proof of insurance and get certificates of insurance especially workers compensation.

Sources: Ohio Department of Insurance, PIAA of Ohio, and Ted Kinney, CIC, CPCU, ARM

Cancer Survival Rate in East Lancashire requires stricter Monitoring

With East Lancashire's Cancer Survival Rate deemed 'Poorer' than the National Average in a new report published by the APPG on Cancer which highlights the importance of early diagnosis in ensuring an increase in one year survival rates.

East Lancashire's One Year Cancer Survival Rate of "67%", suggests a higher emphasis needs to be placed on early diagnosis. One Year Survival rate statistics

This Monday is emblematic of the Tories’ short-sighted vision for rail in the north

This Monday rail fares across the Northern Rail franchise have increased in some places by an eye-watering 117% as the result of the abolition of off-peak rail travel across the Northern Rail franchise area.

A Wigan-Manchester Piccadilly return ticket will increase from £4.20 to £9.10, a frankly unacceptable rise that will literally make travelling by train unaffordable for a lot of people –

Children with Cancer UK and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

This month I am supporting Children with Cancer UK and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This campaign raises awareness of childhood cancer, the impact that a diagnosis can have and how essential work, research and support can help children and their families.
Every year 2,400 children and teenagers are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK. That's around six every day. However, more

Insurance Tips Before and After A Disaster

“If only I knew.” Four words spoken after disasters by people who’ve learned they don’t have the insurance coverage they thought they had. In our agency, we never want you to be in that situation, so here are some tips to help.

Advice you need before a disaster

You might have purchased your insurance a long time ago. Do you remember the coverage choices you made and your deductibles, endorsements and exclusions? These details can make or break a family after a disaster, so take a few minutes to call us to see if your coverage fits your current needs. Be sure to report life changes and significant purchases or home improvements.

Do you know how much coverage you have if your home or possessions are damaged by rain, hail, lightning or tornadoes? If your roof was damaged in a storm, would it be repaired or replaced? How soon after a storm do you need to report a loss? Are you aware that most renters and homeowners policies don’t cover floods or earthquakes? Do you have loss-of-use coverage in case you have to vacate your home temporarily? If a tree falls on your car, do you have the right auto coverage?

If you don’t know the answers, it’s important to call us to learn what your policy specifies.  Another helpful tip is to create a home inventory every few years. It sounds like a headache, but anyone who has filed a claim will vouch for its value, and technology has made the process quick and easy. Videotape or photograph your possessions room by room. Get close-ups of valuable items, and keep receipts. Create an inventory by downloading an app or using a website like knowyourstuff.org, recommended by the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA). Store this inventory on the web or somewhere outside your home to keep it protected.

Insurance tips for after a disaster

Inspect your property and vehicles. Make a list of what is damaged and how. Take photos for documentation. And report your loss in a timely manner. Also take steps to protect possessions from further damage after the disaster.

If you need to move out of your residence temporarily, provide us with a phone number where we can call you. Find out the monetary limit your loss-of-use insurance covers before you choose a hotel. When you file a claim, back it up with written estimates and your home inventory information.  Prepare now, and your family will be grateful if there ever is a disaster.

The closure of the Independent Living Fund

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) enriches the lives of many disabled people within Lancashire and in Hyndburn. Its cost effective and personal approach to care has enabled a level of independence that is crucial to the lives of disabled people. The current Tory-led government efforts to dissolve the ILF risks undermining that essential support. By promoting an individually based care system, the

FIFA World Cup 2022 - Qatar. An investigation

From: WILLIAMSON MP, Chris To: WILLIAMSON, Chris Subject: RE: QatarDear ColleagueYou may know about the work I have been undertaking to raise awareness of the most awful plight of immigrant Nepalese and Indian workers being deployed in Qatar. Earlier this year, I spent five days in the country undertaking a fact-finding mission organised by the construction workers' union UCATT. I was