Siôn Simon MP

Siôn Simon, Member of Parliament for Erdington, this week met a number of youth outreach workers, led by Jay Davies.

They met at the Sanctuary building where youngsters were taking advantage of the computer facilities on offer there after school.Mr Simon said:“Jay and his colleagues are clearly trusted friends to the youngsters of Castle Vale. They can provide a wealth of advice on youth related matters and lifestyle issues without preaching to the kids.”
“I am particularly impressed by their pro active approach.

They don’t just wait for the kids to come to them – they go out to meet them. This means that many young people have benefited through participation in a wide variety of locally tailored programmes. Weather you are young or old, Castle Vale really is an extremely inclusive community.”

Siôn Simon, MP for Erdington, has applauded the Government’s plans to invest £110 million in 200 projects to reduce the amount of carbon generated by schools.

12 schools in Birmingham will benefit from the scheme, under which the average school will receive around £500,000 to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

Mr Simon said:

“Combating climate change is the greatest challenge that we face today. I welcome the Government’s plans, which will enable schools in Birmingham to play an important role in meeting that challenge and helping to secure the future of our planet for future generations.”

As part of the Children’s Plan announced last week by Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families, the Government intends to ensure that by 2016 all new school buildings will be carbon free. In the meantime it is hoped that the new investment will allow schools to implement energy efficiency measures and take advantage of renewable energy technologies such as biomass boilers, wind turbines and combined heat and power in order to reduce carbon emissions by 60%.

Siôn Simon, MP for Erdington, today welcomed the Government’s announcement of a £2.9 million rescue package for those who lost their pensions when their employer-sponsored pension schemes collapsed, stating that he was “delighted” at the announcement of th

The extension of the Financial Assistance Scheme will restore to 140,000 workers, including 2,000 from the West Midlands, 90 percent of the value of their pensions.

Mr Simon said:

“I am delighted at this announcement, which will come as a tremendous relief to all those who have worked hard and saved for their retirement, only to be deprived of the fruits of their efforts through no fault of their own. This package represents a fair and just settlement, providing security for thousands of hard working people throughout the West Midlands and the UK.”

The announcement was also welcomed by campaign groups and trade unions. Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the Trade Unions Congress, described the announcement as “welcome news and a real victory”, adding that it would be “the best Christmas present imaginable for thousands of workers”.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon spoke to union activists at the latest meeting of the West Midlands section of Amicus, part of the union Unite.

In May this year Amicus combined with the Transport and General Workers Union to form the largest trade union in the United Kingdom. Unite now represents over two million members from the public and private sectors.

The meeting covered a wide range of topics including the rights of agency workers and company pensions. The current controversy over party funding was discussed at length, with Mr Simon voicing support for a cap on election expenditure.

He said:

“An obscene amount of money is spent during the run-up to general election. Much of it – for instance the massive amount spent on billboard advertising, is a waste. What we really need is a cap on campaign expenditure throughout the year to rein in increasingly ridiculous pre-election expenditure as well.”

The Erdington MP went on to say, “It is always instructive to meet with union activists, after all, we do share the same values. They want what the Labour government wants, a fair deal and better opportunities for the hard working families of the country. That is why I, like they are, am proud of the historic and productive link that exists between the unions and the Labour party.”

Siôn Simon, MP for Erdington was interviewed by student Nicola Smith on Friday. Fellow student Nasma filmed the event.

The students from Newman College conducted the interview as part of their Media and Communications course. The interview focused on truancy, what caused it and what could be done to combat it.

The Erdington MP said, “It was a pleasure to be interviewed by Nicola. She has a clear understanding of contemporary media forms, and of current issues that are of concern to the public at large. While much can be learned in the classroom there is no substitute for practical experience. Her course of study is clearly providing both the theory and the practice that will be so important in the workplace.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon met Robert Brown, Chief Executive of Merlin Venture Ltd., along with Castle Vale resident Joan Lawrie last week.

Merlin is a not for profit company whose businesses work to enhance the quality of life for residents of Castle Vale. Although run on a commercial basis, funding is required for some aspects of its work that are not economically viable such as community transport.

Mr Simon said, “Merlin’s contribution to the quality of life for people here in Castle Vale cannot be underestimated. Their provision of services and training shows that a business can be run on a commercial basis and still meet social needs and objectives.

Their CCTV operation is particularly professional and a great asset to Castle Vale. The scheme has logged over 10,000 incidents since its inception and has made people feel safer in their homes and on the streets. That is why continued funding is so important to the continued sustainability of Castle Vale and Merlin Venture Ltd.”

MP for Erdington, Siôn Simon, welcomed plans, announced by the Prime Minister on Monday, to renew and reform the NHS to include personal and prevention care. In his first speech on the future of the NHS as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown unveiled groundbreaki

He also outlined proposals for extending screening for colon cancer and breast cancer and talked of his ambition to create a more personal and preventative health service by giving people the choice of taking a more active role in managing their own care.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown Said:

“The NHS of the future will do more than just treat patients who are ill – it will be an NHS offering prevention as well. The NHS of the future will be more than a universal service – it will be a personal service too. It will not be the NHS of the passive patient – the NHS of the future will be one of patient power, patients engaged and taking greater control over their own health and their healthcare too”.

Further reforms announced included more weekend and evening access to primary care and greater powers to take action against failing services.

Commenting on the reforms today Mr. Simon said:

“I welcome the Government’s vision for the future of the NHS. Greater access, preventative care and more personal choice should not be the privilege of the few but the right of the many. ”