Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has again written to the Borough and County Councils to ask why so many Northamptonshire based SME’s are unable to win tender opportunities with the Local Councils.
“Many local businesses say they have failed to win local Government contracts which they contend have been placed with ‘out of County’ companies and I find that unacceptable” said Brian.
Brian has previously written to both Councils several times in the last two years to question the procurement process and the Council responded by stating it was committed to SME’s and would revise the current procurement policies to further improve the programme for SME’s.
In his letter Brian said: “I would be most grateful if you could let me know the results of those improvements and perhaps let me have a copy of those new policies.”
Brian also asked: “What percentage of the number of contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts set against total spend have Northamptonshire contractors obtained over the past year from your council?” Furthermore: “What percentage of total spend has been set for both number of tenders and value of those tenders which the Council wishes to be taken up by genuine local contractors?”
Brian continued: “I am sure I don’t have to tell you that Northampton is almost totally dependent on the SME sector for private sector jobs and I equally don’t have to tell you that we have been one of the fastest growing areas of unemployment in the recent months and that has to be our concern.”
Brian went on to question the tendering and assessment process and suggested that there was evidence to the effect that local Councils were not acting within national guidelines:
“A number of small contractors in the building industry have said that the questions and format of scoring for the tender process are not in keeping with the national guidelines laid down in conjunction with national contractors and builders associations.”
Brian said: “Local jobs are vital to the well being of our County and our local Councils should recognise the importance of doing all they can to further local employment.”
Monday, 26 July 2010
Equitable Life policyholders must have justice
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South questioned Treasury Minister Mark Hoban MP in yesterday’s Equitable Life statement and called on the Minister to “think more seriously” about introducing interim payments based on his caped figure.
The victims of Equitable Life have had to wait over 10 years for justice as the previous Government continually slowed the process down and Brian has long championed the cause of Equitable Life policy holders.
In yesterdays debate Brian said: “The financial Secretary has intimated that he aims to begin payments by the middle of next year. Thirty Thousand policyholders, and a sizeable number in my constituency, have already died.”
Many policyholders believe it is simply unacceptable to have waited for so long to receive compensation for their loss and the common theme expressed by a number of MP’s yesterday was to ensure speedy payment to those victims.
Brian said: “I have continually called on the previous Government to speed up their response to Equitable Life victims and this Government must act now to ensure that as many people as possible are compensated.”
“It is not just about the money. The money of course is vitally important but we must ensure that justice is done.”
“We need to act quickly as I fear that more people in my constituency will die having not received fair treatment and that is why I called upon the Minister to look more seriously at the option of interim payments.”
The victims of Equitable Life have had to wait over 10 years for justice as the previous Government continually slowed the process down and Brian has long championed the cause of Equitable Life policy holders.
In yesterdays debate Brian said: “The financial Secretary has intimated that he aims to begin payments by the middle of next year. Thirty Thousand policyholders, and a sizeable number in my constituency, have already died.”
Many policyholders believe it is simply unacceptable to have waited for so long to receive compensation for their loss and the common theme expressed by a number of MP’s yesterday was to ensure speedy payment to those victims.
Brian said: “I have continually called on the previous Government to speed up their response to Equitable Life victims and this Government must act now to ensure that as many people as possible are compensated.”
“It is not just about the money. The money of course is vitally important but we must ensure that justice is done.”
“We need to act quickly as I fear that more people in my constituency will die having not received fair treatment and that is why I called upon the Minister to look more seriously at the option of interim payments.”
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
MP disappointed by Clegg approach to smoking ban review
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South is disappointed at the approach taken by Nick Clegg to repealing the smoking ban which members of the public had called for on the Government’s website.
The Deputy Prime Minister announced that whilst there were some policies the government were actively pursuing he implied that the smoking ban would not be one of them and included it alongside comments which state that the death penalty would not be brought back either.
Brian said: “Hundreds of thousands of people will be disappointed by the Deputy Prime Ministers response, especially because the previous Government said we should review the ban after 3 years. The deliberate link he made to the death penalty was particularly distasteful.”
“I don’t understand why the Government won’t review it. It is yet another example of Mr. Clegg breaking faith with the people of the country on an issue which is not of little political importance to the Coalition Government.”
Brian has received hundreds of messages from across the country expressing their support for the review and has been touched by a number of the stories he has received and he outlined just a couple of examples:
Alan from Nuneaton:-
Dear Sir,
In the daily paper it had an item regarding smoking in public places and you were looking into this legislation, is this true?
I am a disabled retired ex serviceman and was horrified by this blanket ban. Why cannot pubs and clubs be given a choice, smoking/ non smoking or a room provided for smokers. My old service buddies and i used to meet twice a week in our local Soldiers & Sailors working mens club for a game of domino's and remembering old times, many were ex WW2 , Korea and myself Malaya Borneo Sarawak during confrontation. But that’s all passed now; we no longer meet as most won’t go outside. The usual remarks are they did not ban smoking when I was serving my country, surely this awful legislation could be modified. When we have gone and children are brought up not to smoke it could be changed again but please change it now. Even by government statistics 37% of the public still smoke.
Yours Sincerely,
Alan
Helen from Wigan:-
Dear Mr Binley MP
I have heard this morning that you have proposed an EDM to amend the smoking ban.
Although I am not one of your constituents, I would like to forward my sincerest thanks to you for taking this action. The blanket smoking ban was one of the most vindictive pieces of legislation that any government could ever pass. Smoking restrictions to cater for everyone should always have been the way forward and would have prevented many of the thousands of job-losses in the hospitality industry.
I wish you well with this motion and will support you all the way.
Thank-you again.
Kind Regards
Helen
Brian said: “In light of these comments, I have written to Nick Clegg calling on him to rethink his abrupt and unthoughtful response.”
“I also find it quite remarkable that he should make these comments at a time when reports suggest the Coalition was going to repeal Labour’s restriction on back shelf cigarette displays and allow cigarette vending machines in pubs.”
“This highlights a degree of political inconsistency which would be ridiculed in a school debating society.”
The Deputy Prime Minister announced that whilst there were some policies the government were actively pursuing he implied that the smoking ban would not be one of them and included it alongside comments which state that the death penalty would not be brought back either.
Brian said: “Hundreds of thousands of people will be disappointed by the Deputy Prime Ministers response, especially because the previous Government said we should review the ban after 3 years. The deliberate link he made to the death penalty was particularly distasteful.”
“I don’t understand why the Government won’t review it. It is yet another example of Mr. Clegg breaking faith with the people of the country on an issue which is not of little political importance to the Coalition Government.”
Brian has received hundreds of messages from across the country expressing their support for the review and has been touched by a number of the stories he has received and he outlined just a couple of examples:
Alan from Nuneaton:-
Dear Sir,
In the daily paper it had an item regarding smoking in public places and you were looking into this legislation, is this true?
I am a disabled retired ex serviceman and was horrified by this blanket ban. Why cannot pubs and clubs be given a choice, smoking/ non smoking or a room provided for smokers. My old service buddies and i used to meet twice a week in our local Soldiers & Sailors working mens club for a game of domino's and remembering old times, many were ex WW2 , Korea and myself Malaya Borneo Sarawak during confrontation. But that’s all passed now; we no longer meet as most won’t go outside. The usual remarks are they did not ban smoking when I was serving my country, surely this awful legislation could be modified. When we have gone and children are brought up not to smoke it could be changed again but please change it now. Even by government statistics 37% of the public still smoke.
Yours Sincerely,
Alan
Helen from Wigan:-
Dear Mr Binley MP
I have heard this morning that you have proposed an EDM to amend the smoking ban.
Although I am not one of your constituents, I would like to forward my sincerest thanks to you for taking this action. The blanket smoking ban was one of the most vindictive pieces of legislation that any government could ever pass. Smoking restrictions to cater for everyone should always have been the way forward and would have prevented many of the thousands of job-losses in the hospitality industry.
I wish you well with this motion and will support you all the way.
Thank-you again.
Kind Regards
Helen
Brian said: “In light of these comments, I have written to Nick Clegg calling on him to rethink his abrupt and unthoughtful response.”
“I also find it quite remarkable that he should make these comments at a time when reports suggest the Coalition was going to repeal Labour’s restriction on back shelf cigarette displays and allow cigarette vending machines in pubs.”
“This highlights a degree of political inconsistency which would be ridiculed in a school debating society.”
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
MP tables Shared Parenting Orders Bill
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has tabled a Private Member’s Bill which calls for the making of shared parenting orders to enhance the welfare of a child.
The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the making of shared parenting orders and to create a legal presumption that such orders enhance the welfare of the child unless certain exceptions apply and for connected purposes.
Brian said: “Shared parenting legislation is vitally important for all involved, especially the children.”
“Very often Court Orders are made without the knowledge of the importance of a father’s involvement and my bill will make sure that neither parent is shut out from a child’s life when sadly a relationship breaks down.”
“I don’t need to underline the importance of both parents in a child’s life. A significant proportion of the social problems in today’s society are a result of when a child doesn’t have the love and support of both parents.”
“I hope the Bill will go some way to help this which can only be good for society.”
The Bill is supported by 10 other MP’s and includes: Dr Therese Coffey, Douglas Carswell, Phillip Hollobone, Christopher Chope, Peter Bone, Mark Reckless, Caroline Dineage, Mark Pritchard, Harriett Baldwin and David Nuttall.
The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the making of shared parenting orders and to create a legal presumption that such orders enhance the welfare of the child unless certain exceptions apply and for connected purposes.
Brian said: “Shared parenting legislation is vitally important for all involved, especially the children.”
“Very often Court Orders are made without the knowledge of the importance of a father’s involvement and my bill will make sure that neither parent is shut out from a child’s life when sadly a relationship breaks down.”
“I don’t need to underline the importance of both parents in a child’s life. A significant proportion of the social problems in today’s society are a result of when a child doesn’t have the love and support of both parents.”
“I hope the Bill will go some way to help this which can only be good for society.”
The Bill is supported by 10 other MP’s and includes: Dr Therese Coffey, Douglas Carswell, Phillip Hollobone, Christopher Chope, Peter Bone, Mark Reckless, Caroline Dineage, Mark Pritchard, Harriett Baldwin and David Nuttall.
MP calls for smoking Ban review
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for a review of the smoking ban to stop the closure of so many pubs and clubs.
Over 2,000 pubs and clubs have gone to the wall in the last year and 7 pubs a day going out of business. They are under massive pressure to keep afloat and the smoking ban has further impacted on their plight.
When the bill was implemented on the 1st July 2007 the Government said it would review the ban in three years time, a review which now does not appear to be forthcoming.
Brian said: “Many pubs and clubs are finding it difficult dealing with the economic situation; the smoking ban has further impacted on many businesses and the trade is really struggling. I want to consider a balanced and proportionate amendment to the legislation, which allows for segregated smoking rooms or areas within pubs, bars and clubs provided that effective smoke extraction systems of an authorised standard are installed.”
The EDM calls on the Government to conduct a thorough review supported by consultation with all affected business sectors on the impact the smoking ban has had on public houses and private members clubs.
Brian said: “I understand that, the Government has no plans to review the smoking ban at the present time and that makes me angry. The then Health Minister, John Reid MP, promised that a review would be held three years after the implementation of the ban but the Government is now saying that it has no plans to do so. That denial is simply unacceptable.
“I have tabled this EDM to put pressure on the Government to look into the impact the ban is having on the pubs and clubs trade and to conduct an urgent review.”
“The EDM also calls for any changes to the smoking ban legislation to be made on the basis of evidence, fairness, proportionality whilst recognising the importance of pubs and clubs to the nation’s social life and community wellbeing.”
Over 2,000 pubs and clubs have gone to the wall in the last year and 7 pubs a day going out of business. They are under massive pressure to keep afloat and the smoking ban has further impacted on their plight.
When the bill was implemented on the 1st July 2007 the Government said it would review the ban in three years time, a review which now does not appear to be forthcoming.
Brian said: “Many pubs and clubs are finding it difficult dealing with the economic situation; the smoking ban has further impacted on many businesses and the trade is really struggling. I want to consider a balanced and proportionate amendment to the legislation, which allows for segregated smoking rooms or areas within pubs, bars and clubs provided that effective smoke extraction systems of an authorised standard are installed.”
The EDM calls on the Government to conduct a thorough review supported by consultation with all affected business sectors on the impact the smoking ban has had on public houses and private members clubs.
Brian said: “I understand that, the Government has no plans to review the smoking ban at the present time and that makes me angry. The then Health Minister, John Reid MP, promised that a review would be held three years after the implementation of the ban but the Government is now saying that it has no plans to do so. That denial is simply unacceptable.
“I have tabled this EDM to put pressure on the Government to look into the impact the ban is having on the pubs and clubs trade and to conduct an urgent review.”
“The EDM also calls for any changes to the smoking ban legislation to be made on the basis of evidence, fairness, proportionality whilst recognising the importance of pubs and clubs to the nation’s social life and community wellbeing.”
Brian Binley MP re-elected to BIS Committee
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has been re-elected to the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, toping the votes amongst his fellow MP’s.
The BIS committee is to be Chaired by Labour MP Adrian Bailey meaning there were five places up for grabs amongst Tory MP’s on the hugely competitive committee with over 27 Conservative Members going for five places, more than any other Select Committee.
Brian said: “I am delighted to have toped the polls particularly because of the strength of the opposition. There are a lot of keen new Members but I believe that my experience from the last Parliament, serving on the Committee and my experience in the SME sector are vital to the Select Committee.”
“I am pleased that my colleagues feel I have represented the party well in this position in the past and I will continue to do so in the future.”
“I will now also take the role as lead spokesman for my party on the BIS committee as the senior member as well as being the unofficial vice chair of the group.”
Brian has also been elected Chairman for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Small businesses and believes that both positions will help him to fight more effectively for the cause of small businesses within Parliament.
Brian said: “By chairing the APPG I aim to give small businesses a greater voice in Parliament. We have had sizeable interest in the group already and I am hoping to further the group’s progress from the previous Parliament.”
The BIS committee is to be Chaired by Labour MP Adrian Bailey meaning there were five places up for grabs amongst Tory MP’s on the hugely competitive committee with over 27 Conservative Members going for five places, more than any other Select Committee.
Brian said: “I am delighted to have toped the polls particularly because of the strength of the opposition. There are a lot of keen new Members but I believe that my experience from the last Parliament, serving on the Committee and my experience in the SME sector are vital to the Select Committee.”
“I am pleased that my colleagues feel I have represented the party well in this position in the past and I will continue to do so in the future.”
“I will now also take the role as lead spokesman for my party on the BIS committee as the senior member as well as being the unofficial vice chair of the group.”
Brian has also been elected Chairman for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Small businesses and believes that both positions will help him to fight more effectively for the cause of small businesses within Parliament.
Brian said: “By chairing the APPG I aim to give small businesses a greater voice in Parliament. We have had sizeable interest in the group already and I am hoping to further the group’s progress from the previous Parliament.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)