New unemployment figures reveal that youth unemployment in Barnsley East has risen to over 1,000

16 February 2012

The latest unemployment figures released yesterday by the Office of National Statistics show that the number of unemployed 18 to 24 year olds in Barnsley East has risen by 11 per cent over the last year, with the total figure now standing at over 1,000. 

The new figures also reveal that long-term youth unemployment has risen by over 30 per cent in the last year, with the Yorkshire and Humber region seeing the second highest rise in the number of 18 to 24 year olds signing on to Job Seeker’s Allowance.   Overall, there are now are now 13.4 people on JSA chasing every vacancy in Barnsley East.

Commenting on the new unemployment statistics, Michael said:

“Youth unemployment in Barnsley East is now over 1,000 and the number of 18 to 24 year olds unemployment for over 6 months has risen by over 30 per cent in just 12 months.  The Government has been raising taxes and cutting spending too far and too fast and the results are now clear for all to see – they are failing on jobs and failing on the economy.

“The Government’s welfare to work programmes are not working and it is time for Ministers to get a grip before a generation is left scarred by their failure.”

Michael sings at charity concert in Barnsley

15 February 2012

Last Saturday night, Michael performed at a charity concert for Reflections, Art in Health at the Rockingham Community Centre in Hoyland.

Michael took to the stage and sang a number of songs and also joined the Doncaster band Strange Triangle and other performers for the final number of the night.

Commenting after the concert, Michael said: “I would like to thank Tony Russell for all his great work organising this event.  Mental health charities perhaps don’t get the support they deserve and the event was about the ongoing efforts to change that.  I would encourage people to find out more about the charity by visiting http://breakthroughmhart.com/”.    

Barnsley Chronicle (Hoyland edition), Friday 17 February 2012

LabourList: If Cameron really “relishes” PMQs, Labour will put that to the test

14 February 2012

Michael has written an article for LabourList outlining some more “whoppers” from David Cameron during PMQs as well as analysis showing that the Prime Minister is trying to duck out of as many PMQs as possible.

Click here to read the full article: ‘If Cameron really “relishes” PMQs, Labour will put that to the test'

Michael welcomes the decision by Barnsley Council to finally move to compulsory purchase of derelict properties in Welland Crescent

10 February 2012

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael has welcomed the decision by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) to move to compulsory purchase of two derelict properties in Welland Crescent, Elsecar.  This follows the refusal of the owners of the properties to sell to the council. 

The BMBC cabinet decided on 1 February that the stalemate situation had gone on for too long and decided to put together the necessary legal documents and seek approval for a compulsory purchase order from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

BMBC has said that it is still open to negotiation with the owners over purchasing the properties, but the council has said that no extra money will be offered.

Michael has been campaigning for the demolition of the properties since he visited the estate over a year ago.  He has been in regular contact with BMBC and wrote to the Leader, Stephen Houghton, back in November 2011 when he thought that it was taking too long for the issue to be resolved.

Commenting on the latest development, Mr Dugher said:

“This is positive news as it seems that an end to this long-running problem is finally in sight.  The situation with these derelict properties has gone on for far too long - they are in a dangerous state and are a magnet for vandals and fly tippers.

“I have been campaigning for months now with local residents, together with Hoyland Milton Councillors Robin Franklin and Tim Shepherd, to say enough is enough. I am happy that BMBC has agreed with us. 

“The sooner these dangerous eyesores can be pulled down the better it will be for the local residents. Elsecar is a great community and the vast majority of law-abiding, decent residents in the area deserve better". 

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 10 February 2012

Michael reveals big drop in the number of SMEs securing government contracts

9 February 2012

As reported in the Daily Mail and the Sun today, Michael has revealed that the Government is failing to support small businesses. 

The latest Whitehall departmental figures, released at the end of January, show a fall in the number of SMEs securing Government contracts.  This is despite a pledge by David Cameron and the Minister responsible for Government procurement, Francis Maude, to ensure that “25 per cent of all government contracts are awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises”. 

Procurement spend with SMEs at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, for example, has dropped from 16.54% to 13.04% (April – September 2011).  And the procurement spend with SMEs at the Department for Work and Pensions – a department which has a quarterly procurement spend of almost a £1 billion – has declined from 16.99% to 12.31% (January – September 2011). 

Click here to view the figures, which show a pattern of decline across Whitehall departments.

Michael quoted in the Daily Mail and Sun articles said:

“The Government likes to talk big on supporting small businesses, but the truth is that it is betraying small businesses, which are the lifeblood of the British economy.

“Because of the Government’s failures, net lending to small businesses is falling and the number of companies going under is rising.  And now small firms are being increasingly locked out of government contracts.  If the Government’s own business department won’t help them, who else will?”.

Cabinet Office Questions – 08 February 2012

8 February 2012

Michael Dugher asked a question to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, today during Cabinet Office Questions.  Michael asked: 

Mr Speaker, the Government promised that 25 per cent of all government contracts would be awarded to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.  

Yet the latest figures, published on the Minister’s own departmental website, show that the percentage of procurement spend with SMEs at the Cabinet Office has fallen from just under 11  per cent to 7 per cent - a decline replicated across Whitehall.

At a time when net lending to SMEs is falling and the number of companies going under is increasing, why is that things are getting worse for small businesses - not better - on this Government's watch?

Click here and scroll to 21:10 to watch the exchange.

The Anthony Nolan Register: Could you be the next one in 11 million?

03 February 2012

Michael attended a reception of the APPG on Stem Cell Transplantation in Parliament on Tuesday and met the Chief Executive of the Anythony Nolan Trust, Henny Braund.

The Anthony Nolan Register is stepping up its campaign to get more people to sign up.  Anthony Nolan finds matches for leukaemia patients who need a lifesaving stem cell transplant (commonly known as a bone marrow transplant).

Michael signed up as a donor back in July 2010 and is encouraging people to consider doing the same as the charity can currently only find matching donors for half of the people who need them. 

The charity particularly needs more male donors between the ages of 18 and 30 to come forward.  This is because they are generally bigger, so give a higher yield of stem cells.  Younger donors are also less likely to have any of the health conditions that might prevent them from being able to donate.  Over 80% of donations are given by men, but just 12% of our register is made up of those from the ideal age range.

Joining is easy: you just need to fill in a medical questionnaire and then give a small saliva sample. You can request an application pack and find out more from the Anthony Nolan website at www.anthonynolan.org  

LabourList: More PMQs whoppers from David Cameron

3 February 2012

Michael has written an article for LabourList today outlining some more “whoppers” from David Cameron during PMQs. 

Click here to read the full article: ‘More PMQs whoppers from David Cameron'

The Mirror: David Cameron's three "lies" in just 30 minutes at Prime Minster's questions

31 January 2012

The Mirror is reporting today that the Prime Minister told “three whoppers” in the space of just 30 minutes during Prime Minister’s questions last week. 

David Cameron told MPs in the House of Commons that there “are more people in work now than at the last election”. But recent employment figures from the independent Office for National Statistics show that the number in work has fallen by 26,000 since May 2010.

Mr Cameron also denied that the Government’s welfare reforms would slash benefits to disabled children.  But the Department for Work and Pensions’ assessment on the new universal credit shows that the rate paid to disabled children will fall from £53.84 to £26.75 a week.

Finally, Mr Cameron quoted Dr Greg Conner to defend his NHS reforms. But he failed to mention that Dr Conner’s remarks were made when he was chairman of the Doncaster clinical commissioning group – a position he no longer holds.

Michael, quoted in the article, said: “You get more whoppers from David Cameron than from Burger King.  He either can’t be bothered to get his facts right or, as The Mirror reveals, he just plays fast and loose with the truth. It goes to show how arrogant and out of touch he is.”

Click here to read the full article: David Cameron's three "lies" in just 30 minutes at Prime Minster's questions

Michael supports campaign to protect children from tobacco marketing

27 January 2012

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael met with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) last week and pledged his support for a campaign to protect children and young people by putting tobacco in plain, standardised packaging. 

Commenting, Michael said: “The reality is that smoking is a deadly addiction that kills half of smokers, but many young people are simply unaware of this. Introducing plain packs would minimise the dangerous allure of cigarettes and reduce the chances of children starting to smoke.”

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 27 January 2012

To find out more about the campaign, click here.

Michael on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show

27 January 2012

In an interview on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Dean Pepall show yesterday, Michael asked the Government to “think again” over plans to cut South Yorkshires Police helicopter and replace it with a shared helicopter service based in West Yorkshire and Humberside.

Michael said: “I join the new chief constable (David Crompton) in his concerns over the loss of the South Yorkshire Police helicopter, at a time when we are already facing a reduction in front line police officers and an increase in crimes such as theft and personal violence by as much as 11%”.

To hear the full interview click here and scroll to 1:16.50.

Michael signs the Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment to honour the victims and survivors of the unprecedented persecution of the Holocaust

27 January 2012

Today marks the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp, which is the site of the largest mass murder in history.

Last week Michael signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.

Michael said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember the victims of genocide. We must never forget what happened and I pay tribute to the extraordinary men and women who having survived the Holocaust, work to educate young people about what they endured."

Holocaust Memorial Day has been held in the UK since 2001 and the United Nations declared it an International event in November 2005. It seeks to bring together a diverse range of people to remember the Holocaust as well as the genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur.

To find out more about this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day, visit www.hmd.org.uk.

Barnsley Chronicle: Fifth of homes in Barnsley missing out on heating help

26 January 2012

The Barnsley Chronicle is reporting on the figures that Michael revealed recently showing that nearly 20 per cent of households in Barnsley are entitled to some form of assistance with their fuel bills.  This extra help is worth an average of £250 per household.  Michael is concerned that many people in Barnsley are unaware of this entitlement and is encouraging people to contact a free helpline (0800 336699) for more information. You can read the full article below:   

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 20 January 2012

The Sunday Times - Live on Sunday - January 22nd

22 January 2012

Michael took part in a “Live on Sunday” online Q&A discussion for the Sunday Times website today.   

Click here (£) to read Michael’s responses to the questions from Sunday Times readers. 

Michael visits Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support (BIADS)

19 January 2012

Michael visited Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support today to meet staff and volunteers who provide support to both sufferers and carers of people with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. To find out more about BIADS, you can visit their website at: www.biads.org.uk.

Commenting after the visit, Michael said: “The staff and volunteers who work at BIADS are inspiring and I am very proud to be a patron of such a worthwhile organisation”.

The Daily Mail: Strip Fred 'the Shred' Goodwin of tainted knighthood, demand MPs

16 January 2012

The Daily Mail is reporting today on the growing calls for Sir Fred Goodwin to be stripped of his Knighthood.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: "It was wrong that Fred Goodwin was knighted. Most of my constituents in Barnsley think it is outrageous he can dine out on being a ‘sir’ and I am inclined to agree with them."

To read the full article, click here: Strip Fred 'the Shred' Goodwin of tainted knighthood, demand MPs

Tribune Magazine: The future may not be bright, but it’s unlikely to be Orange

16 January 2012

In an article in the latest edition of Tribune Magazine, Michael says that Clegg may have a differentiation strategy, but the Lib Dems are just quasi-Conservatives and pay-roll survivalists.

Click here to read the full article:  “The future may not be bright, but it’s unlikely to be Orange”

The Sunday Mirror: Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude goes against his own spending squeeze in £5m recruitment campaign

15 January 2012

The Sunday Mirror is reporting today that Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude is “defying his own spending squeeze by hiring a host of highly-paid staff”.

Quoted in the article, Michael said: “The Government is constantly lecturing people to tighten their belts. Yet they are splashing ­taxpayers’ money to spruce up their internet PR.”

Click here to read the full article: “Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude goes against his own spending squeeze in £5m recruitment campaign”

Michael Dugher and Dan Jarvis host joint Labour dinner in Barnsley with special guest Ed Miliband

13 January 2012

Last night, Michael Dugher MP and Dan Jarvis MP hosted a joint Labour dinner at Ardsley House Hotel in Barnsley with special guest, the Leader of the Labour Party, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP.
Other guests included: Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP, Paul Blomfield MP, Linda McAvan MEP and Steve Houghton, the leader of Barnsley Council. 

Over 200 Labour Party members, councillors, trades unions and representatives of local businesses attended the event and heard speeches from Michael, Dan and Ed Miliband. 

The evening was a great success with everyone saying how they particularly enjoyed Ed Miliband’s speech, where he set out how we can get Barnsley and Britain back to work.  He said the Government was letting down our young people in particular and that there were different policies the Government could be pursuing.  He also said Labour would have to make difficult decisions in the future, but that active government could make a real difference to promoting jobs, growth, better opportunities and fairness in our economy and society. 

Barnsley Labour Dinner with Ed Miliband

Barnsley Chronicle: "Six things you may not know about ... Michael Dugher"

13 January 2012

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 13 January 2012

Michael attends ‘Proud of Barnsley’ event

6 January 2012

Last week, Michael attended a Proud of Barnsley event with Dan Jarvis MP. Read the article in the Barnsley Chroncile today (below) for more information.

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 13 December 2012

Michael puts pressure on Nick Clegg to return £2.4m "dodgy donation"

9 January 2012

The Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Mirror both reported yesterday on Michael’s call for Nick Clegg to repay a £2.4million donation made to the Lib Dems by Michael Brown.

The police arrested the runaway in the Dominican ­Republic last Friday.  In 2008, Brown was sentenced in his absence to seven years in jail for stealing £36million from clients.

Michael said: “The Lib Dems took a massive donation from this man - they should pay the money back out of decency. Michael Brown’s victims want their money back, and the Lib Dems have £2.4 million of it.

“Nick Clegg likes to talk about the need to clean up politics, so the arrest of the Lib Dems’ biggest donor gives him an opportunity to put this dodgy money where his mouth is.”

Sunday Telegraph: Michael Brown, Lib Dem's fraudster donor, facing justice at last

Sunday Mirror: Nick Clegg under pressure to return £2.4m "dodgy donation"

The Daily Mirror: Nick Clegg stages humiliating retreat over Lib Dem plans for a "mansion tax"

6 January 2012

The Mirror is reporting today that Nick Clegg has back-tracked over Lib Dem plans for a “mansion tax”.

Quoted in the article, Michael said: “It looks like Nick Clegg has been forced by his Tory bosses to drop yet another of his pre-election promises. The ditched mansion tax is just one more Lib Dem policy to add to the scrapheap, on top of the broken pledges to abolish tuition fees, hold down VAT and protect the NHS.”

To read the full article, click here: Nick Clegg stages humiliating retreat over Lib Dem plans for a "mansion tax"

Government changes are bad for the NHS - and bad for Barnsley, says Michael Dugher

3 January 2012

Blog post by Michael Dugher:

Here's a quiz question for you for the New Year: Where can you find the statement "we will stop top-down reorganisations of the NHS that have got in the way of patient care"? The Labour Party website? Wrong. Try again. An article by Andy Burnham? Nope. Answer? This is the pledge that the Conservatives and Lib Dems signed up to when they drew up the coalition agreement last year. Yet the Government continues to push forward with its plans to impose changes to the NHS from above, ignoring the concerns of doctors, nurses and patient groups, at a cost of over £3 billion. And, as is so often the case with this Tory-led Government, the changes will disproportionately hit the places that are most in need.

Take my own borough. In the last ten years of the Labour government, health care in Barnsley improved substantially. Between 2000 and 2010, investment increased by 95% in real terms and by 2010 there were 5,270 more doctors across Yorkshire alone. The mortality rate in Barnsley fell over the same period, especially among those suffering from cancer, heart disease and strokes. Yet there are still massive health challenges that need tackling. Official NHS figures show that mortality rates in Barnsley are still well above the national average, with life expectancy lower, on average, than in the wealthier parts of the country by 8.8 years for men and 7.7 years for women.

Click here to read the rest of the article...

Cameron criticised over honours to his “friends in the city”

3 January 2012

The Prime Minister has been criticised after rewarding a number or Conservative Party donors, including a hedge fund manager whose company made millions betting on the failure of Northern Rock, in the New Year honours.

Paul Ruddock used a practice called 'short-selling' to profit from a fall in the share price of Northern Rock before it had to be rescued by the taxpayer.

Quoted in The Mirror, The Press Association, The Daily Mail, The Independent, Herald Scotland, Scottish Daily Record, The Sun, Sky News Australia and the Metro, Michael Dugher said: “David Cameron promised to clean up politics, but in office he has shown he is utterly out of touch with decent British people. He's giving a knighthood to Paul Ruddock, who made millions from the collapse of Northern Rock and has given over half a million pounds to the Tories. This tells you everything you need to know about the Tories' priorities. At a time when millions of families are struggling to get by, it's the Tories' friends in the City who get the rewards.”

And quoted in The Sunday Times, Michael said: “Cameron is desperate to present these honours as being the honours for the big society when it is immediately clear that it is not so much big society as big donors.”

Michael was also interviewed about this issue on Sky News.  To listen to the interview, click here. 

Michael warns of bogus charity doorstep collectors in Barnsley

30 December 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle (see below), Michael has warned people in Barnsley who give unwanted goods on their doorstep to charitable causes to take care in ensuring that the goods reach genuine charity beneficiaries.

Bogus charity bag collections hitting residents’ doorsteps are costing UK charities up to £50 million a year and public complaints reported to the Fundraising Standards Board about the issue have increased by 100% in the last 12 months. 

Commenting, Michael Dugher said:

“I have been in contact with the Fundraising Standards Board and I am aware that the number of bogus operators collecting goods and giving the false impression that they are being sold for charitable causes is increasing.  Not only is it a crime, but charities are losing out on millions of lost income. Charity collections of household goods are an important way of generating vital funding for good causes, but we need to make sure that people in Barnsley can give with confidence.  When donating, I encourage people to be cautious and look at the advice on the Fundraising Standards Board’s website -  www.givewithconfidence.org.uk.”

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 30 December 2011

The Telegraph: Ministers under fire for campaigning against the cuts

26 December 2011

The Telegraph is reporting today that Conservative and Liberal Democrat ministers have been campaigning against the effects of Government spending cuts in their own constituencies.

Quoted in the article, Michael said: “It's totally hypocritical for them to be campaigning against them locally while voting for them in Westminster.  They must be living on a different planet if they think their constituents are too stupid to fall for double talk like this.”

Click here to read the full article: Ministers under fire for campaigning against the cuts

Labour List: Have confidence – 2011 in review

23 December 2011

Michael has written an article for LabourList today reviewing Labour’s progress over the last year.  He writes that: “Labour has some way to go to rebuild after the 2010 general election defeat, and efforts to modernise our party and our policies must continue at a pace, but we have made remarkably good progress”.

Click here to read the full article: ‘Have confidence – 2011 in review’

Barnsley East Labour Party Christmas social event

20 December 2011

Michael hosted a Barnsley East Labour Party Christmas social event with local members, friends and family on Saturday night at the Wombwell Main Cricket Club. You can see some photos from the social below.

Before the event, Michael also organised a Children’s Christmas Party at Playmania with a special visit from Santa Claus.      

  Barnsley East Labour Party Christmas social

BBC Radio Sheffield: Dean Pepall

15 December 2011

Michael was on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield to talk about the news that Nick Clegg has appointed four new Special Advisers at a cost to the taxpayer of at least £190,000.

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 1:05:39.

Cabinet Office Questions – 14 December 2011

14 December 2011

Michael Dugher asked a question to the Cabinet Office Minister, Oliver Letwin, today during Cabinet Office Questions.  Michael asked: 

“According to figures published by the Cabinet Office last week, the Deputy Prime Minister has appointed four more special advisers at a cost to the taxpayer of at least £190,000. At a time when the average family is set to lose £320 a year as a result of tax credit changes and at a time when almost everyone is asking what exactly is the point of the Deputy Prime Minister, does the Minister think that this is a good use of public money?”

Scroll to 11:55:40 below to watch the exchange.

House of Commons, 14 December 2011

Michael makes a speech about the UK Statistics Authority

13 December 2011

Michael made a speech from the Dispatch Box today regarding the appointment of a new Chair of the United Kingdom Statistics Authority.

Click here to read the speech or scroll to 15:55 below to watch the debate on Parliament TV. 

House of Commons, 13 December 2011

Michael turns on Christmas lights in Hoyland

15 December 2011

Barnsley Chronicle

Daily Mirror: Nick Clegg orders boycott over EU snub

14 December 2011

As reported in the Daily Mirror today, Nick Clegg fuelled the rift with David Cameron last night by ordering Lib Dems to boycott a government vote on Europe.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “This government is ­terminally split and unable to focus on the country and the people.

“The Lib Dems are still picking up their ministerial ­salaries but have walked away from their principles.”

Click here to read the full article in the Daily Mirror.  

The Government’s NHS plans will cost Barnsley PCT nearly £18 million

9 December 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today (see below), Michael has revealed the hidden cost of the Government’s wasteful NHS reorganisation in Barnsley.  New guidelines have forced Barnsley PCT to put aside £17,942,169 from their budget this year and next to pay for the costly NHS restructure.  

The financial request is in the Government’s new NHS 'Operating Framework' document and takes the nationwide cost of the NHS reorganisation above previous estimates of £2-3bn, with Primary Care Trusts now holding back £3.44bn over two years.

Last week leading doctors from the British Medical Association voted to call for an immediate halt to the Government’s costly and controversial Health Bill.

Commenting, Michael said:

"These shocking new figures show the Government’s reorganisation is costing the NHS even more than we first feared.  Spending this amount on an unnecessary reorganisation is totally unjustifiable when every single penny should be focused on maintaining standards of care in Barnsley.  It is scandalous that the Government is telling local PCTs to hold back millions of pounds whilst thousands of nursing jobs are being axed.  

“The people of Barnsley did not vote for the Government’s plans and our doctors, nurses and patients have already expressed huge concerns.  Yet the Government is ploughing on with their Health Bill, ignoring public and professional opinion.  The time has come for the Government to listen and put the NHS first.”

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 9 December 2011

Michael urges carers in Barnsley to seek support

9 December 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today (see below), Michael is urging people caring for ill or disabled loved ones in Barnsley to access all the support they are entitled to during these tough economic times. 

There are over 28,000 carers in Barnsley and it has been estimated that they save approximately £592 million a year for the state with the unpaid care they provide.   But estimates from Carers UK show that over 1,500 carers in Barnsley are missing out on benefits that they are entitled to but are unaware of. 

Commenting, Michael Dugher said: "Carers are fulfilling a vital role in our society, but too often they go without the support they need. We all need to play a role in helping to identify people who are looking after ill, frail or disabled loved ones and make sure they are accessing all the financial and practical support they can.  I urge carers in Barnsley to get in touch with the CarersLine on 0808 808 777 to find out what help is out there.”

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 9 December 2011

Michael accuses the Government of betraying Barnsley and discriminating against towns in South Yorkshire

9 December 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle (see below), The South Yorkshire Times, the Yorkshire Post and WeAreBarnsley.com, the Government announced yesterday that Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham will not get their Yorkshire Forward assets, but Sheffield will.   The assets in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham will now lie with the Housing and Communities Agency. 

Michael also discussed the issue on BBC Radio Sheffield.  To listen, click here and scroll to 2:08.40.

Yorkshire Forward, which is being wound down, owns 34 sites in South Yorkshire - 13 in Rotherham, eight in Sheffield, eight in Barnsley and six in Doncaster.

Michael Dugher and Barnsley Council have been calling for the buildings and land owned by the agency to remain in public hands in the county, particularly as some are key to regeneration projects.

Commenting, Michael Dugher, said:

“This is a real betrayal of Barnsley.  Sheffield will be able to keep the Yorkshire Forward assets, but other areas will not be given the same opportunities because they are not regarded as “core cities” by this out-of-touch Government.  Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham should be entitled to the same help as other areas.  We are not asking for a hand-out here, we are just asking for the Government to unlock these assets which could give us huge potential to boost local private and public sector jobs.”          

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 9 December 2011

Michael gives a tour of the House of Commons to Barnsley school children as part of a Newham Barnsley Partnership visit to London

6 December 2011

Children and staff from Kirk Balk, Shafton and Barnsley Academy visited Parliament and the Olympic Park site recently as part of the Newham Barnsley Partnership.  Michael gave the group a tour of the House of Commons and answered questions from the children.

To find out more about the visit, see the latest NewhamBarnsley Partnership Newsletter here. 

The Newham Barnsley Partnership is a sporting and cultural partnership between Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and the London Borough of Newham.  With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games acting as a catalyst, the boroughs are working together with a focus on sharing expertise across a wide range of fields, including sport, culture, volunteering, health and enterprise.

Michael announces the overall winner of his Christmas Card Competition

2 December 2011

Michael visited four more schools in Barnsley today to announce and hand out prizes to the school winners of his constituency-wide competition to find a Christmas card design.

The winner of the overall competition was also announced at a special assembly at Hoyland Common Primary School.

The overall winner of Michael’s 2011 Christmas Card Competition was Ruby Mellor, aged 5 (pictured in the centre).  Her winning design can be seen below.  The runners up of the Hoyland Common Primary School were Elise Shepherd and Olivia Nixson.

Ruby Mellor's winning design

The winner at Birdwell Primary School was Jack Berry and the runners up were Eden Schofield and Evie Flewilt-Tilston.

The winner at Kings Oak Primary Learning Centre was Molly Rose Parkinson and the runners up were  Jessica Jenkinson, Jack Ormrod, Ashley Bell, Shannon Wilson and Paris Laban.

The winner at Hunningley Primary School was Tyler Armitage and the runners up were Libby Broad and Alice Kireev.

Barnsley company told that it is based too “far away” from the London Olympic park to win a contract

02 December 2011

Wybone, a family run business based in Barnsley, has been told that it is based too “far away” from London to be eligible to win a contract on the London Olympics park. 

Michael has now written to the Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Lord Sebastian Coe, to raise his concerns about the “CompeteFor” process and how it seems to be stopping companies outside London from being able to win contracts. 

The story has been reported on the front page of the Barnsley Chronicle today (see below) and the Sheffield Star. Commenting, Michael said:   

“This is just not good enough.  Particularly at this difficult economic time, small to medium sized companies in Barnsley, and across the whole country, should be able to benefit from the opportunities provided by Britain hosting the Olympics.  Wybone is a great local company that delivers its products across the country all the time in a cost effective manner.  Just because it is based in Barnsley should not be a barrier to it winning contracts.  The 2012 Olympics is for the whole country, not just London.”  

The Newham Barnsley Partnership has since said that it is looking into the matter. 

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 2 December 2011

Michael launches petition calling for Government to rethink its police cuts in Barnsley   

29 November 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle and the Sheffield Star, Michael Dugher has launched a petition in Barnsley calling for the Government to re-think the scale of its police cuts in the forthcoming police funding review. The proposed 20% frontloaded cuts are taking an irresponsible gamble with policing and public safety in Barnsley.

As a result of the Government’s cuts, 14.7% Police Officers from communities in South Yorkshire are set to go.  On top of this 32.9% of Police Staff and a further 18 PCSOs will lose their positions because the Government is cutting too far and too fast.  Across the country, 16,000 officers are being lost alongside 16,000 police staff and 1,800 Police Community Support Officers.

Michael is urging people in Barnsley to sign the petition to make sure that their views are heard in next month’s funding consultation which will be debated in the House of Commons early next year.

Quoted in the Barnsley Chronicle article, District Commander Andy Brooke said: “I am really concerned about the cuts.  All the public sector is facing cuts, we understand and accept ours but the difficulty is we have already made efficiencies.  If you keep making cuts it will affect front-line services.”

To print off a petition form click here.  Or to sign the petition online, click here. Please return all petition forms to West Bank House, West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9EE.

The Government spends £2 million on “happiness” survey

2 December 2011

As reported in the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror, a Government study ordered by David Cameron to discover whether we are happy has cost £2 million and concluded that most people are fairly happy. 

Michael, quoted in the articles, said the exercise was a “complete waste of money”.  He added that “in a week when David Cameron and George Osborne cut tax credits for thousands, people will think it is ridiculous to spend £2million on a survey into happiness.”

The Government must change course on the economy

29 November 2011

George Osborne has been forced to acknowledge a grim picture of declining growth and rising unemployment for the UK over the coming years.  The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts, announced in the Autumn Statement today, put growth at 0.9% for this year and 0.7% for 2012 - sharply downgraded from 1.7% and 2.5% from the March Budget.

Speaking after George Osborne’s statement in the House of Commons, Michael Dugher, the Shadow Minister without Portfolio, said:

“The OBR’s forecasts show that the David Cameron and George Osborne’s economic plan has backfired.   The recovery has been choked off and the Government is now set to borrow £158 billion more than they planned a year ago.  This means £37 billion more borrowing in future years than the balanced plan Labour set out before the last election. 

“The Government’s plan is hurting, but it is clearly not working.  Not only is it leading to higher unemployment and lower growth, it is the families, pensioners and businesses in Barnsley and across the country that are paying the price.  Families with two children, for example, will lose an extra £320 a year as a result of the tax credit changes the Chancellor has announced. 

"It is clear that we need real investment and a real plan for jobs, growth and deficit reduction before it is too late.”

Michael attends funeral for Private Matthew Thornton

27 November 2011

Michael attended the funeral for Private Matthew Thornton today at the All Saints Church in Darton. 

The Territorial Army soldier, from 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan on 9 November, two days before Remembrance Day.   

Michael attended the funeral with: the Lord Lieutenant, David Moody; the Leader of Barnsley Council, Stephen Houghton; the Mayor of Barnsley, Karen Dyson; and Dan Jarvis MP. 

Speaking after the service, Michael said:

“It is such a sad loss of a brave soldier, but also a son, grandson and brother.

“It was a deeply moving funeral and we heard really moving tributes from Private Thornton’s Commanding Officer, Lt Col Crowley, and the Rev Andrew Martlew.

“It was also an honour to be with so many from the Yorkshire Regiment.  Their service and sacrifice makes us so very very proud.” 

• Links to news reports of the funeral: BBC News, the Star, and the Yorkshire Post.

Pienaar's Politics – BBC Radio 5 Live

27 November 2011

Michael was a panellist on John Pienarr’s BBC Radio 5 Live show yesterday discussing the economy and the planned public sector strikes.

The other panellists on the show included Lib Dem MP Lorely Burt and Conservative MP David Ruffley.

To listen to the show, click here and scroll to 44:30.

Michael visits three schools in Barnsley to announce winners of his Christmas Card Competition

25 November 2011

Michael Dugher visited three schools in Barnsley last Friday (18 November) to announce and hand out prizes to the school winners of his constituency-wide competition to find a Christmas card design.  The schools were: Cherry Dale Primary School, Cudworth Churchfield Primary School and Birkwood Primary School. 

Michael will also visit other schools on Friday 2 December to announce and hand out prizes to the winners of the other individual school competitions.  The winner of the overall competition will also be announced on this day. 

Michael invited all Primary, Junior, Infant and special school children in Barnsley East to enter the competition and the winning design will be used as his official 2011 Christmas card.    Over thirty schools were invited to take part and the best judged card from each school will receive a prise and was entered into the shortlist for the overall winner.  The competition was judged by Mr Dugher, the Mayor of Barnsley and the sponsors of the card.

Labour List: The Government is running out of excuses

25 November 2011

Michael has written an article for LabourList today ahead of the Autumn statement next week.  Michael argues that since coming to power, this out of touch Government has become a government of excuses.

Click here to read the article: ‘The Government is running out of excuses’

Daily Mirror: David Cameron accused of spoiling for a fight with the unions

24 November 2011

David Cameron has been accused of deliberately provoking the unions into strike action next week.  The Daily Mirror article reported that the Prime Minister is said to be “privately delighted” the unions have rejected the Government’s latest public pensions offer.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “David Cameron should be taking responsibility and trying to negotiate a deal that’s fair to low-paid workers and taxpayers alike.

“He has privately said he is ‘delighted’ that the unions have walked into his ‘trap’.”

The Daily Mail: Cameron 'should have declared' £137,000 deal to buy land from millionaire friend

24 November 2011

The Daily Mail is reporting that David Cameron is facing questions about why he didn't declare a £137,000 land deal with a millionaire friend who runs one of Britain's leading political lobbying companies.

The news comes at a difficult time for Mr Cameron who is asking the public to make sacrifices at a time of austerity but was able to spend more than five times the national average income to buy land next to his home.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “At a time when government is putting the squeeze on ordinary families, the Prime Minister is spending £140,000 extending his estate. This will seem to be a world away from the day-to-day realities facing most voters.”

Barnsley Chronicle: Council may buy derelict properties in Welland Crescent

24 November 2011

Michael has said that the troublesome properties in Welland Crescent are now expected to be taken over by Barnsley Council.  As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle, Michael recently wrote to the Leader of the council to say progress had been frustratingly slow for local residents and that "enough is enough". See the full article below.

The Barnsley Chronicle, 18 November 2011

Michael attends the launch of Labour Friends of the Forces

24 November 2011

Labour launched Labour Friends of the Forces this week, an organisation dedicated to campaigning on the issues that matter to the Armed Forces, their families and the wider service community. 

Michael attended the launch with Bob Hill (pictured below on the right), who is the Secretary of the Royal British Legion Hoyland and District branch. 

Labour is commited to the Services and campaigned with the support of the Royal British Legion to enshrine the Military Covenant in law and is now the first ever party to offer a reduced membership rate for service personnel and veterans, who can now join the Labour Party for just £1 for the first year.
 
Labour Friends of the Forces is free to join and will offer:
 
* A national network of advocates who will consult with military communities up and down the country
* Important information on the key services available to serving personnel and veterans
* Updates on the defence debate in Westminster and throughout the country
* A chance to shape the work of the Shadow Defence Team
  
To find out more, visit their website at http://labourfriendsoftheforces.org.uk/

Michael responds to report on party funding reform

22 November 2011

The report into party funding reform by the Committe on Standards in Public Life was published yesterday.  Responding for the Labour Party, Michael Dugher, said:

“We remain committed to further reform of party funding. We wish to do so on a cross-party basis and in a way that ensures that the public has a big say in all of this.

“This report contains some important proposals which we will study in detail because we want to build consensus for a reformed system of party funding - one that ends the arms race that drives the big money in politics and one which restores public trust in politics.

“It is matter of great regret that the Conservative Party has refused to even accept a £10,000 cap on donations or proper expenditure controls. We believe further consideration should be given to tighter controls on spending and whether the proposed cap is set too high. We also have concerns about the proposed treatment of affiliation fees from trade union members.

“In the current economic environment, we recognise that a significant increase in state funding for political parties is not a priority and any such measure would need to command broad public support.”

Yesterday morning, Michael appeared on BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News, LBC Radio, BBC Radio Sheffield and the Daily Politics to discuss the issue.  To watch the Daily Politics interview, click here and scroll to 4:45.  To listen to the BBC Radio Sheffield interview, click here and scroll to 1:35.

Michael was also quoted in the Daily Mirror, saying that the "trade union link is about bus drivers, hospital cleaners, factory workers etc giving £3 a year to help support Labour. A world away from the Tories.”

Michael attends Bansley Bandfest and the Gujarat Association of Barnsley Dusshera event

21 November 2011

On Saturday, Michael, who is the Chair of the all party group for Brass Bands, attended the Bandfest event at Elsecar Heritage Centre in Elsecar, along with local Councillor Tim Shepherd, the Mayor of Barnsley, Councillor Karen Dyson, and fellow MP Angela Smith.

Bands included: the Barnsley Metropolitan Band, Wentworth Brass, Barnsley Town Concert Band and South Yorkshire Police Band.

Michael also attended the Gujarat Association of Barnsley Dusshera event at Worsbrough Sports Centre on Saturday night.  He did so with the Deputy Leader of Barnsley Council, Jim Andrews, and other local councillors, including John Clarke.

Along with the Mayor Elect of Barnsley Council, Councillor Dorothy Higginbottom, Michael gave a brief speech thanking the organisers, including Harshad Kumar Patel, saying that the event was "an important fixture in my calendar as the local Member of Parliament".  Michael also praised the Gujarat Association of Barnsley as "an important part of our community here in Barnsley".

Food for the evening was provided by Chilli's of Barnsley and entertainment included a 'Bollywood' dancer and acoustic music from local combo 'Steeling Cities', pictured here.

Michael Gives Out Christmas Card Competition Awards

18 November 2011

Michael paid a visit today to Cherry Dale, Churchfield and Birkwood Primary Schools to present certificates and prizes to pupils in his annual Christmas card competition.

Michael said “The standard of entry to my Christmas card competition has again been extremely high and I would like to thank everyone for taking part.

Michael at Cherry Dale Primary School with Leah Holmes, Nicole Marfleet-Fox, and Antonia Wignall

Michael at Churchfield Primary School with Niamh Clowery, Kiera Whiting, and Megan Pickersgill

Michael at Birkwood Primary School with Daria Iacobescu and Matty Hugill

Michael at Birkwood Primary School with Georgia Foster

The Daily Mirror: Young, gifted and scrapped: David Cameron condemns 1million youngsters to a life on the dole as his vicious cuts start to bite

17 November 2011

The Daily Mirror is reporting today that neither David Cameron nor the ­Chancellor, George Osborne, have made any public comment since the unemployment figures came out yesterday.  The total jobless figure has soared to 2.62 million and the number of women out of work hit 1.09 million, the highest since 1988.

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Michael Dugher, who is quoted in the article, said: “It says it all about this Government that on the day it is clear their economic plan has failed, they have gone Awol.

“With youth unemployment over a million, you’d think David Cameron and George Osborne might have something to say to people worried about their jobs and futures.”

Click here to read the full article. 

Yorkshire Post: Pressure builds on Osborne as jobless toll

17 November 2011

The Yorkshire Post is reporting today that the Chancellor George Osborne is under growing pressure to produce a convincing plan to revive the economy after bleak unemployment figures revealed one in 10 people in Yorkshire are out of work.

The number of unemployed young people for over six months has nearly doubled in the past year, sparking warnings that the figures are a “grim reminder” of long-term unemployment which “scarred people’s lives” in the 1980s.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “In the 1980s, long-term unemployment in many areas across Yorkshire scarred people’s lives for decades.

“These figures are once again a grim reminder that without a plan for jobs and growth, those days may be returning once more – with our young people bearing the brunt.”

Click here to read the full article.

Labour Uncut column: PR summits can’t mask a return to 1980s scale unemployment

16 November 2011

Michael has written an article for Labour Uncut today about the latest unemployment figures and the growing problem of long-term and youth unemployment.   

Click here to read the full article: "PR summits can’t mask a return to 1980s scale unemployment"

Michael calls for a cut in VAT to bring down the cost of fuel

15 November 2011 

High fuel prices are hitting people in Barnsley hard at a time when families, pensioners and businesses are already being squeezed by higher food prices and rising gas and electricity bills.  The Government’s decision to increase VAT to 20% in January has pushed up the price of petrol and the cost of living. 

Thousands of people signed the online petition calling for cheaper petrol and diesel and this led to a motion on Fuel Prices being debated yesterday in the House of Commons, which was passed without a vote.     

Before the debate, Labour tabled an amendment to the motion calling on the Government to change course, cut VAT and bring the cost of fuel down by 3p a litre. Unfortunately, this was not selected to go to a vote by the Speaker.      

Speaking just after the debate, Michael Dugher said:

“I believe that the Government must take urgent action to help ease the squeeze on struggling families and kick-start the flat-lining economy.  As part of this, it should temporarily reverse the VAT rise, cutting it back down to 17.5%.  This would reduce the price of a litre of petrol by approximately 3p – around £1.35 for an average tank of fuel – and would also save struggling families an average of £450 a year.  In March, I voted to make this change but, unfortunately, the Government decided to block the move and keep VAT at 20%.  This has kept petrol prices high and hit economic growth.

“This is a really important issue and it is important to keep up the pressure on the Government to do more during this worrying time for families.”         

We will remember them

13 November 2011 

Michael Dugher MP marked Remembrance Sunday at the cenotaph in Barnsley Town Centre this weekend.

Michael joined veterans from the Barnsley & District Royal British Legion, the Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor of Barnsley, the Leader and Chief Executive of Barnsley Council, and Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis, at this year's Service of Remembrance.

A crowd of more than a thousand people took part in the event, together with veterans and members of all three armed services, cadets, scouts and guides, local councillors, and representatives of all the emergency services too.

Commenting, Michael said: "This was a particularly moving Service as a wreath was laid for Barnsley's own Matt Thornton, from the 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan last week. His bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

"It was a great turn-out from local people and a fitting tribute to all those from Barnsley who have contributed to our nation's armed forces over the past nearly 100 years.

"We have a duty to properly look after all those who have served and we must care for their families too".

Other services were held throughout the Barnsley East constituency and the Borough. After participating in the event at the cenotaph in Barnsley, Michael went to meet veterans from the Hoyland Branch of the Royal British Legion local residents at the Hoyland Centre.

Michael attends Armistice Day event in Hoyland, Barnsley

11 November 2011 

Michael met with local residents and veterans from the Royal British Legion Hoyland and District Branch today to mark Armistice Day.

Commenting, Michael said: “Armistice Day is when we come together in our communities to honour the sacrifice and service of our brave armed forces, past and present.   

“In particular today, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of courageous TA reservist Private Matthew Thornton, from Barnsley, who was killed in Afghanistan this week while serving with the 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.”

Yorkshire Post: Memories of the Barnsley Pals bring home human cost of war

11 November 2011 

Michael has written an article for the Yorkshire Post today about Remembrance Day and the Barnsley Pals.   He also pays tribute to Private Matthew Thornton, from Barnsley, who was killed this week in Afghanistan.  Click here to read the article.

Michael supports the ‘Drop the Bill’ Campaign

10 November 2011 

Michael has joined the call for the Government to drop the Health and Social Care Bill. 

Labour’s ‘Drop the Bill’ campaign aims to show the full scale of opposition to the Government’s plans, unifying patients, NHS professionals and the public.

Commenting, Michael Dugher said: 

“I have signed the online petition to ‘Drop the Bill’ and urge others to get involved with the campaign by visiting www.dropthebill.com.

“David Cameron promised no top-down restructuring of the NHS, but now wants to waste £2billion on a costly and distracting re-organisation.

“Doctors, nurses and NHS staff have all said they are against the B and this petition now allows patients to have their say as well.    

“The Government should finally listen and put the NHS first.”

Michael on The Daily Politics

9 November 2011 

Michael was on the Daily Politics yesterday.  Click here to watch the full programme.

FIFA backs down and allows England players to wear poppies on black armband

10 November 2011 

Football’s governing body, Fifa, has backed down over the FA’s demands that English players have the right to wear poppies on their shirts.

Speaking on the Daily Politics yesterday, Michael criticised FIFA for initially banning players from wearing poppies.  He said: “When the whole country comes together over Remembrance Weekend, it is a complete disgrace that England’s national football team would not be allowed to wear the Poppy with pride, just like everyone else”. 

Michael on The Daily Politics

9 November 2011 

Michael was on the Daily Politics yesterday.  Click here to watch the full programme.

Judge’s ruling is a new opportunity for the Government to rethink its review into child heart surgery units

07 November 2011 

The Royal Brompton Hospital in London has won a High Court judicial review into the decision to close its children's heart surgery unit.

BBC Radio Sheffield has done a report into what this could mean for the children’s heart surgery unit at Leeds General Infirmary.  The report includes an interview with Michael, who has been campaigning to keep the Leeds heart unit open.   

To listen to the report, click here and scroll to 1:09:20.   

Michael visits Barnsley Hospice

05 November 2011 

Michael visited Barnsley Hospice on Friday.  The hospice provides care and support for hundreds of local people each year. Michael said: “It was great to visit Barnsley Hospice today.  They really do amazing work and achieve the best possible quality of life for patients whilst also supporting their families”.  

Michael with Ian Carey and Dr Becky Hurst.

Michael visits Morrison’s in Barnsley

05 November 2011 

Michael visited the Morrisons store in Cortonwood on Friday with local councillor Pauline Markham. 

Michael was met by the store manager, Simon Nunwick, and given a tour of the store.  He also had the opportunity to meet and talk to a number of staff members. 

Michael with Councillor Pauline Markham and Richard Taylor. 

Cabinet Office Questions – Wednesday 2 November 2011

02 November 2011 

During Cabinet Office Questions today, Michael Dugher asked a question to the Cabinet Office Minister, Francis Maude, about the role of the Chief Coroner.  The Royal British Legion said it was “saddened” last week by the Government decision to vote to scrap the Chief Coroner and Michael took the opportunity today to urge the Government to do the right thing and listen to the Royal British Legion. To watch the exchange, scroll to 11:57 below.

Later, at Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron sided against the Royal British Legion and ruled out keeping the role of Chief Coroner for bereaved families.  To read more about this issue, click here.   

Cuts to legal aid will hit the poorest areas of the country hardest, says Michael Dugher

2 November 2011

Blog post by Michael Dugher: 

For the last sixty years, the idea that everyone, irrespective of income, should have the right to legal support has been a cornerstone of the British legal system.  But the Government is now trying to push through cuts to legal aid which could see up to 750,000 people a year denied access to justice.  And this is just the latest example of the Government's cuts hitting the poorest hardest. 

Under the new proposals debated in Parliament this week, money for legal aid in criminal cases would be protected, but 68 per cent of the funds provided to those needing help for fighting injustice in areas like housing, debt and employment would be scrapped.  In the current economic climate, these services are in even more demand.  Small wonder that a whole host of eminent lawyers, charities and organisations have criticised these plans. 

Click here to read the rest of the article...

Judging set to begin for Michael’s Christmas card competition 2011

02 November 2011 

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle on 14 October and Dearne FM on 31 October, Michael is holding a competition to search for an original and creative design for his 2011 Christmas card.  

The competition is open to all junior, primary and infant pupils in Michael’s Barnsley East constituency. Last year seven schools entered and the standard of the designs and drawings was incredibly high.

So far this year the following schools have sent in entries: Birdwell Primary School, Birkwood Primary School, Cherry Dale Primary School, Hoyland Common Primary School, Hunningley Primary School, Kendry Primary School, Churchfield Primary School and Kings Oak Primary Learning Centre.

The competition is only possible thanks to the support of local businesses and organisations. The sponsors this year are: Lo’s Pharmacy, Carlton Brick, Symphony, ASOS and The Forge Partnership.
Judging begins this week. On the panel with Michael are representatives of the sponsors and the Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Karen Dyson.  Michael will then take the opportunity to visit the schools to make special presentations to the children who have sent in the winning designs.

Commenting, Michael said:

“We’ve had a fantastic response from local schools. I am really looking forward to helping choose a winner from every school plus runners up, before deciding on an overall winner for Barnsley East. I am extremely grateful to all the sponsors for making this competition possible and enabling us to showcase young talent in Barnsley”.

Last year the winner was Lewis Gleaden from High View Primary Learning Centre.

MP demands urgent action after Wombwell company goes into administration 

28 October 2011 

Michael has called on the Government to do more to help the construction industry after it was announced that local Barnsley steelwork fabrication company, JGP Engineering, has gone into administration. As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle and the Doncaster Free Press, many workers at the company could lose their jobs.   

The company, based at Mitchells Industrial Park in Wombwell, supplies balconies to construction contractors, including Bam Construct, GB Building Solutions and Inspace. 

There has been no growth in the UK economy over the last nine months and this has affected the construction industry.  Recent figures, released in the Construction Output Statistics report, showed a decrease of £200m in spending on private housing repair and maintenance, a fall of 7.8% over the last quarter.  Construction output has also fallen by 4.1 per cent over the past year with construction work paid for by private sector industries dropping by 24.9 per cent in the last quarter. 

Commenting, Michael Dugher MP said:
 
“The news that JGP Engineering has gone into administration is a real blow for Wombwell and for Barnsley. 

“Rising unemployment and the huge fall in construction orders from private sector industries over the last quarter is yet another stark demonstration of the impact of a recovery that has stalled under this Government.
 
“To help our construction sector, and local business like JGP engineering, the Government must bring forward long-term investment projects, enact a one year VAT cut to 5% on home improvements and repeat the bankers’ bonus tax to build 25,000 new homes.
 
“These are steps which Ministers could take now to get our economy growing again and give an immediate confidence boost to our local construction sector in Barnsley.” 

Government credit cards used to buy doughnuts and pizzas

28 October 2011 

The Mirror, The Guardian, the Independent and the Financial Times are reporting today that hotel rooms, doughnuts and pizzas were amoung the items paid for using Government credit cards since the coalition Government came to power. 

Michael, who is quoted in the articles, said:  “This shows how Ministers have been imposing a squeeze on families across the country while they and their staff have gone on a credit card spree. It is one rule for them and one rule for everyone else, no wonder they are seen as out of touch.”

Michael's speech urging the Government to think again about scrapping the role of Chief Coroner

26 October 2011 

Michael made a speech from the dispatch box yesterday urging the Government to drop its plans to axe the Chief Coroner.To watch the speech, scroll to 20:23:55.

The issue of the Chief Coroner has been reported in a number newspapers and websites today, including The Daily Telegraph, epolitix.com and the Press Association. 

Honouring the commitment to create the office of Chief Coroner is the first test of the new Military Covenant

25 October 2011 

Labour will today launch a last-ditch appeal to stop bereaved service families waiting months for inquests into fallen soldiers.

Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, will urge Ken Clarke to reverse his decision not to appoint a chief coroner.

The last Labour Government legislated for the new post to be set up to make sure such inquests are set up quickly and are conducted by coroners with specialist training in military matters.

However, the coalition has refused to appoint anyone to the position on the grounds of cost - which ministers have put at £10 million as "start-up" expenditure plus annual running costs of £6.5 million.

The refusal has sparked angry protests from the Royal British Legion, which has claimed that armed forces families "deserve better".

Several Tory backbenchers are also today expected to back an amendment to the Public Bodies Bill in the Commons by Andrew Percy, the Tory MP, which would force ministers to appoint a chief coroner.

Michael will say in the House of Commons tonight:

"Honouring the commitment to create the office of Chief Coroner is the first test of the new Military Covenant - that bond between the nation and our Armed Forces.

"To fail in their duty to meet that test, would make a mockery of the Government’s assurances of greater support for our military and their families."

BBC Radio Sheffield – Michael was on BBC Radio Sheffield today talking about this issue.  Click here and scroll to 1:37:30 to listen to the interview. 

Parliament to vote on EU referendum motion

23 October 2011 

Britain currently faces tough economic challenges, with high inflation, rising unemployment and stagnant growth. In the last nine months the UK economy has not grown at all.  Over the last year only Japan has grown more slowly in the G7, and only Greece, Portugal, Denmark and Hungary have grown more slowly in the EU.   One in five young people are out of work and there are now more women unemployed than any time since 1988.

It is in that context that we make judgements about Britain's membership of the European Union.  Labour is not opposed to having referenda on European questions when a Government seeks to make a major change to Britain's relationship with the European Union.   For example, if any future government wanted to try and take Britain into the euro, it would need to win the British people's backing in a referendum.  But it is my assessment, shared by my parliamentary colleagues and the leaders of all the main parties in the UK, that it is in Britain's national interest to remain a member of the European Union.

Membership of the European Union is vital to Britain's growth and prosperity:

• 3.5 million UK jobs are linked directly or indirectly to UK trade with the rest of the European Union according to official analysis;
• European markets account for more than half of the UK's overall exports of goods and services;
• Eight out of the UK's ten main export markets are in the European Union.

Commenting, Michael said:

“When I stood for Parliament at the last general election, based on the Labour party manifesto, Labour did not seek a mandate for this referendum at the last election and we do not wish to leave the European Union now.

“I believe a referendum now would create massive uncertainty that could put investment at risk in the UK. Britain should be focussed on jobs and growth, not cutting ourselves off from major export markets that British jobs depend on. It is campaigning for jobs and growth, and against the policies of the Government that have led to the flat-lining growth and increasing unemployment in Britain, that should be the priority in the months ahead.

"As Ed Miliband has said, the European Union is in need of reform. Its rules and budgets need to be updated so that they promote and ensure long-term and stable growth into the future. In order to achieve this we must remain a member of the European Union, with a clear focus on helping resolve the current problems facing Europe, rather than looking inwards and being distracted by a referendum.

“Britain should be focussed on a proper plan for jobs and growth and we should not be cutting ourselves off from major export markets that British jobs depend on.   It is campaigning for jobs and growth, and against the policies of the Government that have led to the flat-lining growth and increasing unemployment in Britain, that should be the priority in the months ahead.”

Government under pressure to think again about scrapping the role of Chief Coroner

23 October 2011 

The Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday Mirror are reporting today that the Government is poised to make a u-turn on scrapping the role of Chief Coroner following a campaign by the Labour Party and charities such as the Royal British Legion.

Pressure has been building on David Cameron to change his mind after he promised to honour the Military Covenant and enshrine it into law.

Michael Dugher, who is set to speak on behalf of the Labour Party on this issue in the House of Commons on Tuesday, said: "Ministers are hopelessly out of touch and must think again. We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to our armed forces and their families. This is especially compelling as we lead up to Remembrance Sunday. The Government must honour its responsibilities to the Military Covenant."

Michael launches poppy appeal with veterans in Hoyland

12 October 2011 

Michael launched the Hoyland and District Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal today with veterans, volunteers and local Councillors Jim Andres, Robin Franklin and Tim Shepherd.

The active branch is hoping to beat last year's total and raise over £11,000.

Michael Dugher presents Tesco equipment to local schools in Barnsley

21 October 2011 

As reported in The Star, Michael Dugher visited a Tesco store in Barnsley today to present some fantastic new sports, art and computer equipment to teachers and pupils from two local schools.

At the Tesco Extra store in Wombwell, Michael met the store manager and staff and students from Kendray Primary School and Churchfield Primary School.

Barnsley Chronicle: Crisis as youth unemployment soars

19 October 2011 

The Barnsley Chronicle is reporting today on Michael’s warning that youth unemployment in Barnsley is now at 'crisis levels' . Click here to read the full article. 

Michael visits Road Tankers Northern in Barnsley

14 October 2011 

Michael visited Road Tankers Northern today, a successful road tanker manufacturing company based in Hoyland, Barnsley.

Michael met with the tank production manager, Don McKelvy, and was given a tour of the business.

The company employs 85 people, including half a dozen apprentices, and is the largest road tanker manufacturer in the UK. 

Commenting, Michael said: "It is great to see a world class manufacturer on our own doorstep. 
I'm determined to do everything I can to support RTN".

Oliver Letwin faces investigation after disposing of documents in park bin

13 October 2011 

Following Michael’s letter to Sir Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet Office and the Office of the Information Commissioner have both confirmed that they will be questioning Oliver Letwin after he was caught dumping government documents in a park rubbish bin.

The story has garnered widespread coverage today. For more information, see: The Daily Mail, The Mirror, The Independent, The Guardian, Finanical Times, BBC News, The Sun, Reuters, New Statesman, Sky News, The Evening Standard, and The Yorkshire Post.

The Daily Politics show

13 October 2011 

Michael was on the Daily Politics programme today talking about the revelations that Oliver Letwin has been dumping private and sensitive correspondence in park waste bins.  Click here to watch the interview.

The Cabinet Office is now going to investigate the matter and the Office of the Information Commissioner has also said that it will be contacting Mr Letwin, The Mirror and Whitehall officials to find out what happened, stressing that it regarded breaches of data protection very seriously.

BBC One O'Clock News - Michael was also on the BBC One O’clock news today talking about the same issue - click here to watch this interview.   

Michael's letter to Sir Gus O'Donnell

14 October 2011 

Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister without Portfolio, has written to Sir Gus O’Donnell following revelations that Oliver Letwin has been dumping private and sensitive correspondence in park waste bins.

Click here to see the letter or read the full text below:

Sir Gus O'Donnell
Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet Office
70 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2AS

14 October 2011

Dear Sir Gus O’Donnell,

I was alarmed to see reports today that the Minister for Government Policy at the Cabinet Office, Mr Oliver Letwin, has been seen repeatedly discarding official government documents – some said to deal with intelligence and counter-terrorism – in a bin in a central London park.

I was also somewhat surprised and concerned to hear the rather complacent response from the Minister about this important issue. A spokeswomen has said this morning that: “Oliver Letwin does some of his parliamentary and constituency correspondence in the park before going to work and sometimes disposes of copies of letters there. They are not documents of a sensitive nature.”

Can you ensure that the Cabinet Office will begin an investigation, as a matter of urgency, to ascertain the classification of the discarded documents, how many have been discarded in this manner and whether the strict procedures for the disposal of government documents has been breached.

I am sure you will agree that Ministers have a duty to follow proper procedures and lead by example. This has clearly not happened in the case of Mr Letwin. As you are aware, Civil Servants are subject to disciplinary procedures if the proper processes are not adhered to. It cannot be that there is one rule for Ministers and another for everyone else.

I would be grateful if you could investigate these matters as soon as possible and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,



Michael Dugher MP
Shadow Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Labour launches campaign for jobs and growth

13 October 2011 

Ed Miliband, the Leader of the Labour Party, and Ed Balls, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, have launched Labour’s campaign for jobs and growth to boost Britain’s economy.

They have set out a clear five-point plan for jobs, to help struggling families and support small businesses:

1. A £2 billion tax on bank bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people – which they would be required to take-up – and build 25,000 more affordable homes.  

2. Bringing forward long-term investment projects – schools, roads and transport – to get people back to work and strengthen our economy for the future.

3. Reversing January’s damaging VAT rise now for a temporary period – a £450 boost for a couple with children – immediate help for our high streets and for struggling families and pensioners.

4. A one year cut in VAT to 5% on home improvements, repairs and maintenance – to help homeowners and small businesses.

5. A one year national insurance tax break for every small firm which takes on extra workers – helping small businesses to grow and create jobs.

Click here to find out more. 

New unemployment figures reveal that unemployment and youth unemployment in Barnsley are now at “crisis levels”

12 October 2011 

Michael has called on the Government to do more to help young people in Barnsley after new figures released today reveal that 18 to 24 year olds are being hit particularly hard by youth unemployment with them making up a massive 36% of the Job Seekers Allowance claimants, despite only making up 14% of the population. 

The new figures show that the level of youth unemployment in Barnsley is currently at 2,575.  This is a 11% increase in just 12 months. 

According to official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), youth unemployment is the highest since records began, having jumped nationally to 991,000, a jobless rate of 21.3%.  Overall, UK unemployment rose by 114,000 between June and August to 2.57 million, a 17-year high.

Commenting on today’s unemployment statistics, Michael, said:

“The Government has been warned about the rising problem of unemployment for over a year now, but it is just not doing enough. Unemployment and youth unemployment are now at crisis levels with more young people out of work than ever before.  Getting people – particularly our young people – into work is the surest way of getting the deficit down and putting us on the right course for the future.  The Government must change direction now and implement a new plan for jobs and growth.”

The New Shadow Cabinet

11 October 2011

The new Shadow Cabinet, 11 October 2011.

Click here to see a full list of the new Shadow Cabinet and here to see a BBC report about Ed Miliband’s new team.

Michael Dugher promoted into the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister without Portfolio

10 October 2011

Ed Miliband appointed his new Shadow Cabinet on Friday and Michael Dugher was one of six MPs of the 2010 intake to be promoted.   He will now attend Shadow Cabinet in his new role as Shadow Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office).

Ed Miliband said his decision to appoint half-a-dozen members of the 2010 intake “shows the talent that Labour has and the way in which this new generation can join us in taking Labour’s agenda forward".

Commenting on his appointment, Michael said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to this new position. I look forward to working with the rest of the Shadow Cabinet to help expose how the Government is failing to get the economy moving again, the unfairness of its cuts and the effect this is having in places like Barnsley.”

Before his latest appointment, Michael was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband (May-October 2011), and Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (October 2010-September 2011).  

Cick here to see a full list of the new Shadow Cabinet.

Michael’s appointment has been covered in many newspapers over the weekend, including: The Guardian, The Yorkshire Post, The Telegraph, Herald Scotland, The Mirror, BBC News, The Metro, The Sun, The Financial Times and The Independent.  

The Guardian: Liam Fox faces questions for allowing former flatmate access to MoD

3 October 2011

The Guardian is reporting today on the accusation that the Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, has put national security at risk by allowing a close personal friend, who presents himself as an official adviser, to access the Ministry of Defence.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Guardian article, said:

“Fox has serious questions to answer about this. The defence secretary is privy to the most serious and sensitive information. You can't have old friends going around Westminster with the portcullis on their business cards claiming to be your adviser. There are strict rules governing the conduct of ministers and advisers. This issue will not go away until Fox explains exactly what the status of the relationship between himself and Mr Werritty."

Labour Uncut column: Forget the Tories: take the time to read Ed Miliband’s speech for yourself

3 October 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. His latest article is about the response to Ed Miliband’s conference speech.

Click here to read the full article: "Forget the Tories: take the time to read Ed Miliband’s speech for yourself "

BBC Radio Sheffield: Rony Robinson

30 September 2011

Michael was on Rony Robinson’s BBC Radio Sheffield show today talking about the Government’s political gimmick - announced by Eric Pickles on the eve of the Conservative Party conference - to get councils to bring back weekly bin collections. 

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 8:08:15.

Michael calls on the Government to help BAE workers

30 September 2011

BAE Systems has announced that it will axe almost 3,000 jobs in the UK with nearly 900 set to go at its Brough plant in Yorkshire. 

Michael knows the Brough site well from when he worked at the Ministry of Defence and has been campaigning with workers there for years. 

He met with officials from Unite the Union during the Labour Party conference to discuss the issue and has also been interviewed on ITV Calendar News. 

Commenting, Michael said:

“This news is a real blow to the region and British manufacturing and is yet another example of the Government just standing aside.  The Government needs to do more and I support Ed Miliband’s call for minister’s to “get stuck in” on the workers’ behalf".

Click here to find out more and to see how you can get involved with the "Battle for Brough" campaign.

Michael at Labour Party Conference

29 September 2011

Michael attended the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this week.

As well as taking the opportunity to meet some of the many charities and organisations he supports as an MP (such as Bombardier, the Royal British Legion and the NSPCC), Michael also did a series of media interviews regarding Ed Miliband’s conference speech.

Media roundup

On Tuesday, ahead of the speech, Michael appeared on Adam Boulton’s Sky News show. During the interview, Michael said that Ed Miliband had performed well over the last year and had denied the the Government a "honeymoon period in the polls". He also said that the Labour Party was still changing, “working harder and listening more". He said:

“We recognise that we had a terrible election defeat 18 month ago and we are seeing some important changes to the way the party is organised. We are opening ourselves up to outsiders and I think we have an opportunity to spell out to the country what is happening to our society and economy, and what people will see from Labour in the future.”

Straight after the speech, Michael appeared on BBC News 24 along with the Director-General of CBI, John Cridland. During the interview, Michael stressed that the ideas in the speech regarding corporate practices were not anti-business, but an "anti-business as usual message".

Later the same day, Michael was also on Radio 5 Live Drive with Peter Allen and ITV Calendar News with Ben Erlam. To listen to the 5 Live Drive interview, click here and scroll to 1:05:10.

Top 100 Left Wingers

To coincide with the start of the conference, The Telegraph published its annual Top 100 “left wingers”.  Michael was a new entrant on this year’s list, coming in at number 76.  Commenting, Michael said:

"I was a little surprised and somewhat amused to see I had made the top 100. Although if a record made it to only 76 in the singles chart, you wouldn't think it was much to write home about!"

Speeches

If you would like to read any of the speeches given at the conference in Liverpool, please click here to visit the Labour Party website. 

Winkball Video

During the conference, Michael was also interviewed by a reporter from the WinkBall website.  You can see a video of the interview below.   

Winkball video

Defence Procurement Review launched by Michael Dugher and Jim Murphy

23 September 2011

A report on defence procurement, produced for Labour’s Shadow Defence Team, was launched yesterday by Michael Dugher and Jim Murphy.

The report, ‘Ideas for Future UK Defence Procurement’, is the first piece of detailed work to be produced from the Labour Party’s official policy review process, which will report to Ed Miliband in 2012.

The review was set up by Michael Dugher, the Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, and Jim Murphy, Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. 

Full Report:

Click here to read the full report: ‘Ideas for Future UK Defence Procurement’

Editorial in the Telegraph by Michael Dugher:

Click here to read an editorial regarding the review by Michael Dugher in yesterday's Telegraph: “Let’s get a tighter grip on defence spending”

 Article on Labour Uncut website:

Click here to read an article about the review on Labour Uncut, jointly written by Michael Dugher and Jim Murphy: “Foundations for Future Defence”

Michael keeps up the pressure in support of The Children's Heart Unit at Leeds General Infirmary 

19 September 2011

Michael made a written submission to the Yorkshire and the Humber Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee today in support of the children’s heart surgery unit in Leeds. 

The committee is planning on releasing a regional response to the review into the future of the unit and Michael wants the comments and concerns of people in Barnsley East to be represented.   

A decision on the reconfiguration and reduction of heart surgery units across England is expected in mid-November.  Michael has been campaigning to keep the Leeds unit open for many months and has vowed to keep up the pressure in the weeks ahead.  Click here to read his original submission to the Department of Health.

Barnsley Chronicle: Minister to discuss tax change woes

16 September 2011

The Barnsley Chronicle is reporting today on the news that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has agreed to meet with Michael to talk about the impact his changes to local business rates will have on Barnsley council’s ability to deliver vital local services. 

Michael questioned Eric Pickles about the changes to business rates in the House of Commons on 5 September. In his reply, Eric Pickles said that he would be happy to meet me with Michael to discuss the issue in order to “get the best possible deal for Barnsley”. Michael has since been in contact with Eric Pickles’ office to arrange the meeting, which Steve Houghton the leader of Barnsley council will also attend. 

Michael has been campaigning on this issue over the summer, warning that Barnsley council’s budget could be cut by more than £40 million next year due to the Government’s proposed changes to the way local authorities are funded. 

Currently, local businesses pay rates to the council, which are pooled nationally and redistributed to less affluent local authorities. However, the Government’s White Paper, Local Growth, has set out plans to re-localise business rates, which will mean that councils will get to keep the money they receive from local businesses. This will result in an increased gap in wealth between richer and poorer councils and will add further strain to less affluent councils, like Barnsley, and their ability to deliver crucial services.

Elsecar win first Yorkshire Cricket Council Play Off title for eight years

16 September 2011

Elsecar cricket club beat Methley on 11 September in the Yorkshire Cricket Council Play Off title. 

You can read a full report of the match in the South Yorkshire Times. 

Michael Dugher attended the match and presented the trophies, including a man of the match award.

Yorkshire Post - Michael Dugher: Britain will pay a price in the future as rushed defence cuts reduce our role in the world

09 September 2011

Michael has written an article for the Yorkshire Post about the Government's flawed and rushed defence review.

You can read the article here: Britain will pay a price in the future as rushed defence cuts reduce our role in the world

Tribune article: Laissez-faire coalition leads us down a
cul-de-sac

09 September 2011

Michael has written a column for Tribune Magazine's TUC Special. In the article, Michael argues that the Government cannot stand up for Britain's interests as it has no industrial policy.

Click here to read the full article: Laissez-faire coalition leads us down a cul-de-sac

The Barnsley Chronicle: “MP backs scheme"

9 September 2011

The Barnsley Chronicle is reporting today on a campaign that Michael is backing to boost the number of apprenticeships in Barnsley. You can read the article below:

The Barnsley Chronicle, 9 September 2011

Communities and Local Government Questions – Monday 05 September 2011

05 September 2011

In the House of Commons today, Michael asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, about the impact his changes to local business rates will have on Barnsley Council.    

In his reply, Eric Pickles said that he would be happy to work with Michael to discuss the issue and “get the best possible deal for Barnsley”.  Michael has since written to the Department for Communities and Local Government to arrange a meeting for as soon as possible. 

Click here to watch the exchange (scroll to 14:38).

Flawed Health and Social Care Bill set to be debated in Parliament

5 September 2011

Parliament is back from recess today with a busy week scheduled in the House of Commons.  Of particular importance is the Health and Social Care Bill, which is due to be debated tomorrow (Tuesday).    

Michael has been speaking out against the Government’s reckless, bureaucratic and wasteful reorganisation of the NHS for many months and will vote to scrap or significantly amend the Bill when it returns to the House.

New analysis by the Shadow Health Secretary, John Healey, has revealed a 54% increase in the number of people suffering long waits for their diagnosis or treatment.   Research, based on official Department of Health statistics, shows that over 400,000 more people have suffered long NHS waits in the 14 months since the election compared with the most recent equivalent 14 month period before the election. 

Commenting before the debate, Michael said: “The impact on patient services of the Government wasting millions of pounds on new NHS bureaucracy is becoming clear.  Instead of forcing this reckless Health Bill through Parliament, the Government should scrap their plans altogether and let NHS staff just get on with their jobs.”   

The Barnsley Chronicle: “NHS cuts will reduce town's life expectancy".

12 August 2011

The Barnsley Chronicle is reporting today on the cuts that Barnsley PCT is facing due to the Government's changes to NHS funding policy. You can read the article below:

The Barnsley Chronicle, 12 August 2011

BBC Radio Sheffield: Dean Pepall show

10 August 2011

Michael was on Dean Papall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show yesterday talking about the riots in London and other parts of the country.  To listen, click here and scroll to 1:10:30.

Michael receives briefing from Assistant Chief Constable Holt of the South Yorkshire Police

9 August 2011

Michael Dugher, the MP for Barnsley East, was briefed on Tuesday 9 August by Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Holt of the South Yorkshire Police regarding the riots in London and other cities across the country.      

ACC Holt said that South Yorkshire Police were providing some support to the Metropolitan Police with their operations, but Michael received assurances that this was being done in a way not to impact on policing in South Yorkshire. 

ACC Holt talked about current intelligence and police activity in South Yorkshire and said that there had been no disorder in the area.  He added that South Yorkshire Police were determined to keep South Yorkshire free from the riots and that there would be a very robust response to combat any sign of disorder.   Michael strongly supported this approach.

ACC Holt also emphasised the need for clear and accurate communications as there have been a number of false reports of trouble spreading on social media sites.  Michael agreed to encourage the use of social media to support police in countering this incorrect and irresponsible reporting.  

Commenting, Michael Dugher said:

“I am shocked by the scenes we have seen in parts of London and other cities. This violence, looting and vandalism is disgraceful criminal behaviour.  I’m pleased that there has been no disorder in South Yorkshire and I welcome assurances from Assistant Chief Constable Holt of the South Yorkshire Police that there will be a very robust response to any sign of trouble. 

“I am aware that South Yorkshire Police are providing some support to the Metropolitan Police with their operations, but I have received assurances that this will not impact on policing in South Yorkshire”. 

The Daily Mirror: Fears for northern councils as 'rich' southern authorities may reap dividends of business taxes

9 August 2011

The Daily Mirror is reporting today that Britain’s poorest areas could be left behind after a change to how the Government funds councils.

The Government wants to “re-localise” business rates, meaning that councils will get to keep the money they receive from local businesses within their patch.  This would allow rich areas with the most firms to get more money as poor and rural areas fall behind.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said the changes “could lead to a grotesque postcode lottery". He said: “Rich councils will see their business rate receipts go through the roof, while others struggle.  When Eric Pickles talks about empowerment, for the most deprived parts of the country that really means impoverishment.”

Labour Uncut column: The weasel the government sneaked through during the phone-hacking frenzy

1 August 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. His latest article is about the Government’s proposed changes to the way local councils are funded and how this will disproportionally impact more disadvantaged areas.

Click here to read the full article: "The weasel the government sneaked through during the phone-hacking frenzy "

Labour Defence Procurement Review - Visit to Washington DC

23 July 2011

Michael was in Washington DC last week, along with the Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy MP, as part of Labour’s review into defence procurement. 

The review team held a number of meetings at the Pentagon with senior officials responsible for defence acquisition, industry and manufacturing.  They also met with: Congressmen, influential think-tanks such as the Progressive Policy Institute and the Centre for Strategic and International; top US pollster, Stan Greenberg; and a number of senior industrialists with a strong defence knowledge to gain their insight too.

Whilst in Washington DC, Michael also met with David Lane, Assistant to the President and Counselor to the White House Chief of Staff.  The meeting was with Anna Yearley, Ed Miliband's political secretary, to discuss President Obama's agenda ahead of the forthcoming presidential elections and some shared thinking between the British Labour Party and the US Democrats.

Labour Uncut column: Slow, weak and out of touch – Cameron needs answers fast

18 July 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. Click here to read his latest article: "Slow, weak and out of touch – Cameron needs answers fast"

The Barnsley Chronicle: “Lack of jobs for youths a scandal”

15 July 2011

The Barnsley Chronicle is reporting today on the new figures revealed by Michael regarding youth unemployment in Barnsley.  You can read the full article below:

The Barnsley Chronicle, 15 July 2011

Media interviews on the phone hacking scandal

12 July 2011

Michael has done a number of interviews regarding the phone hacking scandal and the revelations that Gordon Brown believes News International journalists attempted to access his voicemail as well as obtained information from his bank account, his legal file and his family’s medical records. 

See the details below to listen to the interviews again:

- Newsnight – click here.

- Radio 5 Live Tony Livesey Show – click here and scroll to 0:09:30.

- BBC Radio Sheffield – click here and scroll to 2:08.00.

- LBC Radio, Iain Dale show – click here.

Michael was also interviewed on Sky News sunrise and BBC News 24 this morning. On BBC News 24, Michael Dugher said that Ed Miliband had been "shocked and horrified" by the allegations that had come out from News International. 

He said: “I think Ed Miliband, like people up and down the country, has been shocked and horrified by the allegations that have emerged in recent days and weeks and I think really we’ve got to get to the bottom of this which is why Ed called for a public inquiry led by a judge that has the full power and remit to do the job effectively to make sure something like this can never happen again.

“Ed has been able, I think, to speak for the public on the issue of phone hacking in a way that unfortunately the Prime Minister David Cameron has been unable to speak to the public on this issue because he has been too involved with too many of the people that are really central to this story and I think it was so unfortunate that David Cameron chose not to come to the House of Commons yesterday to answer some of the outstanding questions that still need answering.

“And as long as that’s the case, Ed Miliband will keep putting pressure on the Government to say what they knew and when because, as I said, the whole country’s been horrified by this.”

He accused the Conservative Party of using allegations against Ed Miliband’s adviser Tom Baldwin as “a smokescreen”.

“The Times, as well as Tom Baldwin, absolutely deny any wrongdoing whatsoever and I think this is really just a smokescreen created by the Conservative Government because David Cameron has been unable to answer the questions about his appointment of Andy Coulson – someone who is absolutely involved in this story.”

He added that he felt the Prime Minister had been “very, very slow to react”.

“I think he should get on with the public inquiry, I think he has been very, very slow to react on this, and I think he fails to understand the real public anger about the daily allegations that are coming out – most recently about what is alleged to have happened to the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his family.”

The Derby Telegraph: Bombardier issue 'is damaging to whole of the UK'

12 July 2011

The Derby Telegraph has reported on the 16 parliamentary written questions that Michael has asked the Government regarding the awarding of the Thameslink train contract to Siemens.

In an interview with the paper, Michael said: "I know that this decision has had a devastating impact on the people of Derby and the county as a whole but there is an even bigger issue here.

"This decision shows that this country has no industrial policy and that is something that needs addressing.

"And secondly, I come from a family of people who worked on the railways at Doncaster. It's an industry that is close to my heart.

"I'm getting a very real sense that there is gathering support among MPs of all political persuasions to this issue because it is damaging to the whole of the UK.

"Mr Hammond could have stopped this competition at any point. His government actually reviewed Thameslink last year, along with all the other rail contracts, but still pushed ahead with it – and never at any point considered what might happen if Bombardier didn't win the work.

"Vince Cable should have been talking to Mr Hammond about this. I have experience of procurement processes and if he wasn't talking to him then it could rightly be said that Mr Cable was asleep on his watch. If I do not get responses to my questions before the summer recess then I will be submitting a series of Freedom of Information requests."

Click here to read the full article.

Barnsley East Labour Party social event with Yvette Cooper

05 July 2011

Michael hosted a Barnsley East Labour Party social event on Friday to celebrate the great local election results in Barnsley and congratulate all the successful candidates.

The Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP, the Shadow Home Secretary, was the special guest at the event.  

Michael on the BBC Daily Politics show

05 July 2011

Michael was on the Daily Politics show today to talk about Ed Miliband’s decisions to scrap shadow cabinet elections.  Click here to watch the interview.

Michael celebrates the 63rd birthday of the National Health Service

05 July 2011

Michael joined health professionals and campaigners today to wish the NHS a happy 63rd birthday.

It is 63 years since the NHS was founded. Across the UK health professionals are celebrating the NHS’ birthday whilst warning that the government’s proposed reforms will fundamentally alter the health service and undermine the basic principles on which it was founded.

For more details about the birthday parties being held up and down the country visit www.falseeconomy.org.uk/nhs  

Defence Questions – Monday 04 July 2011

04 July 2011

Michael Dugher asked a question to the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, today during Defence Questions.  Click here to watch the exchange.

Labour Uncut column: The govt must swallow its pride and adapt to the Arab spring

04 July 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column, Michael argues a new chapter to the 2010 SDSR is desperately needed today.

Read the full article here: "The govt must swallow its pride and adapt to the Arab spring"

Sunday Mirror: George Osborne and Liam Fox in rift over Chinook helicopters for Afghanistan

03 July 2011

The Sunday Mirror is reporting today that Liam Fox and George Osborne are locked in a battle over plans to buy 12 Chinook helicopters for soldiers in Afghanistan.

The article states that the Chancellor, George Osborne, is stalling over buying the much needed Chinooks amid speculation of more cuts at the Ministry of Defence.

Michael, who is the shadow equipment minister, said: “This looks like another broken promise to our Armed Forces by David Cameron. It’s time those serving in Afghanistan got what they were promised.”

Click here to read the full article: George Osborne and Liam Fox in rift over Chinook helicopters for Afghanistan

BBC Radio Sheffield: The Dean Pepall show

01 July 2011

Michael was on BBC Radio Sheffield today to talk about his final submission to the Department of Health regarding the review into the future of children’s heart services. 

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 2:17:00.

Barnsley Chronicle: MP confident in his case to save kids’ unit

01 July 2011

The Barnsley Chronicle has reported on Michael’s final submission to the Department of Health regarding the review into the future of children’s heart services.  Read the full story below:   

Barnsley Chronicle 1 July 2010

Barnsley Chronicle: Boost in aid for poorer students after demands

01 July 2011

Barnsley College has received more for its Learner Support Fund than expected, but Michael has said that this is still not enough to meet the essential needs of disadvantaged students in Barnsley. Read the full story below:

Barnsley Chronicle 1 July 2010

Listen to Barnsley – Save the children’s heart surgery unit in Leeds

30 June 2011

Michael Dugher has sent his final submission to the Department of Health regarding the review into the future of children’s heart services.   

Michael has been collecting evidence for the submission for the last three months and is pressing the case for retaining the service at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI). He has listened to the views of many people in Barnsley who have used the unit in Leeds and included many of their moving stories.  Click here to read the full submission.

Vote now to back Wombwell campaign to win ITV Jubilee People’s Millions competition

28 June 2011

The lines are now open to vote on the restoration project in Wombwell that has been short-listed on ITV’s Jubilee People’s Millions competition.  

The Big Lottery Fund and ITV are marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee through the Jubilee People’s Millions.  This funding programme awards groups that have a good idea for a project to inspire their local community.  The Friends of Wombwell Cemetery’s Peace from Dereliction project has been short-listed to go forward to the public vote and a report on the project will be shown on ITV Calendar News from 6pm.  

The number to call is 08716268142. The lines will close at midnight and calls will cost 11p with a maximum of 10 calls per phone.

Michael visited the chapel in Wombwell recently to show his support along with local Wombwell councillors Margaret Morgan, Denise Wilde and Richard Wraith. 

If successful, the money will go on restoring the Grade II listed chapel in Wombwell Cemetery, which was partially destroyed by a fire around 20 years ago.  The project would refurbish the remaining structure of the building in order to make it safe and turn the interior space into a garden to provide an area for peaceful contemplation for the local community. The garden would also include benches and a memorial wall.

Commenting, Michael Dugher said: “This is a great local project.  The funding would enable the complete restoration of the chapel in Wombwell Cemetery and the creation of a “Peace Garden” where people can go to contemplate and see personal memorials.  I encourage people in Barnsley to get behind it and vote on today.”

Michael celebrates Armed Forces Day

26 June 2011

Michael celebrated Armed Forces Day in Wrexham yesterday with Veterans, Ed Miliband and Ian Lucas MP.

Michael said: “It was great to meet Veterans in Wrexham yesterday to celebrate Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is an excellent opportunity to raise public awareness of the contribution made by those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces. It also gives people the chance to show their support for the great men and women who make up the whole of the Armed Forces community.”

If you would like to know more about Armed Forces Day, visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk.

South Yorkshire Times: Have a heart for dying kids

23 June 2011

Michael organised an event in Barnsley (Hoyland) last Saturday regarding the threat to the Children’s Heart Surgery Unit in Leeds. 

Michael has campaigned to keep the unit open and is planning on making a detailed submission to the consultation process.  At part of this, he organised this round-table discussion to hear the views and concerns of constituents and health experts from the hospital. 

The event was reported in the South Yorkshire Times this week.  To see the coverage, click here, here and here.

Labour Uncut column: “Not a lot” – Cameron’s grasp of detail

20 June 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column, Michael argues that the Ed Miliband’s performance at PMQs last week exposed the fact that David Cameron doesn’t do detail.

Read the full article here: "“Not a lot” – Cameron’s grasp of detail"

Michael backs Wombwell campaign to win ITV Jubilee People’s Millions competition

19 June 2011

Michael has thrown his support behind a project in Wombwell which has been short-listed to appear on ITV’s Jubilee People’s Millions competition next Tuesday (28 June 2011).

Michael visited the chapel in Wombwell on Saturday to show his support along with local Wombwell councillors Margaret Morgan, Denise Wilde and Richard Wraith.    

The Big Lottery Fund and ITV are marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee through the Jubilee People’s Millions.

This funding programme awards groups that have a good idea for a project to inspire their local community.  The Friends of Wombwell Cemetery’s Peace from Dereliction project has been short-listed to go forward to the public vote on ITV Calendar News on 28 June. 

If successful, the money will go on restoring the Grade II listed chapel in Wombwell Cemetery, which was partially destroyed by a fire around 20 years ago.  The project would refurbish the remaining structure of the building in order to make it safe and turn the interior space into a garden to provide an area for peaceful contemplation for the local community. The garden would also include benches and a memorial wall.

Commenting, Michael Dugher said: “This is a great local project.  The funding would enable the complete restoration of the chapel in Wombwell Cemetery and the creation of a “Peace Garden” where people can go to contemplate and see personal memorials.  I encourage people in Barnsley to get behind it and vote on Tuesday 28 June.”

Michael holds round-table event about the threat to the Children’s Heart Surgery Unit in Leeds

18 June 2011

Michael Dugher held a round-table event today in Barnsley regarding the threat to the Children’s Heart Surgery Unit in Leeds. 

Michael has campaigned to keep the unit open and is planning on making a detailed submission to the consultation process.  As part of this process, he organised the round-table discussion to hear the views and concerns of constituents and health experts from the hospital. 

A number of parents whose children have had to use the great service provided by the Leeds unit attended the meeting, as well as some senior nurses and consultants who work at the hospital. 

Michael was interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Saturday Breakfast show ahead of the event.  To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 2:16:30.

Michael intervenes during debate on Economic Regeneration in Barnsley

16 June 2011

Michael spoke during a debate secured by Dan Jarvis MP today on Economic Regeneration in Barnsley. Click here to read the transcript of the debate.

The JC: UK pledges Arab-Israeli cash boost

16 June 2011

The JC is reporting today on the Government’s announcement that it wants to spend more on projects to encourage co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians. 

This commitment follows a question in the house by Michael Dugher, highlighting the small proportion of the aid budget spent on boosting co-operation between Israeli and Palestinian civil society. 

Click here to read the full article. 

Michael on Sky News Boulton & Co programme

15 June 2011

Michael appeared on Adam Boulton’s Sky News programme today to talk about Prime Minister’s Questions

David Cameron was repeatedly questioned by Ed Miliband during PMQs on the effect of welfare reforms on cancer patients. He responded by saying that they would not lose any money.  However, the Macmillan Cancer Support has said that the removal of the Employment and Support Allowance after 12 months would in fact see 7,000 lose £94 a week. 

Commenting on Sky News, Michael said:  “Most people in the country would expect the Prime Minister to be on top of the detail of his own bill. It is pretty disgraceful that we’ve got a bill that the House of Commons is voting on tonight and the Prime Minister, who signed off this bill, is not aware of one of its key clauses.”

Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

14 June 2011

Michael asked a question to the Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt today during Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions highlighting the small proportion of the aid budget spent on boosting co-operation between Israeli and Palestinian civil society. To watch the exchange, click here and scroll to 26:40. 

Work and Pensions Questions – Monday 13 June 2011

13 June 2011

Michael Dugher asked a question to the Minister for Employment, Chris Grayling, today during Work and Pensions Questions.  Click here to watch the exchange.

BBC Radio 5 Live: Stephen Nolan show

13 June 2011

Michael was on the Stephen Nolan radio show last night - to listen, click here and scroll to 0:15.

Barnsley MPs demand an increase in the Learner Support Fund

13 June 2011

As reported in the Sheffield Star and LabourMatters, Barnsley’s four Labour MPs, Michael Dugher, Angela Smith, Dan Jarvis, and John Healey, have written an open letter to the Education Secretary Michael Gove demanding and increase to the national Learner Support Fund so that it can properly meet the needs of students at Barnsley College. 

Commenting, Michael Dugher said: “It is just not good enough that Barnsley College is still in the dark about how much it will be allocated from the new Learner Support Fund. The Government needs to act now and guarantee that the resources allocated to the fund will be sufficient to meet the essential needs of disadvantaged students.”

Click here to read more.

Michael visits new LIFT centre under construction in Hoyland

10 June 2011

Michael visited the building site of the new Hoyland LIFT Centre today along with Councillors Jim Andrews and Chris Lamb. 

The Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) initiative, which is due to be fully operational in August, will include a health centre, a library and many other services. 

Michael said: “I know it’s going to be a fantastic facility and I’m sure it will contribute significantly to the health, social and economic well-being of the area.”

Michael visits Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

10 June 2011

Michael visited Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice today to see the brilliant work done by the dedicated staff caring for children and young adults.

The hospice offers care and support to children and young adults with a shortened life expectancy and around thirty families from Barnsley rely on the amazing care it provides.

Commenting after the visit, Michael said: “It was good to meet many of the patients at the hospice, including a number of families from Barnsley.  All the staff at Bluebell Wood do an amazing job. Sarah Campion, the Chief Executive, is truly an inspiration.” 

To find out more about the hospice, visit: www.bluebellwood.org.

Help save the Children’s heart surgery unit in Leeds

07 June 2011

Michael has been at the forefront of the campaign to save the children’s heart surgery unit in Leeds and is planning on making a detailed submission to the consultation. As part of this, he is organising a round-table event in Barnsley to hear the views and concerns of health experts and constituents.  

The event is due to take place on Saturday 18 June at West Bank House, West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9EE, starting at 11am.  If you would like to take part, please contact the constituency office on 01226 743 483 or e-mail Michael on Michael.dugher.mp@parlimanet.uk.   

15,000 women in South Yorkshire forced to wait more than a year for their pension

06 June 2011

As reported in the South Yorkshire Times today, Michael has warned that 15,000 women in South Yorkshire are being forced to wait more than a year for their pension. 

The Government’s plans to accelerate the state pension age increases mean that women will have to wait for more than a year longer before receiving the state pension, leaving many women aged 56 and 57 feeling robbed.

Nationally, 300,000 women born between 6 December 1953 and 5 October 1954, will have to wait an extra 18 months, and an unlucky 33,000 born between 6 March 1954 and 5 April 1954 will have to wait an extra 2 years, before being entitled to their state pension.

The majority of these women will already be well underway in their plans for retirement, with many already working reduced hours in order to care for grandchildren or elderly parents.  Yet they are now being forced to make significant changes to their financial plans, with just 5 years notice before the changes kick in. 

Commenting, Michael said: “The Government’s plans to increase the state pension age disproportionately affects women, and 15,000 women in South Yorkshire are being made to wait up to two years longer for their state pension.  Many of these are women who have juggled working lives with raising a family, and who have very little retirement saving to fall back on.  The lack of warning of these changes means they do not have enough time to adjust carefully thought-out retirement plans and leaves them feeling robbed of their pension’s.

“Despite the Coalition Agreement stating that they would not raise the state pension age for women before 2020, the government have done another ‘u-turn’ on their policy.  I will be fighting these changes every step of the way to ensure fairness for those approaching retirement feeling that the goalposts keep being moved.”

Labour Uncut column: The government’s NHS changes tell you everything you need to know about the Tories

06 June 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column, Michael argues that the government’s approach to the NHS tells you everything you need to know about the Tories.

Read the full article here: "The government’s NHS changes tell you everything you need to know about the Tories"

Michael criticises the government’s cuts to the Police budget on BBC Radio Sheffield

6 June 2011

Michael was on the BBC Radio Sheffield breakfast show this morning talking about the impact of the government’s cuts to the Police budget in South Yorkshire.  Click here and scroll to 1:00 to listen to the interview. 

South Yorkshire Times: MP voices alarm over police cuts

2 June 2011

As reported in the South Yorkshire Times today, Michael Dugher has reacted with alarm to a newly released survey that shows the depth of anger over the unprecedented 20% cut to the policing budget among Police Officers serving in South Yorkshire.   

The survey, which was commissioned by the Police Federation, found that in South Yorkshire, 93% of Police Officers believe that the standard of their service to the community will fall ‘following cuts made to the policing budget’.  98.4% of Police Officers feel their morale has fallen while 83.6% agree that there workload has increased.  This undoubtedly raises the disturbing spectre of a demoralised, over-stretched South Yorkshire Police Force being asked to cope with the ever increasing demands of community policing.

The survey follows House of Commons Library analysis which revealed that Government funding for South Yorkshire Police faces cuts of £33.6m in real terms over the next two years alone.   This means that South Yorkshire Police are set to lose 414 police officers and 680 police staff.

Commenting, Michael Dugher, said: “This survey highlights the anger Police Officers are feeling across South Yorkshire.  The Government should listen to the Police Officers serving our community who feel that policing will be dramatically affected if they continue to press ahead with their drastic cuts. I am very concerned that these cuts will undermine all the progress that has been made tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire.”

Sunday Telegraph: Nato set to close key naval headquarters at Northwood, Hertfordshire

29 May 2011

The Sunday Telegraph is reporting today that a major Nato command centre in Britain faces the axe in a series of cutbacks.  

Senior sources have said that naval headquarters at Northwood in Hertfordshire is under serious threat as NATO looks to reduce its maritime command centres.

Quoted in the article, the Shadow defence equipment minister Michael Dugher said: "Britain more than punches its weight in NATO, so we are right to want to keep Northwood. But Liam Fox should equally be fighting to stop the drip-drip of announcements and leaks about the cuts he is planning to armed forces that is doing so much to undermine morale."

Click here to read the full article.

BBC Radio Sheffield: Saturday Breakfast

28 May 2011

Following reports in the South Yorkshire Times, the Barnsley Chronicle and the Sheffield Star, Michael was interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Saturday Breakfast show to talk about UEFA’s snub of Barnsley’s Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

The world famous band, which is based in Michael’s constituency, thought they would be playing on the Wembley stadium turf before the Champions League final, but were later told they could not play on the pitch and would have to play outside the stadium instead.   

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 2:07. 

Daily Mail: What spending cuts? PM splashes out £680k of YOUR money on Downing Street

27 May 2011

The Daily Mail is reporting today that David Cameron has splashed out nearly £700,000 of taxpayers’ cash to revamp Downing Street this year.

This comes at a time of austerity cuts across government.

Quoted in the article, Michael said: “It is not as though the place was falling down, I am not sure what the money is being spent on. At the same time as they are asking ordinary people to tighten their belts, the Camerons are splashing taxpayers’ cash on doing up their own flat. Meanwhile people in council houses are seeing their repairs cut.”

Click here to read the full article. 

Michael appears on the first ever Barnsley Question Time

26 May 2011

Michael was a panellist on the first ever Barnsley Question Time today.  The event was held at Barnsley College and organised jointly by www.wearebarnsley.com and South Yorkshire Police.

The other panel members included: South Yorkshire Police’s District Commander Andy Brooke; Paul Brannan from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council; and Councillor John Wilson.

The panellists answered questions from students and members of the public on a range of issues, but particularly on crime, policing and anti-social behaviour.

Click here to view the live-chat of the event on www.wearebarnsley.com.

BBC Radio Sheffield: Toby Foster at Breakfast

24 May 2011

Michael was on Toby Foster’s breakfast show this morning discussing his new role as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband.  To listen to the interview, clicke here and scroll to 46.26.

Michael becomes Ed Miliband’s Parliamentary Private Secretary

23 May 2011

It was announced today that Michael has been promoted to the post of Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband. 

In his new role, Michael will attend shadow cabinet meetings, advise Mr Miliband on a range of issues and be a point of contact for backbench MPs. 

Michael will remain a member of the Shadow frontbench Defence team until the conclusion of the defence procurement policy review later in the year. 

Update: Michael’s promotion has been reported widely, including in the Yorkshire Post, The Sheffield Star and Total Politics.

Labour Uncut column: The government’s policy on the armed forces: giving with one hand and taking with the other

23 May 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column Michael says that at a time when more is being asked of our armed forces, it is vital that we put the government’s obligations to the armed services on a proper legal footing.   Yet the Government’s u-turn last week on enshrining the military covenant in law is, sadly, only the latest example of the government’s approach to the armed forces: giving with one hand, while taking away with the other.

Read the full article here: "The government’s policy on the armed forces: giving with one hand and taking with the other"

Michael slams UEFA for snubbing Barnsley’s Grimethorpe Colliery Band

20 May 2011

Michael Dugher, the MP for Barnsley East, has criticised UEFA for snubbing Barnsley’s Grimethorpe Colliery Band.  The world famous band, which is based in Michael’s constituency, thought they would be playing on the Wembley stadium turf when Manchester United take on Barcelona in the Champions League final on 28 May 2011.  But they were later told they could not play on the pitch and had to play outside the stadium instead.   

The band, which featured in the box office smash film Brassed Off, have now said they will not be playing at Wembley.

Mr Dugher has written to the UEFA President, Michel Platini, criticising the snub and asking for the band to be invited to play inside the stadium.  

Mr Dugher, who is also the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Chair for Brass Bands, said: “It seems like these European executives at UEFA haven’t got a clue.  The Grimethorpe Colliery Band is world renowned and to ask these great musicians to busk outside the stadium while fans wander past is a real insult to this great British institution.  It is a spectacular own-goal by UEFA.” 
     
Update: The story has been reported today on the front page of the Barnsley chronicle (Cudworth/Grimethorpe editions) and the Sheffield Star. 

The Metro: Education minister John Hayes 'copied speech from Wikipedia'

17 May 2011

The Metro is reporting today that Education Minister John Hayes made a speech with large parts apparently copied from Wikipedia.

Mr Hayes has blamed his parliamentary researcher for the embarrassment. 

Michael Dugher, who is quoted in the article, said that plagiarism set a bad example to the students Mr Hayes was supposed to represent.  He said: “He should be setting an example by writing something new, not lazily lifting someone else’s work from Wikipedia.” 

Defence Questions – Monday 16 May 2011

16 May 2011

Michael Dugher asked a question to the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, today during Defence Questions.  Click here to watch the exchange.

Pienaar's Politics – BBC Radio 5 Live

15 May 2011

Michael was a panellist on John Pienarr’s BBC Radio 5 Live show this evening discussing the Government’s NHS reforms, Libya and the results of the recent local elections.

The other panellists included Norman Baker and Michael Fallon. To listen to the show, click here and scroll to 39:00.

Michael signs Nurses’ Day Pledge

11 May 2011

The Royal College of Nursing is celebrating the wonderful work of Nurses and nursing with “Nurses’ Day” on Thursday 12 May 2011.  Michael has signed up to their pledge to show his support and appreciation for all the incredible work that they do. 

The Nurses’ Day pledge reads: "Nurses are incredible - they help us stay healthy, care for our families and heal our loved ones. I want to say thank you to each and every nurse, that's why I pledge to show my support for Nurses’ Day on 12 May".

To find out more and to sign up to the pledge, visit www.nursesday.rcn.org.uk/celebrate-nurses

Michael calls for the Government to enshrine the Military Covenant in law

11 May 2011

Michael has sponsored an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to enshrine the Military Covenant in law.  This would outline the principles the Government must uphold to recognise the unique nature of military service and provide the highest standards of care for our service personnel, veterans and their families.

The News of the World has also recently launched a campaign backing the proposals.  Their campaign calls for “Justice for the Brave” and demands that David Cameron lives up to his pledge to enshrine the Military Covenant in law.  Click here for more information about the campaign.     

Commenting, Michael said: “The moral contract between the nation and our Services, and the responsibilities of Government towards the whole Forces community, should be protected and strengthened and never sidestepped.

“The Government has been in power for less than a year but has already failed to meet many of its commitments to our Armed Forces. It is now more important than ever that Ministers are held to account for their actions.

“Those who give so much for our country deserve the highest levels of support, care and reward.  Enshrining a Military Covenant in to law will demonstrate our whole country’s commitment to those who choose to protect us”.

The Daily Mirror: Taxpayers foot the bill for David Cameron's U-turn on Cabinet meetings outside London

10 May 2011

The Daily Mirror is reporting today that David Cameron has hit taxpayers with a £22,000 bill after a u-turn on Cabinet meetings outside London.

When Labour ministers met around the country, David Cameron suggested Gordon Brown was spending public money on political spin, but the Prime Minister has now decided to copy his predecessor. 

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that on one visit by the Prime Minister and his colleagues cost police £21,939.

Michael Dugher, who is quoted in the article, said: “This is total hypocrisy. They said it was a waste of money under the previous government.”

Labour Uncut column: The Labour and Unionist party

09 May 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column Michael argues that it is imperative that Labour makes the case for the Union in Scotland.

Read the full article here: "The Labour and Unionist party"

Sunday Telegraph: Red Arrows threatened by axe after royal wedding no-show

8 May 2011

The Sunday Telegraph is reporting today that the future of the Red Arrows has been thrown into doubt after the aerobatic display team failed to take part in the royal wedding celebrations.

This year’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) budget has a shortfall of around £1 billion and it is understood that the RAF team has once again been threatened with the axe.

The shadow defence minister Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “It comes to something when the country can’t even afford for the Red Arrows to join a fly past on the day of the Royal Wedding.

“MoD officials are constantly demanding we scrap the Red Arrows. Ministers should resist this, as Labour did in government.”

Read the full article here: Red Arrows threatened by axe after royal wedding no-show

UPDATE: following the reports in the Sunday Telegraph, Michael has appeared on ITV Calendar News urging the Government to resist calls to scrap the Red Arrows.  Click here to watch the report.    

Prospect election blog – “A view from the doorstep”

3 May 2011

Prospect Magazine is running a special election blog with James Macintyre, Ian Birrell, Olly Grender, Peter Kellner and Michael Dugher giving their thoughts on the upcoming elections and referendum on 5 May.

Click here to read Michael’s post today – “A view from the doorstep”.

Total Politics debate: should Labour ever seek to form a progressive alliance with the Lib Dems? To do so would be to seek a silver bullet that does not exist, argues Michael Dugher

3 May 2011

In this month’s Total Politics Magazine, Neal Lawson and Michael Dugher debate the workability of a pact between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.  You can read Michael’s contribution below:

Total Politics, Issue 35, May 2011

Leicester Mercury: MP front-runner 'takes nothing for granted'

2 May 2011

The Leicester Mercury has conducted a survey which suggests that the Labour Candidate, Jonathan Ashworth, is the front-runner to win the Leicester South seat in Thursday's by-election.

The local paper’s survey indicated that almost two-thirds of voters, 60.8 per cent, were likely to vote for Mr Ashworth.  The Conservatives came second, with 19.8 per cent and the Liberal Democrats third with 14.1 per cent.

Michael Dugher, Labour's campaign manager in Leicester South, said: "In relatively recent times this seat has been won by the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour.

"Jon Ashworth and Labour will fight hard for every vote – we take nothing and no one for granted.

"Jon and his team will be working right up until the polling stations close at 10pm on Thursday to ensure that the people of Leicester South take their unique chance to send a message to Cameron and Clegg about their unfair cuts and broken promises."

Liam Fox compares himself to Winston Churchill

29 April 2011

It is being reported today in the Telegraph, the Daily Mirror, The Guardian, Total Politics and Sky News that the Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, has compared himself to Winston Churchill. 

When asked at a lunch yesterday hosted by Westminster journalists whether he regretted visiting a pub when British troops were despatched to Libya, Fox apparently said: “It is a bit like asking Churchill if he regrets having a drink during world war two”.

Commenting, shadow defence minister Michael Dugher, said:  “Liam Fox is no Winston Churchill. Rather than comparing himself to someone who many rightly regard as the greatest Briton in history, Fox has to explain his admission today that defence capabilities have been cut by this government and that the strategic defence and security review was a spending review not a proper defence review. That admission is a complete U-turn from what he and David Cameron said last October.”

Syrian ambassador barred from royal wedding

28 April 2011

The Foreign Office has announced today that the Syrian ambassador’s invitation to the Royal wedding has been withdrawn. 

The last minute U-turn on Dr Sami Khiyami's place on the guest list comes just 24 hours before Prince William and Kate Middleton are set to meet at the altar.

The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, finally bowed to uproar from national newspapers and the public following widespread condemnation at the Syrian regime's violent crackdown on an uprising against President Bashar al Assad. 

Interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live today, Michael Dugher said he was glad the decision had been taken to withdraw the invitation, but questioned why the Foreign Office had allowed it to happen in the first place.  He said: “It is no way a criticism of Prince William or Kate Middleton, but a criticism of officials at the Foreign Office and at St James' Palace who advise on these appointments”. 

Michael also told Sky News that “it’s like they've never put together a wedding invite before – we've all done the 'if you invite Aunty Beryl you have to invite Aunty Joyce – and we mustn't invite mad uncle so-and-so who will offend everyone else at the wedding’".

To listen to the Radio 5 Live interview, click here and scroll to 1:51:51.

The Sunday Telegraph: Royal wedding - No place for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown

26 April 2011

The Sunday Telegraph is reporting today that the royal wedding has suffered its first major controversy after it was confirmed that neither Tony Blair nor Gordon Brown had been invited to the ceremony.

Both Sir John Major and Lady Thatcher have been invited and all surviving former prime ministers attended the Prince of Wales’s marriage to Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1981.

Quoted in the Sunday Telegraph article, Michael Dugher said: “It appears odd that surviving prime ministers other than Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have rightly been invited to a semi-state occasion, while they haven’t.”

Read the full article here: Royal wedding: No place for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown

The Telegraph: David Cameron refuses to rule out role for British ground forces in Libya

18 April 2011

The Telegraph is reporting today that David Cameron has raised the prospect of UK troops operating inside Libya by declaring that Britain is preparing to "do more" to help rebels struggling to oust Col Gaddafi.

In a television interview, the Prime Minister refused to rule out short-lived ground-level operations by British forces.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Telegraph article, said Mr Cameron's words risked raising new questions over the nature of the British mission. He said: "If we are to maintain public confidence at home, we must have clarity from ministers, and that includes the Prime Minister. The Government must stick to the terms of the UN resolution. We must be alert to the dangers of mission creep."

Read the full article here: David Cameron refuses to rule out role for British ground forces in Libya.

Michael visits elevator company in Wombwell

16 April 2011

On Thursday Michael visited the Sematic Elevator Systems & Components company in Wombwell.

The company employs nearly 60 local people, making products that are exported all over the world. Indeed, Michael regularly uses the lifts they built for Portcullis House in the Palace of Westminster!

Michael met with John Wordsworth, Q,H&S Manager to discuss the possible expansion of the company in Barnsley. One of the big challenges for the firm is to reduce its cost base to attract more volume. Michael agreed to contact Barnsley Development Agency to see what help and advice could be available to them.

Commenting, Michael said: "It's great to see such a world class company on our doorstep here in Barnsley. I know that the climate is tough for businesses like Sematic, but I am determined to do all I can to support their possible expansion and continued presence here as a valued employer and investor in our local economy".

Michael organises charity “curry night” in Barnsley with councillors and army veterans

13 April 2011

In his role as a Shadow Defence Minister and the MP for Barnsley East, Michael will be hosting a charity dinner in Hoyland this evening (Wednesday 13 April 2011) to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund (AFB), The Soldiers’ Charity. 

The guests will include local councillors and veterans from local Royal British Legion branches.

AFB, The Soldiers’ Charity encourages people to hold charity “curry nights” every April to raise money for soldiers, veterans and their families. For more information visit http://bigcurry.org/.

The Daily Mail: Trivial public ideas turning Cameron's 'wellbeing index' into a 'farce'

13 April 2011

The Daily Mail is reporting today that David Cameron’s £2million drive to produce a ‘wellbeing index’ is in danger of descending into a farce after it emerged that a public consultation had been bombarded with trivial ideas.

One contributor said they would like to see better quality pies and chip butties and another urged the Government to provide ‘something half decent on TV’.

Michael, quoted in the article, said: “This might have sounded like a good idea when it was dreamed up in the Downing Street bunker by Cameron and Clegg, but if they want to know why people are unhappy they should look at the VAT rise and spending cuts they have brought in.”

The Anthony Nolan Register: Could you be the next one in 11 million?

12 April 2011

The Anthony Nolan Register is stepping up its campaign to get more people to sign up.  Anthony Nolan finds matches for leukaemia patients who need a lifesaving stem cell transplant (commonly known as a bone marrow transplant).

Michael signed up as a donor back in July and is encouraging people to consider doing the same. 

There are currently almost 1,600 people in the UK waiting for a stem cell transplant and 37,000 worldwide.

The charity particularly needs more male donors between the ages of 18 and 30 to come forward. Almost three-quarters of the stem cell donations they arrange come from men, but men count for less than half of those on the register.

Joining is easy: you just need to fill in a medical questionnaire and then give a small saliva sample. To sign up, you need to be between 18 and 40 and in good general health. You can request an application pack from the Anthony Nolan website at www.anthonynolan.org  

Labour Uncut column: A postcard from the Leicester South by-election

11 April 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column, Michael writes a postcard from the Leicester South by-election. Read the full article here.

Michael calls for urgent action after new research reveals that children in Barnsley East are among the most at-risk in the country from passive smoking

8 April 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle and the South Yorkshire Times, Michael is calling for urgent action after new research has revealed that Barnsley East ranks as one of the top constituencies in the country for the number of children at risk of health problems caused by passive smoking.    

By looking at information on households with a smoker and with children, the British Lung Foundation (BLF) has established that Barnsley East is 21st out of 650 constituencies.

The new research found that over half (51%) of eight to 15 year olds have been exposed to cigarette smoke when confined in a car, highlighting the need for Government action to improve child protection in this area.  It also showed that eighty-six per cent of children across the UK want people to stop smoking when children are in the car.

Commenting, Michael said: “I believe it is important that adults are encouraged to protect children from the dangers of passive smoke.  I had an important meeting with the British Lung Foundation this week to go through the new research.   It is clear that Barnsley is a blackspot for the number of children at risk to the dangers of passive smoking and more needs to be done.  I have written to the government Minister responsible for Public Health, Anne Milton, to ask for an urgent meeting”.

Sunday Mirror: Cabinet Minister Oliver Letwin sparks fury over cheap flights jibe

3 April 2011

The Sunday Mirror is reporting today that Cabinet Minister Oliver Letwin has been criticised for saying: “We don’t want more people from ­Sheffield flying away on cheap holidays.”

The outburst apparently came during a row with London Mayor Boris Johnson over the building of new airports. 

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “Ministers are constantly jetting to exclusive resorts. But they don’t want hard-pressed families to enjoy a well-deserved break.  It’s one rule for them and another rule for everybody else.”

Read the full article here: Cabinet Minister Oliver Letwin sparks fury over cheap flights jibe

UPDATE (4 April 2011): The story has been followed up today with articles in the Daily Mail, the Telegraph, the Sheffield Star, the Press Association as well as a report on ITV Calendar News.   

Telegraph - Forces serving in Libya to be told: you face the sack

2 April 2011

The Telegraph is reporting today that Royal Navy personnel taking part in the Libyan intervention and soldiers fighting in Afghanistan will be told next week that they could be sacked due to defence cuts.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Telegraph article, said: “Ministers should stick to undertakings they have given that their cuts will not impact on the front line. Such treatment will rightly be seen as shabby in the extreme.”

Click here to read the full article: 'Forces serving in Libya to be told: you face the sack’

Jim Murphy MP - Labour’s defence policy review: responsibilities beyond our borders

30 March 2011

The Shadow Defence Secretary, Jim Murphy, has written an interesting article for Labour Uncut on defence policy challenges and Labour’s defence policy review.

Click here to read the article: Labour’s defence policy review: responsibilities beyond our borders

Labour Uncut column: Last week saw the beginning of a journey: from Red Ed to one nation prime minister

28 March 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column - which has been highlighted in LabourList’s Ed’s Inbox article - Michael argues that "in a week of speeches by Ed Miliband, we are seeing the development of Labour’s one nation appeal once again".

Read the full article here: "Last week saw the beginning of a journey: from Red Ed to one nation prime minister"

Michael’s petition to protect NHS services in Barnsley

25 March 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael has launched a petition calling on David Cameron to keep the promises he made during the General Election campaign, namely: to protect frontline NHS services;  to stop precious NHS money being wasted on a big top-down reorganisation; and to provide the real increase he promised in NHS funding.

Click here to sign the petition.

In recent weeks the Government has become increasingly isolated on its flagship policy on the NHS.  The Liberal Democrats want amendments, the British Medical Association have asked for the Bill to be withdrawn and expert health organisations such as the Royal College of Nursing and Cancer Research UK are voicing concern.

David Cameron made a clear promise during the election to protect the NHS and stop top-down reorganisations that got in the way of patient care. 

Government ministers claim they have protected NHS budgets, but analysis of three-year plans of Yorkshire’s highest-performing foundation hospitals has shown that all of them must make deep cuts to balance the books.  The hardest hit is Barnsley's hospital where savings targets are almost double that of other centres.  Hospital bosses have predicted that revenue will fall by nine per cent by 2012-13 from a high last year. The King's Fund think-tank has said the NHS is facing the "biggest financial challenge in its history".

Commenting, Michael Dugher, said: 

"Why is the Government wasting billions on an expensive and unnecessary re-organisation of the NHS rather than putting the money into front-line care where it is needed?  David Cameron is taking a gamble with the future of our NHS.  That is why I have launched this petition and I am encouraging people in Barnsley to sign up.  The government’s plans encourage service providers to concentrate heavily on making money instead of concentrating on making people better. That can’t be right.  Together we can send David Cameron and the government a clear message that they must keep their promises.”

The Chancellor delivers a “Budget for growth” that downgrades the growth forecast

23 March 2011

In today’s budget, the Chancellor, George Osborne, was forced to downgrade his growth forecasts for this year. 

Mr Osborne revealed that he now expects Britain's economy to grow at a slower rate than previously expected with the Office for Budgetary Responsibility cutting its growth forecast for 2011 from 2.1% to 1.7%. 

The Government’s policies will hit people in Barnsley and across the country hard:

• The Chancellor said that fuel duty will be cut by 1p, but VAT is adding 3p to the cost of a litre of petrol;

• The Government’s plan will actually make it harder to get the deficit down.  Growth is down, inflation is up and unemployment is up.  This means that the Government will have to borrow £44.5 billion more over the coming period;

• Tax credits and child benefit will be frozen from April;

• Unemployment is rising again – now at a 17 year high. Over 60,000 more people are looking for work since George Osborne’s last budget and nearly 1 million young people are now out of work;

• On the cost of living, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said today that George Osborne is just “giving with one hand... and taking away with lots and lots of other hands”. The Government has promised a £45 tax cut next year, but the IFS has calculated that he’s taking away £450 from families with children in higher VAT this year.

Commenting, Michael said: "As Ed Miliband said in the House of Commons today, what we learned is that George Osborne's plan to cut too deep and too fast is hurting, but it's not working. What we really need is a plan for jobs and growth to help people in Barnsley and help get the deficit down. I will be campaigning that in Westminster and urging the government to change course.”

Michael calls on George Osborne to put jobs and growth first

23 March 2011

Ahead of today’s Budget, Michael has called on George Osborne to re-think his reckless plan to cut too deep and too fast – which is derailing our economic recovery and hitting families hard.

But even though the evidence is mounting that his plan isn’t working, all the signs are that George Osborne is going to plough on regardless.

When Labour left office last year, the economy was starting to grow strongly again, inflation was lower and unemployment was falling. So our economy should be growing strongly now.

But since the Government changed the plan to halve the deficit steadily over four years – and took a political decision to cut further and faster than any other major economy in the world – things have taken a serious turn for the worse.

The recovery has stalled with the economy actually shrinking at the end of last year. Unemployment is at a 17 year high and nearly 1 million young people are out of work. And the VAT rise is pushing up prices and hitting people hard in the pocket and at the petrol pump.

Michael has said that there are two tests for this Budget:

• Does it come up with a plan that puts jobs and growth first to get our economy moving again and more people into work – with a long-term vision for where our future jobs will come from?
  
• And does it help hard-pressed families on low and middle incomes who face a growing cost of living crisis?

Commenting today, Michael said: “For the sake of our economy, our young people and the future of our country – George Osborne needs to listen to the experts and rethink his reckless plans to cut too deep and too fast. He needs a plan B that puts jobs and growth first before it’s too late.” 

MPs to vote on the deployment of British military force in Libya

21 March 2011

The House of Commons will vote today on the deployment of British military force in Libya following the United Nations Security Council resolution passed last week.

The UN resolution aims to prevent the slaughter of the people of Benghazi and authorises force to protect the civilian population in Libya and establish a no-fly zone, while at the same time making clear there is no mandate and no appetite for a “foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory”.

Michael, and the Labour Party, will vote today and support the actions taken by the Government in implementing the resolution. 

Click here to read Labour’s response to the Libyan crisis outlined in an e-mail from the Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP, to all party members.

If you would like to read the UN Security Council Resolution, it is available here. 

Michael attends Barnsley Leaders vs Bradford Dragons U16s basketball match

21 March 2011

On Saturday 19 March, Michael went to see the under 16s Barnsley Leaders basketball team take on their rivals, the Bradford Dragons, at Darfield Foulstone School.

It was a great match, with the Dragons having the edge up to half-time.  In the second half, Zac Danks prompted a strong Barnsley fight back to close the gap to just five points with four minutes remaining, however the Dragons managed to stand firm to ensure a 87-77 win.

Michael has a strong interest in promoting sport for young people and he was pleased to get the chance to meet and chat with the players from both teams before the game. 

Network Rail agrees to plant new trees in Elsecar area following campaign by Michael Dugher

18 March 2011

Network Rail has agreed to plant new trees in the Elsecar area following a campaign by Michael Dugher.   

The news was revealed in a letter from Theresa Villiers MP, the Minister of State for Transport, in a reply to a letter from Michael regarding the clearing of vegetation by Network Rail close to properties in Elsecar and Hemingfield.

Michael wrote to the Department for Transport back in January after many local residents with houses backing onto the railway line in the area were left extremely distressed after the felling of trees next to their land.  The trees used to block the view of the line as well as shield properties from excess noise.    

In her letter, Theresa Villiers states that Minister’s would not intervene in the matter.  However, she goes on to say that officers at the department had raised the concerns directly with Network Rail, who replied saying that they would work with the Tree Council and local community representatives to establish a suitable tree planting scheme in the Elsecare area.

Commenting on this development, Michael said: “At last we have made progress, but I am very disappointed that Ministers seem unwilling to intervene personally to stop this unnecessary felling of trees.  It is illogical that the Government has pledged to plant millions of trees along the proposed new high-speed line while it sits back and allows trees to be chopped down along other railway lines, such as in Elescar and Hemingfield.  I am pleased that Network Rail has finally agreed to act and I will be pressing them to see what exactly they will be doing with local community representatives  to put right the appalling way they have treated local residents.”  

Michael criticises the government’s cuts to police funding  

18 March 2011

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle this week (above), Michael has criticised the Government cuts to policing, which will see South Yorkshire Police lose 414 police officers and 680 police staff.

New House of Commons Library analysis of Government funding for the police shows that South Yorkshire Police faces cuts of £33.6m in real terms over the next two years alone.   In 2011/11, funding will be cut by 7.5 per cent in real terms or £16.1m. And in 2012/13, funding will be cut by 8.7 per cent in real terms or £17.4m

Michael said: “By imposing cuts of this speed and scale the government has put South Yorkshire Police in an impossible position.  The Government have failed to protect policing and the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.  I am very concerned that these cuts will affect policing in the area and undermine all the progress that has been made tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Barnsley.”

Darfield Valley Primary School visit Parliament

17 March 2011

Darfield Valley Primary School visited the Palace of Westminster on Wednesday to learn more about the work and role of Parliament.   After a tour of the Palace and a mock general election, the class had time to meet their own MP, Michael Dugher, to discuss what it’s like working in Parliament.     

Michael votes to reverse VAT rise on petrol

16 March 2011

Michael voted to reverse the VAT rise on petrol today.  With petrol costing more than £1.30 a litre, many motorists have complained that they are being priced off the road.  However, the Government decided to ignore these concerns and rejected Labour’s proposal to reverse the rise in order to help people that are being hit by the growing cost of living.    

Commenting after the vote, Michael said: “At a time when global oil prices are increasing, the Government’s VAT rise is making things worse.  George Osborne has got to take action to help hard-pressed motorists."

Michael backs campaign to protect the NHS

16 March 2011

Michael is backing the campaign to protect frontline services and is encouraging people to sign the new petition that calls on David Cameron to keep the promises he made to:

• Protect frontline NHS services;

• Stop precious NHS money being wasted on a big top-down reorganisation, which is putting the NHS at risk; and

• Provide the real increase he promised in NHS funding.

Commenting on the new petition, Michael said: “Since the General Election, everyone has seen how the Government has broken promise after promise on the NHS.  People saw big improvements under Labour, but now they are seeing all the good work being reversed.  This is why we have launched a new petition today, calling on David Cameron and the Government to keep their NHS promises.   Click here to find out more: www.frontlinenhs.co.uk.

Telegraph: MoD job cuts ‘will delay kit for front line’

16 March 2011

The Daily Telegraph is reporting today that a senior civil servant has warned that cutting the Ministry of Defence (MoD) civilian work force will make it harder to support the Armed Forces with good vehicles and kit.  The Strategic Defence and Security Review last year stated that 25,000 civilian staff would be cut.  

The comments were made by Bernard Grey, the head of procurement at the MoD.  Speaking at a recent defence conference, he said: “This will certainly make it harder to deliver a better out-put, not least because some of our brightest and best may be tempted by severance packages and a career in the private sector.  We will have to strive to avoid losing our talented people in these difficult days.”

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Telegraph article, said:  “Ministers have based so much of their defence plans on the savings they will make from cuts to civil servants at the MoD.  It is worrying for the front line if they are now backtracking on that.”

Click here to read the full article: 'MoD job cuts ‘will delay kit for front line’

Michael calls on the Government to reverse VAT rise on fuel

15 March 2011

Michael has called on the Chancellor George Osborne to reverse the Government’s VAT rise on fuel. Prices at the pump are at a record high and Michael has joined the campaign, along with many constituents and independent organisations, calling on the Government to take action.

Tomorrow, Labour will use a Commons debate to press for a reversal. Michael has consistently opposed the increase, which the independent House of Commons Library says has added a further 3p to the price of a litre of fuel.

According to the AA, the price of fuel in Yorkshire has risen from an average of 121 pence to 127 pence since the increase in VAT in January.

Commenting, Michael said: “George Osborne should recognise that people in my constituency are suffering, with some families being forced to pay as much for monthly fuel as they do on their mortgage. This Government should finally listen to the calls of hard-working people up and down the country and take immediate action on the crippling prices at the pumps by reversing their unwise VAT increase on fuel”.

Defence Questions – Monday 14 March 2011

14 March 2011

Michael Dugher asked a question to the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, today during Defence Questions.  Click here and scroll to 14:45.30 to watch the exchange.  

Labour Uncut column: The right posture can really help a squeezed middle

14 March 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column, Michael argues that "the public are not looking for mini-manifestoes or pledge cards just yet from Labour", but they do want to see signals – "powerful messages" about what Labour's priorities are and "whose side we are on".

Read the full article here: "The right posture can really help a squeezed middle "

Tribune article: Back in business after Barnsley

11 March 2011

Michael has written a column for Tribune magazine following the by-election in Barnsley Central.  In the article, Michael argues that Dan Jarvis’ great victory shows that Labour can and will regain the trust of working people in Britain. 

Click here to read the full article: Back in business after Barnsley

Michael backs campaign to save children’s heart surgery unit

8 March 2011

As highlighted on the Barnsley Chronicle website today, Michael has urged the Government not to close children's heart surgery services in Yorkshire.  

The Children’s Heart Surgery Unit based in the Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary is currently under threat.  The NHS has launched a four-month public consultation on plans to reduce the number of hospitals providing children’s heart surgery from 11 to six or seven, but only one of their four options would see surgery continuing in Leeds.

The Leeds unit is accessible to nearly 14 million people within 2 hours travel time, including 5.5 million people in Yorkshire and the Humber.  Each year about 280 children undergo open-heart surgery and a further 350 undergo other heart operations including pacemaker implantation, valve replacements and the closure of holes using microsurgical techniques.  If the facility closes, hundreds of families would have to incur further distress and cost when travelling substantial distances to other facilities at an already difficult time in their family life.

Michael has written to the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, calling on the Government to retain the service in Leeds and is planning on making a detailed submission to the consultation.  He is also encouraging constituents to contact him with their views and concerns so that he can pass them on and add them to the submission.    

Commenting, Michael said:  “The excellent unit in Leeds serves thousands of people in Barnsley and more than 5.5 million people across the region.  I am extremely concerned that if this unit closes, families in Barnsley will be forced to take their children to centres as far away as Newcastle, Liverpool or even London for life-saving surgery.  In emergency situations, this could put lives at risk."

Update: Michael’s campaign has also been reported on the front page of the BarnsleyIndependent. 

Michael interviewed on The Politics Show (Yorkshire Edition)

6 March 2011

Michael appeared on The Politics Show (Yorkshire Edition) today to discuss Labour’s by-election win in Barnsley Central, the so-called “Big Society” initiative and the Government’s proposal to cap the number of visas issued to foreign students from outside the EU.

To watch the programme, click here and scroll to 33:50.

Michael congratulates Dan Jarvis for resounding victory in Barnsley Central by-election

04 March 2011

Labour has won the by-election in Barnsley Central with 14,724 votes, extending its majority in the constituency. 

Dan Jarvis, the newly elected Member of Parliament, took 60.8% of the vote.   UKIP’s Jane Collins came second with 12.19%, followed by the Conservatives' James Hockney on 8.25%, the BNP's Enis Dalton on 6.04%, Independent Tony Devoy on 5.23% and the Liberal Democrats' Dominic Carman finishing a distant sixth on 4.18%.  The poor result for the Liberal Democrats means that their candidate, Mr Carman, will loss his deposit as his vote plummeted below the 5% threshold.   

Michael Dugher, the MP for the neighboring constituency of Barnsley East, was at the count last night and did a number of media interviews, including: BBC Look North; Dearne FM; and Sky News. 

Commenting on the result, Michael said: “I would like to congratulate Dan Jarvis for fighting an excellent campaign.  He brings a wealth of experience from his time serving in the army and I’m sure he will do an outstanding job standing up for people of Barnsley Central.”

Conservative MP criticised for playing air guitar during troop sacking debate

3 March 2011

Conservative MP Graham Evans has been criticised for playing air guitar while Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, defended sacking 11,000 troops in the House of Commons. Mr Evans was caught practising chords using a rolled up Parliamentary order paper.

Michael Dugher, a shadow defence minister, accused the Conservatives of treating job losses among the military "like a joke".  Quoted on the Politics Home website, The Mirror, The Sun, and The Telegraph, Michael said: "Tory MPs were messing about during the statement like the whole thing was some sort of joke. Well, it's no laughing matter to our Armed Forces and their families."

You can see a video of the incident below:

Government criticised for spending thousands on away days

2 March 2011

The Evening Standard has discovered that the Department of Energy and Climate Change spent more than £7,000 on an away day in July at the London Wetland Centre. The paper is also reporting that several other departments across Whitehall have kept up spending on away days despite deep cuts to their budgets.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Evening Standard article, said: "The Tories and Lib-Dems used to lecture the previous government for wasting money on away days but are content to spend thousands of pounds at time when they are hitting hard-working families."

Michael seeks reassurances on proposed new Tesco store in Hoyland

28 February 2011

On Friday 18 February, Michael met with Rob Hill (Senior Consultant for Tesco), Mark Rothery (Head of Retail Development for Litton Properties) and Deborah Hayeems (Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco) to discuss the proposed new Tesco “eco” store in Hoyland. 

Tesco has signed a partnership agreement with Litton Properties to develop proposals for the new store on the former site of the Hoyland Market Street Primary School.  The proposal, which is still subject to planning approval by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, would bring more than £10m of investment to the area and would create up to 140 new permanent jobs.  This would be in addition to the more than one hundred temporary construction jobs created in the short-term. 

Michael urged the developer and Tesco to keep local residents up-to-date with their plans, to liaise closely with the local Job Centre Plus to help ensure that that any new jobs go to local people and to work closely with traffic safety experts at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Michael, quoted in the Barnsley Chronicle article pictured above, said: "Whether or not the new Tesco store in Hoyland gets the go-ahead will not be my decision, but I know there are strong feelings about the proposal.  Many people are excited by the prospect of a lot new jobs and regeneration in the area, but at the same time I understand the worries some people have about the impact on other local shops, as well as the practical concerns local residents have raised with me about traffic, noise and the effect on the local environment. 

"I am pleased the developer has made a number of changes to their proposed site following meetings with residents. I have asked to be kept fully informed and I will continue to pass on issues of concern on behalf of the local community". 

Labour Uncut column: You can’t take on the Taleban with a rolled-up copy of the New Statesman

28 February 2011

Michael writes a regular column for Labour Uncut. In this week's column, Michael criticises David Cameron for his trade mission last week to the Middle East, saying it was not appropriate and the timing was wrong.

Michael, who is Labour's Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, explains that the system governing defence exports was significantly strengthened under the last Labour government, but that recent events mean that the rules need to be reviewed and may need to be tightened further. His comments follow similar calls from the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, at the weekend.

At the same time, Michael highlights the importance of our defence industries to our Armed Forces and to the wider economy, and he challenges those who have a blanket opposition to the defence industry and all defence exports.

Read the full article here: "You can’t take on the Taleban with a rolled-up copy of the New Statesman"

Nick Clegg 'forgot' he was in charge while Cameron is away

24 February 2011

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has admitted that he ‘forgot’ he was supposed to be running the country while David Cameron is away touring the Middle East this week.  Asked by the Metro newspaper who was in charge of the nation, Mr Clegg said: “Yeah, I suppose I am. I forgot about that… I’m holding the fort but I’m hoping to take the end of the week off with my kids. Someone else will have to do it then… people forget there are emails and there is BlackBerry.”

Michael, quoted in the Metro, the Sky News blog, The Telegraph and The Huffington Post, said: “Nick Clegg is clueless.  He doesn’t even know if he’s supposed to be minding the store or not.  If you're stranded in Libya, knowing Nick Clegg has got his Blackberry switched on isn't the most reassuring thing.”

Michael attends SSAFA charity event at the Barnsley Lamproom

19 February 2011

On Friday evening, Michael attended a special night at the Barnsley Lamproom to raise money for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), the forces charity. The Band of the Yorkshire Regiment treated people to a show that featured a range of music from Andrew Lloyd Webber to traditional military marching tunes.

Barnsley is one of the 'freedom boroughs' for the Yorkshire Regiment. Other guests included the Mayor of Barnsley, the Lord Lieutenant, and Dan Jarvis, a former Major in the Parachute Regiment and now Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Barnsley Central.

Michael, who is a Shadow Defence Minister, said: "It's always a pleasure to go back to the Lamproom, but it was especially good to be able to show my support for SSAFA. The Yorkshire Regiment Band have some really talented musicians and they put on a great show."

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Michael attends Barnsley Campaign for Real Ale 'Winter Pub of the Season' event at the Anglers Arms

19 February 2011

Friday night also saw Michael attend the Barnsley Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) 'Winter Pub of the Season' event at the Anglers Arms, Wombwell.

The Anglers, run for the last two years by Simone Foster Jowett, won the award because of the pub's reputation as a great community local serving quality real ales - sourced from the nearby Acorn and Concertina breweries.

The event was also held in support of the 'Help for Heroes' charity. Michael enjoyed a pint of Barnsley Bitter and said: "Barnsley CAMRA do a brilliant job promoting the traditional British pub, which has gone through tough times in recent years. I want to pay tribute to all the branch officers of Barnsley CAMRA for everything they do. The Anglers at Wombwell is a cracking local and I want to congratulate Simone for the award and for the work in support of 'Help for Heroes'. I'm looking forward to going back there soon."

For information about CAMRA LocAle - the accreditation scheme promoting pubs that sell locally brewed ale - go to www.barnsleycamra.org.uk.

Victory for campaign to save Wombwell Wood

17 February 2011

Michael welcomed the u-turn by the Government today on the sell-off of 258,000 hectares of England’s ancient woodlands. The Government announced that it has abandoned its plans in the face of growing anger across the country.

Michael, and local Labour Councillor Dick Wraith, campaigned vigorously against the sell-off, which threatened the ancient Wombwell Wood in Barnsley. The wood is the largest place for recreational activity in Barnsley East and Michael has been inundated by 100s of letters and e-mails from constituents.

Speaking after the announcement, Michael said: “I am delighted that the Government has finally heeded our calls and abandoned the sell-off of our treasured woodlands. Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh, and her ministerial team, led the campaign superbly. People in Barnsely have been united on this issue and together we have saved Wombwell Wood.”

Michael Dugher makes a speech during debate on Youth Unemployment

16 February 2011

Michael Dugher made a speech today in the House of Commons during a debate on Youth Unemployment. 

You can read the official Hansard transcript of the speech here or watch it by clicking here and scrolling to 14:39:55. 

Hansard - Opposition Day Debate - Youth Unemployment - 16 February 2011

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East) (Lab): I am proud to say that the future jobs fund was inspired by the review by the excellent leader of Barnsley council, Steve Houghton. I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr Byrne) for his warm and fitting tribute to Steve Houghton earlier in the debate. Barnsley was one of the first councils to implement the scheme, which has made an important difference to many, not only in my constituency but across the country.

Since its inception in 2009, the future jobs fund has given young people and the long-term unemployed valuable opportunities by creating real work, with real experience and real job prospects. In Barnsley, a third of those on the programme have already gone into jobs. It is hoped that 200 people will be in employment before the funding regrettably expires in March.

The Government’s decision to scrap the fund—a scheme that would have created up to 200,000 jobs for young people up and down the country—is sadly just another example of how they are letting young people down. Ending the future jobs fund was one of the Government’s early decisions. Since then, the education maintenance allowance has gone, tuition fees have been trebled, we are seeing cuts to Sure Start and the school building programme is being cut across the country. Tackling youth unemployment has been a challenge for all Governments, but thanks to initiatives such as the future jobs fund, youth unemployment fell by nearly 25,000 between February and April 2010.

Since this Government were elected, there has been a massive jump in youth unemployment. Figures out today show that it has risen to a record high, with more than one in five 16 to 24-year-olds now out of work—a rise of 66,000 people to nearly 1 million. In my constituency, nearly 14% of the population are aged between 18 and 24, yet that age group accounts for 35% of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance. We are facing a youth unemployment crisis in this country the scale of which we have not seen since the 1980s.

If the Government do not act, this will not only damage our young people’s employment prospects, but affect them for the rest of their lives. It is well documented that early spells of unemployment for an individual, result in reduced employment prospects and lower earnings over their lifetime. Today, for every 100,000 people that this Government put out of work, £500 million is added to the cost of paying jobseeker’s allowance, so theirs is not even a strategy for reducing the deficit.

The fundamental flaw in the Government’s Work programme is that there is simply not enough work. They fail to understand that in parts of the country there are still unemployment blackspots. Focusing on job output may be fine in some parts of the country, where the economy may be expanding, but it will not work in more deprived areas such as Barnsley, where there are still serious structural problems in the local economy and where simply not enough jobs are available.

In my constituency, there are currently just over 190 Jobcentre Plus vacancies for more than 2,500 people claiming jobseeker’s allowance. That amounts to 14 claimants for every job vacancy. However, this Government’s approach is solely about getting people into existing jobs. There is no policy for either job creation or the growth that would create those jobs, particularly in the weaker economies.
The Government have to think again, as our motion says. There is an overwhelming need for a job creation programme targeted particularly on those areas with the highest unemployment. The main criticism of the future jobs fund is that not enough jobs were created in the private sector. We all want to see more jobs in the private sector, and in my constituency we will have 2,000 more jobs.

Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): Does my hon. Friend agree that, right in the middle of a recession, the whole point was for the public sector to provide some of those jobs—in construction, for example—to keep people’s skills up, ready for when the private sector picked up?

Michael Dugher: My hon. Friend is exactly right.

Those 2,000 private sector jobs in my constituency are coming from ASOS, the online fashion company—I do not see too many takers in the Chamber for its clothes, but we live in hope—but those jobs did not happen by accident. The reason 2,000 jobs are coming to my constituency is that when Labour was in government, we built the facilities that will house those jobs. We built the road that attracted the company in the first place. The public sector plays a big part in supporting private sector jobs.

Sajid Javid: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Michael Dugher: No; I want to make some progress.

We want to see more private sector jobs, but the Government need to move away from the mentality that says that public sector jobs are not, as the hon. Member for Enfield North (Nick de Bois) said, “real” jobs. In many parts of the country, the choice is not between a public sector job and a private sector job; it is between a job and no job. The criticism that too many of the jobs were in the public sector—a criticism that I share—is not a reason to scrap the scheme, but a reason to strengthen it. It is an argument to expand it to include more private sector businesses in those unemployment blackspots and to invest in industry.

The positive benefits of employment cannot be overstated. Most people cite a lack of confidence and skills as the reason for not finding work. Having a job is good for people’s well-being and their physical and mental health. It provides them with an opportunity to prove themselves, giving them an identity, confidence and self-worth—the pride that comes from having money in their pocket and the dignity of knowing that they have just earned it. Everyone knows that it is also easier to get a job for those who already have one.

We saw the impact of previous Conservative Governments in areas such as the one that I am proud to represent—a whole generation of young people growing up with little or no hope of getting a job. It is clear that this Government have not learnt from those mistakes, and are once again letting young people down. There is a growing consensus that the Government need a plan B to get the economy right—growth has stalled—but it is equally obvious that they need a plan A to deal with unemployment and, in particular, the lack of opportunities for young people in my constituency and throughout the rest of the country.

Michael reveals that the MoD is paying civil servant £250,000 a year while frontline troops suffer

15 February 2011

The Telegraph and The Mirror are both reporting today on the revelation that a civil servant employed by the Government to work at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will earn up to £220,000 a year plus an annual bonus - more than the Prime Minister or Chief of the Defence

The revelation came after the shadow defence minister Michael Dugher wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence nearly two months ago asking a series of questions about Mr Gray’s appointment.  Peter Luff, the procurement minister, replied to the letter confirming the salary details and that Mr Gray’s salary as Chief of Defence Materiel “was agreed with the Prime Minister and Chief Secretary to the Treasury”.

Commenting, Michael said: “It is outrageous that the MoD have hired a civil servant on such an offensive package of pay and bonuses.  Especially at a time when the Government is making massive cuts to our Armed Forces, as well as cutting their pensions.”

The Mirror has accused the Prime Minister of hypocrisy in a leader article, saying: “What’s extraordinary is David Cameron approved the windfall when he has declared war on extortionate salaries. That leaves the PM rowing with himself. Yet again we’ve caught slippery Mr Cameron saying one thing in public and doing another in private. Some would call that hypocrisy."

The news of Mr Gray's salary comes after the MoD has had to apologise for informing a reported 38 soldiers that they were losing their jobs by e-mail.  The Sun said the men - all long-serving warrant officers and including one serving in Afghanistan - were told they were victims of the defence cuts.

Michael makes an intervention during Statement on the Middle East – 14 February 2011

14 February 2011

Michael Dugher made an intervention today during a Statement on the Middle East by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague.

You can read Michael's intervention below or watch it by clicking here and scrolling to 17:01:30.

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East) (Lab): The Foreign Secretary last week visited a number of non-democracies for reasons that we understand and that he has set out before the House, but does he feel that in that context, with the benefit of hindsight, it was helpful, sensitive or even fair to describe the democratic state of Israel as belligerent?

As we celebrate new Middle Eastern democracy, let’s not forget the old one

14 February 2011

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his latest piece for the website, Michael argues that change taking place in the Middle East is an "opportunity for the UK and Europe to play a bigger role in helping to drive forward the peace process and galvanise regional support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict". 

Read the full article here: As we celebrate new Middle Eastern democracy, let’s not forget the old one

Pienaar's Politics – BBC Radio 5 Live

14 February 2011

Michael was a panellist on John Pienarr’s BBC Radio 5 Live show yesterday discussing the economy and the Government’s so-called “Big Society” initiative.

The other panellists on the show included Kelvin MacKenzie, Rowenna Davis, Christopher Nolan and the Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tracey Crouch.

To listen to the show, click here and scroll to 38:25.

Campaign to save Wombwell Wood gathers pace

11 February 2011

The Barnsley Chronicle and the South Yorkshire Times are both reporting today on the growing campaign to save Wombwell Wood.

The campaign is being supported by local Councillor Dick Wraith and Michael Dugher MP.  You can read the full articles below:

The Barnsley Chronicle, page 1 (Wombwell Edition), Friday 11 February 2011

The South Yorkshire Times, page 4, Friday 11 February 2011

Michael attends global defence conference

10 February 2011

Michael recently attended the 11th Herzliya Conference in his capacity as a Shadow Defence Minister.

The Herzliya Conference, held in Israel, is an annual global defence and security event, which brings together senior international participants from government, business and academia to address pressing regional and global strategic issues.  The Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox, also attended this year and spoke on behalf of the British Government.

On Tuesday 8 February, Michael made a speech to the conference as part of a panel discussion about the Middle East Peace Process and Europe’s relationship with Israel.  The other participants on the panel included: the Vice Prime Minister of Israel, Silvan Shalom; the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Uri Rosenthal; and the former President of North-Rein Westphalen in Germany. You can read a report of the panel discussion by the Washington Post or find the video of the full debate on the Herzliya Conference website [click on Herzliya Aud in the left-hand column under 08.02.11, then click on 10:00-11:15 Is Israel Losing Europe? in the right-hand column]. Michael's  

Michael met with many delegates at the conference and was in the main hall to hear a powerful speech by Tzipi Livni, the leader of the Israeli opposition, about the need for greater leadership from both Israelis and Palestinians to kick-start the Middle East Peace Process. Michael also had the opportunity to met MK Isaac Herzog, the former Israeli Minister for Welfare and Social Services, to discuss the peace process and the political situation in Israel and inside the Israeli Labor Party. 

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UPDATE: Michael’s contribution to the debate has also been reported in the Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News. 

Michael is a Vice-Chair of Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) and he used his speech as an opportunity to praise LFI, Trade Union Friends of Israel and BICOM for the great work they do ensuring there is a more balanced debate in the UK.

The campaign to save our forests continues

3 February 2011

Michael Dugher has called on the Government to think again about controversial plans which could see local woodland sold off to the highest bidder.

Government proposals currently being discussed in Parliament will give Ministers the green light to sell off the public forestry estate in England. The Forestry Commission is responsible for over 1,400 woodlands in England, including Wombwell Wood, which is the largest natural place for recreation in Barnsley East, covering 86 hectares.

The legislation allowing the Government to dispose of all of English woodland is already in the House of Lords.  More than 360,000 people have signed a petition against the Government’s plans, the largest such campaign since the general election. 

The Labour Party has launched a new website www.thislandisourland.org.uk to keep people updated on the campaign to protect England’s forests.

Commenting, Michael said: “Places such as Wombwell Wood are well-used and much loved by the local community.  Labour led an Opposition Day Debate yesterday about the Government’s proposals. Despite losing the vote, the fight to save our forests is far from over.  I am planning on meeting with local councillors to discuss how we can take the campaign forward and will be contacting Caroline Spelman MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The true value of England's forests will never be reflected in the price the Government gets from selling them.  The Government should listen to the protests and think again”.

Michael vows to vote against the national forest sell-off

2 February 2011

The Government’s plans to sell-off ancient woodland has put Wombwell Wood in Barnsley East under threat.  For generations, people have used forests around the country as a place to walk, play and observe the beautiful wildlife. Yet the Government plans to remove powers to the internationally respected Forestry Commission meaning they will not be able to stop the sell-off and potential destruction of the country’s woodlands.

The Labour Party is at the forefront of the campaign against the national sell-off and have forced the Government into a vote on the issue.  Michael has said he will vote against the proposals.

The Commission protects and allows access to 18% of England’s wooded areas and 2% of its land. It is responsible for the upkeep of over 250 million trees.  Forests are the most extensive and popular resource for recreation throughout the country with over 40 million visits a year.

In Barnsley, Michael is campaigning with local councillors against the Government's proposed legislation, which could lead to the destruction of the ancient Wombwell Wood. Wombwell Wood is the largest natural place for recreation in Barnsley East, covering 86 hectares, and has been protected by the Commission since 2003.

Michael, speaking ahead of the vote today, said:  “Anyone who has been to Wombwell Wood will know what a beautiful area it is. The natural playground and wildlife make it a great place to take the kids. The Government should listen to the public, 84% of people polled are opposed to this measure.”

Clegg’s not the only part-timer

1 February 2011

Following reports in the Sunday Telegraph that Nick Clegg stops accepting new paperwork at three o’clock in the afternoon, the Daily Mirror has discovered that two more ministers also finish work early.

It has been revealed that the Home Secretary Theresa May and her junior minister Lynne Featherstone have both sent memos saying they do not accept civil service submissions on Fridays and no paperwork should be put in their red boxes after 3pm most days of the week. 

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Daily Mirror article, said: “We thought the culture of clocking off after lunch was confined to Mr Clegg. It now seems common practice in the Coalition.”

Read the full article here: "Government branded lazy as Theresa May and Lynne Featherstone are revealed to be shutting up shop early"

Defence Questions – Monday 31 January 2011

31 January 2011

Michael Dugher, the Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, asked a question to the Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox today during Defence Questions. Click here and scroll to 15:18.15 to watch the exchange.  

Labour Uncut column: AV – who cares? The whole debate’s a waste of time and money

31 January 2011

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his latest piece for the website, Michael argues that the debate about the alternative vote is a distraction and "there is a danger that some in Labour think that in supporting AV we are addressing the big challenges we face in politics, when we are not".

Read the full article here: AV – who cares? The whole debate’s a waste of time and money

Nick Clegg stops accepting new paperwork at three o’clock in the afternoon

30 January 2011

The Sunday Telegraph is reporting today that Nick Clegg’s office has sent a memo around Whitehall to inform departments that no submissions to the Deputy Prime Minister’s “red box” will be accepted after 3pm between Monday and Thursday.

A red box normally "closes" when the minister leaves the office. Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said he had never heard of a Government minister finishing official business so early. He said: “While the rest of Britain is asked to do more for less, and while so many people are losing their jobs or seeing their living standards eroded, Nick Clegg seems to be clocking off after lunch and putting his feet up.

"This is another example of 'do as I say, not as I do' and it shows how arrogant and out of touch this government has become."

Read the full article here: "Nick Clegg: no more Government business please after 3pm"

Sunday Express: “FEARS MOUNT OVER UK MILITARY CUTS”

30 January 2011

The Sunday Express is reporting today on the growing fears that the Government is planning yet more defence cuts. 

It was revealed earlier this month that the Strategic Defence and Security Review could be reopened as the Ministry of Defence struggles to balance the books.

The Shadow Defence Minister Michael Dugher, quoted in the Sunday Express article, said: “Ministers need to come clean about the cuts to come rather than continue to simply make things up as they go along.  At the time when our Armed Forces are fighting in Afghanistan, our service men and women deserve certainty, rather than this constant worry."

Read the full article here: "FEARS MOUNT OVER UK MILITARY CUTS"

Anger over Tory fundraising bash sponsored by super-rich bankers

30 January 2011

It has been revealed today in the Sunday Mirror that the multi-millionaire banker, Howard Shore, is sponsoring David Cameron and George Osborne’s lavish £1,000-a-ticket bash next week. Mr Shore, who is an investment banker, made £14.6 million last year.

The aim of the Tory ball is to make £2 million for the Conservative Party. Michael Dugher condemned the event. He said: “Now we know why Cameron and Osborne have reneged on promises to clamp down on bankers’ bonuses… these people caused the global financial crash – it shows how arrogant and out of touch the Tories are.”

Read the full article here: "Fury over Tory Party fundraising ball sponsored by mega-rich bankers"

Michael visits Kirk Balk Advanced Learning Centre with local councillors

28 January 2011

Michael visited the new Kirk Balk Advanced Learning Centre today with local councillors Robin Franklin and Jim Andrews.

The centre, which is due to open after the Easter break, is part of Barnsley’s Building Schools for the Future programme in Hoyland.

Michael was shown around the site by head teacher Val Malcolm.  Commenting on the visit, Michael said: “This will be a fantastic local facility and one that all the community in the area can be justly proud.  Barnsley kids deserve the best.”  

Michael on Toby Foster's BBC Radio Sheffield breakfast show

28 January 2011

Michael Dugher was on Toby Foster's Breakfast show this morning to discuss the upcoming by-election in Barnsley Central.

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 1:19.30.

Michael honours the ‘Untold Stories’ of the Holocaust by signing Book of Commitment

27 January 2011

Michael signed the Book of Commitment on Tuesday, in advance of Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January), to honour the victims and survivors of the unprecedented persecution and horror of the Holocaust.

This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day marks the 66th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

The Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to give MPs the opportunity to remember those who were persecuted and murdered during the Holocaust – and to support the sharing and safeguarding of ‘Untold Stories’, learning from survivors’ experiences to help create a future free from hatred and prejudice.  The scope and terror of the Nazi persecution shook the world and the book states we must all recognise our shared responsibility to fight these evils.

After signing the book, Michael said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is both a sombre day for reflection and also a day of hope. The many stories throughout the Holocaust of humanity triumphing in the face of evil ought to remind us all of our capacity for good. People from across the political spectrum have come together today to reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice”.

Holocaust Memorial Day has been held in the UK since 2001 and the United Nations declared it an International event in November 2005.  It seeks to bring together a diverse range of people to remember the Holocaust as well as the genocides in Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur.

Rat catcher needed in No 10

26 January 2011

The Times is reporting today that David Cameron has made yet another u-turn after changing his mind about getting a cat to see off a number of rats that have been seen scuttling past No10 during television news bulletins.

The first rat was spotted by BBC News viewers last week and ITN cameras picked up another two on Sunday.   Lucy Manning, ITN’s political correspondent, tweeted that the rats were “big & shy, running between No 10 & 11”.  In response, Michael Dugher suggested that the word “between” should be removed.  Others on Twitter named the rodents Dave, Nick and George.   

As interest of the Downing Street rat problem grew, No 10 aides repeatedly said that there were “no plans” to get a cat, however by yesterday evening the Prime Minister had apparently changed his mind.   This follows a string of other u-turns by the Government, such as on the School Sports Partnership, free books for young children, and the decision to employ a vanity photographer for Cameron at the taxpayers’ expense.

Michael visits New Park Springs site

22 January 2011

On Friday 21 January, Michael visited New Park Springs, which is located at the top of a reclaimed colliery spoil heap near Michael’s constituency office in Grimethorpe.  The site is currently being restored by UK Coal with the help of Natural England advising on habitat restoration. 

The site boasts excellent long distance views down towards Old Moor and is one of the best vantage points for seeing Green Infrastructure in the area. Michael met with Jeff Lunn, South Area Manager for Natural England, and Heather Rennie, lead adviser for their work with the Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership.

Michael was particularly keen on efforts to promote the area with local school children as a means of encouraging them to learn about the local environment, wildlife, history and to promote walking in the area.

After the visit, Michael said: “The views at the top of the site were really spectacular and I would encourage people to see it for themselves. The area has been transformed in recent years, thanks to the work of organisations like Natural England. We are so lucky to have this right here on our doorstep in Barnsley. To see Highland Cattle grazing just outside Grimethorpe was something else! I would like to thank Jeff Lunn and Heather Rennie for all their brilliant work”.

Natural England, which is facing large budget cuts and as many as 800 job losses due to the Government's cuts, exists to secure a healthy natural environment for people to enjoy, where wildlife is protected and England’s traditional landscapes are safeguarded for future generations.

Michael criticises the Government’s decision to scrap EMA on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show

19 January 2011

Michael Dugher was on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show today discussing the impact of the Government's decision to scrap the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

To listen to the full interview, click here and scroll to 35.40.

Michael urges the government to re-think scrapping EMA

19 January 2011

The Labour Party has forced the Government into a vote today on the proposal to scrap the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), which many students from lower income households rely on.  

This latest proposal comes after the Government’s decision to axe 700 new schools and cut funding to Sure Start centres around the country. 

Michael will vote against the Tory-led Government’s policy to scrap EMA and has urged the Government to re-think its unfair and unprecedented attack on aspiration.  The EMA currently supports 640,000 learners across the UK and 80% of those receive the full £30 a week, meaning their household income is below £20,800.

Just under 60% of the young people who attend Barnsley College receive EMA.  Research for the college, carried out by the independent Knowledge Partnership, found that an alarming 30% of students said they would not have started their courses if the EMA had not been available.

Nationally, best estimates suggest 90,000 young people will not be able to continue their studies as a direct result of the Government’s proposals.  This highlights the significant impact it could have on the ability of the less well-off to go on to further education.  

It has also been calculated that it makes no economic sense.  The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said that the cost is “completely offset” by its benefits in raising participation arguing that “the initial outlay of EMA policy is likely to be more than recouped by increase in productivity that we expect to result from the 16 and 17 year olds staying in education for longer”.

Commenting, Michael said: “Scrapping the Educational Maintenance Allowance would be devastating for hundreds of young people who rely on the extra financial help to stay on in education.   There is also no economic case for stopping EMA – it is good value for money and it is exactly the sort of investment we should be making in our country’s future.”

Michael attends Kendray Winter Festival 2011

19 January 2011

Michael attended the Kendray Winter Festival 2011 on Saturday 15 January. The festival was organised to celebrate the tremendous progress made in Kendray in terms of regeneration and community improvements in recent years.  This regeneration is thanks to the efforts of local residents and volunteers, in partnership with the local authority, and resources from the previous Government.

However, one of the major improvements to the area, the Kendray Community House, is now facing the threat of closure due to the Government’s cuts to local authority funding.  The house is positioned in the heart of the Kendray estate and provides free, impartial and confidential advice to local people.  It is very popular with residents and provides expert guidance and information from the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Barnsley Options Team, the local Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Job Shop.  Michael met with local residents and campaigners to discuss this and other issues. 

Commenting, Michael said: “I would like to thank OMTI for organising and securing the funding for this excellent event. I would also like to thank Anne Hart and Cynthia Cunningham, the Co-Chairs of the Kendray Initiative Board, and Councillor Karen Dyson for their assistance.

"It’s great to see the significant regeneration that has taken place in Kendray over the last ten years and I appreciate the important role the community house has played in bringing the community together to help improve the area.”

Michael delivers speech on defence procurement at “Supporting front line forces” Prospect event

18 January 2011

Michael Dugher, the Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, made a speech on defence procurement and the UK defence industry today at a seminar hosted by Prospect union.

The seminar coincided with the launch of a report, commissioned by Prospect, on defence procurement and the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review. 

You can read Michael’s speech here.     

Michael joins Police patrol in Barnsley

16 January 2011

On Friday 14th January, Michael went “on patrol” with the Hoyland neighbourhood Policing team around Hoyland, Elsecar and Hemingfield.

Michael joined PC Davies, PC Craig Sumpter, PS Darren Taylor and PSCO Alan Fowler on their regular Friday night patrol from 6pm to 10pm and observed as they went about their work. 

Michael was able to witness first-hand how the Officers managed to deal with a number of difficult incidents throughout the evening. Commenting, Michael said: “I would like to thank PC Davies and his team for a very informative and enjoyable few hours around the constituency.  I am particularly impressed with their knowledge of both the area and their attitude towards the local residents.  These officers care about the people they work to help and protect and I saw a number of incidents that made me realise the value of community policing. Long may it continue.”

Michael would like to pass on his personal thanks to PC Davies and all the officers based at Hoyland Police station.

Labour Uncut column: A quantum of spin

10 January 2011

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his latest piece for the website, Michael argues that David Cameron is reverting to “process” with his summit on growth today to hide the fact his government still has nothing to say of substance on policies for jobs and growth.

Read the full article here: A quantum of spin

Questions Fox must answer regarding his appointment of Bernard Grey as Chief of Defence Material

20 December 2010

Michael becomes chair of reformed all party parliamentary group for brass bands

19 December 2010

Michael was elected Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Brass Bands last week at a meeting arranged to reconstitute the group.

The APPG will be used as a platform to discuss and campaign on the issues affecting the future of brass bands throughout the UK. Other officers elected at the meeting held in the House of Commons on 14 December include: Nigel Adams MP (Vice-Chair), Lord Jones (Vice-Chair) and Lord Foster (Secretary).

The British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB), which aims to improve, represent and promote the practice and performance of brass band music in the UK, also kindly agreed to act as secretariat for the group.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael said: “As Chair, I aim to build on my predecessor Jeff Ennis’ great work. Brass bands have played, and continue to play, a really important role in many communities.

"I urge people to sign up to the new MAD about Brass Bands campaign, which aims to provide a creative network for anyone interested in Making A Difference to local communities by working with Brass Bands.”

Michael’s constituency office is located in Grimethrope, which is home to the world-famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band, immortalised in the hit film Brassed Off.

Up to 9,000 more troops could be axed

15 December 2010

The Daily Mirror is reporting today that up to 9,000 more troops could be axed with others facing longer tours of duty.

The Government has already announced over 7,000 redundancies, but the article states that ministers are now planning even more savage cuts to the front-line, resulting in up to 16,000 soldiers being put out of work. 

Only last week, the Prime Minister promised to look after the troops during a visit to Helmand province, but the news of thousands of more redundancies comes on top of a pay-freeze and drastic cuts to allowances.

Quoted in the The Daily Mirror article, Shadow Defence minister Michael Dugher said: “One minute he is posing for photos with the Armed Forces in Afghanistan, the next he is considering making them serve for longer tours of duty, with the threat of even greater cuts to come.”

Read the full article here: Up to 9,000 more troops could be axed with the rest facing longer tours of duty

Barnsley County Court to remain open

14 December 2010

It was revealed today in a Government statement to the House of Commons that Barnsley County Court will now remain open.

This follows a campaign opposing the proposed closure of the court by the four MPs representing constituencies in the Barnsley area: Eric Illsley, John Healey, Angela Smith and Michael Dugher.

Previous Government proposals would have seen court services transferred from Barnsley to Sheffield. But in a joint submission to the Ministry of Justice in October, Barnsley MPs pointed out that such a move would cause problems for local people wishing to access court services, in particular for the vulnerable and less well off.

Tory local government leader lets slip contempt for the north

14 December 2010

Michael Dugher wrote to the Prime Minister yesterday about the offensive remarks made by his most senior representative in local government, who said that people in the north of England should resort to getting work picking fruit if, as widely predicted, unemployment rises significantly higher in poorer areas over the next four years.     

David Shakespeare, the leader of the Local Government Association’s Conservative group, made the comments during a LGA debate.  He said: “The north may replace the Romanians in the cherry orchards... that may be a good thing.”

In his letter to David Cameron, Michael said: “Do you appreciate how out of touch, insensitive and insulting these comments are?  Isn’t it time you made it clear that he should consider his position and offer his resignation?  I am sure I can arrange some fruit picking in Yorkshire for him, once the weather improves.”

The story has been picked up today by The Daily Mirror, Metro, The Independentl, The Evening Standard, The Daily Star, The Telegraph, The Express, The Star, The Yorkshire Post, The Yorkshire Evening Post and The Daily Mail. It was also picked up by broadcasters across the country, included being reported on the Toby Foster Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Sheffield.

Michael also asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, in the chamber yesterday if Mr Shakespeare should remain in his position following his offensive remarks.  To watch the exchange, click here and scroll to 17:08.39.  

Defence Questions – Monday 13 December 2010

13 December 2010

Michael Dugher, the Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, asked a supplementary question to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces Nick Harvey today during Defence Questions. Click here to watch the exchange.  

Labour Uncut column: Replacing nanny with a nudge is no joke

13 December 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his latest piece for the website, Michael argues with its "nudge" policy, the government has effectively given up on active policies to improve public health.

Read the full article here: Replacing nanny with a nudge is no joke

David Cameron set to sell off search and rescue operations

11 December 2010

The Sunday Mirror and the Sunday Telegraph are reporting today that David Cameron is to sell off Britain's search and rescue operations. The articles state that Ministers are set to reveal a £7 billion deal to replace military crews with private civilian pilots.

The move could see helicopter pilot Prince William lose his job.

The Shadow Defence Minister, Michael Dugher, quoted in the Sunday Mirror and the Grough, said: "At a time when we are making thousands of our armed forces redundant, it is ludicrous to waste billions of pounds of taxpayers' money in this way. The MoD have completely lost the plot. It has been told it could cost possibly £20million to keep the Sea Kings flying for several years. That has to be a better deal than spending billions buying American choppers which would be flown by civilians."

Michael has written a blog post about the pending sell off on the Shadow Defence Team’s website. You can read it here: Time to re-think Search-and-Rescue PFI

Labour announces defence procurement review

11 December 2010

Labour has formally launched a review into defence procurement policy with the Shadow Defence Secretary, Jim Murphy MP, working alongside Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Michael Dugher, and a panel of distinguished figures acting as advisers.

The review will bring together military, defence and business expertise to focus on both security and industrial priorities. The Review Team will include: Bill Thomas, the former Senior Vice President and General Manager (EMEA) for Hewlett-Packard Company; Tony Roulstone, the former Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Nuclear; and Lord Alan West, the former Chief of the Naval Staff and First Sea Lord.

The review will be open and consultative and will include visits to every region of the UK, meetings with every large company in the defence sector and the supply chain, evidence from defence academia, trade unions and online consultation via the Shadow Defence Team’s website.

The Procurement Review is part of a wider policy review being undertaken by the Shadow Defence Team, which has five strands: Procurement Reform; Future Armed Forces; Future Threats; Future Posture; Future of the Military Covenant; and International Defence Institutions.

In an article for UK Defence Forum today, to coincide with the launch, Jim Murphy argues that we must face up to, and learn lessons from, the mistakes of the past.

The announcement has also been covered today in the Guardian, the Herald Scotland and the BBC.

Michael visits four primary schools as part of his constituency-wide Christmas card competition

10 December 2010

Michael Dugher visited four primary schools on Wednesday to hand out prizes to individual school winners of his constituency-wide competition to find a Christmas card design. 

The overall winner of the competition to find a Christmas card design will be announced at the High View Primary Learning Centre on Friday 17th December during a specially arranged assembly.

The individual school winners announced on Wednesday are:

Michael invited all primary, junior, infant and special school children in Barnsley East to enter the competition and the best design will be used as his official 2010 Christmas card. 

Over thirty schools were invited to take part and the best judged card from each school won a prize as well as being entered into the shortlist for the overall winner. (Michael pictured here on the right with the winners at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School, Paulina Stawnicka, Emily Beasley and Chloe Cowling).
 
The competition was judged by Mr Dugher, the Mayor of Barnsley and the sponsors of the card.

The winning design will be sent to the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as well as hundreds of other politicians, local businesses and voluntary groups. 

Michael said: “This is the first year I’ve run the competition so I’m really pleased with the amount of interest and the number of schools that have taken part.  I happy that the competition has enabled pupils to have fun and come up with some fantastic, original and creative designs.  It is great opportunity to showcase the creative talent of children from Barnsley and I’m really looking forward to announcing the overall winner of the competition at the High View Primary Learning Centre on Friday 17th December.”

The competition is being supported by three excellent local companies: Carlton Brick, Lo’s Pharmacy and Symphony.  Carlton Brick, based in Grimethorpe, is South Yorkshire's sole remaining brick factory.  Lo’s Pharmacy operates 16 pharmacies in the Yorkshire region and Symphony is the UK’s largest privately owned manufacturer of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture.

Barnsley College Ofsted score puts it in the top 5 in the UK

10 December 2010

Michael Dugher has congratulated the Principal of Barnsley College, Colin Booth, and all staff and students.

Following the college’s recent Ofsted inspection, Barnsley College received an excellent score in 20 of the 22 categories, placing it in the top five colleges in the country.

Commenting, Michael said: “This is fantastic news for Barnsley. The staff and students of Barnsley College should be extremely proud of all they have achieved. This result is thoroughly deserved.”

Sign up to the Avaaz campaign for Jobs and Justice

07 December 2010

Gordon and Sarah Brown have launched a new website today where you can sign up to the campaigns they are supporting, such as the Avaaz campaign for Jobs and Justice. 

Find out more here: www.gordonandsarahbrown.com

Michael's goodwill message to the Forces

04 December 2010

Michael has recorded a goodwill message as part of WinkBall's Faces for the Forces campaign, which gives people the opportunity to express their admiration for the work done by members of the armed forces serving in Afghanistan.

You can view other goodwill messages on Winkball’s website.  

Shadow Defence Secretary launches website to coincide with national campaign to support British Armed Forces overseas

01 December 2010

Jim Murphy MP, the Shadow Defence Secretary, has launched a new website to coincide with a national campaign to support British Armed Forces overseas.  Take a look here: http://jimmurphymp.org/.  

Michael makes an intervention during debate on future funding of local government – 30 November 2010

30 November 2010

Michael Dugher made an intervention today during a Private Members’ Debate in Westminster Hall on future funding of local government.  The debate was secured by Dave Watts, the Labour MP for St Helens North. You can read Michael's intervention below or watch it by clicking here and scrolling to 13.34.

 “Is my Honourable Friend [Dave Watts, Labour MP for St Helens North] aware that of the question I raised during Oral Questions for the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport yesterday when I raised the issue, along with a number of other Honourable Members on all sides, about the threats of library closures in many communities because of the central cuts to local authorities. 

“I was trying to explain to the Honourable Member for Wantage and Didcot [Ed Vaizey], the Minister, about the financial realities being different in different parts of the country.  So as my Honourable Friend has said, in areas like Barnsley that has very low council tax receipts, but high social needs, the pressures on the budget are highly disproportionate compared with more wealthy areas in the South.  The reply that he gave me was that council’s needed to show a little “imagination”.  Does the honourable gentleman agree that this shows how oblivious Ministers are to the financial realities in areas like Barnsley and St Helens?”

Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport – 29 November 2010

29 November 2010

Michael Dugher questioned Ed Vaizey, the Government minister responsible for libraries, in the Chamber today.  Michael asked:

Is the Minister aware that cuts in central Government support disproportionately hurt areas such as Barnsley, where council tax receipts are low and needs are higher? That is why the local authority is being forced by this Government to look at library closures. Meanwhile, in Surrey, council tax receipts are very high, so local authorities are less reliant on central Government and are not looking at library closures. Is that fair, and why are the Government creating a postcode lottery in library provision?

Mr Vaizey responded by saying that poorer local authorities would just have to use their "imagination".

To watch the exchange, click here and scroll to 15.11.37.

Wombwell Labour Party street stall

29 November 2010

On 27 November, Michael volunteerd on a street stall on Wombwell High Street with stalwarts from the Wombwell Labour Party. 

Other stalls included local charities, good causes and community groups. Commenting, Michael said:  "Despite the sub-zero temperatures and snow, we had the Wombwell Labour Party handing out red baloons to local children, free shopping bags for passing shoppers and selling raffle tickets to raise money for our campaigns. It was a fantastic effort and I'd like to thank everyone involved".

Labour Uncut column: There’s no crisis and no division, just a duty to oppose

29 November 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his latest piece for the website, Michael argues that investing energy into anything other than being an "effective opposition that listens to the public and develops an alternative is a luxury Labour cannot afford". He says that "we must not fall into the media and Conservative trap that we are in some sort of “leadership crisis”.  We are not. The only crisis was losing the last general election. Getting rid of this government will be no easy task and it will require all our united efforts. The country will never forgive us if we are provoked into a self-indulgent row amongst ourselves".

Read the full article here: There’s no crisis and no division, just a duty to oppose

Michael visits Local Sainsbury's store in Shafton

28 November 2010

Michael Dugher visited the Local Sainsbury’s in Shafton on Friday. The purpose of the visit, which was highlighted in the Barnsley Chronicle, was to show Michael around the store, meet local members of staff and hear about the ‘Active Kids’ programme and the excellent charity work Sainsbury's does in the community.

After the visit, Michael said: "It was great to meet with Store Manager, Simon Nicholls, and all the staff, and to learn about Sainsbury's preparations for the busy Christmas period and see how much support they give to local schools and some fantastic charities like the British Heart Foundation".

Michael visits South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Head Quarters

27 November 2010

Michael visited the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Head Quarters in Sheffield on 26 November. Accompanied by Councillor Jim Andrews, the Chair of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Michael got the opportunity to meet with staff and was given a tour of the premises.

Commenting on the visit, Michael said: “I would like to thank Mark Smitherman, the Chief Fire Officer, for this extremely useful visit.   I will do whatever I can to help South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue in the amazing work they do for my communities.”

Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions – 22 November 2010

22 November 2010

Michael Dugher questioned the Work and Pensions Minister Steve Webb in the Chamber today about the impact of the Government’s cuts on employment in Barnsley.  During Work and Pensions questions, Michael asked:

“Is the Minister aware of last week’s report by Professor Steve Fothergill of Sheffield Hallam university, which showed that in areas like my own, private sector employment is unlikely to rise significantly in the next few years? Is it not the case that unemployment will increase, as will benefit payments, in areas like my own, because of the ending of the future jobs fund, the ending of the working neighbourhoods fund and the massive cuts to the local authority, with the consequent effect on local employment?”

Responding, Steve Webb was unable to defend the Government’s policies and the impact they will have on employment.  Instead, he chose, slightly bizarrely, to highlight the fact that employment had increased in Barnsley East during the financial year before his Government came to power.

To watch the exchange, click here and scroll to 14:50.30. 

Michael attends public meetings against local library closures in Worsbrough and Darfield

20 November 2010

Michael Dugher attended a public meeting in Worsbrough on Friday to discuss the threat of the local library closing due to the coalition government's savage cuts to Barnsley Council's budget.

The meeting was organised by Worsbrough Labour Councillors John Clarke and Betty Barlow and over 90 local residents attended, including local school children who use the library.

Later that day Michael attended a similar meeting at Darfield Library, which is also under threat.  This was organised by local Councillors and Darfield community campaigner Brian Key.  Local residents handed Michael a petition with over 1500 signatures.

Michael has made it clear he does not want the libraries to close and wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron two weeks ago to voice his opposition to the cuts to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, including the threat of library closures. Click here to see the letter.

Michael has also spoken out in the House of Commons about the impact the cuts will have in Barnsley. Click here to watch a speech Michael made on 11 November.

If you would like to write to David Cameron to voice your concerns, click here to find a model letter that you can print off and sign.

Michael Dugher attends the annual South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Awards

19 November 2010

Michael Dugher attended the Annual South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Awards last night held at the Metrodome in Barnsley.

The event was also attended by the Chair of South Yorkshire Fire Authority, Councillor Jim Andrews, and the Mayor of Barnsley, Margaret Sheard.  The special guest at the event was World Cup Final referee Howard Webb (pictured here on the right with Michael Dugher).

Commenting, Michael said: "Very many congratulations to all nominees and winners, especially to Barnsley Crew of Year Cudworth Red (pictured above on stage with Howard Webb and Cllr Jim Andrews) and Outstanding Voluntary Service Margaret Hague from Hoyland. The event highlights the immense contribution that the Fire Service makes and the huge debt of gratitude we owe them in our communities.  It was very humbling to be in the same room as so many brave and dedicated public servants".

Click here for more information about the event and a full list of winners.

Tackling Worklessness in Britain’s Weaker Local Economies

17 November 2010

The Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University has published a great new report titled Tackling Worklessness in Britain’s Weaker Local Economies.

The leader of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Stephen Houghton, was involved with the report and has also written a piece on the Progress website about its findings.  Read the article here: 'Beyond the Single Work Programme'  

Cameron makes U-turn on vanity staff

16 November 2010

David Cameron performed a sharp U-turn today by removing his personal photographer and filmmaker from the government’s payroll following criticism about the appointment of “vanity staff” to civil service posts.

The Prime Minister admitted that taking on Andy Parsons and Nicky Woodhouse at the tax-payers' expense “sent the wrong message" during a time of public sector job cuts.

Downing Street has also been forced to deny that the news of their removal had been put out on the same day as the Royal Wedding announcement in an effort to "bury" it.

Michael Dugher, quoted in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Sky News, Metro, Reuters, and The Press Association, The Independent, The Mirror, The Sun, and The Daily Mail, said: "I welcome the prime minister bowing down to public pressure. The prime minister should have known from the start that it's wrong to bill the taxpayer for his vanity photographer.

"But today's flip-flop raises more questions. If it's wrong to charge taxpayers for Andrew Parsons or Nicky Woodhouse then why are so many other Conservative Party workers being hired via this sharp practice as so-called civil servants?"

On BBC Radio 5 Live Drive, Michael said “David Cameron has got to say why his Foreign Secretary, Education Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister are all continuing with this practice”.

To listen to the full 5 Live Drive interview, click here and scroll to 55.44.

Consortium could take over search-and-rescue helicopter missions

16 November 2010

The Financial Times is reporting today that the Government is close to approving the privatisation of all civil search-and-rescue helicopter missions.

If it goes ahead, it will be one of the biggest ever defence privatisations.   The Financial Times article states that the programme could create problems for the Defence Secretary Liam Fox as he was critical the Ministry of Defence’s record of negotiating private finance initiative deals when in Opposition.

The Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said it was “extremely concerning” that the Government was pushing ahead with the proposal.  He said: “Providing a platform for maintaining the skill base of military helicopter pilots so they can provide effective support on the ground for our troops was central to the whole proposition when Labour was in government.  If the helicopters are to be demilitarised, why go ahead with a hugely expensive PFI for no military benefit?”

Michael Dugher criticises the Government’s cuts to NHS funding on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show

15 November 2010

Michael Dugher was on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show today discussing the impact of the Government’s cuts to local hospitals. To listen to the full interview, click here and scroll to 38.12.

In the interview Michael criticises the coalition Government’s cuts to NHS funding, saying that "when the Government came to power they said they would match our above inflation rises, but what we’ve found is that they’ve been raiding the Social Care budget - which historically didn’t come from the NHS - meaning that the NHS budget has actually fallen under Cameron and Clegg."

The interview on BBC Radio Sheffield follows a big story in today’s Yorkshire Post which revelled that many hospitals in Yorkshire are facing significant uncertainties because of continued instability in NHS finances. Read the full article here: “Hospitals 'at risk of returning to the bad old days'”.

Labour Uncut column: Poor communities will be cut more than rich

15 November 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his latest piece for the website, Michael shows that poor communities will be disproportionally hit by the Government's cuts.

Read the full article here: Poor communities will be cut more than rich

Michael Dugher presents free equipment to local schools in Barnsley

15 November 2010

Michael Dugher attended a Tesco for Schools & Clubs event on Friday 12 November to present some fantastic new sports, art and computer equipment to teachers and pupils from four local schools in Barnsley.

At the Tesco Extra store in Stairfoot, Michael met the store manager Peter Fay and staff and students from Birkwood Primary School, Darfield Valley Primary School, Oakhill Primary and Upperwood Primary School.

Commenting, Michael said:  “I would like to thank Tesco for this worthwhile scheme.  Thanks to these vouchers, schools in the Barnsley area have £17,734 worth of new equipment. I would also like to praise all the parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours who saved the vouchers for their local schools. They are the ones that have really made this happen."

Cabinet Secretary acquiesces to Cameron appointing his own ‘vanity’ staff

14 November 2010

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, has replied to Michael Dugher’s letter regarding David Cameron appointing his own “vanity staff” at the tax-payers’ expense.

In Sir Gus’ letter, he states that some 30 people at the Cabinet Office have been hired on a short-term contract, therefore avoiding the usual meritocratic civil service recruitment procedures. Click here to read the full letter.

Michael Dugher’s speech during Policy for Growth debate

11 November 2010

Michael Dugher made a speech today in the House of Commons during a debate on Policy for Growth. You can read the official Hansard transcript of the speech here or watch it below by scrolling to 0:23.20.

Hansard - Policy for Growth - 11 Nov 2010 : Column 483

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East) (Lab): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to speak briefly in this debate.

For the past six months, Labour Members have had to endure speeches from Government Members based on the Andy Coulson script. I am allowed to criticise the No. 10 scripts because I used to write them, which is probably just one of the reasons we lost the election. The script basically says that the deficit is the only thing that matters, and that the deficit was caused entirely by the profligacy, over a decade, of the Labour Government. [Hon. Members: "Hear, hear!"] My version was beautifully delivered, one might say.

Let me trouble the House with a couple of facts that run slightly counter to that script. Figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies show that in the period from 1997 to 2007, public sector net debt fell from 42.5% of national income to 36.5%. That was caused-I know that this will come as a tremendous shock and disappointment to Government Members-by the economy growing and revenues increasing. Before the financial crisis hit this country-the biggest economic shock that we have had for nearly a century-our debt was down to the second lowest in the G7, despite our increasing public spending by the second largest amount among all the OECD countries. The size of the budget deficit was caused by the decisions that Labour Members took in response to that global financial crisis. I know that Government Members will disagree, but the truth is that there are people in my constituency who are in work, have managed to keep their home, and still have world-class public services because of the decisions that we took. We should not apologise for that.

The deficit does need to be reduced, but one of the ways of doing that is through economic growth-the subject of this debate. When I watched the Budget several months ago, I found it perverse when the Chancellor said in effect, almost as a matter of pride, "Because of the decisions we are taking as a Government, growth will be less than it was going to be, unemployment will be higher, tax revenues will be lower, and the payments we will make in benefits will be higher." About 490,000 public sector jobs will go over the spending review period according to the Chancellor, and PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that another 500,000 jobs are at risk in the private sector because of the measures that the Government are taking.

Joseph Johnson: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Michael Dugher: I will not; Yorkshire men are normally very generous, as the hon. Gentleman knows, but we are short of time today.

Even the director general of the CBI has voiced concerns about where the jobs will come from. Next week, Professor Steve Fothergill of the centre for regional economic and social research at Sheffield Hallam university will launch a report, which I urge all right hon. and hon. Members to read, called "Tackling worklessness in Britain's weaker local economies". It has an important foreword by the leader of Barnsley council, Steve Houghton, and makes it absolutely clear that, under the Government's current framework, job demand in Britain's weaker local economies, particularly in post-industrial areas such as Barnsley, is low and unlikely to grow significantly in the coming period.

The situation is made worse by the cuts that the Government are making to local authorities, which will be particularly bad in areas such as my own, where the council tax receipts are lower and there is greater reliance on central Government funding. In such areas, the local authority is critical not just as a direct provider of employment but in generating private sector economic activity and employment. The "public sector bad, private sector good" view that Conservative Members put forward completely fails to understand that there is often a greatly complementary relationship between the two. Government support for a strong public sector is critical.

I ask Members also to examine the coalfields review produced by the former Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone, Michael Clapham. It made it clear that areas such as my own are more isolated than others and have a higher mortality rate, greater health difficulties, greater overall deprivation, fewer businesses per head of population and 25% fewer jobs per resident, and there are more young people not in education, work or training. Such areas are very different from others, and because of the Government's proposals, I, like other hon. Members, am very worried about their future.

Cameron's China trade trip dogged by 'vanity staff' row 

9 November 2010

The Prime Minister David Cameron is currently in China on a trade  trip, but the Telegraph is reporting that he has left his personal photographer in London amid the growing dispute over his employment of "vanity staff" at the tax-payers’ expense.

The Cabinet Office has now confirmed that, since the election, 33 people have been hired on short-term contracts, many of whom were formerly political aides. Michael Dugher, quoted in the Telegraph article, said: “What is gradually being revealed is the sheer scale of this great vanity project which rides roughshod over the Civil Service.”

Cameron is also being criticised for using the China tour as “payback” to donors after inviting Tory-supporting tycoons to go with him on the trip.    

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Daily Mirror, said: "As Britons worry about their jobs, the Prime Minister has organised a jolly for Tory donors.  We need to know the selection criteria and who funded his cronies' places."

Defence Questions – Monday 8 November 2010

8 November 2010

Michael Dugher, the Shadow Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, asked a supplementary question to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces Nick Harvey today during Defence Questions. To watch the this exchange, scroll to 16:20.   

More coverage of Michael Dugher's letter to the Cabinet Secretary over Cameron’s appointment of his own vanity photographer and film-maker  

7 November 2010

The Sunday Times and the Independent on Sunday are both reporting today on Michael Dugher’s letter to the Cabinet Secretary to ask if David Cameron’s appointment of his own vanity photographer and film-maker is in accordance with official Civil Service rules.

According to The Sunday Times, the prime minister was warned by a senior Downing Street Civil Servant that it was inappropriate to employ a personal photographer at the tax-payers’ expense.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Sunday Times, said: “Hiring people at taxpayers’ expense direct from Conservative HQ as so-called ‘civil servants’ shows how arrogant and out of touch David Cameron is. He appears to be riding roughshod over the civil service, using short-term contracts to avoid competitive recruitment processes and proper transparency.

“Rather than stitching up civil service jobs for their old chums at Conservative HQ, if Cameron really needs these extra people, why doesn’t he recruit from among the half a million genuine public service employees that his government is currently throwing out of work?”

Michael Dugher criticises David Cameron’s “vanity exercise” on Radio 4 PM programme

3 November 2010

Michael Dugher was on the Radio 4 PM programme today discussing David Cameron appointing his own "vanity photographer" and filmmaker at the tax-payers' expense.

Michael has written to the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, to ask if these new jobs were created in accordance with official Civil Service rules (click here to see the letter).

Commenting on the two appointments on the PM programme, Michael said: "Most people in the country will be amazed that at a time when half a million people are going to lose their jobs from the public sector because of this Government, David Cameron thinks it’s right to use British tax-payers' money to fund a personal vanity photographer and a personal filmmaker… there’s no reason why the Conservative party can’t pay for these appointments.”

To listen to the full interview, click here and scroll to the 36th minute.

Michael was also interviewed earlier in the day by Sky News and the story has been picked up by a number of newspapers, including: The Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Independent and the Evening Standard.

The Daily Politics show: life as a Shadow Minister

3 November 2010

Michael Dugher appeared on The Daily Politics show today to discuss what it’s like being a Shadow Minister.  Watch the full interview below:

Michael Dugher’s letter to Sir Gus O’Donnell

3 November 2010

This is the letter that Michael Dugher MP has sent to the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell, today to seek answers about David Cameron appointing his own vanity photographer at the tax-payers' expense.  

Michael Dugher supports Barnsley Coronary Care

2 November 2010

Michael visited the Barnsley Coronary Club last Friday to support members of the club who had organised a Tombola, bric-a-brac and bookstall at Barnsley District and General Hospital to raise funds for Barnsley Coronary Care.

Affiliated to the British Heart Foundation, the Club has raised over £100,000 over the last 30 years.

Michael, who is also Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heart Disease, met with: (from left to right) Peter Fairham (Club Treasurer), John Binks, Wendy Boocock and Mavis Sidebottom (Club Secretary).

Commenting, Michael said: "Unfortunately, Barnsley is one of the highest regions in the country for heart disease. The Coronary Club has done brilliant work over the years and I'm delighted to be able to show my support for such a great cause".

The Club run an exercise class every Monday at Barnsley Hospital Gym between 7pm and 8pm. The cost is £3 for annual subscription and £2.50 per session (cardiac patients should check first with your doctor).

Labour Uncut column: The loony libertarians in the government are not confined to the Lib Dems

1 November 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his latest piece for the website, Michael argues that the civil liberties lobby has a vital role to play in how we deal with the threat of terrorism, but that we "must start from the principle that the most important civil liberty that we possess is for our people to live free from the murderous attacks of those who wish to destroy our fundamental way of life in Britain".

Read the full article here: The loony libertarians in the government are not confined to the Lib Dems

The UK should protect its operational sovereignty

31 October 2010

The Sunday Express is reporting today that the UK is being urged to fight for sovereign control cover its aircraft carriers.

Prime Minister David Cameron is due to negotiate a formal defence treaty with France next week about co-operating on a range of defence programmes and aircraft carrier inter-operability could be included.

The Shadow Minister for Equipment Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “The Government may be going cap in hand to the French but it is vital that the British Government seeks at all times to protect the UK’s operational sovereignty. That must be non-negotiable.”

Read the full article here: UK FIGHT FOR CARRIER CONTROL

Michael Dugher supports wear it pink day

29 October 2010

Michael Dugher is joining forces with Breast Cancer Campaign to raise awareness of its fundraising event, Wear It Pink day.

Today, supporters in schools colleges and businesses in Barnsley, and throughout the country, are encouraged to wear an item of pink in support of the campaign and to donate to the cause.

The Breast Cancer Campaign charity helps to fund innovative world-class breast cancer research in order to help improve survival rates for the one in nine women who experience breast cancer during their lifetime.

Michael said: “Every year in the UK, over 45,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women.  Although it is rare, men can also suffer from breast cancer, with around 300 men diagnosed each year.  I would like to encourage everyone in Barnsley, and throughout the country, to support Wear It Pink day to raise valuable funds for breast cancer research.”

To take part and to find out more, visit the Wear It Pink day website here: www.wearitpink.co.uk

Michael Dugher becomes a Vice-Chair of LFI

28 October 2010

Michael Dugher MP has become a Vice Chair of Labour Friends of Israel (LFI).

LFI works with parliamentarians, advisers, and activists throughout the Labour movement.  It is actively committed to a two-state solution with Israel living in peace with her neighbours and the establishment of a viable, democratic Palestinian state.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael said: “I am very happy to become a Vice Chair of LFI and help encourage the government to play a substantial and strategic role in support of the Middle East Peace Process.   It is now more important than ever that we support those Israelis and Palestinians that are taking the difficult steps towards a lasting peace.”

Click here to find out more about Labour Friends of Israel.

The government has no plan for jobs or growth

20 October 2010

George Osborne’s announcements today show that the government has no plan for jobs or growth.  We now know that:

• Over 490,000 public sector jobs are likely to be lost;

• £7bn will be cut from the welfare budget, hitting the poorest hardest;

• Councils in England face massive cuts of 28%;

• Police funding will be cut by 4% a year for the next four years. Chief Constables are saying today that these cuts will affect front-line policing and there is "no question" there will be fewer police officers on the street;

• The retirement age will rise from 65 to 66 by 2020, four years earlier than previously planned;

• The NHS budget will increase by 0.4% over the whole spending period.  This is the worst settlement for the NHS since the early 1980s and will be entirely swallowed by rising costs.  The NHS confederation has also warned today that the cuts in local council budgets will have a knock on-effect on the health service.

Commenting, Michael Dugher said: "These cuts are too deep, too fast and run the risk of stifling the fragile recovery.  Osborne insisted today that there is no alternative, but this is simply not true.  It is possible to take a more balanced approach that gets the deficit down without making people on lower and middle incomes suffer the most.   Labour’s alternative is fairer and recognises that we must promote jobs and growth, and protect our public services. This CSR is bad news for Barnsley and bad news for the country."

To show your support for Labour’s alternative, please click here and share your ideas.

Labour Uncut column: The Tories aren’t winners, so don’t let them write our history, says Michael Dugher

18 October 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his sixth piece for the website, Michael argues that "when it comes to the economy and to the battle over the public finances, we cannot allow the Tories, or the Lib Dems, to re-write our history or negatively caricature Labour’s economic legacy”.

Read the full article here: "The Tories aren’t winners, so don’t let them write our history"

Rift between No 10 and Ministry of Defence widens

14 October 2010

It is being reported today that David Cameron has further undermined Liam Fox’s position in the Ministry of Defence by appointing a personal military assistant to work for him in Downing Street.

This snub comes after it was revealed yesterday that the Prime Minister plans to sideline Dr Fox next Tuesday by making the long-awaited Strategic Defence and Security Review statement himself.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Daily Mail today, said: "This is a complete humiliation for Liam Fox and highlights the complete lack of confidence David Cameron has in him."

Ed Miliband appoints Michael Dugher as Shadow Defence Minister

11 October 2010

New Labour leader Ed Miliband has promoted Michael Dugher to the Opposition frontbench as a Shadow Defence Minister.

Michael will work under new Shadow Defence Secretary, Jim Murphy, and will be responsible for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.

Commenting, Michael said: "It is a great privilege to be given these responsibilities. Supporting our Armed Forces and keeping the country safe are the first duties of any government. With the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) about to be published, Labour needs to ensure our Armed Forces have the equipment and support they need to continue doing the magnificent job that they do.

"As Ed Miliband has said, Labour will be a responsible opposition, supporting the coalition government when they get things right, opposing them when they get things wrong. I am really looking forward to working for Jim Murphy and the whole Defence team."

Michael has a background in Defence having worked at the Ministry of Defence as a Special Adviser to then Secretary of State, Geoff Hoon, from 2002 to 2005. Prior to that, Michael was a Research Assistant to John Spellar MP in 1998 while he was a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence.

From 2006 to 2007, Michael worked in industry as the UK Director of Government Relations for EDS, a global technology services company with a major UK Defence business. And he was also previously Head of Policy for AEEU, now Unite the Union, which has a substantial membership from the defence, aerospace and shipbuilding industries, as well as Ministry of Defence employees.

Since becoming a Member of Parliament, Michael has regularly spoken on Defence matters in the House of Commons and has written articles on the forthcoming SDSR for Labour Uncut. These include: "Liam Fox is right (and George and Dave are wrong)" and "Michael Dugher on the strategic defence review".

Commenting on his shadow ministerial appointments, Ed Miliband said: "I am particularly pleased that I could bring in a new generation of talent, whilst also using the experience of a broad range of Labour MPs. This is a team from all parts of the party, which will robustly hold the coalition government to account."

There has been wide ranging coverage of the appointments, including the BBC, The Guardian, the Independent, and the Telegraph.

To see the full list of Labour's new front bench team, click here.

Michael Dugher on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show

09 October 2010

Michael Dugher was interviewed yesterday on BBC Radio Sheffield giving his reaction to the government’s attacks on benefit claimants who have big families.

The Tory Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has suggested that for the first time individuals should not receive benefits according to their needs but according to their behaviour. During the radio interview, Michael said that if people can work, they should work, but "children should not be the ones punished for the behaviour of parents". He called Jeremy Hunt's comments “offensive, ignorant and irresponsible.”

To listen to the full interview, click here and scroll to 7:30.

Concerns over controversial links to drugs group visiting schools

08 October 2010

The Barnsley Chronicle is reporting today that four local schools were unaware that a visiting drugs group, Narconon, is linked to the Church of Scientology.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the article, said: “I am very concerned that it appears local schools using Narconon’s services were not told about its close links with the Church of Scientology. If Narconon wants to work with schools, it should be transparent about its associations and methods so schools can make an informed decision. Equally, parents must also be made aware.”

You can read the full article below:

Michael Dugher calls for problem houses in Welland Crescent to be demolished

8 October 2010

Michael Dugher visited Welland Cresent in Elsecar yesterday with PC Paul Davies to discuss a police operation aimed at combating problems in the area and restoring pride on the street.

Michael praised PC Paul Davies’ great work in the area and said there had been some tremendous progress on the street. But he added that as “less than a handful of properties are completely blighting what’s otherwise a really nice part of the borough... The only long-term solution is these derelict properties have to be pulled down.”  

The visit is highlighted on the front page of today’s Barnsley Chronicle - Hoyland Edition (see below).   

Yorkshire Post article: Coalition runs the risk of triggering double-dip recession

7 October 2010

Michael Dugher MP has written an article in today’s Yorkshire Post about the risk the coalition government is taking with the economy. Read the full article below:

This weekend saw a stark warning about the fragile nature of UK economy, the tenuous prospects for economic growth and the serious risk that Britain will go back into recession.  The startling thing was that the alarm bell was sounded not by an opposition politician, but by none other than Ken Clarke, the hush-puppy wearing former Tory chancellor who is now a cabinet minister in David Cameron’s government.

Clarke told a Sunday newspaper: “I think there’s a 50-50 chance of a double-dip recession.  What I’m worried about is the global uncertainties and our being hit by the downturns in key markets.  I do not rule out the risk of a double-dip recession”. So there you have it.  What Labour has been saying for months, has finally been admitted by a senior and experienced Conservative.

George Osborne’s fiscal retrenchment, taking money out of the economy, is the biggest planned by any major economy anywhere in the world.  UK growth figures were revised upwards at the end of August, a sign that the previous Labour government’s support for the economy was having an impact, but the markets are extremely jittery and economists are fearful.

In the United States, the debate is not about fiscal tightening but whether a further stimulus might be needed to avoid a so-called double-dip.  To make things worse for us here, Britain’s major market is Europe, where the major centre-right governments are pursuing deflationary policies, meaning they are likely to buy even less goods and services from the UK.

All of this comes at a time when interest rates are rooted at 0.5 per cent – Conservative warnings about the threat of higher interest rates are a complete nonsense – and inflation is still historically very low.  As Ed Balls has said: “As the second storm looms on the horizon, everything he (Osborne) is doing is designed to suck money out of the economy and cut public investment... His tax rises and benefit cuts will directly hit household finances at the worst possible time.  It is the exact reverse of the policy which allowed Britain and the rest of the world to weather the first storm.”

So if Ken Clarke has let the cat out of the bag, and if there’s a growing consensus that our economy is fragile, what should our response be?  Ed Miliband, the Doncaster North MP, used his first speech as Labour’s leader to stress that he was serious about reducing the deficit.  He said that economics teaches us that in times of recession, governments run up deficits.  But he admitted that our economy was too exposed to financial services, that the impact of the crash was therefore deeper on us than on others, and that we need to build a more balanced and resilient economy. 

Whilst he restated Labour’s position that the deficit being halved in four years was the starting point, he made clear that growth was the priority, arguing: “When you cancel thousands of new school buildings at a stroke, it isn’t just bad for our kids, it’s bad for construction companies at a time when their order books are empty.”

In office, Labour was already committed to a greater and faster reduction in the budget deficit than any British government in living memory.  We are not, in George Osborne’s words, “deficit deniers” but believe that the deficit must be reduced in a way that does not put in jeopardy our economic recovery, upon which so many people rely in this region for their jobs, their homes and their livelihoods. 

But whereas the Tories and Liberals want to use predominantly public spending cuts, together with a VAT rise which clobbers the unemployed and the poorest pensioner to the same extent that it hits the banker and the millionaire, Labour understands that there are three ways to drive down the deficit.  Yes, you must cut spending.  Labour was already committed to difficult reductions – the Tories want to see £87 billion over and above Labour’s cuts.  But you can also use fair taxation, and critically policies for jobs and growth.

Labour has always believed that those with the broadest shoulders should bear more of the weight.  After all it was speculators in the banks – not families in Barnsley – that caused the global financial crisis, so why should the most hard-pressed people have deal with the consequences?

Ed Miliband made it clear that Labour will be a responsible opposition and that means we will not oppose everything the coalition government does.  But cutting government spending too quickly, and by too much, is not only unfair, it also jeopardises the recovery, jobs and growth. 

Ken Clarke’s fears of a double-dip recession may well be proved right.  I hope not.  But it is increasingly clear that it is the policies of Cameron and Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, that risk turning those fears into a reality.

The Yorkshire Post, Opinion & Analysis, Thursday 7 October 2010

Out and about in Barnsley

4 October 2010

Michael Dugher officially opened a South Yorkshire Credit Union branch (SYCU) in Wombwell on Friday.  Credit Unions have been very popular in the area and since the SYCU was established in 2002 it has saved people over £9 million in interest charges as well as reducing the influence of door step lenders and loan sharks. 

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Later in the day, Michael attended a graduation ceremony at Barnsley College which was also attended by the Lord Lieutenant for South Yorkshire, Her Majesty the Queen’s County Representative.

During the ceremony, Michael took part in a procession led by the Mayor of Barnsley, the Chair of governors at the college, other local MPs and friends and families of the students.  Commenting on the event, Michael said: “I would like to congratulate all the students who have graduated today.  They have done fantastically well and I know they have a great future ahead of them.” 

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In the afternoon, Michael attended a Summer Reading Challenge event in Grimethorpe with school children, their mums, dads and grandparents.    

The Summer Reading Challenge is a very popular and successful reading initiative, which is now it its twelfth year.  It involves up to 750,000 children aged four to 11 years making use of the UK library network.  Children are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays with collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate or medal for every child who completes the challenge.

This year the Summer Reading Challenge had a space theme, called Space Hop, enabling children to boldly go to new worlds to discover the joy of reading.  Click here to find out more about the initiative.  

Labour Uncut column: Liam Fox is right (and George and Dave are wrong), says Michael Dugher

4 October 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his fifth piece for the website, which is also being featured on PoliticsHome’s Daily Scrapbook today, Michael argues that "supporting and protecting the brave men and women who risk their lives in the service of our country should be central to what Labour does in opposition – even if it means, for the moment at least, supporting Liam Fox in his war with the battalion of bean-counters at the treasury”.

Read the full article here: "Liam Fox is right (and George and Dave are wrong)"

Michael Dugher at the Labour Party Conference

30 September 2010

Michael Dugher attended the Labour Party conference in Manchester this week.  As well as going to support the new party leader, Michael also took the opportunity to meet many of the charities and organisations he supports as an MP, such as Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.   

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On Sunday, Michael appeared on The Politics Show (Yorkshire Edition) to discuss the result of the Labour Party leadership election announced the previous day.  The programme was broadcast from the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester and Michael was interviewed alongside fellow Yorkshire MPs Rachel Reeves and Diana Johnson.  To watch the discussion, click here and scroll to the 50th minute.     

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On Monday, Michael did an interview with Adam Boulton on Sky News talking about how Ed Miliband can take on David Cameron and move the Labour Party forward. 

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Michael also took part in a panel debate yesterday on Radio 5 Live’s Gaby Logan Show to discuss the reaction to Ed Miliband’s conference speech and the future of the Labour party.   The other panellists included Yasmin Qureshi MP, John Mann MP and Andrew Pierce from the Daily Mail.  Click here to listen to the full show.  

David Cameron caught boasting of savage cuts at champagne bash

23 September 2010

The Daily Mirror is reporting today that David Cameron bragged of plans for savage spending cuts at an extravagant champagne party for millionaire donors on Tuesday.

The article says that the Prime Minister drank champagne with Tory backers and used his speech to pledge he would not back away from savage cuts or raising VAT.

Michael Dugher MP, quoted in the article, criticised the Tories, saying: "They claim we are all in this together but they drink champagne with millionaire donors while preparing to cut public services and put hundreds of thousands on to the dole."

Clegg’s speech fails to hide his party’s broken promises

21 September 2010

Michael Dugher joined the critics of Nick Clegg’s speech to the Liberal Democrat conference yesterday saying that he had deserted the people who had voted for him by “breaking promises in his own manifesto and introducing savage cuts to public services, putting jobs and growth at risk”.

Ed Miliband, the Shadow Energy Secretary, also responding to Clegg’s speech, said: "For all the smoke and mirrors, Nick Clegg cannot obscure the fact that he is propping up a government with policies that will make Britain more unfair, unjust and unequal.  However long this coalition lasts, that will be his legacy."

The leader of the Liberal Democrats also sparked fears of council tax increases after he appeared to open the door to increased town hall spending.  This is despite George Osborne’s promise of a two-year council tax freeze in this first budget only three months ago. Michael Dugher, quoted in today’s Daily Mirror, highlighted this confusion.  He said "it looks like he and his Tory friends are trying to force town halls into huge increases in council tax," adding that “pensioners especially would be hit hard by soaring council tax bills along with the planned hike in VAT”.  

Clegg is facing a growing backlash from his own party and from people who feel that he is aiding the Tories’ right-wing policy agenda.  Only last week, the sole remaining Liberal Democrat councillor in Barnsley decided to defect to the Labour party.  Sharron Brook, who represents the Dearne Valley ward, said that she had just “had enough”.    

Labour Uncut column: Give us leadership, not dictatorship, says Michael Dugher

20 September 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for Labour Uncut. In his fourth piece for the website, Michael says that Labour doesn’t just need a new leader, but new leadership.   He argues that a “different style and approach is required, including to policy-making and to working with colleagues.”

Read the full article here: "Give us leadership, not dictatorship"

Clegg confirms prisoners will get the vote

20 September 2010

The Times and the Daily Mail have reported today that Nick Clegg is finalising plans to give prison inmates the right to vote. 

It was revealed that the government was “looking afresh” at giving prisoners the chance to vote after Michael Dugher MP submitted a Parliamentary Question back in June.  The Deputy Prime Minister, who has taken responsibility for the issue from the Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, is now set to announce that the ban on Britain’s 88,000 prisoners from voting in elections will not continue.       

Commenting on the new reports, Michael Dugher said: “I know the Lib Dems are desperate for votes having seen their ratings collapse in the opinion polls, and their supporters defecting to Labour, but do Clegg and Cameron really want to go canvassing at Strangeways or at the Scrubs?”

Blundering Prisons Minister afraid of upsetting the apple-cart

17 September 2010

Prisons minister Crispin Blunt has said that prisoners must be served perfectly-sized and shaped apples to prevent “fruit riots” in Britain’s jails.  The Tory minister told MPs on Wednesday during a debate on prisons in the House of Commons that an “undersized apple handed out at the servery will create issues of order and control”.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail responding to the minister’s peculiar warning, said: “The government is preparing cuts to vital local services and jobs. You would think the minister would have more important things to worry about than the size of fruit for lags.”

Michael Dugher pays tribute to the late Captain Martin Driver, a true Barnsley hero

13 September 2010

Michael Dugher MP paid tribute to the late Captain Martin Driver in the House of Commons today during questions to the Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox. 

In front of cabinet ministers and fellow MPs, and on the eve of a memorial service in St John the Baptist Church in Cudworth, Michael Dugher asked the Government to join him in “paying tribute to a truly outstanding individual and in sending condolences to his family and friends”. 

Captain Martin Driver, aged 31, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in Selly Oak Hospital on Monday 15 March 2010 as a result of wounds sustained from a roadside bomb in the Helmand province of Afghanistan on the morning of 21 February 2010.

Paying tribute in an article in the Cudworth edition of the Barnsley Chronicle, Michael Dugher said: “Captain Driver was a true Barnsley hero, helping to keep the streets of Britain safe.  There are many brave men and women from Barnsley serving in our Armed Forces. They do an amazing job and I know the whole community is extremely proud of them."

Michael Dugher MP criticises government chaos over East Coast main line

12 September 2010

The Sunday Express has revealed today that the government is planning on delaying the reprivatisation of the East Coast main line by another two years.

The East Coast line links London and Edinburgh via Doncaster, Leeds and Newcastle. It was nationalised in 2009 with the government initially planning on keeping it in public hands for just 12 months.

Michael Dugher, quoted in the Sunday Express article, said: “The East Coast main line is vitally important. The Department for Transport needs to get a grip. All we get from this government is chaos, uncertainty and deeply damaging cuts with passengers bearing the brunt. Investing in rail is not only good for the travelling public, it helps business and it boosts jobs.”

Read the full article here: "East Coast Rail Line Privatisation to be Shunted into the Sidings"

Michael Dugher praises local charity campaigners

11 September 2010

Michael Dugher met yesterday with Phil Hickling, the landlord of the Milton Arms in Elsecar, to help support his fundraising campaign for the Barnsley Hospice together with Councillor Robin Franklin and community campaigner Tim Shepherd.

Michael Dugher said: "This is a brilliant local pub. Phil has done a fantastic job and raised money for years and years. Robin and Tim are genuine community champions. Barnsley at its best."

Labour Uncut column: Labour lost the election during Blair’s watch, as well as Brown’s

06 September 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for the Labour Uncut website.  In his third piece for the website, Michael says that Labour lost the election because of a cumulative failure of the party and of its leadership.  He says that Labour "shed five million votes not during a four week election campaign in May 2010, or during the three years after Tony Blair stood down as PM, but over the course of 13 years in government".

Read the full article here: "We lost the 2010 election during Blair’s watch, as well as Brown’s, says Michael Dugher"

Michael Dugher says BBC should stand up for its independence

03 September 2010

The director-general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, is facing allegations that he has compromised the BBC’s impartiality after he was photographed going into a Downing Street meeting to discuss the BBC’s presentation of the government’s spending cuts.  According to reports, this followed complaints from the government about how the BBC has been reporting the cuts.    

Mr Thompson reportedly met one of David Cameron's senior aides to talk about offering prominent exposure to government figures in the coming weeks.  According to the Daily Mail, the photographs showed Mr Thompson arriving at Number 10 holding a memo stating that the BBC was ready to put its coverage of spending cuts into “context”.

Michael Dugher MP, quoted in the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and BBC News online, said: "The BBC should be standing up for its independence and should not be bullied by Cameron's aides with the threat of cutbacks at a time when the BBC’s future is up in the air".

Michael Dugher gives his reaction to Tony Blair's autobiography 'A Journey'

02 September 2010

Following on from his interview with Toby Foster on BBC Radio Sheffield, Michael Dugher MP gave a series of radio interviews yesterday to discuss Tony Blair’s new memoirs and the future of the Labour Party. 

Before his election to Parliament, Michael worked as a senior adviser to a number of Cabinet Ministers when Tony Blair was Prime Minister.  From 2008, Michael was the Chief Political Spokesman in Downing Street for the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. 

In an interview with Martha Kearney on BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, Michael likened the Tony Blair-Gordon Brown relationship to Lennon and McCartney, in that they were “always better together then individually”.

He added that people seemed to forget that in 2005, particularly in the aftermath of the Iraq War, Tony Blair was very unpopular in parts of the country and “Gordon Brown played a very significant role in the election victory” that year.

From his experience of working closely with Gordon Brown in Downing Street for a number of years, Michael said that some of Tony Blair’s characterisations of Brown in his memoirs were "slightly unkind and unfair”.

To hear the full interview, click here and scroll to 17:40. 

In another interview on Radio 5 Live Drive with Anita Anand, Michael said that history will be much kinder to Gordon Brown as he made an “enormous difference, not only in the leadership he showed globally in getting Britain through the biggest financial economic crisis in a century, but also in Labour’s and Tony Blair’s successes since the mid-1990s”.

Michael said that the “most important thing at the moment for Labour party members was not these memoirs, but the ballot papers going out for the Labour leadership.  That’s about our future, not our past and that’s where our efforts should be focused".

Michael's comments also followed criticisms of Tony Blair's memoirs from the former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and from all of the candidates for the Labour leadership.

To hear the full interview, click here and scroll to 0:11.10.

Michael’s comments were picked up by a number of newspapers today, including The Daily Mirror, The Financial Times, The Guardian, the BBC News website, The Daily Telegraph, The Scotsman and The Star.

Michael Dugher on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Breakfast Show

01 September 2010

Michael Dugher was interviewed this morning about the future of the Labour Party on BBC Radio Sheffield’s breakfast show.

If you would like to listen, click on the link and scroll to 2:05.50 - The Toby Foster Bigger at Breakfast Show

Michael Dugher joins campaign to stop the government axing NHS Direct

31 August 2010

Michael Dugher has joined the campaign to keep the popular medical helpline NHS Direct. 

The government is facing a major backlash over its plans to axe the successful helpline after the blundering Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, let slip during a hospital visit that he plans to replace it with a cut-price call-centre service.

NHS Direct currently gives expert health advice to 27,000 worried callers every day and forty per cent of staff are trained nurses.  However, with the government's proposed cheaper nonemergency phone number 111, people would no longer be able to speak to qualified nurses but only call-handlers who have passed a 60-hour “medical course”.

The Royal College of Nursing chief executive Dr Peter Carter said: "We urge the Government to look at all the evidence before enacting changes which could leave people without advice from trained nurses." And Shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, accused the Health Secretary of being on “a vindictive mission to break up the NHS, ruthlessly dismantling services before alternatives are in place”.

Commenting, Michael Dugher said: “NHS Direct helps thousands of people every day and is valued for the expert advice it offers.  Axing the service’s qualified nurses, who have delivered long-term savings of £200 million for the NHS, shows yet more short-sightedness by the coalition government.  This decision is obviously a mistake and the government should think again.  I encourage people to get involved with the campaign and sign the online petition - savenhsdirect.co.uk.” 

Shadow Education Secretary Ed Balls holds Q&A event in Barnsley

30 August 2010

Labour leadership contender and Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Ed Balls, visited Barnsley on Saturday.

Ed met members from all the Barnsley constituency Labour parties at a meeting in Dodworth. The Q&A was chaired by Michael Dugher MP, and was also attended by Eric Illsley MP
and former MP Michael Clapham.

For more information about Ed's campaign, visit his website: edballs4labour.org

Michael Dugher congratulates Darfield Foulstone school for 'turning the corner' with record GCSE results

27 August 2010

Michael Dugher has congratulated the Darfield Foulstone School for Creative Arts for making big improvements and achieving record GCSE results.

The MP for Barnsley East said:  “The students at Foulstone School have done brilliantly and I congratulate everyone who has received their GCSE results.  The school has really turned the corner with these excellent results and praise must also go to the hardworking teachers and governors, particularly the headteacher, Phillip King, and the Chair of Governors, Bert Beaumont.”

The success story was highlighted on the front page of the Darfield and Wombwell edition of the Barnsley Chronicle last Friday. The full article can be read here - Struggling School Does Well.

After an Ofsted inspection in January this year, the school was put into special measures.  Teachers, parents and school governors have worked extremely hard to make improvements and today’s results show a massive 28% increase in the number of pupils gaining five or more A* to C grades.  

Overall, 83% of students achieved five or more A* to C grades (up from 55% last year) and 40% of students gained five or more A* to C grades including Mathematics and English (up from 34% last year).

Michael Dugher says Tories offering business leaders access to ministers is “cash-for-access, plain and simple”

26 August 2010

The Daily Telegraph disclosed on Wednesday (25 August) that the Conservatives are offering business leaders access to government ministers in exchange for money.

The article states that anonymous executives who buy £1,000-a-plate tickets to a fund-raising dinner at the Conservative Party conference will get to sit with ministers.  This is despite the Prime Minister’s previous pledges to bring transparency to party funding.

Michael Dugher MP, quoted in the the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail and the Scotsman, said: “This is cash-for-access, plain and simple.  For all the Conservative talk of new politics, this is the same old Tory sleaze.  Selling access to government ministers at £1,000 a head is just grubby."

Read the full Daily Telegraph article here: “Tories sell access to ministers for £1,000 a head”

Michael Dugher criticises Cameron’s lack of support for England's World Cup bid

23 August 2010

Michael Dugher has critised David Cameron for not doing enough to support England’s 2018 World Cup bid.  FIFA officials, who will decide if England has the right to host the world’s second biggest sporting event, will only be met today by Nick Clegg and will have to make do with a video message from the Prime Minister. 

In an article in today’s Daily Mail, Michael responds to the Prime Ministers no-show ‘home goal’, saying: “Tony Blair and Gordon Brown both backed England’s World Cup bid 100 per cent.  It’s a pity that David Cameron can’t do the same.  I’m sure FIFA would prefer to see the organ grinder, rather than the monkey.”  

Labour Uncut column: Michael Dugher digs in for the long campaign

23 August 2010

Michael Dugher writes a regular political column for the Labour Uncut website.  In his second piece for the website, Michael argues that Labour needs to learn lessons from electoral defeat, but be aware that the next election will be fought on the basis of who is best for Britain in 2015, not 2010.

Read the full article here: "Michael Dugher digs in for a long campaign"

Michael Dugher backs campaign to Defend our NHS

11 August 2010

The NHS is being put at risk with unnecessary bureaucratic changes by the Government. Patients will face a future with no limits on waiting times for the care they need plus new postcode lotteries.

Michael Dugher said: “Scrapping Primary Care Trusts means more private companies coming in, less accountability and less national standards to improve public health.  I encourage people
to sign up to Andy Burnham’s campaign to defend our NHS.”

Michael Dugher gives his reaction to reports that Tory Minister was blocked by MI5 from becoming National Security Advisor

17 August 2010

The Daily Mirror has reported that the Home Office Minister, Pauline Neville-Jones, was blocked by MI5 from becoming National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister due to her links to a wanted billionaire Russian oligarch, Mikhail Chernoy.

Michael Dugher MP was quoted in the Daily Mirror article reacting to this latest revelation.  He said: "If David Cameron had doubts he should not have made her a minister.  This murky episode shows a lack of judgment."

Read the full article here: "Russia-link Tory ‘not fit for key job'"

Michael Dugher questions Cabinet Ministers about cuts in public services

2 August 2010

Last week saw the first 'evidence session' of the Public Administration Select Committee. As well as taking important evidence from representatives of the main civil service trade unions, the Committee questioned two senior Conservative Ministers who attend the Cabinet.  

Michael Dugher MP used this as an opportunity to question the Ministers about the effects that immediate and large scale spending cuts will have on the provision of front line public services. Read highlights here. 

Michael Dugher seeks urgent talks with council after concerns over disruption to Hoyland businesses

1 August 2010

Michael Dugher MP is seeking urgent talks with Barnsley council due to concerns about the disruption caused to local businesses by a construction site in Hoyland.  One business, Little M’s deli, has already been forced to close. 

The issue was highlighted on the front page of the Hoyland edition of the Barnsley Chronicle last Friday – read the article below:     

Concern Over LIFT Impact

By Gael Stlgant, 30 July 2010

A Member of Parliament is seeking urgent talks with the council about the disruption caused by the LIFT centre development after a Hoyland business was allegedly forced to close.

Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher wants to ensure all local businesses’ concerns are addressed following the closure of Little M’s deli, which has left four people out of work.

Mr Dugher said: “Small businesses are the life blood of the community and the local economy.  I will be seeking urgent talks with the council to make sure that the concerns of small businesses in Hoyland are addressed as a matter of priority.”

The deli has been closed since July 16.  Proprietor Nick Stringer said it was forced to shut due to a drop in sales caused by a lack of parking space for customers.  He said: “The shutters are down on the deli because since they (the developers) came to town in May, the sales have plummeted by 50 per cent.”

He said things went downhill when the car parks behind the Original Factory Shop and on the junction of Milton Road and West Street were closed.  “The fish and chip shop sales are down too,” he said. “It’s not been thought out at all and it’s going to be like this for the next 12 months.  Hoyland is a ghost town compared to what it used to be.”

Nick said although there are still spaces behind the town hall and Co-op and next to the market, they were often full and were unsuitable for customers using the deli.  “For the elderly, disabled people and people with the young, it’s not good enough.  There’s no car park for anyone to use when they’re shopping on this side of Hoyland.  People are lazy and they’re going to want to park as close as possible or they’re going to go somewhere else where they can.”

Businesses including Guest’s butchers and Hall’s grocers have also voiced their concerns.  Coun Steve Sylvester said the car parking situation was inconvenient but that the LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust) centre would benefit businesses in the long run.

He said: “It will be fantastic when it’s done.  It’s going to bring more people into Hoyland – not just locals but people from the wider area too.”

A council spokesman said that like any building project, disturbance is expected but added the scheme removed only 20 spaces from a total of 195 around Southgate, West Street, Duke Street and behind the market.  He said when the scheme is completed, on July 18 next year, car parking will have been added to the area.

Barnsley Chronicle

Michael Dugher to write political column for Labour Uncut

27 July 2010

Michael Dugher has been asked to write a regular political column for the Labour Uncut website.  In his first piece for the website, Michael argues that the main danger with the Labour leadership election is that the candidates become too inward-looking. 

Read the full article here: "Michael Dugher blasts the inward-looking new Bennites"

Michael Dugher MP urges people to sign up to Britain’s Lost Talent campaign

26 July 2010

Michael Dugher is supporting Yvette Cooper’s new campaign, Britain’s Lost Talent, and is urging people to sign up. 

The campaign is about standing up for young people and making sure they’re not ignored or abandoned as they were under Margaret Thatcher.

Thousands of young people are currently leaving school and university and looking for their first job.  Despite this, the Tory Government, supported by the Lib Dems, is cutting vital help for young people to get jobs and training. 

Commenting on the campaign, Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

“Nothing better captures the Tory-Lib Dem government's return to Thatcherism than the shocking cuts they are making in jobs and support for the young unemployed.  Just as thousands more young people hit the jobs market this summer; the government is cutting back the help for them to get work.

“90,000 jobs through the Future Jobs Fund are being axed. And Labour's guarantee of work or training for every 18-24 year old on the dole for 6 months is to be ditched next spring.  Together, we can make sure that a Tory Government being supported by the Lib Dems doesn’t get to waste Britain’s talent like this without a fight.”

Click here to find out more and to sign up to the campaign.

Michael Dugher MP gives his reaction to the Deputy Prime Minister’s latest gaffe

22 July 2010

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg made another gaffe in Parliament yesterday when he called the conflict in Iraq illegal.  Mr Clegg made the blunder when he was standing in for David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions. Number 10 later released a statement saying that the Deputy Prime Minister had only expressed a “personal” view.

Michael Dugher MP was quoted reacting to this latest gaffe in an article in The Sun. He said:   "Our armed forces do a great job and when they go to war for our country they deserve their government's full support."

Read the full article here.

Michael Dugher MP and the Mayor of Barnsley open the Annual Cudworth Tea in the Park

19 July 2010

On Saturday 17 July Michael Dugher MP and his family were delighted to attend the Annual Cudworth Tea in the Park. Opening the event, together with the mayor of Barnsley Margaret Sheard, Michael praised local councillors Charles Wraith, Joe Haywood and Steve Houghton, and all those who worked so hard to make the event such a great success. Commenting, Michael said:

"Despite the occasional passing shower, it was a fantastic day. The event is Cudworth and indeed Barnsley at its best - a community coming together, people supporting good causes locally, and family and friends having a really great day out". 

Intervention during Statement on Counter-terrorism and Security Powers

14 July 2010

The coalition Government announced a review of key counter-terrorism and security powers in a statement to the House of Commons on 13 July. 

Michael Dugher MP said that the Government’s plans could diminish important weapons in the fight against crime and terrorism.  In an intervention on the Home Secretary Theresa May during the statement, Michael Dugher said:    

Does the review not send out completely the wrong signals to the public and, indeed, to those who would jeopardise the safety and security of the public? Would the Government's time not be better spent backing the police and the security services with the resources and powers that they require?

Michael Dugher MP launches campaign to encourage people to sign up to the Anthony Nolan Register

13 July 2010

Yesterday, Michael Dugher, the MP for Barnsley East, pledged his support to patients needing lifesaving stem cell transplants by signing up as a donor on the Anthony Nolan register.

Anthony Nolan finds matches for leukaemia patients who need a lifesaving stem cell transplant (commonly known as a bone marrow transplant).

Michael Dugher registered to be a potential donor in the House of Commons and he is encouraging people in Yorkshire to consider doing the same.

There are over 400,000 people on the Anthony Nolan register but as there are so many possible tissue types, more donors are desperately needed to meet the needs of the 1400 people in the UK currently needing a transplant, and thousands more worldwide.

Michael Dugher has a strong personal interest in the issue as his young nephew is being treated in Sheffield for a form of Leukaemia. 

The MP for Barnsley East said:  “Sadly at present, for every person the charity can help, there’s another for whom it can’t find match and who will sadly die without a transplant. I am very aware of the importance of the Anthony Nolan Register.  It is such an important thing to do. You could be the one match for a person who desperately needs a transplant. It is a very simple process to sign up and I encourage people in Yorkshire to go to the Anthony Nolan website to find out how to join.”

Joining the Anthony Nolan Register is easy: you just need to fill in a medical questionnaire and then give a small saliva sample. To sign up, you need to be between 18 and 40 and in good general health. You can request an application pack from the Anthony Nolan website at www.anthonynolan.org  

Michael Dugher MP becomes Vice-Chair of APPG on Heart Disease

13 July 2010

Michael Dugher MP has become the Vice-Chair of the All Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Heart Disease.  The group aims to:

• Inform and educate parliamentarians about heart and circulatory disease, the UK’s biggest killer;
• Encourage and promote work undertaken to prevent heart and circularity disease and improve its diagnosis and treatment;
• Inform Parliamentarians about the work of the Cardio and Vascular Coalition (CVC) and issues concerning cardiac and vascular health.   

MPs are joining the group because:

• Heart and circulatory disease is still responsible for approximately a third of all deaths in the UK
• Every six minutes someone dies from a heart attack
• Women are more than three times more likely to die of coronary heart disease than breast cancer
• Around one in 145 babies are born with congenital heart disease
• Smoking causes around 25,000 deaths from heart and circulatory disease each year
• Around one in five premature deaths from heart and circulatory disease are linked to smoking
• Only 72% of boys and 63% of girls in England do the recommended amount of exercise
• Heart and circulatory disease costs the UK £14.4 billion each year.

The charity, the British Heart Foundation, provides the Secretariat to the group and they are campaigning to get more MPs involved in joining the fight to tackle the UK’s biggest killer.

Commenting, Michael Dugher said:

“This is a very important campaign - I am delighted to support what is a major issue for my constituency and others right across the country.  I look forward to working on the All Party Group and to supporting the excellent work of the British Heart Foundation.” 

More coverage for Michael Dugher's parliamentary question

9 July 2010

The Daily Express has today covered the revelation that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg wants to give prisoners the chance to vote in elections. Read the article here: 'NICK CLEGG: LET MURDERERS VOTE'

The disclosure of Nick Clegg's intentions, which was also covered in yesterday's Daily Mirror, came after a parliamentary question submitted by Michael Dugher MP.

Parliamentary answer to Michael Dugher MP reveals Prisoners could get the vote under Government reform

8 July 2010

After a parliamentary question submitted by Michael Dugher MP, it has been revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is "looking afresh" at giving prisoners the chance to vote in elections. 

In an article in today’s Daily Mirror by James Lyons, Mr Dugher responds to the revelation, saying: “Nobody can be surprised that the Lib Dems are championing the rights of criminals but the public will be disgusted to see the Tories going along with it.  David Cameron promised to be tough on crime but his ConDem coalition are cutting police, curbing CCTV cameras and locking up fewer people who are convicted."

Michael Dugher MP attends All Party Parliamentary Coalfield Communities Group

6 July 2010

Today, Michael Dugher MP attended the All Party Parliamentary Coalfield Communities Group with a large number of MPs who represent former mining areas.

The purpose of the group is to promote awareness amongst MPs of issues facing former mining communities; to support the regeneration of former coalfield areas; to raise the profile of economic, social and environmental issues affection these areas; and to ensure a fair deal for UK-mined coal and investment in cleaner coal technologies.

Commenting, Michael Dugher said:

“This is a major priority for me.  I will be raising these issues with the new Government.  And I’m determined that former coalfield communities, like Barnsley East, are not ignored or left behind.”

The Government Axes Building Schools for the Future programme

5 July 2010

The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, announced in Parliament on Monday 5 July that the Government is to axe Labour's successful Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, suspending projects for 715 new schools.

 
This was devastating news for many parts of the country, including for nearby authorities.  This is in addition to the Government’s admission that it plans to target Sure Start in its programme of cuts, and it follows the axing of the Future Jobs Fund and a whole series of other cuts, including massive cuts to local government spending which threaten our vital local services.  Michael Dugher has said we need to fight these cuts all the way.

Fortunately for Barnsley, Michael Gove was able to confirm to Mr Dugher on Monday in the House that none of the eleven building projects in BMBC will be affected as the authority has reached financial close.  This news was a huge relief.  It can be confirmed that the unaffected schools are:       

-       Darton High                                                              
-       Greenacre                                                                
-       Kirk Balk                                                                   
-       New School (Kingstone/Holgate)                             
-       New School (Foulstone/Wombell)                           
-       New School (Priory/Willowgarth)                             
-       New School (Royston/Edward Sheerien)                
-       Penistone Grammar                                                
-       Springwell                                                                 
-       St Michaels RC and CE                                           
-       The Dearne High                                                      

Please see below Michael Dugher’s intervention yesterday on the floor of the House, and Michael Gove’s subsequent response:

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East) (Lab): Does the Secretary of State understand the huge levels of concern and anxiety in my constituency and throughout the rest of Barnsley because of his announcement today? He has had a bit of a shocker at the Dispatch Box, so I will try to be helpful. If he has a list affecting my constituents, or others in Barnsley or elsewhere, why does he not put it before the House now?

Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Education): I am sure the hon. Gentleman will be aware that his local authority in Barnsley has reached financial close, and for that reason the schools will go forward unaffected. I will write personally to every Member to make it clear to them exactly what is happening in their own constituency. I shall also, of course, be writing to every local authority. I appreciate how seriously Members take this issue, so I presume that most Members will know whether their local authorities were in financial close or at close of dialogue.

Michael Dugher elected to the Public Adminstration Committee

2 July 2010

Michael Dugher MP has been elected to the Public Administration Select Committee (PASC). The Committee examines the quality and standards of administration within the Civil Service and scrutinises the reports of the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman.

The committee is elected by the House of Commons from the three largest political parties.  Committee members choose their own subjects of inquiry and seek evidence from a wide range of groups and individuals with relevant interests and experience. The committee produces reports setting out their findings and make recommendations to the Government. 

Total Politics Diary of the Week

25 June 2010

Michael Dugher MP has written the Diary of the Week column for the Total Politics magazine.  You can read it on the Total Politics website.

Osborne is making the mistakes that could lead to a new great depression

24 June 2010

Michael Dugher MP has written an article about the emergency Budget in today’s Yorkshire Post.  Read the article on the Yorkshire Post website here:  Osborne is making the mistakes that could lead to a new great depression

Michael Dugher's angry reaction to Osborne’s Budget

23 June 2010

Michael Dugher MP was quoted in the Mirror today, giving his response to the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Budget.  He said:

“It showed how callous, arrogant and smug the coalition Government is.  They have just thrown thousands out of work and introduced a Budget to hammer the most hard-pressed. And they sat there sniggering.”

Read the full article here: Pensioners, poor & families battered as George Osborne raises VAT to 20%

Intervention during Debate on Strategic Defence Review

22 June 2010

Michael Dugher MP made an intervention to the Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox MP, during the Strategic Defence and Security Review Debate on 21 June 2010.  Read the intervention below or click here to read the full exchange.   

“I welcome the Secretary of State and his team to their positions.  When in opposition, he was always steadfast and unwavering in his calls for a larger Army. Does he share my concern and that of my constituents that the review ought not to be used as a way of delivering major cuts to Army manning levels, which would be quite unwise and, indeed, dangerous?” 

Michael Dugher on the Strategic Defence Review, published on the Labour Uncut website

21 June 2010

Labour Uncut has published a piece by Michael Dugher MP on the Strategic Defence Review. Read the article below, or click here to see it on Labour Uncut.

At the General Election, all three main parties were committed to holding a strategic defence review (SDR) as part of their manifestos for government. Today in the House of Commons, the debate begins as to how we configure our armed forces for the challenges we face in the coming years. How Labour engages in this will be important.

In February, Labour in government produced Adaptability and Partnership: Issues for the Strategic Defence Review, the green paper which paved the way for the SDR. The document set out very well the principles that underpin Labour’s approach.

The first is that we cannot simply “defend our own goal line”. This is a response to the “troops out” message that goes out, not just from anti-war protesters, but from sections of the media and parts of the wider public, usually in response to ever-mounting casualties in Afghanistan.

Read more...

Michael Dugher MP on the Today Programme’s ‘Yesterday in Parliament’

17 June 2010

Michael Dugher MP featured in the ‘Yesterday in Parliament’ section of BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday 15 June.  If you would like to listen, click here and scroll to the 44th minute.  He asks the Prime Minister David Cameron:

Given that our forces are engaged in Afghanistan, does the Prime Minister share my anger about how the departure of the Chief of the Defence Staff was announced-in an interview between the Defence Secretary and a national newspaper? Did the CDS not deserve rather better than that?

Michael Dugher's Maiden Speech: Government Support for Industry Debate, Wednesday 16 June 2010

16 June 2010

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East) (Lab): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for this opportunity to make my maiden speech. I warmly congratulate the hon. Member for Bracknell (Dr Lee) and my hon. Friends the Members for Bolton West (Julie Hilling), for Wansbeck (Ian Lavery) and for North West Durham (Pat Glass) on their excellent contributions to the debate today.

Barnsley East is a new constituency, albeit one with an old name. It is made up of wards in the old constituency of Barnsley East and Mexborough and in the old Barnsley West and Penistone seat, so it is my privilege today to pay tribute to not one but two predecessors. Jeff Ennis served the people of Barnsley for three decades, first as a local councillor, rising to become leader of Barnsley council, then as the Member of Parliament for Barnsley East and Mexborough. Born and bred in Grimethorpe, he still regards himself as a “Grimey” lad. He was not merely from that community; he was always part of it.

Jeff Ennis was well known in this House, not least as an animal lover, particularly those animals of the four-legged variety that can be seen at events such as the 2.15 at Newmarket, the 3 o’clock at Cheltenham and the 3.30 at Sandown—votes permitting, of course. Hon. Members might know that Grimethorpe is the home of the world-famous Grimethorpe colliery band. The band featured in the film “Brassed Off”, which was set in my constituency. Indeed, Jeff Ennis helped to set up the all-party group on brass bands. He understood as much as anyone that the elites who run the world of culture do not always properly reflect and support the culture and entertainment of working-class communities, and in a small but important way, this highlights the insight that Jeff Ennis was able to bring to the House. He was always a powerful and authentic voice for working-class people.

I mentioned that I also had the privilege of representing wards that were part of the Barnsley West and Penistone seat, which was represented with great distinction for the better part of 20 years by Michael Clapham—better known to us all as Mick Clapham. It is fair to say that, in the brief time that I worked in the Labour Whips Office, Mick’s name would occasionally appear on the lists of hon. Members who might require extra assistance in finding their way through the appropriate voting Lobby. I know that he opposed ID cards, tuition fees and the Iraq war, which puts him on broadly the same platform as all the candidates for the Labour leadership. I am sure that that will amuse him, and slightly surprise him.

I was privileged to be present at the unveiling of a memorial by the steps of the town hall in Barnsley to mark all the men and boys who were killed or injured while working in the pits in and around Barnsley. Mick Clapham spoke movingly, and without notes. In this place, he was able to use his tremendous experience to considerable effect, especially in helping to secure much-needed compensation for former miners. I know that he will continue to use his experience in his capacity as chair of the Government’s important review committee on the regeneration of the coalfield communities.

Mick embodied one of the finest traditions of this House in being one of the large number of former miners who have served here. My hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) represents this tradition extremely well, as do others, including my fellow new Member, my hon. Friend the Member for Wansbeck (Ian Lavery). The number of former miners in the House is, sadly, reducing and it is my view that the House of Commons is the poorer for it.

The area I represent remains a community built on coal. I myself grew up in Edlington, the site of the main Yorkshire colliery, and the house I grew up in overlooked the pit. My brother and his family still live in the same house. In not-too-distant history, coal mining in Barnsley accounted for more than 30,000 jobs, with many more dependent on that employment. My constituency has had more than a dozen pits at one time or another. Today, the number is zero, and we are still dealing today with the consequence of the closure of those pits.

My constituents are proud—very proud—of their industrial heritage. They remember the jobs of the past, but they want the jobs of the future. The question today, then, is how we continue to give people the opportunities they need and how we can continue to transform lives and life chances. The context was set out very well by the leader of Barnsley council, Stephen Houghton, in the “Tackling Worklessness Review” of March last year. How we use the power of Government, working with the private sector and with local government to promote employment in areas like my own is extremely important.

I have to say that the policies of the new coalition Government are not encouraging. There seems to be complete hostility towards the public sector, and complete hostility towards the role of Government: it is always the Government who are the problem, and they can never be a force for good. That was certainly the Prime Minister’s and the Chancellor’s rhetoric. We heard, I thought, a slightly different tone from the Secretary of State in his rather baffling performance today, but I am sure that we will get to the bottom of where he is coming from.

The abolition of the future jobs fund, which was pioneered in Barnsley, was a major blow and a matter of profound regret for me and my constituents. We are also seeing the beginning of the hidden cuts in education that are affecting schools across Barnsley right now. This is not new politics, but old economics. The mistakes of the 1920s are being repeated today—the sort of deflationary policies that we are now seeing repeated nearly a century later. By itself, the private sector cannot possibly deliver all the decent jobs in areas like mine that have fundamental structural problems.

To finish, George Orwell spent some time in Barnsley when he was researching “The Road to Wigan Pier”. He once said, in a rather critical way:

“A Yorkshireman in the South will always take care to let you know that he regards you as an inferior. If you ask him why, he will explain… The Northerner has ‘grit’, he is… ‘dour’, plucky, warm-hearted, and democratic; the Southerner is soft, effeminate, and lazy”.

That might be slightly uncharitable towards southerners—[Interruption.] I emphasise the word “slightly”. Despite the serious threats we in Barnsley face from the new Government and despite the challenges that lie ahead, I am convinced that the greatest asset we have in Barnsley are the people of Barnsley. It is their talent, their skills, their hard work, their ingenuity, and their pride in themselves and their compassion for others that make me so very proud to represent them here today.

Michael Dugher Elected as MP for Barnsley East

8 May 2010

In the early hours of 7 May 2010, it was announced that Michael Dugher had been elected as the the new MP for Barnsley East with 47 percent of the vote.

The full results were:

Michael Dugher, Labour, 18,059

John Brown, Liberal Democrat, 6,969

James Hockney, Conservative, 6,329

Colin Porter, British National Party, 3,301

Tony Watson, UK Independence Party, 1,731

Kevin Hogan, Independent, 712

Eddie Devoy, Independent, 684

Ken Capstick, Socialist Labour Party, 601

It was also a good night for Labour in the Barnsley local elections with the Labour group increasing its majority from one to 11.

Michael Dugher's Declaration of Interests

23 April 2010

The Committee for Standards in Public Life has recommended that candidates at parliamentary elections should publish a declaration of interests.

This is not a statutory requirement, but the Labour Party supports this because of our commitment to maximum transparency and in demanding the highest standards in public life. To that end, please click here to see Michael Dugher's declaration. 

Jeff Ennis and Michael Clapham Endorse Michael Dugher

9 April 2010

Jeff Ennis, the retiring MP for Barnsley East and Mexborough, and Michael Clapham, the retiring MP for Barnsley West & Penistone, have both endorsed the Labour Party candidate for Barnsley East Michael Dugher.

Mr Ennis, pictured on the right with Michael Dugher, said: “It's been a real pleasure and an honour to have served the people of Barnsley East in Parliament over the last fourteen years. I’m in no doubt that Michael Dugher will be a great MP and a strong voice for the constituency.” 

The re-established seat of Barnsely East will include areas of Mr Clapham's current constituency. 

Mr Clapham said: "It has been a great privilege and a pleasure to represent the people of Hoyland, Milton, Rockingham and Worsbrough. I know that Michael Dugher will carry on the good work and be an excellent MP for the new constituency."

Michael Dugher Selected As The Labour Candidate For Barnsley East

16 March 2010

Michael Dugher has been selected by local members to be Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Barnsley East. After the vote was announced, Michael Dugher, who was born in Edlington, said it would be a "tremendous privilege" to "work hard" for the people of Barnsley.

He said: "For someone who grew up in a pit village in South Yorkshire, as I did, it will be a tremendous privilege to work hard for the people of Barnsley East.

"I will be campaigning for a fair future for all in Barnsley, to secure the jobs of the future and to make sure that our young people have great opportunities.

"I would like to pay tribute to Jeff Ennis, for all his years of hard work for local people.

"I will also be campaigning alongside Labour's excellent council leader Steve Houghton to make sure that every Labour councillor and candidate is returned in this May's local election in Barnsley."

Click here to find out more about Michael.