Michael encourages people to support Barnsley's local markets, as 'Love Your Local Market' fortnight begins

16 May 2013

As reported in today's Barnsley Chronicle, Michael is encouraging people to get out and support their local markets and high streets during ‘Love Your Local Market’ fortnight.

As a regular visitor to Hoyland and Wombwell markets I understand how important they are to support and what a shame it would be to see them disappearing from our streets.

Part of making sure that we keep a vibrant local market and high street is to have the support of the local community, but there is also a lot that the Government could do to help struggling retailers. 

Consumer confidence has been badly hit by the government’s VAT hike and the squeeze on family incomes.  It is no surprise that retail sales have remained sluggish. The Government should enact a temporary VAT cut and give local people a real say over the future of their high street.

You can support your local market at Hoyland every Tuesday and Saturday, 8:30am – 3:00pm and Wombwell on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, also 8:30am – 3:00pm.

Click here to find out more about ‘Love Your Local Market’ fortnight.

Michael calls for a Compulsory Jobs Guarantee to tackle long-term unemployment in Barnsley

17 May 2013

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael has called on the Government to take action and introduce Labour’s Compulsory Jobs Guarantee to tackle long-term unemployment in Barnsley.

Although figures released this week show a slight decrease in the overall figures of those claiming Job Seekers Allowance in Barnsley East, nationally we know unemployment is rising. In Barnsley East long-term unemployment has increased 17% in the last year and long term youth unemployment in Barnsley Local Authority has increased by 28%.

Commenting on the new unemployment statistics, Michael Dugher MP said:

“It is incredibly concerning that long term unemployment is up 17% on the year, and long-term youth unemployment is up 28%.  It is clear that this Government’s policies are not working for the people of Barnsley.

“The Coalition Government needs to take urgent action to tackle this. A Jobs Bill should be introduced to bring in Labour's Compulsory Jobs Guarantee to get anyone out of work for more than two years back into a job; a job people must take or lose their benefits. Failure to address this will risk condemning a whole generation to joblessness.

“While the people of Barnsley are out of work for longer, all Tory MPs can do is bicker amongst themselves about Europe. They are letting the people of Barnsley down.”

Michael helps bring Yorkshire Pride to the Palace of Westminster

16 May 2013

Michael welcomed Dave Hughes and David Broadhead from the Barnsley based Acorn Brewery to Westminster this week, after arranging to have the Barnsley based brewery’s very own Yorkshire Pride served in Westminster’s Strangers’ Bar for the next couple of weeks.

Michael was able to jump behind the bar and serve up some Yorkshire Pride to the two brewers and other MPs, including Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central, who was able to meet up with them and show his support.

Acorn Brewery celebrate their tenth anniversary of brewing this month, this a great way to celebrate this achievement and a great opportunity to showcase some of the great produce made in Barnsley.

LabourList: ‘What school Cameron went to doesn’t matter to me – but what school you went to clearly does matter to David Cameron’

13 May 2013

Michael has written a blog post for LabourList about the reports that David Cameron’s only black working-class adviser has been pushed out of 10 Downing Street following the promotion of Old Etonians.

To read the blog, click here: ‘What school Cameron went to doesn’t matter to me – but what school you went to clearly does matter to David Cameron’

Top adviser to the Prime Minister caught boasting about the advantages of a recession

12 May 2013

As reported in The Observer today, the prime minister's adviser on enterprise has told the cabinet that the economic downturn is an excellent time for new businesses to boost profits and grow because Labour is cheap.

Responding, Michael said:

"This is yet more evidence of just how desperately out of touch David Cameron's Government has become.

"On a weekend when it was revealed that private school fees are apparently the only thing keeping David Cameron's clique up at night, now one of the Prime Minister's top advisers is caught boasting about the advantages of a recession.

"Whilst millions of hard-pressed families are feeling the squeeze and the Government gives out tax cuts for millionaires, Cameron's adviser seems to celebrate low wages for many in a recession.

"Once again the true face of Cameron's Government has been exposed".

UPDATE: politicis.co.uk has followed up on the story: “The upsides of recession: Young in trouble for focusing on silver lining”

Sunday Mirror: Nick Clegg could be forced out as Lib Dem leader before 2015 election as party forecast to win just 24 seats

13 May 2013

The Sunday Mirror is reporting today that senior Lib Dems are concerned after the party's drubbing in the local elections earlier this month.

In one local council, Cambridge, there was a 13.5 per cent swing from the Lib Dems to Labour.

That followed last November's 16.8 per cent swing from the Lib Dems to Labour in the Manchester Central by-election.

Michael, quoted in the article, said:

“Looking at recent results, Lib Dem MPs will be toppling like dominoes at the next election.

"And with Clegg's broken promises and his determination to prop up Cameron and his millionaire tax cuts, it's no wonder Lib Dems in Sheffield are worried."

Blog post: “As the number of food banks continue to rise, it’s time the Government faced up to the impact its policies are having in places like Barnsley”   

11 May 2013

Last week, Michael visited the Gateway Church Food Bank in Barnsley.  Following the visit, Michael has written a blog about the growing problem of food poverty. 

To read the blog, click here. 

Michael visits Gateway Church Food Bank in Barnsley

10 May 2013

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael visited the Gateway Church Food Bank in Barnsley last week to see all the great work that volunteers are doing.

With the economy flatlining and living standards being squeezed, more and more people are using food banks just to get by.  Last year, almost 350,000 turned up to food banks for help, almost triple the number who received food aid in the previous year and 100,000 more than anticipated.

Gateway Church Food Bank has been open for 11 weeks and has had 145 vouchers presented, feeding 365 people in crisis for three days, 39 of these vouchers were 2nd and 3rd visits.

(During the visit, Michael met (photo - left to right) Pastor Mark Reasbeck and two food bank co-ordinators, Janet and Steph.)

To find out more about the Gateway Church Food Bank, how to donate and the great work they do, you can visit their website here - http://gatewaybarnsley.org/foodbank/.

Commenting after the visit, Michael said:

“The UK is the seventh richest country in the world, but under this Tory-led Government many are seeing the rising cost of living, changes to benefits, unemployment and underemployment squeeze their household budgets so much that they are unable to afford to meet their basic needs.

“The number of people that Gateway Church Food Bank has helped in such a short time is concerning.  Without the excellent work of the volunteers at Gateway Church Food Bank and the kindness of the Barnsley community who donate to the food bank, these people would have had nowhere else to turn.

“The number of those turning to food banks has increased by a shocking 747% since the last full year of the previous Labour Government.  David Cameron and George Osborne have to take notice of the damage their policies are having and change course to provide jobs and growth for Barnsley.”

Michael presents Arctic Star service medal to veteran Ken Burkinshaw

10 May 2013

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle, Michael met with veteran Ken Burkinshaw last week to present him with the Arctic Star service medal in recognition for his dedicated service between 1940-1957 where he reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Ken, who lives in Hoyland in Barnsley and is President of the Hoyland and District branch of the Royal British Legion, served aboard HMS Sheffield when he was only 16 and completed nine trips to Russia in minus 35-40 degree conditions to deliver supplies.

Michael, also a member of the RBL, has been campaigning for veterans who braved the perilous conditions in the Arctic during the Second World War to be properly recognised and the Government finally announced last year that they would be award the Arctic Star.

Commenting after the meeting, Michael said:

"I am delighted to have presented the Arctic Star to one of Barnsley's veterans.

"It is throughly well deserved and this recognition is scandalously overdue. 

"Everyone in Barnsley is so proud and pleased that Ken's service and sacrifice has finally been honoured."

Michael criticises the Government for cutting nurses and putting patients’ lives at risk as new figures reveal the A&E unit at Barnsley Hospital is struggling

10 May 2013

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle, the South Yorkshire Times and the Sheffield Star, Michael has criticised the Government for cutting nurses and putting patients’ lives at risk as new figures show that the Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust A&E unit is struggling and has consistently missed its waiting time targets over the last six months.

Staffing shortages across the NHS have left A&E departments over-stretched and under severe pressure.

Yorkshire has lost 1,224 nurses since May 2010 and data published by the new NHS England body shows that the target of 95 per cent of patients being seen within four hours has been missed by the A&E unit at Barnsley Hospital in 24 of the last 26 weeks, with a total of 3,535 people having to wait more than four hours before being seen.

In October 2012, 96 per cent of people were being seen within four hours at the A&E unit at Barnsley Hospital.  This has now dropped to just 89 per cent.    

Commenting, Michael Dugher MP said:

“What's happening at the A&E unit at Barnsley Hospital is a real worry.     

"David Cameron promised the NHS would be safe on his watch, but instead his Government has haemorrhaged thousands of nurses and did nothing whilst A&Es struggled through the winter.

“Yorkshire has lost 1,224 nurses over the last three years and it’s patients who are suffering as the missed targets at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust demonstrate. 

"Patients should not be subjected to poor care because of the Government’s failings.  

“Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust must raise its game and Ministers need to come up with an urgent plan to bring all A&Es up to the required standard and ensure there are enough staff on the ground across the NHS to provide the safe care we need.”

Michael attends Grimethorpe Revival book launch

07 May 2013

Michael attended the book launch on Friday of Grimethorpe Revival, by Mel Dyke.

The book is about Grimethrope and a “creative counter movement in a coalfield community during the bleak days of the 1990s pit closures”. 

Michael contributed to the book, writing an article about the trauma that the miners’ strike and the subsequent pit closure programme had on areas like Edlington in the mid-eighties, where Michael grew up, and Grimethorpe later in the early 1990s.

To find out more about the book, or to order a copy, you can click here.

Michael visits Dearnevale Care Home in Grimethorpe

04 May 2013

Michael visited the Dearnevale Care Home in Grimethorpe on Friday to see the superb level of care offered to its residents.

The home provides care and support for people with complex physical disabilities resulting from trauma. It is made up of four units, each with ten beds.  The home is completely full and they expect their waiting list to increase.   

Manager, Jill Westwood, explained that 141 employees, mainly from the local area, provide specialist care to people from as far afield as Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.  They pride themselves on creating a homely atmosphere.

Commenting after his visit, Michael said:

"I would like to thank Mick Tillotson for helping to facilitate the visit.  It was great to see the amazing work that all the staff do at the home.  Their dedication and quality of care was really inspiring."

Michael calls on the Health Secretary to order an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the temporary suspension of surgery at Leeds

03 May 2013

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael has written to the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, calling on him to order an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the temporary suspension of surgery at the children’s heart unit in Leeds.

Michael has said that there appears to be serious questions, which have yet to be unanswered, regarding the decision to suspend surgery.  And there are also issues surrounding the timing of the move - coming just one day after a High Court decision to quash the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts’ decision to close the Leeds unit permanently.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh decided to suspend surgery at the hospital's child cardiac unit after he was given incomplete and unverified mortality data by Professor Sir roger Boyle.  However,
the unit has been reopened and it has been confirmed that the Leeds unit was safe all along and is safe still.  Professor Sir Roger Boyle has since been removed from playing any further part in the 'Safe and Sustainable' review of heart services due to the perception of bias against Leeds General Infirmary.

In his letter to the Health Secretary, Michael said:

“There remains a major concern about the use of mortality data that had not been verified. The use of the data was immediately criticised by various organisations, including, most significantly, representatives of the Central Cardiac Audit Database.  This was the actual source of the data and they have said publically that the Leeds unit’s mortality rates are within accepted ranges.  In addition, analysis from NICOR (the National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research) has revealed no statistically significant issues in terms of mortality at any of the units in England and Wales, including Leeds General Infirmary.

“It took a High Court judge to expose the fact that the 'Safe and Sustainable' process was unfair and unlawful.  This latest episode highlights the importance of bringing this whole situation to a swift conclusion. 

“Many children in Barnsley and across the region are reliant on the Leeds unit for urgent and on-going care so what is needed now is clarity for the worried parents of very sick children that the future of the Leeds unit is safe.”

Michael on the BBC Daily Politics show

29 April 2013

Michael was on the Daily Politics show today to talk about the upcoming local elections in England and Wales.

Click here to watch the full programme on iPlayer.

Sunday Mirror: “UKIP leader Nigel Farage facing calls to kick out racists”

29 April 2013

The Sunday Mirror has reported on the details that have emerged of some of the controversial candidates the UKIP party is fielding in Thursday’s council elections.

This follows revelations that a number of UKIP candidates have appeared on a membership list of the far-right British National Party.

Michael, quoted in the article, has called on Mr Farage to ensure any racists in his party were kicked out of the party.  He said:

“There is absolutely no place for racism in our politics. UKIP should be taking action and kicking out racist candidates.”

“UKIP look increasingly like a rabble and their policies to cut the NHS and other local services, while giving big tax cuts to the wealthiest, should worry people too.”

Michael speaks out against Bedroom Tax at rally in Barnsley

27 April 2013

Michael addressed a rally in Barnsley today, which was organised to protest against the Government’s Bedroom Tax.

Michael has been a leading critic of the Bedroom Tax, which came into effect on 1 April 2013. The Government’s new policy means that tenants in social housing will have their Housing Benefit reduced by 14 per cent if they have one spare bedroom, and 25 per cent if they have two or more spare bedrooms.

It is set to hit over three thousand households across Barnsley for under-occupying their homes even though the majority will not be offered any suitable smaller properties.

Michael attends Workers’ Memorial Day event in Barnsley

27 April 2013

Michael attended a Workers’ Memorial Day event in Barnsley today.

The event, which was held at The Cenotaph outside Barnsley Town Hall, was part of the international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled or injured by their work.

The Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Dorothy Higginbottom, Shaun Wright, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire and Dan Jarvis MP also attended the event.

Click here to find out more about Workers’ Memorial Day.

Ahead of the Bedroom Tax rally this Saturday, Michael demands assurances from Barnsley Council and Berneslai Homes that they will do everything possible to avoid evictions

26 April 2013

Michael has demanded assurances from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) and Berneslai Homes that they will do everything possible to avoid eviction following the introduction of the Government’s Bedroom Tax.   

Michael raised the issue this week during crunch talks with the Chief Executive of Berneslai Homes, Helen Jagger, and the Leader of Barnsley council, Stephen Houghton. 

Michael has been a leading critic of the Bedroom Tax and has been campaigning against it for months.  As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle and the Sheffield Star, Michael will be speaking at the rally organised in Barnsley on Saturday 27 April against the Government’s Bedroom Tax.    

Last week, Michael revealed that there are only 125 unoccupied one and two-bedroom council properties available in Barnsley at the moment, which means the vast majority of households affected by the Bedroom Tax will not be able to downsize to a smaller property.     

Berneslai Homes has confirmed to Michael that it will pursue the amounts outstanding as rent arrears for tenants who do not  pay the bedroom tax, but that comprehensive advice and assistance will be given to people and each case will be dealt with on its merits. 

The Bedroom Tax, which came into effect on 1 April 2013, means that tenants in social housing will have their Housing Benefit reduced by 14 per cent if they have one spare bedroom, and 25 per cent if they have two or more spare bedrooms.

Commenting, Michael said:

“I have spoken to Berneslai Homes and Barnsley council - they must do all they can to avoid evictions following the introduction of the Bedroom Tax.   

“The Government’s Bedroom Tax is clearly unfair as it penalises over three thousand households across Barnsley for under-occupying their homes even though the majority will not be offered any suitable smaller properties.

“Berneslai Homes has confirmed that they will pursue the amounts outstanding as rent arrears for tenants who do not pay the Bedroom Tax, but they have also assured me that they will give comprehensive advice and assistance to people and treat each case on its merits. 

“I will be speaking out against the Bedroom Tax at the rally in Barnsley on Saturday and I will also be keeping up the campaign in Westminster.  The Government needs to admit that it has got this horribly wrong and think again.”

Michael calls on the Government not to scrap the ASBO as new figures reveal the extent of the anti-social behaviour problem in Barnsley

26 April 2013

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael has urged the Government not to scrap the ASBO and called for faster action to help tackle anti-social behaviour in Barnsley. 

A detailed breakdown obtained by Freedom of Information Requests and research by statisticians from the House of Commons Library has revealed new figures, which show in the Barnsley local authority area, there were 12,719 anti-social behaviour incidents recorded by the police in 2012.

This means on average there were 55 anti-social behaviour incidents per 1,000 people in Barnsley in 2012.

The figures also paint a revealing picture of the scale of the anti-social behaviour problem at a police force wide area, with the South Yorkshire Police force recording 88,252 incidents of anti-social behaviour in 2012, which means on average there were 65.7 incidents of anti-social behaviour per 1,000 people.  This is the second highest rate in the country, only after incidents per thousand recorded by the Greater Manchester Police.

Commenting, Michael Dugher MP said:

“Anti-social behaviour is a serious problem. Last year, 12,719 anti-social behaviour incidents in Barnsley were recorded by the police.  But the Government is turning the clock back with their plans to scrap the ASBO and replace it with a weaker power which carries no criminal sanction for a breach.  The Government’s community trigger, which demands a response if a person has complained three times just isn’t good enough.

“The Government’s official crime survey has revealed that more than eight out of ten people believe anti social behaviour has risen in England and Wales in the last 12 months and nearly a third said that they had personally been a victim of yobbish behaviour or had witnessed an event in the last 12 months.

“People in Barnsley have the right to expect action right away and help to tackle an issue which is a huge worry.”

Michael votes for motion calling on the Government to drop its plans to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board

24 April 2013

Michael has voted today on a motion calling on the Government to drop its plans to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB).

The AWB was set up in 1948 to provide a fair wage and skills structure for agricultural workers.  It protects pay and conditions for 152,000 farm workers in England and Wales and it used as a benchmark for others employed in the food industry.   Over 42,000 casual workers could see a drop in wages as soon as they finish their next job once the AWB is gone.  And the remaining 110,000 could see their wages eroded over time.

In Michael’s Barnsley East constituency, 70 agricultural workers will be affected by the changes. 

The text of the motion Michael voted on today was:

ABOLITION OF THE AGRICULTURAL WAGES BOARD
That this House notes that the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) was set up in 1948 to provide a fair wage and skills structure for agricultural workers; recognises that it is used as a benchmark for other employment in the food industry and that it was the only wages council not to be scrapped in the 1980s; further notes that around a quarter of agricultural workers live in tied accommodation and that casual seasonal workers may move around the country; regrets that the Welsh Government’s wish to retain the AWB has been ignored by the Government; condemns the Government for its abolition of the AWB, which took place after just four weeks consultation and will take £260 million out of the rural economy over the next 10 years, lead to a race to the bottom on wages in rural areas, reduce living standards and impoverish rural workers, exacerbating social deprivation and harming social inclusion; further regrets that hon. Members could not debate that issue as part of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill; and calls on the Government to drop its plans to abolish the AWB.

Overall, the abolition of the AWB will take £260 million out of the rural economy over 10 years in lost sick pay and holiday entitlement according to Defra’s impact assessment.  This will take money out of village shops and high streets, hurting small businesses. 

The Government’s plans will also make it harder for small farms that will now have to negotiate pay and conditions themselves, creating more red tape.

During the last Tory Government, Mrs Thatcher tried to get rid of the AWB at the time when she abolished the Wages Councils, but she was forced to change her mind. This is a cut that even Mrs Thatcher did not dare go ahead with.

Commenting, Michael Dugher MP said:

“The Government should be helping rural families deal with rising living costs, not engaging in a race to the bottom in pay and conditions.

“The abolition of the AWB will save virtually nothing and it just demonstrates the Government’s failure to protect people who work in agriculture. 

“With the Government’s plans to abolish the AWB, there will be no minimum wage for children under 16 who drive tractors at weekends and in school holidays.  Seasonal workers will also lose the cap on the amount their employers can charge them for tied accommodation. 

“If incomes fall, rural workers may become entitled to tax credits, housing benefit and council tax benefit.  This will just add to the welfare bill and increase the deficit.  Scrapping the AWB will be bad both for rural growth and for national deficit reduction.  The Government needs to think again.”

Michael visits Northern College in Barnsley to talk to students

22 April 2013

Michael visited the Northern College for Residential Adult Education on Friday to talk to a number of students currently studying Politics.

The Northern College is a residential college dedicated to the education and training of people without formal qualifications and who are seeking to return to learning.  It also offers training for those who are active in community and voluntary groups.

The college has a national reputation for excellence and has been judged Outstanding by OfSTED.  Students come from many different backgrounds, with people of all ages - from 19 to 90 - often with families and dependants. 

To find out more about the college, you can visit their website at: www.northern.ac.uk.

Commenting after his visit, Michael said:

“It was great to visit Northern College, talk to students and to see the outstanding learning environment that the college provides. 

 “The college offers a high level of support and provides excellent opportunities for people who have been unemployed for long periods, or who have been struggling to get by with low paid jobs, to better their lives by securing the qualifications and skills they need to succeed.   

“With long-term unemployment still rising, I think the type of education and support that Northern College provides is needed now more than ever.”   

Michael meets with the Wombwell Tenants and Residents Association to listen to their concerns

22 April 2013

Michael met with the Wombwell Tenants and Residents Association on Friday to listen to their concerns regarding a number of local issues, such as mobility scooter regulation, welfare reform and the bedroom tax.

The community group is made up of local people acting in a voluntary capacity to promote and defend the interests of tenants and  residents in Wombwell. 

To find out more about the group, you can visit: http://www.berneslaihomes.co.uk/get-involved/tenants-and-residents-associations-taras/wombwell-tara/

Barnsley MPs meet with Culture Minister to discuss funding for Brass Bands

19 April 2013

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle and the Sheffield Telegraph today, Michael Dugher MP, Dan Jarvis MP and John Healey MP met with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey, on Monday 15 April to discuss funding for brass bands in the UK.  

Michael Dugher, Dan Jarvis and John Healey initially asked for the meeting following reports that the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band could be forced to stop playing due to a lack of funding.  This highlighted the wider financial pressures facing many brass bands across the UK.

At the meeting, the Barnsley MPs called on the Minister to help ensure that brass bands are accessing the various Arts Council funding streams available.  Mr Vaizey acknowledged that more needs to be done and said he will write to the MPs to outline clearly which funding programmes are suitable for brass bands to apply.  He also agreed to facilitate arranging a meeting with the Arts Council. 

For many years there has been an unfair distribution of funding between different musical art forms and this has particularly affected brass bands.  In 2011/12, the Arts Council allocated funding totalling £26million to the Royal Opera House in London and the English National Ballet received £6.4million.  Jazz Services Ltd, an organisation that represents Jazz bands, also received £433,723.  In comparison, the organisation responsible for supporting 458 brass band groups nationwide, the British Federation of Brass Bands (now Brass Bands England), only received £23,000.   

In a statement following the meeting, Michael Dugher MP, Dan Jarvis MP and John Healey MP said:

“The meeting with Mr Vaizey was very useful.  The situation facing Grimethrope Colliery Brass Band is mirrored across the country and we welcome the Minister’s acknowledgement that more needs to be done to make sure brass bands are accessing the available Arts Council funding programmes.

“A key part of this is to increase awareness of the funding that is potentially available for brass brands throughout the UK and to provide guidance during the application process.  Mr Vaizey said he would write to us to outline clearly which funding programmes are suitable for brass bands and he also agreed to facilitate arranging a meeting with the Arts Council as soon as possible.

“Brass bands are not only a vital part of the UK’s heritage, they are also still enjoyed by thousands of people around the country week in, week out.   Brass bands have been missing out on grants for far too long due to the unfair distribution of funding and it’s time this came to an end. 

“Our first meeting with the Minister was productive, but there is still a long way to go and we will be keeping up the pressure in the weeks ahead.”

Michael calls for defibrillators to be installed in all schools and public buildings across Barnsley

Michael Dugher MP
Shadow Minister without Portfolio

Michael to officially open the “Party in the Park” Diamond Jubilee event in Elsecar

01 June 2012

Michael will officially open the “Party in the Park” Diamond Jubilee event in Elsecar on 2nd June 2012, which is being arranged at the Royal British Legion (Hoyland and District Branch).

Michael is due to open the event at 12:30pm.  The celebrations will take place in and around the Band Stand at Elsecar Park. 

The events on the day will consist of live Music from the Yorkshire Band of the Royal British Legion, including a Pipe Band and Opera Singer. 

The D-Coy Bridwell Detachment of the Army Cadet Force will be supplying a Climbing wall and also taking part in a small affiliation parade.   And there will also be several craft stalls at the event, including: a Cream Tea Stall; Face painting; Tombola; Live Raffle and much more!

The Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 1 June 2012

Michael backs charity’s campaign for early diagnosis of children’s heart conditions

01 June 2012

Michael has backed a new campaign by the UK’s leading children’s heart charity, The Children’s Heart Federation, which seeks to increase early diagnosis of heart conditions for children.  

The Think HEART campaign aims to empower and inform parents giving them the confidence to raise their concerns about their child with their doctor or a health professional.

Heart problems go undiagnosed in far too many children and Think HEART will increase early diagnosis and help to save children’s lives.  These conditions affect around 20 children a year in Barnsley.  Nationally, the figures is 5,000 children a year, almost 1 per cent of all children and currently only around a third of them are picked up before birth.

Commenting, Michael said:

“I am delighted to support the Think HEART campaign - it is a fantastic cause.  At a time of limited resources, such a campaign which relies on parent power to increase awareness and empower other parents is extremely valuable.  Together we can make sure that children with congenital heart problems are diagnosed much sooner.  This campaign will help save lives in Barnsley and reduce the impact on children and their families.”

The Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 1 June 2012

Michael demands action after new figures reveal that the cost of metal theft from Church property in Barnsley has more than tripled

28 May 2012

As reported on the WeAreBarnsley website today, Michael is demanding action after a Parliamentary question has revealed that the cost of metal theft from Churches in Barnsley has more than tripled since 2010.

Tony Baldry, the MP who represents the Church Commissioners in Parliament, responded to a Parliamentary question from Michael and revealed that the cost of metal theft to Church of England property in Barnsley metropolitan borough went from £7,000 in 2010 to £22,000 in 2011. 

Michael is calling on the Government to change the law to make it easier to stop metal theft.   He has discussed the issue with local Police Officers in Barnsley and is now supporting a campaign to get the Government to introduce a four point plan to tackle the growing problem. 

The plan, which is supported by the British Transport Police, the Association of Chief Police Officers and Neighbourhood Watch, includes:

• Licensing scrap metal dealers, rather than current registration with Local Authority.
• Move to ban cash transactions especially for large scale/high value scrap metal transactions.
• Tougher police powers to close rogue traders down.
• Anyone selling scrap to provide proof of identity, recorded at point of sale.

Commenting, Michael said:

“This Government needs to go further if it is to effectively tackle the growing crime of metal theft in Barnsley.  Churches are considered soft targets due to their lack of security and more needs to be done. 

“The police have been clear they require greater powers to enter scrap metal yards and close dealers not obeying the rules.  Metal theft is becoming an epidemic and the Government needs to go further.”

Labour List article: Last week was a shocker for the Government. This week is no better – and it’s only Wednesday

28 May 2012

Michael has written an article for LabourList today about why David Cameron will no doubt be grateful for the fact there is no Prime Minister’s Questions today. 

Click here to read the article: Last week was a shocker for the Government. This week is no better – and it’s only Wednesday

Wheelchair basketball player from Barnsley selected to represent Great Britain at the Paralympic Games

28 May 2012

Michael has written to congratulate the Barnsley wheelchair basketball player, Ian Sagar, for being selected to represent Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in London.

Ian, who lives in Hoyland, was selected this week and will be making his debut at the Games this summer. 

Ian had a motorcycle accident in 1999, when he was 17, which resulted in a spinal cord injury.   He learned about the sport while working as a salesman for a wheelchair company, but started playing seriously when he joined the Sheffield Steelers aged 23.  His national debut came in 2009 when he was part of the Great Britain squad at the World Cup.

Commenting on Ian’s selection to the Paralympic team, Michael said:

“This is brilliant news for Barnsley.  We are so proud of Ian and I am sure the whole borough will be thrilled at Ian's fantastic achievement.  As well as offering my congratulations, like other local people I will be glued to the TV cheering him on.”  

Ian’s coach, Murray Treseder, said:

“Ian has been crucial since 2009. The role he has is the strongest on the floor. No doubt he’s part of the strongest combination we have on the court. He has the ability to play against deeper and higher classifications than himself, players with less impairment. That makes him a crucial player. He plays above his point. He’s effective at finishing off at close or medium range. He’s a very good team member, and has a superb work-rate.”

Dementia Awareness Week 2012

23 May 2012 

This week is Dementia Awareness Week, an annual awareness campaign to increase understanding of dementia and to help people realise that there's more to a person than the dementia.

A survey released to mark Dementia Awareness Week found that 16 per cent of people would like to know more about the condition, with 18 to 24-year-olds the most keen to learn more (25 per cent) compared to 15 per cent of over-55s.  So as part of the week, the campaign has created a video to outline the five things that everyone should know about dementia.  You can watch the video below:

Michael is a patron of BIADS - Barnsley Independent Alzheimer's & Dementia Support.  To find out more about their brilliant work, visit: http://www.biads.org.uk

Labour launches NHS Check website – a new way of joining the frontline to defend the NHS

22 May 2012 

Labour has launched NHS Check - a new website that enables people to report the impact of David Cameron’s damaging changes to the NHS.

Labour will draw on the information to hold David Cameron to account and reveal what’s really happening to the NHS under his Government.

Commenting, Michael said:

“David Cameron promised to protect the NHS, but he has broken this promise and now patients are already paying the price for his mismanagement.  I encourage people to visit the new NHS Check website to help us hold him to account.”

The Independent: Cash-for-access inquiry deemed a whitewash before it's even begun

21 May 2012 

The Independent is reporting today on the news that the Conservative Party's internal inquiry into the cash-for-access scandal has no specific mention of the Prime Minister or Downing Street in its remit.

Michael has criticised this absence of Mr Cameron from Lord Gold's remit.  Quoted in the article in The Independent, he said:

"This is an inquiry by the Tory party, of the Tory party and for the Tory party.

"It is a completely inadequate response to cash-for-access allegations which go right to the heart of David Cameron's government. The terms of reference give no mention of whether the Prime Minister thinks it's appropriate to give access to No 10 in return for big cash donations. Nor do they give any reassurance that the Conservative Party will fully answer questions about exactly how donations are solicited and what is promised in return."

Michael on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour

21 May 2012 

Michael was on Westminster Hour last night talking about relations between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. 

To listen to the programme, click here and scroll to 35:16. 

Michael attends Special Olympics athletics event in Barnsley

20 May 2012 

On Saturday morning, Michael attended the Special Olympics Yorkshire and Humberside Regional athletics event at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium in Cudworth, Barnsley.

Michael had the opportunity to meet with many of the participants and also presented some of the medals to the winning athletes. 

Commenting, Michael said:

“It was a privilege to attend the Special Olympics event in Barnsley.  I would like to thank Janet Nolan and the other organisers for all their hard work putting the event together. 

“The Special Olympics Great Britain does amazing work in offering year-round sport training and competition opportunities for all people with intellectual (learning) disabilities, regardless of their ability.  For anyone who is interested in getting involved or helping out, I would encourage you to visit their website for more information - www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk.”

New figures today reveal that long-term youth unemployment in Barnsley has risen by a massive 170 per cent in the last year

16 May 2012 

Michael has accused Ministers of not caring about what is happening in Barnsley as new figures released by the Office for National Statistics reveal that the number of 18 to 24 year olds in Barnsley who have been unemployed for more than twelve months has risen by a massive 170 per cent in the last year.

The new figures also show that the overall level of youth unemployment in Barnsley is currently at 2,800 - a 15 per cent increase in the last 12 months.  On top of that, the total number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Barnsley has also risen sharply - it now stands at 7,830, a 12 per cent increase over the last 12 months. 

In Barnsley, there are now 9.3 people chasing every job.  This figure was 4.7 a year ago. 

Commenting on the new unemployment statistics, Michael said:

“Youth unemployment in Barnsley keeps on rising month on month yet the Government still refuses to take the necessary action.  Ministers just don’t seem to care about what is happening here in Barnsley. 

“People are fighting through these difficult economic times while this Government fails to lift a finger to help.       

“There are many things that Ministers could do to help, such as introducing a tax on bankers' bonuses to fund 100,000 youth jobs and a tax break for small firms taking on extra workers to help get Britain back to work.  They should also introduce a “Real Jobs Guarantee” scheme for young people, which would tackle the problem of long-term youth unemployment by providing a six-month paid placement, preferably in the private sector, for all 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than twelve months.  This would help over 400 young people in Barnsley.   

“Ministers need to wake up to the jobs crisis they're responsible for and take urgent action.”

Financial Times: ‘Ministers attacked over repeated U-turns’

13 May 2012 

The Financial Times has reported today on the repeated U-turns on government initiatives which Ministers scrapped after taking power and have since reinstate.

Michael, quoted in the article, said the U-turns were a sign of “chronic incompetence” by the government.  He added:  “Ministers just don’t get it, which is why they continue to get it wrong time and time again. Their incompetence is costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds.”

Click here to read the full article: “Ministers attacked over repeated U-turns” (paywall)

Ministers should stop blaming other people for their mistakes

13 May 2012 

The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has called on businesses to stop "complaining" about the economy and work harder.

Responding to these comments, Michael - quoted on the BBC News website and in The Independent on Sunday - said:

"The Conservatives said after the local elections that they had got the message," he said.

"Instead, these out-of-touch government ministers are burying their heads in the sand and just want to blame everybody else for the fact their economic plan has failed.

"The truth is it's ministers who need to 'work harder' - at getting an economy that promotes growth and creates jobs."

Out and about in the constituency

11 May 2012 

Michael had a busy day in the constituency today.  

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle and the Sheffield Star, he visited Barnsley Hospice Stairfoot furniture store to support their campaign to encourage more donations to charity shops. 

Barnsley Hospice receives £1.6m from the NHS each year, but has to raise an additional £1.9m to stay open. Its retail shops generate about £900,000 a year.  Items can be donated at any of the shops between 9am and 4pm Monday to Saturday, or left in the shed at the back of the hospice.  For further information about Barnsley Hospice, visit www.barnsleyhospice.org

Michael also officially opened the Co-operative Funeralcare centre in Hoyland town centre:

And visited Kendray Primary School to plant a tree with students to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee:

And lastly, Michael also visited the Newcomen Beam Engine in Elsecar with the Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund (Yorkshire), Fiona Spiers.  Back in March, Michael welcomed the announcement by the Heritage Lottery Fund that it has awarded £425,000 to Barnsley Council for the restoration of the Newcommen Beam Engine in Elsecar. For more information, click here.

The South Yorkshire Times, 17 May 2012

Blog post: 'The Government should be acting to cut crime, not the police'

10 May 2012 

Michael has written a new blog post about the Police Federation’s march today in Westminster and the Government’s 20 per cent cuts to the policing budget.

Click here to read the post.

Michael criticises the Queen’s Speech for failing to offer any proposals to boost growth, create jobs or help people’s living standards

09 May 2012 

Michael has criticised the Government for missing the opportunity of the Queen’s Speech today to begin taking responsibility for getting Britain back to growth and for easing the squeeze on those on middle and lower incomes. 

Commenting after the Queen’s Speech, Michael said:

“The Government’s economic failure was central to the message given by the public last week.  The speech today was supposed to be the Government’s answer to that clear verdict, but instead the message was one of no change.  This is despite the Government delivering the first double-dip recession in 37 years and the worst unemployment in 16 years. In Barnsley, there are now over 12 people on JSA chasing every job vacancy, compared to just four a year ago. 

“The Government has also chosen not to find room for action to deal with living standards, energy prices, social care or train prices.  These are the big issues that families in Barnsley are worried about yet Ministers have refused to listen. The Government has set out the wrong priorities and it is now clearer than ever how out of touch it is with millions of families and pensioners across the country.”    

*** Click here to read Ed Miliband’s response to the Queen’s Speech

"If this coalition fails us again, we will all pay the price"

09 May 2012 

Michael has written an article for the Yorkshire Post today about how David Cameron and Nick Clegg have a chance in today's Queen's Speech to begin taking responsibility for getting Britain back to growth and for easing the squeeze on middle and lower income people.

Click here to read the article.

Michael on BBC Daily Politics show

09 May 2012  

Michael was on the Daily Politics show yesterday.

Click here to watch the full programme.

Michael says Mr Cameron is showing increasing signs of "bunker mentality"

08 May 2012

Writing in the Daily Telegraph yesterday, David Cameron insisted that he understands the message from the local elections “loud and clear” and will now put in some "hard work". 

In response to the article, Michael - quoted in the Metro, BBC News and the Huffington Post - said:

"David Cameron is showing increasing signs of having a bunker mentality. After two years in Downing Street, with one million young people out of work and an economy in recession, he says the lesson is that he needs to put in some 'hard work'.

“Only this out-of-touch Prime Minister would have taken 730 days to figure that out. Cameron thinks the message from the local elections is that he should plough on with his policies regardless.

“The problem is not the Government's spin, it's Cameron and Osborne's recession. Until we see a proper plan for jobs and growth, and real help for people whose incomes are being squeezed, no one will believe that David Cameron gets it."

Michael raises concerns about the loss of 49 police officers who respond to 999 emergency calls in South Yorkshire

08 May 2012

As reported in the South Yorkshire Times, Michael has raised concerns about the loss of 49 police officers who respond to 999 emergency calls in South Yorkshire.

Analysis by the House of Commons library of data provided by the South Yorkshire Police has shown that since March 2011, 49 fewer police officers are available to respond to 999 emergency calls in South Yorkshire - that’s a 3 per cent decrease in the last 12 months.

Overall, the number of police officers we have lost in South Yorkshire since May 2010 is now 119.   And by 2015, South Yorkshire Police are set to lose 436 police officers and 680 police staff as a result of the cuts to Police funding.

Commenting, Michael said:

“These cuts to police officers who respond to 999 emergency calls are extremely worrying.  Our Chief Constable has been put in an impossible position by the scale of police funding cuts he is being forced to implement.  I recognise that savings need to be made, but the cuts are going too far and too fast, with the steepest cuts in the first two years.  That’s just not right.”

Local election results in Barnsley

04 May 2012

In the local elections in Barnsley, Labour has made nine gains from the 21 seats contested. This included five of the six wards up for election in the Barnsley East constituency.

Seven of the nine gains were at the expense of the Barnsley Independent Group. Another gain was from an independent councillor with no affiliation and the last was in Penistone West, where the Conservative Mayor of Penistone, Steve Webber, was unseated.

Labour's majority now stands at 41 (with 52 seats altogether), compared to five in the Barnsley Independent Group, five Conservatives, and one independent, Councillor Harry Spence.

The big gains for Labour in Barnsley have also been reflected across the country, with Labour taking control of a number of councils, including: Birmingham, Southampton and Harlow.

Commenting on the election results in Barnsley, Michael said:

“This was a great result for Labour. I want to congratulate all our candidates who have worked so hard and pay tribute to our brilliant organiser Rory Bickerton.

“The results in Barnsley send a clear message to Cameron and Clegg that they must change course and that we have had enough of their economically flawed and unfair policies.”

Michael’s statement on the news of the death of local teenager Liam Collier

05 May 2012

It has been reported that 15-year-old Liam Collier, from Barnsley, was pronounced dead in woodland in Elsecar shortly after emergency services were alerted to the discovery of a body on Monday night. Commenting on the sad news, Michael said:

“Like all local residents, I was shocked and extremely saddened to hear of the death of Liam Collier.  My heart goes out to his family and friends - and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this most difficult of times.”

The latest local news report can be seen below:

South Yorkshire Times: "Dead teenager found in woods identified"

The Sheffield Star: "Tragic teenager died soon after losing mum"

Barnsley Bitter served to MPs in the Palace of Westminster 

04 May 2012

Michael has arranged for the award-winning Barnsley Bitter to be served as the guest ale in the House of Commons bar for MPs, Strangers’ Bar.    

Barnsley Bitter is brewed at Acorn Brewery (in Michael’s constituency), which was started up from scratch by chief brewer Dave Hughes and his wife Judi in 2003. 

Yesterday (Monday 30 April 2012) was the first day that Barnsley Bitter was served in Parliament and Michael was joined in Strangers’ Bar by fellow local MP John Healey as well as Dave Hughes and David Broadhead from Acorn Brewery.

Michael got behind the bar and pulled a few pints of the local bitter for eagerly awaiting MPs.  

Commenting, Michael said:   

“I wanted to get Barnsley Bitter served in the Palace of Westminster as I think it is a great opportunity to showcase such a fantastic local brew.   It is also brilliant to be able to share some of Barnsley’s finest produce with colleagues in Parliament.

“It was great that Dave Hughes and David Broadbent from Acorn Brewery could come down to see how well it was being received by MPs. 

“Acorn Brewery produces many popular beers so hopefully this will be the first of many local bitters enjoyed by parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster.”  

Click here to find out more about Acorn Brewery and Barnsley Bitter.

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 4 May 2012

Michael supports campaign to ensure that young Barnsley ballet dancer can take up her place at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy

03 May 2012

Michael is supporting a campaign to help make sure that a talented local 16-year-old girl from Barnsley, Tala Lee-Turton, can train in Russia at the prestigious classical ballet training school, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy (www.balletacademy.ru).

Tala has recently been offered the chance-of-a-lifetime to be one of a small group of British students that have trained and studied at the school.  

The four-year training programme commences in September 2012, but without financial support Tala will not be able to realise her dream.  Tala’s family have now started a local sponsorship campaign to raise at least 75 per cent of the required funds.  The school fees alone are €13,000 per year and there will also be air fares and health insurance cover.

Tala is from Barnsley in South Yorkshire and has attended Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Tring, Hertfordshire, since 2007, after winning a coveted Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) scholarship.

She initially trained at a school in Barnsley (Fearons-Middleton School of Dance) and attended outreach programmes of the Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet and the Yorkshire Ballet Scholarship Centre. She has also more recently been personally coached by the Bristol Russian Ballet School, which is where she found her love for the Russian method of training.  Tala has also performed with both English National Ballet and American Ballet Theatre at the Coliseum in London in performances of Nutcracker and Le Corsaire.

Training at the Bolshoi Academy will boost Tala’s career prospects immensely, providing her with the opportunity of a career across Europe and the rest of the world.  She will have to learn Russian in the first year so that she can study academic subjects in the second to fourth years – all delivered in Russian – alongside the four year dance programme.

Commenting, Michael said:

“The Bolshoi Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the world and it is fantastic that Tala has been offered this incredible opportunity.  Only eight British students have studied at the Bolshoi in its 239 year history and Tala will be the first from Barnsley and indeed the first student from Yorkshire.

“I have been in touch with Tala’s family and I am going to do all I can to drum up support.  I am sure Tala will do a great job representing the UK and I know she will make Barnsley and Yorkshire very proud.  I would encourage people and businesses across Barnsley to consider sponsoring Tala’s studies and doing all they can to support her in fulfilling her ambitions and becoming a great ambassador for the region.”

3 May 2012, South Yorkshire Times

** If you would like more information about becoming a potential sponser, please e-mail michael.dugher.mp@parliament.uk and we will pass on the contact details.**   

Michael says that Lib Dems must pay back Michael Brown's dodgy donation

01 May 2012

Michael has called on the Liberal Democrats to pay back Michael Brown’s £2.4 million donation.  Michael said:

"Michael Brown's long flight from justice is over - but the Lib Dems are still refusing to do the decent thing and pay back the £2.4 million he gave them.

"Until Nick Clegg returns Michael Brown's dodgy donation, nobody will be able to take him seriously when he says he wants to clean up politics.”

Michael votes against suspending Sunday trading restrictions during the Olympics

01 May 2012

Last night, Michael voted against the Government's proposals to temporarily suspend the Sunday Trading Act restrictions during the Olympics.  To see why, see below Michael’s letter to constituents regarding this matter.

Letter to constituents regarding the Government's proposals to temporarily suspend the Sunday Trading Act restrictions during the Olympics:

Thank you for contacting me recently regarding the Government's proposals to temporarily suspend the Sunday Trading Act restrictions during the Olympics.

The current Sunday Trading laws were put in place after extensive consultation and several years of negotiation with interested parties, including unions, businesses and religious organisations, to build the consensus that has remained to this day.

After much thought, I decided to vote against the proposed changes in Parliament yesterday as I believe that there are still many concerns that Ministers have failed to address, plus I felt that the Government has failed to properly consult retailers, the people who work in the industry or indeed the public.

In relation to the Government's proposals, I am particularly concerned about employment rights and whether working on Sundays during the temporary period will remain entirely voluntary for staff.  There are also questions as to whether employees would be given adequate time to refuse to work on Sundays without the usual notice to their employer.  The Labour Party sought to amend the Bill, to improve the level of protection for workers, but the Government chose to block it.  We also sought to limit the hours large shops can open to offer some protection to employees, and to reduce any negative effect on smaller shops, but again the Government chose to reject this.

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) has found that over 73 per cent of retail shop workers believe that longer opening hours will lead to more pressure on them to work on Sundays against their will.  Whilst staff legally have an opt-out, many fear that in exercising that right they could harm promotion prospects, damage relationships with colleagues, or even end up losing their jobs.  Additionally, many staff already struggle to work Sundays due to practical problems stemming from poor transport connections on a weekend or childcare issues (especially for single parents).

The Labour Party has been clear from the outset that we would not countenance any attempt to use the relaxation of Sunday trading restrictions as a 'Trojan horse' for longer term deregulation.  We have made this argument to the Government and I am please to say that the Labour Party managed to secure this commitment on the face of the Bill with a sunset clause.

I believe the tradition of shorter opening hours on Sundays, which encourages people to spend some downtime with their close family and friends, is a good thing.  We live in a time when people have more opportunities to shop than ever before.  The current trading laws, in my view, do protect workers from feeling like they have to work long hours on a Sunday and they do contribute to maintaining Sundays as a special day in the week.  I think it would be a great shame for this to change.

Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue.   Please do not hesitate to get in touch again about this or any other matter.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Dugher MP
Member of Parliament for Barnsley East

“Maude should 'come clean' about Virgin trip”

29 April 2012

As reported in the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror today, Francis Maude, the minister in charge of transparency, has been accused of hiding more than £3,000 of hospitality to attend the British Grand Prix.

Mr Maude declared the trip on the Cabinet Office website without stating the value of the hospitality and failed to record it on the Register of Members' Interests.

Michael, who is a Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said:

"Francis Maude has very serious questions to answer as to whether he broke parliamentary rules.

"He cannot seriously say that his ministerial responsibilities have got anything to do with attending the Grand Prix with this company. So it looks like he has tried to pull a fast one by burying the fact that he attended the event with a cursory reference on the Cabinet Office website and by not declaring it with all the proper details in the Register of Members' Financial Interests.

"Francis Maude is always lecturing people about maximum transparency. He should practise what he preaches and come clean about this."

Click here to read the full article in the Independent on Sunday: “Maude should 'come clean' about Virgin trip”

Michael on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Saturday Edition show

28 April 2011

Michael was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live today about David Cameron’s refusal to refer the serious allegations over the conduct of the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to the independent adviser on the ministerial code of conduct.

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 1:15.

Michael on Sky News: “Delays make it look like Government has something to hide”

28 April 2011

Michael has said in an interview on Sky News today that the Government's refusal to conduct an inquiry into the conduct of Jeremy Hunt has made it look "weak" and as if it has "something to hide".

He added: "I think David Cameron needs to start showing some leadership. The Prime Minister is responsible for the conduct of his ministers, no one else is. And he could act, and choose to act today by referring the matter to the independent adviser on ministers' interests.

“I just don't accept that it's credible for him to stay in his job for any longer. He seemed to be blaming his adviser in the middle part of the week, the Prime Minster is hiding behind Leveson. I think both should start taking some responsibility.You know, Jeremy Hunt's best defence is that he was clueless, he had no idea of the level of collusion we saw last week between his office and the Murdochs' on what is a multi-billion pound, incredibly sensitive commercial deal. And if that's the best defence he can offer, that he was clueless, well I don't think that's a reason for him to stay in his job either."

"It's clear from today's newspapers and reports that Lord Leveson, this is not covered in his remit. He has no powers over the conduct of ministers, that's for the Prime Minister. And we have someone who's the independent adviser on ministers' interests who has the power to investigate, but this has to be instigated by the Prime Minister. And that's why the Prime Minister should act today.”

Barnsley council close to finalising documentation to seek Government approval for the compulsory purchase of derelict properties in Welland Crescent

27 April 2011

Michael has been informed by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) that they are close to finalising the necessary documentation to send to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in order to seek approval for the 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. 

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, Michael 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 is now ready to take another significant step towards the compulsory purchase of the properties.

“Once the documentation has been sent to Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, I will write to him to make sure that the process is not held up in Whitehall any longer than necessary.  The sooner these dangerous eyesores can be pulled down the better it will be for the local residents". 

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 27 April 2012

Michael encourages businesses in Barnsley to take part in awards programme

26 April 2012

Michael s encouraging local businesses to get involved in Manufacturing Excellence 2012, the UK-wide awards programme which identifies and celebrates outstanding UK manufacturing businesses and also helps companies to improve.

Past winners have shown that by taking part and adopting best practice they can thrive and grow.  

Applications need to be submitted by 1 June 2012.

Commenting, Michael said:

“I would encourage businesses in Barnsley to apply and take advantage of this programme.  Entry is free and there is up to £20,000 free consultancy advice up for grabs as well as the chance to win at the Manufacturing Excellence Awards in November.  The programme works with all manufacturing businesses, whatever their size, age, sector or area of expertise to help improve their processes and showcase their successes and innovations.  If companies are interested in finding out more, they should visit www.mxawards. ”  

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 27 April 2012

Hoyland Common Primary School visit Parliament

27 April 2011

Children from Hoyland Common Primary School visited the Palace of Westminster last week to learn more about the work and role of Parliament.   After a tour of the Palace, the class had time to meet their own MP, Michael Dugher, to discuss what it’s like working in Parliament.     

The Guardian: Jeremy Hunt accused of throwing special adviser to the wolves

26 April 2012

The Guardian has reported today on Michael's comments that the Government was trying to paint Jeremy Hunt's key policy adviser as a "Lee Harvey Oswald lone gunman" and that “they've thrown the little guy to the wolves in order to save his boss's job."

Click here to read the full article. 

Michael on BBC Radio 4 World at One

25 April 2012 

Michael was on the BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme today to talk about the Leveson inquiry and the new revelations surrounding the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 23.30.   

BBC News: MPs say lack of government strategy causing 'mistakes'

24 April 2012 

The Public Administration Committee has published a report criticising the Government for an absence of national strategy which is leading to "mistakes" such as those following the recent Budget.  The Committee also said that the aims set out in the coalition agreement were "too meaningless to serve any useful purpose". 

Michael, quoted on the BBC News website, said: "The Public Administration Committee report is another damning indictment of David Cameron's Government. Incompetence and unfairness are the defining characteristics for this Government.  At the last election, David Cameron promised he would change Britain for the better and that we would all be in this together. He has failed on both counts.  He should get a grip of his out of touch Government, change course and stop making hard-pressed pensioners and families pay the price for his incompetence.”

To read the full BBC News article, click here: ‘MPs say lack of government strategy causing 'mistakes'’

Legal Aid Bill returns to the Lords today following the Government’s decision to vote down amendments last week

23 April 2012 

The Legal Aid Bill returns to the House of Lords today after the Government decided to vote down their previous amendments last week.

The amendments, which Michael voted for in the House of Commons, would have ensured that asbestos victims would not have to hand over 25 per cent of their damages to pay their legal bills and would also exempt all industrial disease cases from the new payment arrangements.

The Bill, without significant amendments, would make it more difficult for people to seek redress in the courts and Gillian Guy, the Chief Executive of Citizen’s Advice Bureau, has said that it is “those in greatest need who will suffer”. 

Michael has previously written to Secretary of State for Justice with his concerns and has said it is imperative that where abuse has occurred, victims have recourse to pursue justice. 

Michael wrote a blog post about this important issue a few months ago - click here to read the article.

LabourList: Another day, another Cameron re-launch

23 April 2012 

Michael has written an article for LabourList this morning about David Cameron’s attempt to re-launch the Conservatives local elections campaign after weeks of awful headlines.

Click here to read the article: Another day, another Cameron re-launch

The campaign to save the Children’s Heart Unit in Leeds must continue despite the disappointing ruling by the Court of Appeal

20 April 2012 

Michael has said that the campaign to keep the Children’s Heart Unit in Leeds is far from over, despite a disappointing ruling by the Court of Appeal yesterday.    

A national review into paediatric cardiac units by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) started in 2008.  It aims to streamline and move paediatric congenital cardiac surgery services (PCCS) to fewer sites across England.  The Royal Brompton Hospital in London subsequently challenged the way the consultation was carried out by the JCPCT and claimed the review had been unfair.  But yesterday the Court of Appeal ruled that the consultation was lawful.  This decision means the review, which has been on hold for more than six months, can continue and a decision on the future of the unit in Leeds is now expected on 4 July. 

Last year, Michael submitted a response to the consultation on the review of children’s heart services to press the case for keeping the vital service in Leeds as opposed to moving all services for children with congenital heart problems in Barnsley to Newcastle or Liverpool.

Commenting on the latest development, Michael Dugher MP said:

“The ruling by the Court of Appeal is disappointing, but the campaign to save the Children’s Heart Unit in Leeds is far from over.  I think it is more important than ever that we keep up the pressure to retain the unit.  There is a clear case to keep the service in Leeds and I recently wrote again to the Chairman of the NHS committee responsible for making decisions about the future of children’s heart services in England and Health Minister Simon Burns MP.  

“Recent independent analysis of the views of patients, doctors and the public in Yorkshire and the Humber has reinforced the case for keeping the service in Leeds and found that the majority of people in the area would not choose to travel to Newcastle for treatment.

“Without the flow of patients from these populous areas of Yorkshire, Newcastle would not meet the annual minimum 400 surgical procedures deemed necessary for a safe and sustainable centre, let alone the optimal number of 500. I believe that this undermines the case for choosing Newcastle as the Specialist Surgical Centre and I am concerned that if it was chosen, it would soon prove, according to the JCPCT's own criteria, unsafe and unsustainable.  As a result, it could therefore have to close, leaving the region without any congenital cardiac surgical care whatsoever.

“The NHS Constitution enshrines the right for patients to make choices about their NHS care.  A configuration of Specialist Surgical Centres should therefore place a great deal of emphasis on the results of patient flow analysis.  All the problems of reconfiguration, such as extra distance and extra cost for individual families, are minimised if you move the doctors to the patients, not the patients to the doctors.”

This week told us everything we need to know about the Government’s priorities - and it’s bad news for Barnsley

20 April 2011

Blog post by Michael Dugher: 

New figures released this week by the Office for National Statistics revealed that unemployment in Barnsley has risen to over 7,500 – a 12 per cent increase in the last year.   There are now over 12 people on JSA chasing every job vacancy in Barnsley, compared to just four a year ago.  And the figures for youth unemployment are even more depressing.  The number of 18-24 year olds in Barnsley who have been out of work for more than 12 months has risen by a massive 142 per cent in just the last 12 months.   

Last month’s Budget could have taken urgent action to get Britain back to work, but instead we got tax cuts for millionaires.  It did nothing to help create jobs and growth and families and pensioners are now starting to find out just what this Government’s decisions will mean for their own budgets.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the changes that are coming into effect this month will leave a family with children worse off by an average of £511 a year.  New government figures also show that up to 5,000 families in Barnsley are set to lose all of their Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.  This includes:  over 4,250 families on modest and middle incomes losing all of their Child Tax Credit – worth around £545 per year; and over 750 working couples earning less than around £17,000 per year potentially losing all of their Working Tax Credit – worth up to £3,870 per year – if they cannot increase their working hours.

Worst of all, it has been calculated that following these changes to working tax credit, thousands of couples with two children on the minimum wage will be better off quitting their jobs and living on benefits if they cannot work at least 19 hours per week.  This is not just unfair, it makes no economic sense. 

This week, there were a series of debates in Parliament on the Budget.  How the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats chose to vote tells you everything you need to know about this Government’s priorities....

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

The number of young people in Barnsley unemployed for more than a year has risen by 142 per cent in the last year

18 April 2012 

Michael Dugher has said that rising youth unemployment has become a “scandal” in Barnsley after new figures released by the Office for National Statistics today reveal that the number of 18 to 24 year olds unemployed for more than 12 months has risen by 142 per cent in the last year.      

The new figures show that the level of youth unemployment in Barnsley is currently at 2,815, a 15 per cent increase in just the last 12 months.  

The new figures also show that the total number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in Barnsley has risen sharply.  It now stands at 7,825 – a 12 per cent increase over 12 months.   There are now over 12 people on JSA are now chasing every job vacancy compared to four a year ago.   

There is widespread concern that the Government hasn’t been doing enough to provide the help required to prevent the spectre of a “lost generation” among those who have recently left school.  

As reported on the We Are Barnsley website and the South Yorkshire Times, Michael is putting pressure on the Government to introduce a youth unemployment scheme in Barnsley which would help over 375 young long-term unemployed people in the borough.  This “Real Jobs Guarantee” scheme would tackle the problem of long-term youth unemployment by providing a six-month paid placement, preferably in the private sector, for all 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than twelve months. 

Michael has said that the Government could fund 25 hours of work per week at the national minimum wage and in return businesses would be expected to cover at least ten hours of training and development a week.   It has been calculated that the initiative could be paid for by a tax on bank bonuses.

Commenting on the new unemployment statistics, Mr Dugher, said:

“The Government has been warned about the rising problem of youth unemployment for over a year now, but it is just not doing enough.  It is a scandal that in Barnsley, the number of young people who have been unemployed for more than a year has risen by 142 per cent in the last year.    

“Last month’s budget should have taken big and bold action to get Britain back to work.  Instead we got a hand-out for millionaires and cuts to tax credits.  I am calling on the Government to introduce a “Real Jobs Guarantee” scheme, which would tackle the problem of long-term youth unemployment by providing a six-month paid placement, preferably in the private sector, for all 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than twelve months.   This would help over 375 young long-term unemployed people in Barnsley, offering them real jobs, real opportunities and real responsibilities.”   

“We've had two years of excuses – it’s time for the Government to take decisive action to get people back into work.”

Sheffield Star: Families losing out on credits

16 April 2012 

As reported in the Sheffield Star last week, Michael has warned that nearly 5,000 families in Barnsley have lost out in changes to tax credits, according to government figures.

The cuts, which came into effect on 6 April, hit 4,250 families on middle incomes who lost their entire child tax credit, worth £545 a year.  Another 750 working couples earning less than £17,000 lost their working tax credit - worth up to £3,870 per year.

Click here to read the article: Families losing out on credits

Huffington Post article: ‘Cameron's Government is Starting to Look Increasingly Like That of Major's’

12 April 2012 

Michael has written an article for Huffington Post arguing that Cameron's government is starting to look increasingly like that of Major's. 

Click here to read the full article:  Cameron's Government is Starting to Look Increasingly Like That of Major's

Francis Maude boasts about trying to turn Britain into a “tax haven”

7 April 2012 

Francis Maude has caused further embarrassment for the Government after boasting that the Coalition wanted  to turn Britain into a  ‘tax haven’.

The embattled Cabinet Office minister said it would be a ‘compliment’ if Britain were seen as a place where foreigners or businesses paid little or no tax.

It is the latest gaffe by Mr Maude, who has faced calls to resign after creating panic by advising motorists to store fuel in jerry cans. 

Michael, quoted in The Sun, Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph and The Mirror, said: “Francis Maude goes from bad to worse. At the same time as the Government is cutting tax credits for working families, he seems to be aspiring for Britain to become like the Cayman Islands, where the wealthiest can hide their money.”

Over 5,000 families in Barnsley are set to lose all their tax credits

5 April 2012 

New government figures show that up to 5,000 families in Barnsley are set to lose all of their Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit from tomorrow (6 April 2012).  This includes:

• Over 4,250 families on modest and middle incomes losing all of their Child Tax Credit – worth around £545 per year.
  
• And over 750 working couples earning less than around £17,000 per year potentially losing all of their Working Tax Credit – worth up to £3,870 per year – if they cannot increase their working hours.

The figures also reveal that following tomorrow's changes to working tax credit, a couple with two children on the minimum wage will be better off quitting their jobs if they cannot work at least 19 hours per week.

According to new figures from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, families with children are set to lose an average of £511 a year due to changes to tax, benefits and tax credits being introduced from tomorrow. 

The analysis follows last month's Budget and is on top of tax rises already introduced, like last year's VAT rise which is costing a family with children an average of £450 per year.

Commenting, Michael said:

“This is a deeply unfair change from a government that is increasingly out of touch with parents feeling the squeeze and struggling to juggle work and family life.  It is just plain wrong to cut support for working families on low and middle incomes whilst handing out big tax cuts for millionaires.  

“And how can it be right to leave working parents trying to do the right thing better off if they quit their jobs.  We must always ensure that it pays to work. 

“But the Government’s policies are not just unfair, they are also not doing anything to help create economic growth or get the deficit down.  We desperately need action to get jobs and growth to Barnsley - the Government must change course now.”  

And the Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, said today:

“For all the Government’s talk about increasing the personal allowance, these independent figures show that while they may be giving one with one hand they are taking much more away with the other hand. That is why families with children will be an average of £511 a year worse from tomorrow.

“This Government’s policies aren’t just unfair, they’re also not working on jobs, growth or the deficit. With the economy flatlining, unemployment soaring and £150 billion of extra borrowing to pay for this economy failure, raising taxes and cutting spending too far and too fast has backfired.

“We need a plan for job and growth, like Labour’s five point plan, to get our stalled economy moving again, get Britain back to work and get our deficit down.”

Michael sponsors Barnsley lad’s fundraising walk for soldier’s charity ABF

4 April 2012 

Michael, and fellow Barnsley MP, Dan Jarvis, have sponsored Kieran Townend (12) to take part in a 9-mile walk around the Pen-y-ghent area of the Yorkshire Dales to help raise money for the soldier’s charity, A.B.F. (Army Benevolent Fund).  Kieran’s uncle, Graham Shaw, was tragically killed in Afghanistan two years ago.

Kieran will also be taking part in the walk with local councillor, Jim Andrews.    

Michael with Dan Jarvis MP, Kieran Townend and Cllr Jim Andrews

Michael said:  “Dan and I are very happy to sponsor Kieran on his fundraising walk.  We feel he is a great example to all young people in Barnsley and I am sure his uncle Graham would be extremely proud of him.”

Michael on BBC Sunday Politics show

1 April 2012 

Michael was on The Sunday Politics show today talking about the Government’s poor handling of the fuel dispute, the Bradford West by-election and party funding reform.

Click here to watch the interview on iplayer.

The Sunday Telegraph: David Cameron to face questions over meetings with fund raising group at Downing Street

1 April 2012 

The Sunday Telegraph is reporting today that David Cameron could have breached the ministerial code after it emerged that he held a meeting with members of a Conservative Party fund-raising group at 10 Downing Street.

Michael, who is quoted in the article, said: "This is further evidence that David Cameron is using Government buildings as his own personal fiefdom. This should be investigated and we will certainly be following this up."

Click here to read the full article.

Michael keeps up the pressure to maintain a Children’s Heart Service in Leeds

30 March 2012 

As reported in the Sheffield Star and the South Yorkshire Times, Michael has written to the Chairman of the NHS committee responsible for making decisions about the future of children’s heart services in England and Simon Burns MP, the Health Minister responsible, to keep up the pressure to retain the unit at Leeds Hospital.

Last year, Michael submitted a response to the consultation on the review of children’s heart services to press the case for keeping the vital service in Leeds as opposed to moving all services for children with congenital heart problems in Barnsley to Newcastle or Liverpool.

Now independent analysis of the views of patients, doctors and the public in Yorkshire and the Humber has reinforced Michael’s case for keeping the service in Leeds, by finding that a majority of people in the area would not choose to travel to Newcastle for treatment.

Without patients from Barnsley and across Yorkshire travelling to Newcastle, the children’s heart unit there would not meet the annual minimum 400 surgical procedures deemed necessary for a safe and sustainable centre.

Michael believes that this undermines the case for choosing Newcastle as the Specialist Surgical Centre for children requiring heart surgery.  He is concerned that if Newcastle was to be chosen over Leeds, it would soon prove unsafe and unsustainable and as a result would have to close, leaving the region without any congenital cardiac surgical care whatsoever.

In his letter, Michael has urged the Chairman of the committee and the Minister to ensure that these findings are given due weight and consideration as part of their decision-making process. He recommends that the rights of patients to make choices about their NHS care should be recognised and that all the problems of reorganising service, such as extra distance and extra cost for individual families are minimised if they would move the doctors to the patients, not the patients to the doctors.

If you have any comments about the review of children’s heart services, please let Michael know so that he can pass on your concerns to the people making the decisions.

South Yorkshire Times, Thursday 5 April 2012

Michael encourages people to get involved with Barnsley Council’s library survey

30 March 2012 

Michael is encouraging people to back their local libraries and get involved with a Barnsley Council survey regarding the future of libraries in the borough. 

The council has said it wants to make sure that Barnsley libraries “continue to play a central role in communities by providing an efficient service for everyone who wants to use it”.

A questionnaire has already been sent to a random sample of residents and now all Barnsley residents can go online to have their say on the borough’s library service.

Commenting, Michael said:

“There are some great libraries in Barnsley East, such as Worsbrough and Darfield.  I think it is important that people who utilise all the great services that our local libraries provide get involved with this survey so that we can let the council know how much the community uses and values them.  To complete the survey online just visit: http://consult.barnsley.gov.uk/public/adcs/as/libraries/users.” 

Criticism of the government grows as it is accused of causing panic

29 March 2012 

The Government has been criticised for causing panic with the Prime Minister calling an emergency Cobra meeting and Ministers advising the public to store jerry cans of petrol.

Queues have formed at petrol stations as demand for fuel shot up after ministers called for people to top-up their cars.  

Michael, quoted in the Metro and Sky News, said: “Cobra is supposed to meet to deal with a national crisis - not to help a prime minister distract attention away from a political crisis". He also called the Government’s handling of the situation “completely irresponsible” during an interviewed on Jeremy Vine’s BBC Radio 2 show.  To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 0:10.     

Michael interviewed on BBC Today Programme, Daybreak and Daily Politics about the “Cash for Access” scandal surrounding the Prime Minister

26 March 2012 

Michael has called for an independent inquiry into allegations over cash for access to the Prime Minister.  Speaking on the Today programme (scroll to 3:00), Daybreak, Radio 5 Live, Sky News, BBC News and the Daily Politics today, he said that an internal Conservative Party inquiry into newspaper revelations that its former co-treasurer Peter Cruddas offered policy influence in return for donations was not good enough.

Mr Cruddas was secretly filmed saying that a donation of £200,000 or £250,000 gave "premier league" access to party leaders, including private dinners with Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne. He also suggested that any such donor could have their feedback on political plans fed back to Downing Street policy makers.

Commenting on the allegations surrounding the Prime Minister, Michael said:

"Time and again the Tory party has been the obstacle to capping donations from wealthy individuals. Now it appears obvious why.

"This week the Tory-led government gave tax cuts to millionaires but forced pensioners and hard-working families to pay more.  We now hear the Tory treasurer boasting that some of these same millionaires who got a tax cut in the Budget this week can buy a seat at the private Downing Street dinner parties of David Cameron and George Osborne through donations worth hundreds of pounds to the Conservative Party.

"Those same donors are being apparently promised that policy concerns will be fast-tracked to the highest levels of the Tory party and the Government.

"Pensioners, the young unemployed and squeezed middle families cannot afford to buy this sort of access or influence which is just another reason why this government is out of touch with the overwhelming majority of British people.”

As reported in the Telegraph, Mirror, Guardian, Independent, Reuters UK, Metro, Daily Mail and BBC News, Michael has also written to the Prime Minister demanding that he discloses what policy representations Tory donors have made at lunches and dinners at Downing Street, Chequers or Dorneywood since May 2010.  He has also called for further transpa

rency and for meetings between big donors and the No10 Policy Unit to be published.

Michael says Labour’s youth jobs scheme would help almost 2000 young people in South Yorkshire

23 March 2012 

As reported in the South Yorkshire Times today, Michael is urging the Government to introduce a youth unemployment scheme in South Yorkshire which would help almost 2000 young long-term unemployed people across the region.   

Labour’s "Real Jobs Guarantee" scheme would tackle the problem of long-term youth unemployment by providing a six-month paid placement, preferably in the private sector, for all 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for more than twelve months.

The Government could fund 25 hours of work per week at the national minimum wage and in return businesses would be expected to cover at least ten hours of training and development a week.   It has been calculated that the initiative could be paid for by a tax on bank bonuses.

Recent unemployment figures have shown that long-term youth unemployment across South Yorkshire (more than 12 months) has risen from 920 to 1980 in the past year – an increase of 115 per cent. 

Michael said:

“The Government is clearly failing to take action to tackle the growing problem of long-term youth unemployment.  In the last year alone, the number of young people in South Yorkshire aged between 18 and 24 who have been unemployed for more than 12 months has increased by 115 per cent. 

“With this “Real Jobs Guarantee” scheme, young people would be offered real jobs, real opportunities and real responsibilities.  It would not only provide work opportunities, but also ensure that companies provide at least ten hours of training and development per week.   It would be a real investment in our young people.  

“The scheme would not just be a free ride either.  Those who didn’t take advantage of the opportunity would face sanctions and potentially lose their Jobs Seeker’s Allowance for three months.

“Ministers need to wake up to the jobs crisis they're responsible for, take urgent action and implement this scheme that would help almost 2000 long-term unemployed young people in South Yorkshire.” 

South Yorkshire Times, Thursday 22 March 2012

Cabinet Office Questions – 21 March 2012

21 March 2012 

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

"Last week Mark Taylor, co-chair of the “New Suppliers to Government” panel advising the Minister on SMEs, resigned saying: Government contracts to SMEs were “drying up”; things were “going backwards”; that SMEs were “finding it more difficult to do business with Government"; and he accused the Government of "recounting" its figures.

"Given that the Minister has admitted the Government is nowhere near its promised target of 25 per cent, can he explain why it is that the proportion of procurement spend going to SMEs is actually falling at: DECC, DCMS, BIS, Health, Education, Transport, HMRC, Defra, DfID and the Treasury?"

To watch the exchange, click here and scroll to 19:30.

A budget where millions are asked to pay more, so millionaires can pay less

21 March 2012 

Michael has criticised the Government’s Budget today, calling it a Budget where millions are asked to pay more so that millionaires can pay less.

The Government has decided to cut taxes for the richest earners next year by £3 billion – a tax giveaway to 300,000 existing taxpayers who will gain on average £10,000.  

The Budget also includes a £3 billion tax raid on pensioners over the next four years.  The freeze in the personal allowance for pensioners will see 4.5 million pensioners who pay income tax losing an average of £75 per year next April.   People who turn 65 next year will lose out by £314.

And for ordinary families, this is a Budget that is giving with one hand and taking far more away with the other.  Even after the personal allowance change, families on £20,000 a year are going to be worse off by £253 a year. 

Commenting, Michael said:

“When people on middle and low incomes are being squeezed by rising fuel prices, seeing their tax credits and child benefit cut, when one million young people are out of work and there’s a big deficit to clear, it is the wrong priority to cut taxes for people earning over £150,000.   Over 14,000 people earning £1 million or more will get a tax cut of over £40,000 each year.  The Chancellor could have used the money to cut fuel duty, reverse cuts to tax credits, reduce cuts to police officers or help pay the down the deficit, but instead he has chosen to cut taxes for the richest 1 per cent of earners.  How can this be right?   

“The Government promised change, but things have just got worse not better.  Their policies have failed on jobs, growth and the deficit - over one million young people are now unemployed and our economy has stalled.  The Office of Budget Responsibility is predicting just 0.8 per cent growth in 2012 compared to 2.5 per cent forecast in last year’s Budget.  The UK is growing at half the rate of the United States and the Government is set to borrow £150 billion more than planned because of slower growth and higher unemployment.  This Budget is an unfair Budget built on economic failure.”

-----

Coverage in the South Yorkshire Times: "MPs for the Dearne hit out against the Chancellor’s “rich men’s budget”

Michael signs Bookstart 20 pledge

20 March 2012 

Michael has signed the Bookstart 20 pledge, a promise to share 20 books with children during 2012.

The pledge is part of year-long celebrations to mark the national Bookstart programme’s 20th anniversary.  Since it began in 1992, the book-gifting programme has given away 30 million books to children across the UK.
 
With the current funding due to end in 2013, Bookstart is asking people to sign the pledge as a demonstration of support to help ensure that the programme continues to benefit future generations. 

Commenting, Michael said:

"Introducing babies and toddlers to the joys of reading from a young age is really important, not just to the development of their learning, but because it brings great pleasure to both the children and the adults who read with them. Bookstart has done a fantastic job over the last 20 years - in making stories and poetry available to thousands of children, but also to the vital work in promoting library membership". 

To sign the Bookstart 20 pledge or to find out more, you can visit the Bookstart website at www.bookstart.org.uk.

Michael's response to constituents concerned about the Government's top-down reorganisation of the NHS

9 March 2012

Hundreds of constituents have written to Michael recently about the Government’s planned top-down reorganisation of the NHS.  You can read his most recent response below:
----------

I was grateful for you contacting me in the past about your concerns regarding the Government’s Health Bill and I wanted to give you an update and let you know what I have been doing as part of the ‘drop the bill’ campaign.

The Government’s damaging Health Bill is due to come back to the House of Commons this week.  This means that Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs have one last chance to recognise the important concerns raised by you, the wider public, patients and NHS staff, and take this final opportunity to reject the Bill. 

It is now clear that David Cameron’s £3.5 billion reorganisation has no support from the public or the experts, but so far the Prime Minister has refused to listen.  Organisations representing over 1.2 million NHS workers have already come out against the reforms, including: the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association.  In addition, over 175,000 people have signed up to an e-Petition calling on the Government to drop the Bill completely. 

I have spoken to many people about the Bill and I know that patients who depend on the NHS, and the staff who have devoted their lives to serving in our health service, don’t want this expensive, damaging and unnecessary top-down reorganisation.  They want to see nurses’ jobs protected and for the needs of patients to be put first.

That is why Ed Miliband announced recently that £750m of the money being used to fund the reorganisation should be used to fund 6,000 nursing posts over the Spending Review period, replacing the 3,500 nurses that have already been lost, and protecting a further 2,500 posts that research suggests will be lost in the coming years.

That is also why Andy Burnham has been keeping up the pressure on the Government to publish the report (the "risk register") outlining the risks involved with the reforms.  Last week, the Government lost an appeal against the information commissioner's ruling that it should be made public yet Ministers still refuse to do so. 

If the Government refuses to listen, my view is that the changes being introduced by the David Cameron and Nick Clegg will seriously damage the NHS.  They will: 

• Break up the NHS and create an unfair postcode lottery. With no national standards, there will be widespread variation in the treatments available on the NHS.  In some areas, people may have to go private to get services available for free elsewhere.

• Risk rises in waiting times and a two-tier NHS.  It scraps the cap on hospitals treating private patients at the same time as watering down guarantees on NHS waiting times.  This means local hospitals will be free to treat more private patients and make NHS patients wait longer.

• Turn the NHS into a full-blown commercial market, putting competition before patient care. It allows private companies to cherry-pick quick profits, potentially forcing local hospitals to go bust.  Hospitals could even be fined for working together.

• Undermine the bond of trust between doctors and patients, creating a conflict of interest where financial incentives could interfere with medical decisions. GPs could even get a bonus for rationing care.

• Waste money and increase bureaucracy.  It can’t be right to spend £2 billion on a reckless re-organisation when the NHS needs every penny it can get for patient care.

That is why I have voted against the changes at every opportunity in Parliament and I can assure you I will do so again when the Bill comes back to the House of Commons this week.

Protecting our NHS is vitally important and it is a campaign that I have been involved with locally for many months now.  As well as voting in the House of Commons, writing articles, attending recent lobbies in Parliament, raising awareness and encouraging people to get involved locally, I have also exposed how the Government’s policies have already forced Barnsley Primary Care Trust to put aside nearly £18 million from its budget to pay for the costly NHS restructure - a trend that is happening all over the country.   Last month I also revealed that waiting times in Barnsley have risen over the past year, despite the number of people being treated going down.

It is clear that the Government is coming under increasing pressure and I believe it is more important than ever that we make sure Barnsley’s voice is heard in Westminster by getting as many people as possible to sign the e-petition.  If you have not already done so then you can add your name by visiting http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22670.

Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue.  I can assure you that I will continue to do all I can in these last few days to put pressure on the Government to ‘drop the bill’ and to safeguard the future of our National Health Service. 

Yours sincerely,

Michael Dugher MP
Member of Parliament for Barnsley East

Michael’s column for the Barnsley Chronicle: “No mucking about, kids deserve best”

16 March 2012 

Last week I was really proud to officially open Barnsley Academy in Kendray.  In January this year, the school was named as the most improved school in Yorkshire.  That’s in no small part thanks to the brilliant efforts of staff and students.  What was really impressive, though, was their determination to be even better.

To give you an idea of the transformation of the school, just look at the figures: in 2011, 55 per cent of Barnsley Academy students achieved five good GCSE’s including Maths and English.  The year before the school became an academy in 2006, this was just six per cent.  Food for thought as other schools weigh up whether to go down the academy route.

If you ask many people outside of Barnsley what they think our schools look like, they’ll probably have in their minds the secondary modern from the film Kes.  It is one of my favourite films and indeed books.  But the image of the PE teacher, played by local legend Brian Glover, jogging onto the dilapidated sports field in his Manchester United strip - “I’m Bobby Charlton today, lad, it’s too cold for strikers – besides Denis Law’s in the wash” - could not be further from the modern reality of today’s Barnsley schools.

State-of-the-art secondary schools are being opened all over Barnsley thanks to the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme run by the previous government and Barnsley Council.  These new buildings offer a world class learning environment for local children and help us attract the best teachers.  Plus, it’s only right and fair that kids in Barnsley have access to the very best education facilities in the the UK.

But whilst buildings are important, it’s what is inside them that matters.  As Council leader Steve Houghton often says, the fact that every secondary school in Barnsley is a brand new facility is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.   And it’s important we make the most of it.

I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s in a pit village in Edlington, just ten miles outside of Barnsley.  Indeed, my family helped to sink the Yorkshire Main colliery a century ago.  Even when I was growing up, it was expected that many of the lads at my school would follow their fathers down the pit.  If you were prepared to get your hands dirty and work long hours, there was still decent money to be made.  It was the old adage: where there’s muck, there’s brass.

But if we’re being honest, because there was employment on the doorstep, there wasn’t always as much interest in schooling and education as there might have been.  These days, the world is a different place.  If you don’t have a good education, or a skill that meets the needs of the economy, the sad fact is you’re going to struggle.  There aren’t enough jobs for our young people in Barnsley as it is – and that’s a real tragedy.  But if you don’t have a skill, then you’re much more likely to be unemployed or in low-paid, unsatisfactory work.

So we’ve got to use these new schools to continue to drive up standards and provide the basis for real opportunities for children in the Borough.  That means working much more closely with employers to make sure our young people have the right skills – and importantly the right attitude – to face the world of work.

It also means that all of us – teachers and parents – have a duty to lift aspirations and raise expectations amongst our young people.  Kids in our area do deserve the very best.  But we’ve got to teach them that they can be the very best too.

Michael Dugher MP is the Member of Parliament for Barnsley East

Barnsley Chronicle, 16 March 2012

Small businesses are Britain’s lifeblood; we just can’t afford to keep failing them

16 March 2012 

Michael has written an article for the Yorkshire Post to coincide with the launch of his “Thousand Business Voices” survey in Barnsley.

Click here to read the article. 

Plan for Stairfoot traveller site dropped

16 March 2012 

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, plans for a traveller site at SandygateLane Stairfoot have been dropped due the area being contaminated.    

An investigation has revealed that the ground conditions on the former colliery and chemical works site are likely to require significant remedial work to deal with contaminants in the ground. 

The Council have therefore decided not to pursue Sandygate Lane as an option any further.

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle last week, Michael said that it is not an appropriate location for a Traveller site.   Commenting on the new development, Michael said:

“I said from the outset that Sandygate Lane was not an appropriate location for a Traveller site.  This is why I have been campaigning with local residents and local Councillors Dyson and Mathers to say the site should go elsewhere.   I’m glad that the right decision has been made.” 

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 16 March 2012

Michael welcomes announcement of funding for the restoration of the Newcommen Beam Engine in Elsecar

16 March 2012 

Michael has welcomed the announcement by the Heritage Lottery Fund that it has awarded £425,000 to Barnsley Council for the restoration of the Newcommen Beam Engine in Elsecar, Barnsley.

The Newcomen Beam Engine at Elsecar was built to extract water from Elsecar New Colliery, to allow the exploitation of deeper coal seams.  It is the only Newcomen–type atmospheric pressure beam engine in the world to have remained in its original location.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael said: 

"The Newcomen Beam Engine in Elsecar is one of Yorkshire's finest surviving legacies of the Industrial Revolution so it is great news that that this money has been awarded for its restoration.   

"And as well as restoring the engine back to its original state, I think this new project will be an excellent opportunity to showcase our area's proud past. But with the funding also being used to develop and update the visitor attraction, this is also about helping our local economy in the future too.

"Particular thanks should go to the tireless campaigning by local Councillors Robin Franklin and Tim Shepherd. They have both played a crucial role in securing this investment and, ultimately, ensuring that this important part of our heritage is celebrated in our community for many years to come."

Barnsley Chronicle, 16 March 2012

Michael interviewed on BBC Radio Sheffield about the launch of his “Thousand Business Voices” survey in Barnsley

15 March 2012 

Michael was interviewed on Dean Pepall’s BBC Radio Sheffield show today talking about the launch of his “Thousand Business Voices” survey in Barnsley (see story below for more information).

To listen to the interview, click here and scroll to 1:40:53. 

Michael launches “A Thousand Business Voices” survey in Barnsley

14 March 2012 

Michael is launched a constituency-wide survey today to all small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). 

As part of the launch, Toby Perkins MP, the Shadow Minister for Small Businesses, came to Barnsley to join Michael in visiting a number of businesses in the constituency.

Lo's Pharmacy Ltd in Grimethorpe

Carlton Main Brickworks Ltd in Grimethorpe

The survey, titled “A Thousand Business Voices”, aims to find out more about the experience of local businesses in accessing finance amid concern over the failure of the banks to lend on reasonable terms to SMEs.   More and more businesses are going under in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire and access to finance is a major issue. 
    

Crown Garage Ltd on Fitzwilliam Street, Barnsley

SMEs account for 56 per cent of enterprises in Yorkshire and it is critical for the economy in Barnsley that businesses have access to finance when they need it in order for them to prosper and create jobs.  Michael plans on taking the responses on board and using the evidence to build up a picture of the pressures that businesses in Barnsley are currently facing and find out if there is more the Government could be doing to make the banking system more in tune to the needs and aspirations of local companies.

Barnsley Chronicle, 16 March 2012

Youth unemployment in Barnsley rises by 15 per and long-term youth unemployment rises by over 60 per cent in the last year

14 March 2012 

The job crisis shows in the UK shows no sign of letting up with unemployment reaching the highest level since 1995

New figures released by the Office for National Statistics today revealed that the number of 18 to 24 year olds in Barnsley has risen by 15 per cent in the last year.    

Worst still, long-term youth unemployment in Barnsley East has risen by over 60 per cent since February 2011. 

There is widespread concern that the Government hasn’t been doing enough to provide the help required to prevent the spectre of a “lost generation” among those who have recently left school. 

Commenting on the new unemployment statistics, Mr Dugher, said:

“The Government has been warned about the rising problem of unemployment for over a year now, but it is just not doing enough.  In Barnsley, it has increased by 15 per cent in just 12 months.   

“There are many things the Government could do to help, such as introducing a tax on bankers' bonuses to fund 100,000 youth jobs and a tax break for small firms taking on extra workers to help get Britain back to work.  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 Budget next week is an opportunity for the Government to change direction and implement a proper plan for jobs and growth – I hope they take it.” 

Michael supports The Big Switch initiative

13 March 2012 

Michael has declared his support for The Big Switch initiative to get energy companies to give customers a fairer deal by bargaining as a group.  

Collective purchasing would hand power back to consumers and ensure that they negotiate a market-leading deal.  Over 200,000 people have now signed up to the campaign.

The rising cost of energy is a growing problem for many families in Barnsley.  According to Barnsley council,  there are at least 20,500 households in fuel poverty across the borough with many more households facing growing costs that could put them in danger of falling into the fuel poverty trap.

The Big Switch Campaign, launched by consumer group Which?, is the first attempt in the UK country to win a better deal through people power. 

Commenting, Michael said:

“Thousands of people in Barnsley are struggling with soaring fuel bills whilst big energy companies are enjoying huge profits.  I believe that introducing collective purchasing would benefit many people as it is a simple and effective way to bring down the cost for the average family”. 

To find out more about the campaign, click here. 

Michael attends the opening of “Worsbrough and its First Library”

9 March 2012 

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael attended the opening of the exhibition "Worsbrough and its First Library" last week along with the Worsbrough Heritage Group and children from the Edmunds Primary School in Worsbrough.

The exhibition will display 15th and 16th century books from Worsbrough Grammar School’s old collection.   Click here to find out more.

Michael formally opens Barnsley Academy

08 March 2012 

Michael officially opened Barnsley Academy today at an event with special guests including the Mayor of Barnsley Cllr Karen Dyson.

During the event, Michael and the other guests were given a tour of the £27 million building and its state-of-the-art facilities. 

The academy has been named the most improved school in Yorkshire after the Department for Education published figures in January confirming that Barnsley Academy’s results had jumped an impressive 41 percentage points at GCSE since 2008.  In 2011, 55% of academy students achieved five good GCSEs including English and maths compared to 14% in 2008 and just 6% the year before the school became an academy in 2006.

Commenting, Michael said:

“It was a real honour to formally open Barnsley Academy. It is incredible how far the staff and students have come since the academy was founded in 2006. In January of this year, it was named the most improved school in Yorkshire and I know that this is thanks to all the hard work, dedication and commitment of the teachers, students and the non-teaching staff alike.

"Thanks should also go to Principal Dave Barry for doing such a good job and the United Learning Trust for sponsoring the academy."

Michael backs Lobby to ‘Save Our NHS’

07 March 2012 

Michael attended a Unite the Union ‘Save the NHS’ lobby today in Parliament to meet and listen to union members who work for the NHS.

Michael backs the ‘Save Our NHS’ campaign and is also supporting the TUC rally taking place this evening.  He is against the Government’s top-down reorganisation of the NHS, saying that it would:  

• Break up the NHS and create an unfair postcode lottery. With no national standards, there will be widespread variation in the treatments available on the NHS.  In some areas, people may have to go private to get services available for free elsewhere.
• Risk rises in waiting times and a two-tier NHS.  It scraps the cap on hospitals treating private patients at the same time as watering down guarantees on NHS waiting times.  This means local hospitals will be free to treat more private patients and make NHS patients wait longer.
• Turn the NHS into a full-blown commercial market, putting competition before patient care. It allows private companies to cherry-pick quick profits, potentially forcing local hospitals to go bust.  Hospitals could even be fined for working together.
• Undermine the bond of trust between doctors and patients, creating a conflict of interest where financial incentives could interfere with medical decisions. GPs could even get a bonus for rationing care.
• Waste money and increase bureaucracy.  It can’t be right to spend £2 billion on a reckless re-organisation when the NHS needs every penny it can get for patient care.

Click here to find out more about the ‘Save our NHS’ campaign.

Michael makes a speech about EU procurement policy

07 March 2012 

Michael made a speech from the Dispatch Box yesterday criticising the European Commission for trying to introduce Directives that don’t comply with subsidiarity.

Click here to read the speech or click here and scroll 03:25:47 to watch the debate on Parliament TV.

Michael backs Care Crisis Lobby in Parliament 

06 March 2012 

Michael met with a number of constituents today who came to Parliament to take part in the Care and Support Alliance mass lobby.  It is thought that over 1000 campaigners from charities and organisations that work with older and disabled people attended.

Michael has backed the campaign for a fairer funding system for social care.

Commenting after the lobby, Michael said:

“The biggest challenge we face as a country is how we fund care and support for our elderly and disabled people.

“The system has now reached breaking point with £1 billion pounds worth of cuts from local council budgets for elderly care since the Government came to power.  Fewer older people are getting access to the care they need and their families are left to pay for the soaring costs which vary across the country.

“Doing nothing is not an option and this lobby has come at a crucial time.  We need legislation that offers dignity, independence and a piece of mind to our elderly and disabled population.”   

Michael’s column for Barnsley Chronicle: Don’t give up your day job

5 March 2012 

Michael has written a column for the Barnsley Chronicle about his experiences volunteering at a local hospice in Barnsley.  Read the full article below:

MP rolls his sleeves up to man the till for Hospice

Even in the current economic climate, with the Government’s cuts hitting families and pensioners hard, they continue to give their money and time to good causes – especially to good local causes.

There are loads of brilliant local charities in Barnsley.  One of the best parts about my job as an MP is that I was asked to be patron of BIADS, a charity that provides vital support to people in Barnsley with Alzheimer's and Dementia.  They do amazing work.

But perhaps the most high profile charity in the borough is Barnsley Hospice.  It does fantastic work providing the highest standard of specialist palliative care for its patients completely free of charge.

The hospice does receive some funding from NHS Barnsley, but they rely very heavily on the donations and support from the public.  They also rely on the income acquired through their nine charity shops across Barnsley.  Indeed, almost £900,000 of the £1.9 million a year it needs to stay open is generated by selling donated goods in its shops.

Raising money is always a challenge for any charity, but it is proving especially tough in the current climate.  That’s why Barnsley Hospice recently launched a new appeal for more unwanted goods to sell.  

But as well as the constant need for stock to sell – anything from clothes, to books, CDs, or toys – Barnsley Hospice is also reliant on people volunteering to help out at their shops. 

That's why I wanted to show my support and asked to volunteer a couple of weekends ago at their store on Wombwell High Street.  It was great to help out with the brilliant shop manager, Cynthia Tasker, who has worked at the Wombwell store for over a decade now. 

And I also got to work alongside another great volunteer, Susie Dove, who has been giving up her weekends to volunteer on the shop floor for over three years.  

Cynthia put me to work on the till. The till reminded me of the one from the old BBC comedy Open All Hours. 

In the show, the drawer containing the cash would shoot out somewhat violently, to the constant trepidation of the shop’s owner, Mr Arkwright (played brilliantly by Ronnie Barker).

As I wrestled rather uselessly with the till in the Wombwell shop, an older customer looked me up and down impatiently, and, with a hint of despair in her voice, said: “Is this what three years at university gets you?”  “’Fraid so,” I replied.   She collected her change and as she made her way out of the shop she added: “Don’t give up your day job”.

I won’t.  But it was great nonetheless to help out and support the Hospice.  You can too via www.barnsleyhospice.org.

Michael Dugher MP is Member of Parliament for Barnsley East.

Barnsley Chronicle, Friday 2 March 2012

Michael on BBC Daily Politics show

29 February 2012 

Michael was on the Daily Politics show today.

Click here to watch the full programme.

Labour Uncut: What’s the government got against children?

29 February 2012

Michael has written a piece for Labour Uncut today highlighting how the Government’s policies are causing child poverty to increase.

Click here to read the article: ‘What’s the government got against children?'

Michael on BBC Radio 4 ‘Any Questions?’

25 February 2012

Michael was a panelist on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Any Questions?’ yesterday along with Sarah Teather MP, businesswoman, Nickki King, and writer and broadcaster, Kenan Malik.

Click here to listen to the show on iplayer.

Michael says that Sandygate Lane is not an “appropriate location” for the proposed development of a Traveller site in Barnsley

24 February 2012

As reported in the Barnsley Chronicle today, Michael has come out against the development of a Traveller site at Sandygate Lane, Stairfoot, saying it is not an “appropriate location”. 

Sandygate Lane is one of several sites within the borough that are being considered by the council, but it does not fit the necessary criteria or meet Government guidelines.  In addition, representatives of the Travellers have made it clear that it is not their preferred site. 

An official report published in 2007 “A Study and Assessment of the Accommodation Needs of Gypsies and Travellers in South Yorkshire”, which Barnsley council was involved with, stated that the preferred locations for permanent council sites were: Barnsley (area in the West of the Borough, reasonably accessible for town and centre areas) and  Rotherham (in the South of the Borough for Council/RSL site).   With regards to Barnsley, the report stated that the “most suitable locations were near the M1 motorway and Dearne link roads in the south of the borough, and in the north east of the borough near the M1, A1 and M62 links to recognise travel patterns into Wakefield and Kirklees”.  The Sandygate Lane site is not mentioned as a potential location. 

In addition, the Government’s official guidelines on permanent sites states that there should be “easy access to local services” and that the site needs to “provide a safe environment for the residents and not be located near industrial processes or other hazardous places”.  It adds that “all prospective site locations should be considered carefully before any decision is taken to proceed, to ensure that the health and safety of prospective residents are not at risk”. 

It is the considered view of local councillors that the Sandygate Lane site does not meet these guidelines.  This is both because it is located away from local services and unsafe for a permanent site due to previous industrial activities in the area - something that will be established in due course when the grounds are officially tested. 

Commenting, Michael Dugher MP said:

“It is clear that Sandygate Lane is not an appropriate location for a Traveller site.  It does not fit the necessary criteria or meet Government guidelines and even representatives of the Travellers have said they would prefer the site to be somewhere else. 

“If neither the council nor the Travellers think it is a viable location then it is clearly not the right site.  I know that local Councillor Karen Dyson says that it is time for Sandygate Lane to be officially withdrawn from the council’s considerations.

“It is only right that local residents have a full say as to what happens in their community - that is why I am listening to local people and to local Councillors Dyson and Mathers".

Michael calls for urgent action to tackle the growing problem of metal theft in South Yorkshire

23 February 2012

As reported in the South Yorkshire Times, Michael has called on the Government to go further to tackle metal theft in South Yorkshire.

Metal theft is a growing problem, which is damaging the local economy and can be extremely dangerous. In one recent example, train services in South Yorkshire were disrupted on 16 January after cable was stolen from the railway network in Rotherham.

The Government is moving to stop cash payments to purchase scrap metal and increase fines for those that are found guilty. However, without giving the police the power of entry and the ability to shut down rogue scrap metal yards, Michael has said that the Government runs the risk of making the situation worse, not better.

Michael has said that metal theft is becoming an epidemic and that urgent action is needed from the Home Office to stop it getting out of control. He is calling on the Government to change the law to make it easier to stop this organised crime and dangerous trade.

Along with other MPs, Michael is backing a four point plan to tackle metal theft. This plan is supported by the British Transport Police, the Association of Chief Police Officers and Neighbourhood Watch. The plan includes:

1) Licensing scrap metal dealers, rather than current registration with Local Authority.

2) Move to ban cash transactions especially for large scale/high value scrap metal transactions.

3) Tougher police powers to close rogue traders down.

4) Anyone selling scrap to provide proof of identity, recorded at point of sale.

Commenting, Michael said: “This Government needs to go further if it is to effectively tackle the growing crime of metal theft in South Yorkshire. It is becoming an epidemic and more needs to be done.

“Households face power cuts, commuters face increasing delays and public buildings are being damaged.

“Banning cash transactions in itself will not solve the problem, as whilst legitimate scrap yards will go cashless, some yards may continue to take cash and continue a black market. Tougher powers for the police to close down rogue traders is what is required.”

The South Yorkshire Times, 23 February 2012

3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment visits Parliament

22 February 2012

Michael attended a lunch with the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, in the House of Commons this week. He was joined by fellow Yorkshire MPs, Dan Jarvis, who hosted the event, Rosie Winterton, Kris Hopkins, Greg Mullholland and Andrew Murrison – the MP for Warminster, the home of 3 YORKS.

The Battalion is due to be deployed to Afghanistan next month.

Michael, who is a former Shadow Defence Minister, said: “It is always great to meet members of our Armed Forces and for MPs to be able to show our gratitude for all the amazing work they do under the extremely difficult circumstances.”

The trip to Parliament was also highlighted in The Sheffield Star – click here to read the story: Soldiers in VIP Commons trip

Michael's response to constituents concerned about the Government's refusal to publish the Department of Health’s “risk register”

22 February 2012

Many constituents have written to Michael over the last few days about the Government’s refusal to publish the Department of Health’s “risk register”.  You can read his response below:

Thank you for your recent e-mail regarding the Government’s refusal to publish the Department of Health’s “risk register”. 

I agree with you that this is a very important issue.  The NHS is facing the biggest financial challenge in its history at the same time as the Government is launching a massive top-down reorganisation.  This has exposed the NHS to greater risks, but, worryingly, we still do not know the Government’s own assessment of the nature and full extent of these risks.     

The Information Commissioner has ruled that the Department of Health should release the report, but the Government has appealed this decision.  I share your concerns about David Cameron’s NHS reforms and believe that the Government should respect the ruling of the Information Commissioner and publish the report.  The fact that the Government refuses to do so begs the question: what are they trying to hide? 

Today, Members of Parliament will have the chance to put this right through a vote in the House of Commons.  I can assure you that I - along with other Labour MPs - will be voting for the motion to force the Government to finally publish the report. 

I am also pleased to say that the debate on Wednesday will not just be about the “risk register”, but also an opportunity for MPs to put more pressure on the Prime Minister to drop his unnecessary and unwanted Bill altogether.  This is a Bill that is not supported by the public or the experts.  Indeed, organisations representing over 1.2 million NHS workers have already come out against the reforms, including: the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association.  And over 154,000 people have also already signed up to the Government’s e-Petition calling on the Government to ‘drop the bill’ completely.  

This is a campaign that I have been involved with locally for many months now.  In December 2011, it was revealed how the Government’s policies have already forced Barnsley Primary Care Trust to put aside nearly £18 million from its budget this year and next to pay for the costly NHS restructure.  And last month, figures showed that waiting times in Barnsley have also risen over the past year, despite the number of people being treated decreasing.  If the Government refuses to listen, I believe its reforms would make things worse and seriously damage the NHS.  They would: 

• Break up the NHS and create an unfair postcode lottery. With no national standards, there will be widespread variation in the treatments available on the NHS.  In some areas, people may have to go private to get services available for free elsewhere.

• Risk rises in waiting times and a two-tier NHS.  It scraps the cap on hospitals treating private patients at the same time as watering down guarantees on NHS waiting times.  This means local hospitals will be free to treat more private patients and make NHS patients wait longer.

• Turn the NHS into a full-blown commercial market, putting competition before patient care. It allows private companies to cherry-pick quick profits, potentially forcing local hospitals to go bust.  Hospitals could even be fined for working together.

• Undermine the bond of trust between doctors and patients, creating a conflict of interest where financial incentives could interfere with medical decisions. GPs could even get a bonus for rationing care.

• Waste money and increase bureaucracy.  It can’t be right to spend £2 billion on a reckless re-organisation when the NHS needs every penny it can get for patient care.

Lastly, it is clear that the Government is coming under increasing pressure and I believe it is more important than ever that we make sure Barnsley’s voice is heard in Westminster by getting as many people as possible to sign the e-petition.  If you have not already done so, you can add your name by visiting http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22670.

Thank you again for writing to me about this important issue.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch again if you have any other issues you would like to raise.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Dugher MP
Member of Parliament for Barnsley East

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