NEWS FROM GLENIS WILLMOTT

Grounds for optimism  
                                                               
The latest news about rising unemployment in the UK is very worrying. I understand that people are fearful about what the downturn might bring and are worried about their jobs and living costs.  There is only so much that governments can do in this situation.  The Labour Government has acted to put more money into helping those who may find themselves out of work. The help available at jobcentres now is a world away from the Tory system in the 1980s, and there is a huge range of training opportunities available. European money can help at a local level through targeted projects funded by the European Social Fund.  And now Alistair Darling has acted to cut VAT and to help pensioners and families with children. Despite this, I know how concerned many of you will be about the future.

However, I do believe there are grounds for optimism. A short time ago Gordon Brown said,

“ It is up to us whether 2008 is remembered for a financial crash that engulfed the world or for a new resilience and optimism from a generation which faced the economic storm head on and built the fair society in its wake.”

Gordon Brown proposed big changes to the global financial system 10 years ago.  Now the world is listening.  There is now broad acceptance at all levels that the market cannot be left unregulated.   He has taken a lead in persuading world leaders that now is the time to work towards global reform of the banking system to ensure stability, transparency and responsibility.  At EU level, European leaders have agreed and have praised Gordon Brown for the way he moved swiftly to stabilise the UK banking system. The countries of the Eurozone have acted too. By working together EU leaders will punch above their weight in global discussions – proving it is vital that the UK is fully engaged in Europe.

And of course there is the Obama victory, which must be a huge cause for celebration for all those who believe in progressive politics.  Obama has already signalled that he wants to tackle global warming.  The EU has taken a lead on climate change and is well placed to push this in Washington. Having the US on side will make all the difference.

I would welcome your thoughts.

Best wishes

Glenis Willmott
 

The Credit Crunch: the EU at work – from the website of European Commission President Barroso

Updating toy safety regulations

This month MEPs voted on updated guidelines on the safety of children’s toys.  This legislation is vital to keep our children safe.

We want to see a ban on chemicals linked to cancer and on allergenic fragrances. Laws to prevent accidents, like choking or suffocation, caused by small parts in toys should be updated.  And there should also be a reduction in allowable limits of lead and mercury and other heavy metals.

Products from Mattel and Thomas the Tank Engine were pulled due to excessive lead content last year and some Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures were removed from shelves following the discovery that magnetic parts could be detached and ingested.
Our priority has to be the health and safety of our children.

Food labelling
Some of you may have noted remarks made by Jamie Oliver when he appeared before the Commons Health Committee recently. He was disparaging about the EU generally and in particular attacked the rules on food labelling which mean that food cannot clearly be labelled as British.

I am currently involved in revising the regulations on food labelling, and I agree with Jamie Oliver that we should be clear about where our food comes from, as well as what it contains.  Jamie Oliver has agreed to meet with me, in my capacity as the Labour spokesperson on health in the European Parliament, to see how he can have an input into the new regulations.  Watch this space!

Free fruit and veg for schools

I am backing moves in The European Parliament to offer free fruit and veg to every primary school child. The aim is to extend the free fruit and veg scheme to children aged 6-10 by next autumn.

Many schools already provide fruit for their youngest children but this funding will mean children will benefit right through their primary school years. I am also fully behind suggestions that the scheme makes free fruit and veg available to pre-school children.
Research shows that when free fruit and veg schemes stop in school, children’s overall fruit and veg consumption drops. But studies also show that eating fruit and veg reduces the risk of developing serious illness, including cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
 
And it is not only the children who will benefit. The increase in demand for fruit and vegetables can only be a good thing for our farmers.

And finally…

I think Robert Kilroy-Silk has had quite enough publicity over his sojourn in the jungle without me adding to it here. 

A more significant story and one you may have missed, concerns North West Tory MEP, Den Dover. Dover has been expelled from the Tory party following a European Parliament investigation, which concluded that £500,000 in expenses paid to his family for office work constituted a conflict of interests.

The case has been referred to the European Parliament's fraud unit.

Contact Glenis

Glenis Willmott MEP
Harold Wilson House
23 Barratt Lane
Attenborough
Nottingham  NG9 6AD
 
Tel. 0115 922 9717
Fax. 0115 922 4439

office@gleniswillmott.org.uk

Glenis’s team
 
Paddy Casswell: Political Manager
Chris Poles: Brussels Researcher
Ted Willmott: Parliamentary Assistant
Maggie Hudson: Constituency Assistant
Elizabeth Udall: Media Officer
Kelly Tomlinson: Secretary
Phillippa Garner: Stagiaire (Intern)