Teresa votes against Bedroom Tax

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Teresa with Rachel Reeves MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, in the House of Commons today.

Today Teresa joined other Labour MPs to vote against the Bedroom Tax during a debate in Parliament.

The Bedroom Tax has caused hardship for hundreds of thousands of people across the country, costing low-income families an average of £700 a year. Two thirds of those hit by the Bedroom Tax have disabilities and 60,000 are carers. In London alone 48,489 people have been affected.

The Affordable Homes Bill, which aims to partly overturn this policy, was passed during a second reading in Parliament today by a vote of 306 to 231.

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Posted in House of Commons, News, Press Notices

Teresa supports RSPCA’s calls for changes in law on dog breeding and trade

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Teresa with a uniformed RSCPA inspector in the House of Commons today.

Today an important debate took place in Parliament about the worrying issue of the breeding, dealing and trading in puppies and dogs.

The way people buy and sell animals has changed considerably since the legislation that regulates this was introduced, and many animal charities have serious concerns about impulsive buying.

Irresponsible dog breeding and international trading in puppies can cause many welfare problems. These include poor health for puppies and their parents at irresponsible breeding establishments. There is now also the emerging problem of many puppies being illegally imported to meet the
public demand for ‘cheap’ puppies.

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Posted in House of Commons, Press Notices

Jubilee Primary School brings ‘Send All My Friends to School’ Campaign to PM’s attention

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Teresa outside No.10 Downing Street.

Teresa recently delivered ‘Buddy Chains’ and posters to the Prime Minister at No.10 Downing Street on behalf of pupils at Jubilee Primary School.

Year 3 students worked very hard creating ‘Buddy Chains’ and posters as part of the ‘Send All My Friends to School’ campaign.

Send My Friend to School brings together thousands of children across the UK to speak up for the right to education, and remind world leaders of their promise that all children should get the chance to go to school.

Following her visit to No.10, Teresa said:

“It was a pleasure delivering the ‘Buddy Chains’ and the posters made by Year 3 pupils at Jubilee Primary School to No.10. All children should have access to education, and I am pleased that these students are taking such a proactive interest in these matters.

 

The hard-work and dedication of the pupils at Jubilee Primary School was clear. I am very proud that students in my constituency have raised awareness of such an important issue with the Prime Minister.”

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Posted in Press Notices

Teresa’s Jobs Fair a great success

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Last Friday, Teresa hosted her first Jobs Fair at Belvedere Community Centre. The day was a great success, with almost 400 people attending in total throughout the day.

Belvedere Community Centre welcomed a number of exhibitors – including advisory services, education providers, local businesses, and large national recruiters – who spoke with members of the public about the opportunities they had to offer. Lidl UK is looking to fill around 200 positions, and interviewed prospective candidates on the day. Asda, Crossrail, CuroCare, Hovis, and Iceland were also in attendance to speak about their live vacancies.

The Centre was bustling with activity throughout the day and there was a friendly atmosphere. A number of people attended the seminars and workshops that Teresa had arranged, and the one-to-one personalised careers advice sessions running throughout the day were very popular.

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Posted in Local events, News, Press Notices

Teresa warns against websites charging for European Health Insurance Cards

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Teresa is warning constituents about the existence of a number of misleading websites which charge people for European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs). These cards are available free of charge to people who are ordinarily resident in the UK, and these sites should not be believed.

As the summer holidays approach, applications for EHICs usually rise significantly. Teresa therefore wants to make constituents aware of these misleading websites, and to provide them with information about how to apply for free. Information about the card and the official application can be found online or by calling 0300 330 1350.

Crucially, members of the public should be aware that if they are being asked to pay for their EHICs, they are not on the official EHIC website. EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. When travelling within Europe, travellers should ensure they have both.

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Posted in News, Press Notices

Teresa calls for a fairer deal for renters in Erith & Thamesmead

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Teresa has backed Labour plans for a better deal for those renting their homes privately.

In an Opposition Day debate in the House of Commons earlier this week, Teresa called on the Government to stand up for generation rent by backing reform plans in a vote in Parliament.

Sadly the reform plans were defeated. There were 226 votes in favour and 276 votes against. If reforms to the private rented sector had been agreed, they would have given the nine million people who rent greater stability.

Reforms proposed included three year tenancies with a ceiling on rent increases, giving families greater security and certainty. They also called for the banning of letting agent fees charged to tenants in order to make renting more affordable.  

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Posted in House of Commons, News, Press Notices

Teresa calls for responses to consultation on draft regulations and guidance for Care Act

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

The Department of Health (DH) has launched a consultation on draft regulations and guidance for part one of the Care Act 2014, which will come into effect in April 2015.

Teresa is encouraging anyone with an interest in reform of the care and support system to comment on the guidance and regulations for part one of the Care Act, and share their views.

The draft guidance is intended to provide local authorities with the information they need about how they should meet the legal obligations placed on them by the Act and the regulations. The guidance will also be used by people using care and support services, their families, the voluntary sector, and providers of care and support, to help them understand the new system.

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Posted in Consultation, News

Teresa calls for Government to refund holidaymakers

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Teresa will today vote for a motion calling on the Government to provide a refund for people who have had to pay additional fees to have their passport applications upgraded as a result of the crisis in the passport office.

After the delays and problems at the passport office over the last few weeks, Teresa has called on the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to make a one-off goodwill refund of fees for people who applied for their passports in good time but were forced to upgrade them because of the crisis and mismanagement in the passport office.

As part of efforts to tackle the crisis that has engulfed the Home Office in recent weeks, the Home Secretary has announced temporary measures. These include a free ‘upgrade’ to fast-tracking of applications from people who have already been waiting over 3 weeks and who travel within the next 7 days.  But over the last few weeks, many people across Erith & Thamesmead have been forced to pay £55 to have their passport applications fast-tracked because the HMPO could not ensure their passport would be processed within the Government’s 3 week target time-frame. The Government’s measures will not result in any help for these people.

Teresa is joining Labour colleagues and calling on the Government to pay back these additional fees to those who have had to upgrade through no fault of their own in the past few weeks.

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Posted in House of Commons, News, Press Notices

Teresa announces plans for local Jobs Fair in July

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Teresa has today announced that she will host a Jobs Fair at Belvedere Community Centre next month.

Over the last few months Teresa has contacted a number of large national recruiters, local businesses, education and training providers to ask them to attend the event in order to let local people know about live vacancies and opportunities with them.

The response has been very positive, with dozens of recruiters expressing their interest in attending. So far, Asda, the Bexley Fire Service, the Civil Service, Lidl, McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Thames Water, and Virgin Media have confirmed they will attend on the day, to name a few.

The Jobs Fair will take place on Friday 11th July 2014, and will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm. Teresa has devised a programme of seminars and workshops to run throughout the day, providing constituents with advice on different aspects of the recruitment process, including CV writing, interview skills, and job searching, as well as guidance on how to set up a business, and the reality of apprenticeships. 

One-to-one careers advice sessions will also run throughout the day, and there will also be advice specifically for the over 50s on business start-ups. Constituents can get in touch to indicate that they are interested in attending, and to receive updates ahead of the day, but registration is not necessary. Constituents can just turn up to speak with recruiters. Those who are interested in attending should bring their CVs along with them on the day. 

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Posted in Local events, News, Press Notices

Teresa responds to the Queen’s speech

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Teresa Pearce MP

Today the Queen set out the Government’s proposed legislative programme for the forthcoming year in the run-up to the General Election.

In response to the Queen’s Speech, Teresa said:

“I listened to the Queen’s Speech today with interest. I hoped that the legislative agenda for the next year would offer substantial reform to address those issues that are forcing hardworking people further into poverty. Whilst I am in favour of the introduction of a new power of recall – enabling voters to sack MPs who abuse their positions – I need to examine the detail once published to make sure it delivers the change that the public want. But having considered the programme ahead, the Government’s agenda is extremely disappointing.

 

There were no proposals put forward for serious reform to address serious issues, such as the cost of living crisis, the housing crisis, and the lack of jobs. Charging people for plastic bags will not enable them to create secure homes or put food on the table. The Government had the opportunity to announce a programme that would make a real difference to real people. Instead they have skirted around and ignored those issues that have the greatest impact on many people across my constituency.

 

The most glaring omission was that there was nothing about the NHS or the reform of the health care service. Many of us in Parliament across both parties were expecting legislation on reform of care services for the elderly. I was expecting that the Government would propose initiatives to help improve the standard of care for elderly people, and I am extremely upset that this was not acknowledged at all. Continuing to delay reform to this group of people is the cruellest delay of all, since they do not have the time to wait for standards to improve. They need to benefit from positive change now, and reform delayed is reform denied.”

Posted in House of Commons, Press Notices