Human Trafficking is one of the top three most lucrative manifestations of organised crime – along with drug dealing and arms trade.

Human Trafficking is a fundamental assault on basic human dignity.  It affects millions of men, women and children throughout the world.  More than twice as many people are in bondage in the world today as were taken in chains during the entire 350 years of the African Slave Trade.  Over 100,000 of which are in Europe, 1 in 8 are in the United Kingdom, some British, many European.

Human Trafficking includes Debt Bondage, Domestic Slavery, Child Labour as well as the more well known Sex Industry and it takes place throughout the UK – often in peaceful looking suburbia.   Cases of Human Trafficking have recently been identified in Worthing, Northampton, Ipswich, Dundee, Birmingham, Plymouth, Exeter, Colchester, Nottingham, Belfast, Edinburgh, Paignton and London.

More details about modern day slavery and the work of the Group can be seen at www.allpartygrouphumantrafficking.org .

Parliament unanimously supported the setting up the Legg ACA Review last summer to investigate all MP’s ACA accounts for each year 2004-2008.Sir Arthur Legg was commissioned to report back to Members Estimate Committee which is chaired by Mr Speaker, and he has now done so. His report was published 4^th Feb. 2010 and the following information are extracts from it regarding  decisions on my ACA accounts which I am publishing on my website with my comments of explanation.

Legg’s own interpretation of the remit given to him by the House of Commons to examine four years of ACA accounts, excluded consideration of the full period of their review when evaluating overpayments. (See Table 2 comments with footnotes).  Table 1; I made an error by putting the wrong date on the claim form i.e. March 2007, when it should have been for January 2007, i.e. only eight weeks difference and within the same financial year (2006/07). Therefore it was neither a duplicate claim or overpayment but Legg, knowingly disregarded that I only claimed 10 of the 12 months in 2006-2007 and still judged it was a duplicate claim and an overpayment.

Regardless of my difference of opinion with Legg’s interpretation of his remit and how he applied it to my ACA account, he was commissioned by Parliament to independently conduct his work. I said when he began his review that MP’s should accept his conclusions and where they are requested to make repayments, they should do so.

Note: –   When taken over the four year period of Legg’s ACA Review (2004-2008), I have not received more in repayments than my declared and verified expenditure.

Below: – Table of summaries from Sir Arthur Legg’s ACA Review report with MP’s comments.

^[1] MIRAS documents supplied by lender Abbey National to Legg ACA team for each financial year 2004-05; 2005-06; 2006-07; 2007-08 of payments received for mortgage interest payments only.

^[2] Figure from Legg ACA team 12 October giving details of payments for mortgage interest paid to MP over the period of the review.

What are Cold Weather Payments?

For customers on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available for each seven-day period at or below zero degrees Celsius.

Who can get Cold Weather Payments?

People on certain qualifying benefits are automatically eligible:

How much is a Cold Weather Payment?

This year payments are £25 per week for any seven consecutive days when the average temperature is zero degrees Celsius or below. Cold Weather Payments were increased from £8.50 to £25 per week for winter 2008/09 and that help was repeated this year.

They are paid out when the average temperature where the recipient lives is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March.

Does the scheme run all year round?

The scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March.

How do you measure the temperature?

We use 85 specified Meteorological Office weather stations

How many weather stations have triggered payments so far?

As of 6 January 2010, 61 of the 85 weather stations have triggered a payment since 1 November (some of them have triggered three or four payments so far). 

Why use postcodes linked to weather stations?

This is the most straightforward way to run the scheme. The Meteorological Office advises that the network of 85 weather stations is sufficient to provide national coverage with a reasonable level of local sensitivity.

How can I find out if a Cold Weather Payment has been triggered?

There is a postcode search facility at: http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/cold-weather-payment/home.asp

This will show how many payments have been triggered for that postcode.  Eligible customers will be paid automatically and do not need to apply.

Will Cold Weather Payment affect other benefits?

Cold Weather Payments will not affect other benefits.

How do customers apply for a Cold Weather Payment?

They don’t need to apply – eligible customers will get a Cold Weather Payment automatically once payments are triggered for their area.

What if a customer is eligible, and it has been very cold, and they have not received a payment?

They should tell their pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if they think they should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not had one.  Customers may first like to use the online postcode search facility to check if payments have been triggered for their area.

http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/cold-weather-payment/home.asp

How will customers get their money? 

Customers will receive their money in the usual way that they receive their benefits.  So if their benefit is paid directly into a bank account, the Cold Weather payment will be paid into the same account.  If they receive their benefit by cheque, that is how they will receive their Cold Weather Payment. 

When will customers get their money?

Customers will generally receive payments within a week of the payment being triggered.

Is Cold Weather Payment the same as a Winter Fuel Payment?

No, the Cold Weather Payment is a separate payment, paid on top of the Winter Fuel Payment.

So what is the Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payments are paid (mostly before Christmas) to those aged over 60. The amount of the Winter Fuel Payment is currently £250 for pensioners aged 60-79 years living alone. (£125 if they share a home with another eligible person). For people aged 80 or over the amount payable is £400 (£200 if they share a home with another eligible person aged 80 or over).

There is more information at:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/coldweatherpayment

This website provides information on eligibility, and there is a postcode search facility where customers can find out if Cold Weather Payments have been triggered in their area.

Why do some areas get it and not others? Is it a postcode lottery?

No. Its based in the temperature in the area recorded by the Met Office. Every residential address in Great Britain is linked to one of the 85 weather station used in the scheme.

For winter 2009-10 nine new weather stations have been included as part of the scheme. Consequently, some postcodes from existing weather stations for winter 2008-09 will be redistributed and assigned to the following weather stations: Fylingdales, Gravesend, Leek, Little Rissington, North Wyke, Sheffield, St Bees Head, Stonyhurst, and Strathallan.

The alternative weather stations have been chosen to provide weather station to postcode linkages that are at least as representative as the previous arrangements—the changes are expected to either have a neutral effect or indeed provide a more accurate assessment for those eligible.

Other heating-related help

The Government’s main grant-funded programme for tackling fuel poverty is the Warm Front Scheme, which can provide a package of tailored insulation and heating improvements and energy advice for private sector households across England. Eligibility is determined by receipt of certain means-tested and disability benefits, including DLA.

The number of disabled people receiving Warm Front assistance has increased since 2005 – typically, approximately 40% of all those receiving help are in receipt of either Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, though there will also be other disabled applicants not in receipt of these benefits who are eligible for measure

You can claim online or get a claim pack by:

• phoning the Benefit Enquiry Line

Telephone: 0800 88 22 00

Textphone: 0800 24 33 55

• contacting your local Jobcentre or social security office

Winter Fuel Payments

• The Winter Fuel Payment is one of a number of initiatives the Government has introduced to help older people keep warm and well during the winter months.
• Anyone aged 60 or over on or before 27 September 2009 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment of £250 per household. Households with someone aged 80 or over could get a payment of £400.
• People over 60 who are newly eligible and who need to claim, and have not already received a claim form, can get one by visiting the Winter Fuel Payment website – www.direct.gov.uk/winterfuel, or by calling the helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users).
• Over 12 million older people receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically without the need to claim. A payment will be made automatically if:
• During the week of 21 – 27 September 2009, people were getting a state pension or other social security benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, or Child Benefit); or recipients got a payment last year and they remain eligible.
• The vast majority received their Winter Fuel Payments before Christmas. But there may still be people out there who have not claimed this money. All claim forms for the Winter Fuel Payment must be received on or before 30 March 2010 to meet the deadline.  Call the Winter Fuel Helpline on 0845 9 15 15 15 for a claim form or more information.
• People who normally receive Winter Fuel Payments automatically, but have had a change of circumstances since last year’s payment, must contact The Pension Service to ensure their payments continue. This could include a change in bank account, a new address or a change in benefit entitlement.

In January 2010 Sir Thomas Legg will report to the MEC (Members Estimate Committee) on his findings and recommendations of his review into MP’s second home allowance (ACA). The MEC chaired by the Speaker with senior Government and Opposition MP’s on it, had commissioned Sir Thomas Legg to conduct this ACA Review and report his findings to them.

His review so far has been widely reported, talked about and mused over. Rumours and revelations were abounding during and will almost certainly be after he reports. Sir Thomas had conducted his review over the summer and wrote to each Member of Parliament 12 October, detailing his provisional findings of their last four year accounts and made proposals for some repayment where he thought it necessary and sought further information re Members annual mortgage interest statements (MIRAS) and rental agreements.

In his letter to me he identified a duplicate monthly claim at the end of the 2006/7 financial year dated 31 March for 01-31 March 2007 of £1630.14 and asked that I repay this amount. I was taken aback at his provisional findings but on checking, there were two claims dated for 31 March 2007 and however inexplicable this news seemed to me, I accepted responsibility for it. The only explanation for such an error on my part was that it was made at the financial year end.

However, before my final submission to ACA Review team I decided to look again at my accounts for 2006/07 and found that I had not submitted two duplicate claims for March 2007 but that I had wrongly dated the claim for £1630.14p i.e. where the claim made 31 March should have been dated for 01-31 January 2007 ; two month previous and in same financial year; and further that of the 12 months re 2006/07 financial year, I had submitted claims for only 10 of the 12 months.

 Sir Thomas’s review team also requested copies of MIRAS statements for each of the four years of his review, i.e., 2004/05; 2005/06; 2006/07 and 2007/08.

Getting this information caused some delay but I received my MIRAS certificates from my lender in reasonably good time and immediately submitted them to the ACA review team. On examination of my MIRAS documents over the 2004-2008 period of the ACA review, I had paid marginally more in interest payments than I had claimed.  

 The Members Estimate Committee has decided that there should be an appeal process built into Sir Thomas Legg’s conclusions. MP’s who feel that all or part of Legg’s proposal for repayment are unfair and not equitable, will be able to appeal and that any such appeal will be considered by Sir Paul Kennedy, a former Lord Justice of Appeal,

The former Lord Justice will consider any special reasons given by MP’s in their own case showing why it would not be fair or equitable to require them to make the repayments or to make them at the level recommended.  This appeal process will be in respect of individual cases only and not to reopen Sir Thomas’s review as a whole.

 New PAAE

This week saw the publication of the last year of the ACA 2008-09 accounts along with the first quarter of its replacement, i.e. the new Parliamentary Additional Accommodation Expenditure (PAAE) April – June 2010. The media coverage of the ACA 2008-09 may have been predictable to some with the understandable widespread rage that accompanied it. The behaviour of the disreputable few continues to damage all MPs most of whom feel they are being tarred by the same brush. I understand the anger throughout the country at those MP’s from all  political parties, and I certainly do “get it” and share and understand that anger.

That said, the first quarter of the new PAAC is a better judge of how Parliament has made the first step to clean up the hitherto hated system of parliamentary allowances. I am on record in condemning the system before the exposé of the summer in 2009. In a submission to the Baker Review 2007-08 into salaries and allowances I wrote, quote, “Why don’t we have a rule that MP’s cannot pay more than £250 out of their own pocket and have the House authorities devise a system of finance accounting that pay directly on the instruction  of the MP. We already have such a system with MP’s Travel; why not look at a system that would cover all other spending. N. B. This would also improve the huge bureaucracy needed to check, file and audit invoices and expenditure. The ACA allowance is no longer sustainable and needs a root and branch reform. At the very least there should be a maximum limit to the amount of capital interest payable from the ACA. e.g. 40-50% of the ACA total” end quote.

The ACA is now defunct and mortgage interest payment limits and rents have been imposed (but not low enough) and interest payments will soon end altogether.  Keep visiting my webpage for further updates.

 This year we want bangs, not burns, at firework displays so it’s really important that individuals and families follow the firework code.

I know fireworks can be a worry for many people in Lanark & Hamilton East, especially in the run up to Guy Fawkes night, and controlling fireworks matters.   We need to make sure that fireworks are enjoyed safely and that the majority of people are protected from the small minority who misuse fireworks around this time of year.

 I’ve been told of cases where families have been disturbed in the early hour of the morning, children have been threatened by fireworks yobs and elderly relatives feeling trapped inside their homes.

 Fireworks must not be sold to anyone who is under 18 by law.  The Labour Government has also introduced powers for the police to fine those who cause disturbance late at night, let off fireworks in the street and fine youngsters who carry fireworks in public.  The law is clear on anti social behaviour: It’s simply against the law to possess fireworks in public if you’re under 18 and it’s against the law to throw or set off fireworks in the street. 

 Fireworks yobs can be hit in the pocket. On the spot fines of £80 for disorder can be issued against anyone causing a nuisance with fireworks at this time of the year.  

 Bonfire night is a time families enjoy. But unfortunately accidents can and do happen. Even if you think you know how to handle fireworks look again at the Fireworks Code to ensure you and your loved ones have a safe and happy time on bonfire night.

 Fact box

 The firework code: 

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114. 
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks. 
• Keep fireworks in a closed box.  
• Follow the instructions on each firework. 
• Light at arm’s length, using a taper. 
• Stand well back. 
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode. 
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them. 
• Always supervise children around fireworks. 
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. 
• Never give sparklers to a child under five. 
• Keep pets indoors.

 Jim Hood MP has welcomed new rules around Housing and Council Tax Benefits, making working families an average of £20 a week better off. More than 200,000 working families will gain about £1000 a year.

 From Monday 2 November, 2009, new Government policy means that income from Child Benefit will no longer be taken into account when calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. This will mean more money for families already getting these benefits and other low income families becoming eligible for the first time.

 Jim Hood,  Labour MP said:

 “This change means more money in the budgets of working families here in Lanark & Hamilton East – more real help from a Labour Government.”

 Both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit can be claimed by customers who are working and this change will be an extra incentive to getting back to work. Currently, the average Housing Benefit award is £80 a week and the average Council Tax Benefit award is £15 per week.

 The Child Benefit disregard for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is one of a series of measures taken since the Budget 2007 that will see around a further 500,000 children lifted out of poverty – part of the Government’s commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020. 

                                                                                                            Ends

 Notes to Editors: 

• Families in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit do not have to do anything to access this new help. The disregard will be calculated and added to the benefit automatically.
• Families on a low income who aren’t in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit who think they might be newly entitled to these benefits should contact their local council for more details.
• Child Benefit disregard for Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit was announced in the Budget 2008.

Monday 12 October: This was the first day back from the summer recess and when MP’s were to receive letters from Sir Thomas Legg informing them of his preliminary findings on the management of their ACA accounts from 2004-2008. MP’s were told that Sir Thomas’s letters would be available from 9.a.m. but they didn’t begin to appear until 5.p.m. The stiff upper lips were holding up into the early afternoon but some began to quiver when news reached the tearooms that the Prime Minister, David Cameron and Nick Clegg had got their letters and were to payback over-payments. 

Controversy 

The controversy from Legg’s preliminary report, particularly his retrospective proposals, may have been predictable but the reality is that Sir Thomas’s Review was a necessary event to bring an end to the MP’s expenses debacle. Sir Christopher Kelly’s Independent Review of a new system of allowances when it reports to Parliament in November will also hopefully help restore some semblance of confidence in politics.

 Embarrassed

MP’s have been rightly embarrassed by the structural and administrative failures of the rules governing their allowances and they now have to prove to an angry and sceptical public that “they get it”. Following Legg, the House authorities (Fees Office) have some questions to answer, e.g. what caused audit procedures to be flawed?; and why were there so many inconsistencies on implementing the rules? The rules were significantly changed and improved by Parliament before the summer recess and I am sure these changes will be reconfirmed and  improved upon by Sir Christopher Kelly when he reports in November.

 End

• The helpline proposal was an outcome from Labour Minister Pat McFadden’s     Vulnerable Worker Enforcement Forum which reported last year.  This work is overseen by the Fair Employment Enforcement Board (FEEB) which includes the CBI, TUC, FSB, Unite, CAB, REC, and representatives from the enforcement agencies.
•  The helpline number is 0800 917 2368. The textphone number is 0800 121 4042.  Information is also available on direct.gov.uk/payandworkrights and businesslink.gov.uk/payandworkrights.
•  The National Minimum Wage is enforced by HM Revenue and Customs, the Agricultural Minimum Wage by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Working Time (48 hour average working week) by the Health and Safety Executive (and local authorities), Employment agency standards by BIS’s Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) and Gangmaster licensing by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA). The wider set of employment rights (e.g. holiday pay, grievances) is enforced through application by an individual to an employment tribunal.
•  Free advice on wider employment matters is available from Acas, the employment relations service. Their helpline, 08457 47 47 47, gives confidential, impartial advice and guidance on a wide range of work rights. Acas also helps employers and employees settle claims to employment tribunals.
•  The over arching awareness raising campaign is in the second of its three years.  The first year targeted agency workers, and led to an increase of 300 per cent in calls to the EAS helpline. 
• On 1 October 2009 the new rates for the National Minimum wage will come into effect. The rate is rising to £5.80 per hour for workers aged 22 and over, £4.83 for 18-21 year olds and £3.57 for those aged 16 and 17.  From 1 October 2009 new agricultural minimum wage rates also apply from £5.81 per hour for workers of school leaving age and above.   
• A “vulnerable worker” is defined as someone who has little knowledge of their rights, finds it hard to access advice, and does not have the capacity to protect themselves against rights abuses.
• The poll results are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2462 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st – 2nd September 2009.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
•  The Fair Treatment at Work Survey, published by BIS on 11 September 2009, provides further information on people’s knowledge and awareness of employment rights.  It supports the view that there are a number of vulnerable groups who are less aware of their rights than the general population. 

DEBATE: Three-way debate ‘a farce’, says Hood

A three-way debate at the General Election between the main party leaders would be ‘a farce’, Labour MP Jim Hood said today.

He was speaking after Sky TV announced they would hold a party leaders’

debate and leave ‘an empty chair’ if the Prime Minister did not turn up.

The Prime Minister yesterday did not rule out the possibility of taking part.

The General Election would be about ‘who is going to be Prime Minister and what Government will be elected’, he said.

” Clegg has no claim to either and should join Alex Salmond and others on the terraces watching the match.

” I am all for a debate between Brown and Cameron. There should be three or four and covered by BBC & ITV channels.

” The real choice will be either Gordon Brown or David Cameron. Clegg is not expected to hold his own seat, never mind being a candidate for Prime Minister.”

ends

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