Jon Ashworth MP warns of failings in Chancellor's Autumn Statement |
Wednesday November 30 2011 |
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Speaking in Parliament Jon Ashworth MP warns that the Chancellor's Autumn Statement fails to relieve the burden hard pressed families are currently facing.
In his speech Jon said: “I think it was the Governor of the Bank of England who said earlier this year that households in 2011 would experience the toughest squeeze in living standards since the 1920s.
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Jon Ashworth MP heralds Leicester's Interfaith Week |
Friday November 25 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP heralds Leicester's Interfaith Week as a Great Celebration of our City's Diversity and Vibrancy.
Jon Ashworth said: “I am proud to represent a City and constituency of such tremendous diversity – this diversity is part of our vibrancy and strength as a City. I am especially proud that the Leicester South constituency I represent is graced by the Cathedral, many beautiful churches, mosques, gurdwaras, Hindu temples, the Jain temple and synagogues. We are a city that rightly celebrates all the major religious festivals too.”
“It was great to visit the impressive exhibition and meet representatives of different faith communities to talk about the importance of Interfaith work in Leicester.”
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| “Leicester's Council of Faith must be congratulated not just for this successful week but for the brilliant work they do all year round.” |
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Photo below left shows Jon with Manjula Sood, Assistant Mayor and Chair of Council of Faiths. Photo below, Jon with Leicester Council of Faiths representatives, |
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Jon Ashworth MP meets Aylestone Local Action Group to give support |
Friday November 25 2011 |
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Jon joined members of Aylestone Local Action Group (ALAG) and local Councillor Adam Clarke in a discussion with Assistant Mayor Ted Cassidy and the Conservation Planning Team of Leicester City Council.
They met to talk about 2 issues: the Aylestone shopping area, which is suffering from the economic downturn and the special heritage of the area, which all agreed should be celebrated and preserved to support a vibrant local economy.
ALAG has worked to improve the local environment in partnership with businesses, schools and the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom. The group has secured funding and purchased planters and hanging baskets, which have been placed along the pavements and shop fronts of what the community calls 'Old Aylestone'.
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Unfortunately, in the meantime, a pub has closed and been demolished and once thriving shops have been vacated.
Jon spoke of his keenness to support his Aylestone constituents and local businesses in difficult financial times. He pledged to listen to community groups such as ALAG who work so hard in a voluntary capacity to improve communities.
Councillor Clarke said "Jon's support is so important to the community. He understands that Aylestone is an important part of the city and it is struggling, like everywhere, in these difficult times."
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Below, Jon with Assistant Mayor Ted Cassidy at Aylestone Hall Bowls Pavilion, Aylestone Hall Gardens.
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Jon Ashworth MP, supports the local warmth scheme, Health Through Warmth |
Friday November 18 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP, supports the local warmth scheme, Health Through Warmth, while visiting the latest constituent to benefit.
Jon met with Pamela Nelson of Knighton Lane, a constituent who has benefitted from the Leicester Health Through Warmth Scheme, Jon Ashworth said: “With us all turning the heating up and energy bills rising, I could see for myself the real difference this scheme has made to a Pamela's daily life. Although Pamela was not eligible for a statutory grant the Scheme sourced funding for a new central heating system which was much needed during the extremely cold weather at the beginning of the year.”
“I encourage people with a cold related illness, such as asthma and mobility problems, and without adequate heating or insulation, to contact the Health Through Warmth scheme which is managed by the City Council in partnership with NHS Leicester.”
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“As well as supporting schemes such as this, I'm also calling on the Government to do more to tackle rising energy bills. The rising cost of living – whether it's the weekly shop or the gas and electricity bills are causing genuine problems for families and pensioners in Leicester at the moment. Pensioners are set to be hot also by a reduction in the Winter Fuel Payment this Christmas.”
Since being established in 2003 the Leicester Health Through Warmth scheme has received approaching 2,500 referrals of vulnerable households. The type of assistance offered by the scheme includes wall and loft insulation, boiler repair or replacement, and heating systems and appliances. |
Photos right show Jon with Mrs Nelson and below right, Jon, Mrs Nelson and City Council employees who work on the scheme.
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Jon Ashworth MP visits British Gas Energy Academy on Aylestone Road |
Friday November 18 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP visited British Gas's flagship training Academy in Leicester and praised the quality of apprenticeships on offer.
This Energy Academy on Aylestone Road can train up to 125 apprentice engineers at any one time, and is one of five training centres across the country.
Jon said: “I was so impressed with academy and the quality of apprenticeship in offer. One of my top priorities as Leicester South's MP is attracting skilled jobs of the future to Leicester. This is exactly the sort of training academy I want to see more of in the economy.
“This week we've seen youth unemployment cross the one million mark while long term youth unemployment in Leicester South has almost doubled since January. Investing in quality apprenticeships and training such as that offered at the British Gas Academy is absolutely vital to help us deal with the unemployment problem we're facing as a city and nation.”
British Gas has three other sites based in Leicester: the flagship national parts centre; the home servicing and repair customer services centre; and expert advisor team which supports business customers.
This week British Gas announced 850 redundancies in the services business. The job losses will primarily affect front line managers and call centre staff across the country including Leicester. Jon also met up with workforce reps from GMB and UNISON following this news.
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“As soon as I heard this news I wanted to meet workforce reps as soon as possible at Leicester to offer my support. This news comes in the context of rising unemployment and lack of growth in the economy. As I discussed with the workforce reps, I stand ready to do anything I can to help at this very difficult time.” |
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Photos show Jon during his visit to the British Gas Training Academy
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Jon Ashworth MP will attend the Service of Remembrance |
Sunday November 13 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, attended the Service of Remembrance at Leicester market on Friday 11 November and the ceremony at the War Memorial on Victoria Park on Remembrance Sunday.
Jon Ashworth joined shoppers and traders at Leicester Market to pay his respects to the City's war dead at the annual service of Remembrance in Market Square on Friday 11 November.
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On Sunday Jon attended the City's Annual Remembrance Day service and parade at the War memorial in Victoria Park along with veterans, civic dignitaries and members of the public.
Jon commented: “The relevance and importance of Remembrance Day and the Two Minute Silence remain undiminished. Not only do we remember those who fought for our freedom during the two World Wars, but we honour those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts.”
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Jon Ashworth MP holds a roving surgery in Knighton |
Saturday November 12 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP holds a roving surgery in Knighton and lends his support to Zed Singh of the 9th 12th Royal Lancers.
Jon Ashworth MP said "I hold regular roving surgeries, often with local Cllrs, in streets and estates across Leicester South and was out and about in Knighton this Saturday."
"I was also delighted to meet Zed Singh, 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th 12th Royal Lancers who was raising money for Help For Heroes. As we remember those who died to defend our freedom, we must also remember the contribution the Indian community made to the First and Second World Wars.
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Indeed 300,000 Sikhs fought in the Second World War, and given that at the time the global Sikh population was only 20 million, that is a truly remarkable contribution."
Jon is pictured right with Zed Singh of the 9th 12th Lancers and Cllrs Inderjit Gugnani and Lynn Moore
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Jon Ashworth MP visited Shama Women's Centre |
Thursday November 10 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP visited Shama Women's Centre and demands Government take action to support women feeling the brunt of cuts.
Speaking ahead of the visit, highlighting the consequences that government policies are having on women, Jon Ashworth said:
“Women are clearly feeling the effects of this government. Whether it's on pensions or jobs, child care or tax credits, women are bearing the brunt of the government's cuts.”
“It was only last week when the government severely restricted access to Legal aid to women who are experiencing domestic violence – despite concerns expressed by MPs from all sides.”
The Shama Centre has been in existence for approaching 25 years and is the only women's only space in the whole of Leicester. Women attend the Centre who have limited English and very few skills, and by attending courses at the Centre their confidence increases as their English and skills are improved and increased. Since his election, Jon Ashworth has campaigned to limit cuts to English classes for speakers of other languages.
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The Shama Centre has 300 members with 1,000 women using the Centre every year.
Jon commented: “Given the impact of government policies on women in Leicester the role of the Shama Centre is as important today as it ever was, especially as the Centre is often the first step for women to integrate with the wider community.” |
Photo below: Jon with members of Shama Women's Centre and Manjula Sood (an assistant Mayor of Leicester City Council)
Photos right: Jon with a local users of the Shama Women's Centre.
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Jon Ashworth MP visited Sir Jonathan North Community College |
Friday November 4 2011 |
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Jon Ashworth MP met with staff and students at Sir Jonathan North Community College. The Community College serves the educational needs of a large and diverse area of South Leicester and is unique as the only girls' state school in Leicester and Leicestershire, educating students aged 11-16 from across the City.
The Student Council Executive and the student representatives from Year 11 gave presentations to Jon on their work, which included a video filmed by the Student Council Executive.
Jon commented: “I was enormously impressed with the presentations and the work and role of the Student Council Executive. The students take their responsibilities seriously and it is apparent that the Executive contributes to the running of the College.”
Following the presentations and meeting key members of staff, Jon was taken on a tour of the facilities at the College. This tour was led by two Year 9 students, Mia Loyal and Francesca Nicol. Accompanying Jon on the tour were the Principal, Alison Merills, the Vice Principal, Sarah Raynes, and the Chair of Governors, Tony Greenwood.
In 2011 the percentage of students achieving five or more GCSE A*-C grades including Maths and English increased to a College high of 63%, with 80 % of year 11 students achieving 5 or more A*- C GCSE passes in all subjects.
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Jon stated: “The commitment and hard work of the teachers and students was clear to see during my visit. Walking around the College there was a relaxed atmosphere with students contributing to the classes I visited.”
Jon stated: “The commitment and hard work of the teachers and students was clear to see during my visit. Walking around the College there was a relaxed atmosphere with students contributing to the classes I visited.” |
Photo below: Jon listening to presentations with Sarah Raynes, Vice Principal, Alison Merrills, Principal, Jon and Tony Greenwood, Chair of Governors. Above right: Jon with Liz Stanton, Team Leader Design Technology. Below right: Francesca Nicol, Jon and Mia Loyal before the tour
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