Jon visited the Royal Infirmary on to see the Emergency Department and to discuss the Trust’s plans for winter.

Jon said: “At the moment the state of the NHS is a top concern for many constituents across Leicester South. As the local MP I visit the Leicester Royal Infirmary regularly but I’m especially keen to see the work of the Emergency Department during the difficult winter months. As well as meeting with senior managers at the Trust I want to hear from the frontline staff about the issues they face on a day to day basis.”

After being met by the Chief Executive, John Adler, Jon was accompanied on his visit by the Chief Operating officer, Richard Mitchell.

Jon had a walk through the Emergency Department and at the same time had the new Emergency Floor and the Trust’s winter plans and patient flow explained to him. This included a visit to the new Modular Wards which have been erected between the Windsor and Osborne to give the hospital extra capacity. 

Jon Ashworth MP wrapped presents at Matrix House.

Jon said: “The Toys on the Table charity does fantastic work in providing new toys for children of all faiths who may not receive anything during Christmas and the holiday season. As people will soon be starting their Christmas shopping, if you can please buy an extra gift for Toys on the Table”

The charity receives only new gifts from donors or funds which can be used to purchase new gifts. This year Jon donated a ‘Playdoh Diggin Rigs’ for over three year olds.

Jon commented: “Every year since being elected as the MP for Leicester South I have been involved with Toys on the Table. Sadly, now more than ever there is a need for this amazing campaign.”

“I encourage everybody in Leicester to buy a gift, go to their nearest drop-off point, and make the holiday season that bit more special for families who are finding it difficult to make ends meet in these tough economic times.”

Local MP Jon Ashworth has welcomed Labour’s £3m pledge to back women’s refuges under threat of closure. His backing follows Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s call for urgent change as part of this year’s 16 days of action against violence against women.

This follows research from Women’s Aid, which estimates that 155 women and 103 children are turned away from refuges every day. Many refuges are using their reserve funding to stay open, and some areas now have no refuge accommodation at all.

Jon said: “Domestic and sexual violence in Britain is little short of a national scandal. Two women a week are still killed by their partner or an ex-partner. At least 750,000 children a year are witnessing violence in their own home, and I’m concerned that the national network of refuges is starting to crumble before our eyes.”

Refuges provide a vital safe-haven to help families rebuild their lives after suffering domestic violence, and this is an issue Jon has worked on locally. He has previously met with SAFE, a refuge in Leicester, and domestic violence help as an issue of concern is regularly raised in his public meetings for women.

Jon commented further: “I’ve seen how important refuges are at a local level, and I know that, sadly, many women in Leicester rely on them for safety. It’s important that they get the help they need, and I’m proud to be backing this measure.”

Photo right: Jon supporting the White Ribbon Campaign, a campaign by men to end violence against women

Jon Ashworth spent time on Eyres Monsell Estate with police officers.

Jon said: “Last month I wrote to residents in the area of Eyres Monsell where I’m going on the beat. Over 55% of the residents that responded stated that crime and anti-social behaviour is a problem in the area, so as their Member of Parliament I’m going to look round the area myself.”

Jon was joined on the patrol by the local Councillor, Rory Palmer. Speaking before the visit Councillor Palmer stated: “The neighbourhood policing team do an excellent job in Eyres Monsell. Our local police officers and PCSOs are known across the community and have the confidence of local residents. The policing team in Eyres Monsell illustrate the strength and importance of neighbourhood policing.”

As part of Jon’s recent local survey residents were asked if there should be more police on the streets. A staggering 92% of residents stated that there should be more police in the area.

Jon Ashworth MP met with Citizenship and Politics Students to answer questions on the work of a Member of Parliament.

Jon covered such issues as the role of MPs in representing their constituents, how the House of Commons works, the work of a shadow Minister and what it is like to ask a question at Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Speaking before the visit, Jon said: “I’m looking forward to visiting Regent College again. I regularly visit colleges and schools in my Constituency and I hope I can contribute to the students’ learning and understanding of Parliament during my visit. Although, based on my recent experience with students, I’m bracing myself for some tough questions!”

David Griffiths, teacher at Regent College, said: “Jon has always been very helpful in coming to college and talking with students. This has served to provide a useful experience for students, not just in approaching their exams but also in broadening their appreciation of the wider world.”

Photo above top; Jon answering questions, photo above bottom, a massive selfie, photo right, Jon with a student

Jon Ashworth served food to worshippers at Guru Amar Das Gurdwara for National Langar Week celebrations, which will see Gurdwaras across the country celebrating the Sikh concept of Langar.

‘Langar’ is a term that commonly describes the free kitchen and food served to all visitors at Gurdwaras. The concept celebrates community togetherness in preparing, sharing and eating food together.

The practice was set up by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, and has wider spiritual connotations for many Sikhs; Langar is a reminder that all people are equal, regardless of religion, gender, social status or other dividing lines.

The week-long celebration of Langar comes at a timely point in the year, when people across the county prepare for Remembrance Sunday. Sikh soldiers fought in large numbers for the British army during World War One, making this overlap all the more important.

Speaking before the visit, Jon said: “I’ve been to Langar before and it’s an incredible thing to be part of. I served Langar at the Gurdwara on East Park Road, and sharing food is a great way to bring people together. I’m very proud to be a part of this, more so because it comes at a time when we’re remembering others and marking a major historical event.”

Jon Ashworth MP reveals growing gender pay gap where women in East Midlands work for free until 31 December - 3 more days than last year.

New analysis of official figures by Labour shows that women in the East Midlands are being paid 79p for every pound a man earns – the second worst region for equal pay across the country.

The revelation comes as Equal Pay Day - the day that women across the UK effectively start working for free due to the gender pay gap - comes three days earlier this year because the pay gap is back on the rise under this Government. That means that from today women will work for free for the next 57 days.

A Labour Government would ask big companies with over 250 staff in the East Midlands to publish their average hourly pay gap each year, exposing whether men and women are being paid differently for doing the same work, and whether too few women occupy senior positions.