31st December 2000

MP welcomes police cash boost

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, welcomed the huge cash boost given to West Mercia Police for 2001. In a letter to all MPs served by the West Mercia Police Authority, their Chairman Mr Brian Watkins, writes: "

The settlement this year represents considerable improvement over the past two years."

West Mercia Police have received an annual increase of 6.1 per cent, much better than average. The Crime Fighting Fund will allow for an additional 59 officers to be recruited, on top of the extra 50 last year. Rural policing has also benefited, with the rural allocation more than doubling from last year.

Mr Foster said:

" I am delighted that our local police force has received such a huge cash boost. Labour is putting money into the service starved for so many years under the Tories. The local police authority recognise this."

" Labour was elected to be tough on crime. Crime is falling, and extra bobbies on the beat will help to prevent crime happening. People want to see more police, under this Government they will see exactly that."

" The Tories have promised to cut public spending. This means that police numbers will not be increased if the Tories have their way."

" In Worcester, we will see more police officers, and the £640,000 project in install more CCTV cameras will help keep the City a relatively safe place to live and work."

" For those suffering from neighbours from hell, and their anti-social behaviour, we have introduced Anti Social Behaviour Orders. The Tories want these "torn up". You can see why crime doubled under the Tories."

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17th December 2000

Cracking down on car crime

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, today welcomed the introduction of a Bill to crack down on car crime. The Vehicles (Crime) Bill has a second reading on Monday 18th December. The Bill will regulate motor salvage dealers, control the supply of number plates, and introduce compulsory vehicle checks for any written-off vehicle presented for re-registration.

Car crime has fallen by 15 per cent since the general election. The Government has set the very challenging target of a 30 per cent reduction by 2004.

Michael Foster said:

" Car crime has fallen under Labour. This Bill will help us crack down further, protecting the motorist from car theft and protecting legitimate salvage traders from the unfair competition by criminals in the industry."

" This Bill will mean a reduction in the chance of having your car stolen, and prevent car buyers from being ripped off by rogue salvage dealers."

" This Bill, along with the massive £640,000 investment in new CCTV cameras in Worcester, will mean our City becomes an even safer place to park a car. CCTV cameras paid for by the Labour Government will help protect public car parks in Worcester.

" I know how frustrating it is to have your car stolen, and this Government is determined to stamp out car crime. Under the Tories, crime doubled, the number of convictions fell by a third and the number of police officers fell. Under Labour, crime has fallen, and the number of police officers is increasing."

Mr Foster has been a victim of car crime under the Tories.

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17th December 2000

Date set for new lollipop law

"Foster Amendment" to start early in New Year.

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, will see his "lollipop amendment" take effect from January 30th 2001. Mr Foster, working with Worcestershire County Council's Road Safety Office, and local lollipop lady Tricia McFeee, successfully amended the Transport Bill as it made it's way through Parliament. The Bill received Royal Assent last month, and now civil servants have written to all Road Safety Departments in England and Wales informing them that the Act takes effect from January 30th.

Mr Foster said:

" I am delighted that the new Transport Act will be taking effect soon. It is not long to wait now for all of us connected with this campaign. It is now just a matter of weeks before School Crossing Patrols are able to cross adults as well as children across the road."

" For me, and the local patrols, the campaign has been on-going for over three years now. For Roger Woodward, the County Road Safety Officer, it has been an even longer wait. Along the way, we have had our ups and downs. Times when progress was being made, and times when others deliberately blocked our moves. But patience and persistence has paid off."

" Very few MPs have the privilege to see an idea created in their constituency successfully change the law. I am honoured that people like Roger Woodward and Tricia McFee had the faith in me, as their local MP, to get this law changed."

" Throughout England and Wales, lollipop patrols will soon be exercising their new powers, all thanks to what happened here in Worcester. It is a great example of Whitehall listening to what Worcester is saying. Long may it continue."

30th November 2000

Worcester to host Commonwealth meeting

Worcester will host 25 Commonwealth politicians for two days next Spring. Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, confirmed he had been in discussion with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association over the visit and the itinerary.

The delegation represents Commonwealth countries ranging from Canada and Australia, to smaller countries like Papua New Guinea. The delegates will comprise backbench politicians, as well as Ministers and Speakers of Commonwealth parliaments.

They are due to spend two nights at a hotel in Worcester City Centre, and Mr Foster has been working with the CPA to put forward an itinerary that reflects Worcester and Worcestershire.

One of the main aims for the delegates is to examine local government, and Mr Foster has already approached City Council Chief Executive David Wareing, and County Council Chief Executive Rob Sykes to ensure their availability.

Suggested visits are thought to include some of the following: - Commandary Museum, Royal Worcester Porcelain, Worcester Cathedral, a visit to a local farm, the County Cricket Ground, the Defence Research Agency and neighbouring business park in Malvern, as well as a traditional English pub.

Mr Foster said:

" I am delighted this visit is taking place. It will put Worcester firmly in the minds of many Commonwealth countries. I know that the City of Worcester will respond positively to any request for assistance in the visit, and it will put on a good show."

" The CPA has been running for 50 years and is highly regarded by all Commonwealth parliaments. To have chosen Worcester is a real coup for the City."

" I hope that my suggested visits give a real flavour of the County and City, and that our visitors will remember with affection their time here."

29th November 2000

Worcester plays its part as Labour meets
New Deal pledge
Michael Foster MP congratulates local partnerships to get people
back to work

Michael Foster, Labour MP for Worcester, today congratulated local young people, employers and Employment Service staff as official statistics confirmed that Labour's manifesto pledge to get 250,000 young people off benefits and into work through the New Deal has been met. The New Deal has played its part in creating a million new jobs since the election.

Mr Foster said:

"Labour made a promise at the last election. We said we would get quarter of a million young people off benefits and into jobs through New Deal for Young People. Since May 1997 Labour has cut youth unemployment by 70%. A promise made is now a promise kept."

"Today we're congratulating the employers, Personal Advisers and young people themselves who have made this possible. We can be very proud that Worcester has played its part in the New Deal success story. In Worcester youth unemployment has fallen by 73% since the election."

" I have spoken to many young people in Worcester who have benefited from the New Deal. It has transformed their lives. It has given hope to them and their families. Mums and Dads have told me how much the scheme has meant for their children. The New Deal is a scheme that everyone involved with should take great pride."

"By boosting the skills of the long-term unemployed, New Deal is helping us ensure everyone can benefit from economic prosperity."

"By cutting unemployment we have created a stronger economy, releasing more resources for public spending. In the early 1990s, 50p of every pound spent went on the costs of social and economic failure. Now that figure is only 17p - leaving more than 80p in every £1 of additional spending for hospitals, schools and vital public services, enabling us to tackle the long term under investment in Britain."

"All this is in sharp contrast to the Tories' plans to scrap New Deal. Their policy is economic madness and social vandalism that could only come from the party of high unemployment. Under the Tories unemployment twice hit 3 million."

28th November 2000

Rural White Paper outlines the real rural
agenda, says local MP

In a radical new Rural White Paper, Labour today outlined a package of measures to tackle the real issues that matter to people in the countryside - jobs, hospitals, schools, post offices and transport. Backed up by £1 billion, the White Paper will ensure that quality public services and a stable, thriving economy are brought to everyone in rural areas, and no longer remain the preserve of just the few.

Commenting on the White Paper, Michael Foster, MP for Worcester said:

"Today's Rural White Paper shows that Labour governs for the whole nation, town and country. Labour has 180 MPs representing rural areas, more than all the other parties put together. So its not surprising that we know that the priorities of people in rural areas are decent jobs, good schools, and a health service that can be depended on, as confirmed in the British Social Attitudes Survey published today.

"That's why the 'gold standard' in health, education and transport services announced in the White Paper is so important. It will put the spotlight on William Hague's £16 billion spending cuts guarantee which means £24 million of cuts here in Worcester, and each and every constituency in the County."

"The Conservatives, for all their rhetoric, had a disastrous record in office, slashing rural bus services, closing 30 village schools a year, and building all over the countryside. And now their policies are no better - a guarantee to end rural buses, to privatise the Post Office, and force vulnerable people in rural areas to pay for health services such hip operations."

"The Tories want to divide town and country, and they claim that fox-hunting is the main rural concern. Labour understands that we have to tackle urban and rural issues together, and it is better public services that people in the countryside really want."

" I was absolutely delighted to talk to the group, and get their views on the important issue of learning for life. These students, because that's what they are, were genuinely fired up with enthusiasm for the course. It gives them that vital start into understanding how computers can work for you."

The Rt Hon John Prescott, MP said:

"Our vision is of a living, working, protected and vibrant countryside - not an outdated, picture postcard version, but one where people have access to the jobs and services they require.

"We can achieve this by addressing the real needs of the countryside. That is what this White Paper about - setting out our commitments on providing vital public services in rural areas, reducing poverty and social exclusion, supporting sustainable economies and giving more power to rural communities.

The Rt Hon Nick Brown, MP said:

"What this White Paper makes clear is that farming remains central to the vitality of rural areas. Agriculture has been under tremendous pressure. Since 1997, Labour has provided an extra £1 billion to help the farming industry through difficult times. And the £1.6 bn England Rural Development Programme will provide vital support to help farming play its role in a diverse and successful rural economy and a properly protected countryside".

What the Rural White Paper means:

• A new Rural Services Standard making clear for the first time what services people living in the countryside can expect;
  
  
• £239million over the next three years to expand and develop rural transport, with a new £15 million Parish Fund for community based solutions;
  
  
• 50% mandatory rate relief reduction for village shops, pubs and garages which offer community benefit - subject to consultation;
  
  
• doubling the Housing Corporation funding to create over 3000 affordable homes a year in small rural communities, and planned consultation on giving local authorities discretion to scrap the 50% reduction in council tax on second homes;
  
  
• £37 million extra funding for market town regeneration to strengthen their role as a focal point for economic opportunity, bringing the total programme to £100 million;
  
  
• New primary health care one stop centres with internet and tele-links to hospitals or mobile units in over 100 rural communities worth £100 million;
  
  
• New additional aid to secure the future of small and medium sized abattoirs;
  
  
• Reduced VAT for repairs on listed churches;
  
  
• A rural proofing mechanism to ensure that Government policy makers "think rural";

27th November 2000

Foster backs local lifelong-learning centre

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, gave his backing to a scheme that gives adults a taste of computer training at Elbury Mount Primary School. A group of adults from the Brickfields area are currently taking a two hours a week course into computer technology. Mr Foster visited the group last Friday to see for himself how the Government funded programme is working.

The course is organised by Worcestershire County Council's Lifelong Learning Manager Jim Brady, and lasts for ten weeks.

Mr Foster said:

" I was absolutely delighted to talk to the group, and get their views on the important issue of learning for life. These students, because that's what they are, were genuinely fired up with enthusiasm for the course. It gives them that vital start into understanding how computers can work for you."

" I was impressed by their dedication to complete the task, but also to their commitment to continuing with such training. As a result, I have asked the County Council to commit themselves to providing the next stage of the training programme, for these students, at Elbury Mount Primary School."

" The group told me how popular such a course was, and that many others would like the opportunity to take it up. I believe that this area would be a perfect base to which to take lifelong learning out into the community, and with the County Council, local college and the Government Office of the West Midlands I have been working to get a permanent centre there."

" Taking learning out into the community is not new, but it clearly works and it should be encouraged. Be it learning in the workplace, or learning at your children's school, I am determined to make as much provision available as possible."

Mr Foster is a member of the Education Select Committee, and Secretary to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Further Education, and a former FE lecturer.

14th November 2000

Foster welcomes big rise in local health spending

Tories challenged to come clean on their £9 million NHS cuts programme for Worcester

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester today welcomed the announcement of big increases in health spending for local hospitals and family doctors.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn is to substantially increase the cash for the local health service in Worcestershire next year. Worcestershire Health Authority will receive £354.4 millions for 2001/2002 - a rise of £26.4 millions - up 8% on last year.

The extra resources announced for Worcestershire Health Authority are a result of the largest-ever-sustained rise in NHS spending announced in the Budget. After years of under investment, the NHS is now set to grow by over one third in real terms by 2004. The NHS in England is benefiting from annual average real terms growth of 6.3% - twice the usual rate of growth for the NHS.

The allocations include £450 million to help tackle our country's biggest killers - cancer and coronary heart disease. The extra resources will mean more drugs and operations for local patients.

By December 2001 there will be a new maximum one-month wait from urgent GP referral to treatment for men with testicular cancer, for children with cancer and for patients of all ages with leukemia.

The maximum waiting time for all inpatients is currently eighteen months. By Spring 2002 the NHS will have reduced the numbers waiting over 12 months and the maximum waiting time will have been reduced from 18 to 15 months for all patients.

But Mr. Milburn warned that Conservative plans would mean NHS cuts of at least £9 million in Worcestershire Health Authority.

The Conservatives health spending plans exclude £400 million of tobacco tax revenues going direct to the NHS. They include at least £500 million worth of subsidies to the private medical insurance industry . This amounts to almost £1 billion cut in NHS investment shared across the 99 health authorities in England - equivalent to a cut of £9 million in every health authority.

Mr. Milburn warned residents in Worcestershire,

"There is a very real choice on offer. Big investment coupled to big improvements in the NHS with Labour or cutback, cash-strapped, cash-up-front care with the Conservatives."

"Just where do the Conservatives think these £9 million NHS cuts will come from? How many nurses will be sacked or beds will be closed or operations will be cancelled as a result? The Conservatives must come clean. People living in Worcester have a right to know the damage the Tories intend to do to the NHS," Alan Milburn said.

Michael Foster said:

" People can see daily our new hospital being built. We have more nurses, more doctors and extra beds. Locally the NHS is getting better."

"Tough decisions Labour took when we came to office are now paying off for the health service in Worcester. This extra investment will improve services for patients, especially in tackling our top priorities of cancer and coronary heart disease. This big investment now has to mean big improvements for patients living here in Worcester. This is investment put at risk by the Conservative's £9 million local NHS cuts."

6th November 2000

Foster seeks assurances over winter health care

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, today met with Acute Trust Chairman, Harold Musgrove to discuss winter bed pressures and other hospital related issues. He also met with nursing staff from the Intensive Therapy Unit, the new Medical Assessment Unit and Accident and Emergency.

Mr Foster said:.

"There are some people, for whatever reason, want to talk down the NHS in Worcester. There are others who have real concerns that they want addressed. I took forward these concerns to the meeting with Mr Musgrove. In particular, I demanded assurances that sufficient capacity will exist for dealing with periods of high demand, such as winter pressures."

" Previous years have seen a shortage of critical care beds, and I have asked Mr Musgrove to look at the number of such beds here in Worcester."

" In addition, I asked him to look providing extra capacity to deal with the problems of intermediate health care. This has been a real cause of concern from politicians of all parties. If patients cannot transfer from acute to intermediate care easily, then the whole system gets blocked."

" Mr Musgrove was sympathetic to these demands. I hope he can give me, and the people of Worcester, the assurances I want in the near future. He has promised an answer very quickly. He too is aware of the genuine concerns over hospital bed numbers that exists."

" Extra beds are only part of the equation. Nurses are needed to staff them, and we discussed at length the issue of recruitment of nurses. There does seem to be some good news here, with Worcester now beginning to attract nurses from other parts of the country. Clearly working with a new hospital is an attraction that will bring us more staff."

" I congratulated Mr Musgrove and his staff for the way in which they had dealt with the evacuation of Castle Street. The ability of the hospital to empty a whole hospital and take the patients to the Ronkswood and Newtown sites hopefully demonstrates a flexibility and capacity to deal with emergencies."

" With progress being made on the building of our new hospital, I asked for confirmation of the completion date. Several constituents have asked me about opening the new hospital early. If possible, I would like this to happen and Mr Musgrove took this on board."

26th October 2000

Foster welcomes hint over POW cash

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, today welcomed the broad hint given by the Prime Minister, that compensation may be paid to former Prisoners of War held in the Far East. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, the Prime Minister said that campaigners should be patient, but should wait for the Chancellor's Pre Budget Report in early November.

Mr Foster said:.

" There is considerable sympathy for those that suffered such horrific treatment at the hands of the Japanese during the Second World War. Those days are now, thankfully, well behind us, but the memories and the suffering remain fresh in the minds of those involved."

" If the Government are able to compensate in some way, those that suffered then it will have done the right thing, and for the right reasons. We all owe a great debt to those who fought for this country, and those that suffered in the Far East remain at the forefront of our thoughts."

" I have several constituents who have written to me about this issue, and I know they will be delighted if something is done for the former POWs in a couple of weeks time."

Mr Foster's late grandfather was a veteran of the war in the Far East.

24th October 2000

Michael Foster MP supports campaign for working families

New figures show 113,000 West Midland families gaining from WFTC

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, backed a new Working Families Tax Credit advertising campaign today. Ads will be shown in the West Midlands as part of the Labour Government's drive to get more help to local working families and take more children out of poverty.

And the local MP warned that the Tories would scrap the WFTC, meaning an immediate £30 a week tax hike for 2000 families in Worcester.

The £5 million publicity drive to urge working families to apply for the WFTC is launched with the publication of new figures showing 113,000 families in the West Midlands are already gaining from the measure introduced by the Government last year.

Michael Foster said:
"The WFTC is crucial in Labour's fight against child poverty. Around 2000 hard working families in Worcester are receiving on average over £76 a week. This means they are an average of £30 a week better off than they would have been under the old Family Credit."

"But Labour is determined to do more to reach families who might be eligible so I'm urging families to ring 0800 5975976 to check eligibility. The publicity will show families who are already benefiting and I guess there are more in Worcester."

"The WFTC is crucial if we are going to tackle child poverty and make work pay - our commitment to those ambitions is clear. Already Labour has helped take a million children out of poverty, and brought in a range of measures to help parents combine work with the vital job of bringing up children. But there is more to do, and that's why Labour is committed to take a second million children out of poverty during the next Parliament."

"Our pledge makes the choice at the next election clear. Where Labour will take a million children out of poverty, the Tories would scrap the WFTC. That would mean a tax hike of £30 a week for 1.1 million hard-working families."

"While Labour is on the side of Worcester's hard-working families, the Tories would hurt hard-working families."

5th October 2000

Elitism taskforce visits USA Worcester

MP to look at student application process in hectic 5 day fact-finding mission.

Worcester MP, Michael Foster, is taking part in a five day fact-finding visit to the United States, starting on Monday. As part of the Education Select Committee, he is investigating the row over elitism amongst top universities in the UK, and the Committee will be looking at examples in the USA of encouraging students from less well off backgrounds to apply to top class universities.

Mr Foster said:
" Our investigations are nearing completion. The United States should provide us with an international comparison of how other top universities overcome the 'elitist' approach to university education. It promises to be a hectic, but very worthwhile study."

Itinerary

Sunday 8th October Flight to San Francisco

Monday 9th October Visit Stanford University, California to look at recruitment and selection, and industrial links to Silicon Valley

Tuesday 10th October Visit Oakland Technical High School, Oakland, California. The scene of recent riots, to look at practical ways of encouraging students to gain a university place. Visit University of California, Berkeley to discuss school outreach programmes, and university application processes.

Wednesday 11th October Travel to East Coast

Thursday 12th October Visit Princeton University, New Jersey to examine outreach programmes for inner-city children. Visit Rutgers University, New Jersey to discuss with university staff the promotion of access in a diverse student population. Friday

13th October Visit New York University to discuss talent spotting and student application processes. Visit Queensborough Community College, New York to discuss the role of community colleges in higher education

Overnight flight back to UK.

5th October 2000

Great progress on hospital

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, hailed the great progress made to date on building Worcester's new hospital. Mr Foster will be attending the on site celebration to mark the midpoint in the construction of the new hospital on Friday 6th October.

Mr Foster played an important role in securing personal support for the project from Tony Blair before the last election, and also in facilitating progress behind the scenes with the Treasury and the Department of Health after the election.

Mr Foster said:
" When Tony Blair last come to Worcester, in July 1998, he promised to give the 'project a shove'. Today, we see the concrete evidence of this, and celebrate the midpoint of construction."

" There were those who said Labour would delay the new hospital. These Tories should now be saying sorry. They were wrong. At the last election Labour promised to speed up the building of the new hospital. This we have done. After 40 years of waiting, Labour are well on the way to completing the project after only a few years in office. This is the difference between us and the Tories. They promised, but didn't deliver. Tony Blair promised, and it is being delivered."

" I am delighted to be at this celebration. The hospital will be the envy of the country and will serve Worcestershire well. I cannot wait for it to be completed, and neither can the people of Worcester."

" I know, from talking to them, that staff at the hospital cannot wait either for the completion. Working in a new building, with new equipment and facilities will be a real boost for morale, as well as providing even better health care for patients."

5th October 2000

MP meets award-winning pharmacist

Future of community pharmacies for the NHS discussed

Michael Foster, MP for Worcester, today met with award-winning pharmacist, Hooman Ghalamkari to discuss the future role of pharmacies in local communities. The pair discussed issues such as schemes to help people stop smoking, medicine management plans, which help people make the most of their prescriptions and future ways of improving public health.

Mr Foster said:
" There is no doubt that Hooman and his pharmacy have had a real impact upon the local community in Dines Green. What some people perhaps don't know is that his ideas