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Kemptown MP quizzes Home Office Minister on EU migration reforms

Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, took the opportunity yesterday (November 28) to quiz Home Office Minister Mike Penning MP about reforms to EU migration rules, and what changes will be implemented in response to the concerns of his constituents.

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

DURING URGENT Home Office Questions yesterday, Mr Kirby noted to the Minister of State for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims that many of his constituents in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven are concerned that EU migrants, who have never paid into the system, are able to come to the UK and receive most benefits immediately, and asked that he respond to this.

Responding, Mr Penning re-iterated the Prime Minister’s earlier announcement that he will be looking to reform these laws so that EU migrants will need to wait four years before receiving social housing or in-work benefits, and that they will not be able to send these benefits to their home countries.

Speaking after the questions, Mr Kirby said: “Every week I am contacted by constituents that are concerned about our relationship with the EU, and one of the most common concerns raised with me is about EU migrants receiving state services despite not having paid into them.

“In response to these concerns, I decided to directly question Home Office Minister Mike Penning about what is going to be done to resolve this. I was reassured by his response, and also with the statement from the Prime Minister earlier today about the tough, but fair, reforms that will be implemented to tackle this issue.

“I know that these changes will be well received by many of my constituents in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, and I will support the Prime Minister in bringing about these necessary reforms.”

 

Shadow Fire Minister visits the city

Shadow Fire Minister Lyn Brown MP visited Hove Fire Station on Thursday afternoon (November 27) with Nancy Platts, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, to discuss Labour’s plans for the future of the fire service.

Shadow Fire Minister
Shadow Fire Minister Lyn Brown MP with Nancy Platts, Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, Simon Herbert, Chair of East Sussex FBU and Borough Commander Mark Matthews meeting the White Watch at Hove Fire Station

THE VISIT was part of the ongoing campaign by local firefighters and Labour politicians to stop and reverse planned cuts to frontline firefighters in Brighton and Hove and the Country of East Sussex.

Lyn Brown said: “It’s a very great pleasure to come down and visit Hove today. Nancy and I had a really useful conversation with White Watch at Hove, talking about the future of the service and the changing local and national risks. She really is doing a fantastic job in standing up for the fire and rescue service and for the people of Kemptown and Peacehaven.”

Nancy Platts, added: “I’m delighted that Lyn came to meet local firefighters today to get feedback about Labour’s plans for the future. It’s essential for us to hear from those who risk their lives for public safety and I want to ensure their voices are heard at the highest level.”

Simon Herbert, Chair of East Sussex FBU, said: “It’s great to see that the campaign we’re running against the fire cuts down in Brighton and Hove is having an impact in Westminster and it’s heartening to have Shadow Minister Lyn Brown come to the fire station personally to meet local firefighters.

Local firefighters welcome Labour’s plans to look at creating a single fire service to protect frontline services and welcome the pledge to give fire services a statutory duty for flooding.” 

Local firefighters welcome Labour’s plans to look at creating a single fire service to protect frontline services and welcome the pledge to give fire services a statutory duty for flooding.” 

PREVIEW: Saturday Night Fever in Eastbourne

Relive the disco craze this Christmas as Saturday Night Fever struts into the Congress Theatre from Monday 8 – Saturday, December 13.

Saturday Night Fever

SHOW How Deep Is Your Love during the holidays by treating a friend or a loved one to a ticket back to the 70s and revel in the legendary hits of the biggest-selling soundtrack album in history with Bee Gees’ classics such as Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, and You Should Be Dancing.

In this production the role of Tony Manero is played by Danny Bayne, who made his West End debut as Danny Zuko in the musical Grease at London’s Piccadilly Theatre after winning ITV’s Grease Is The Word.

He starred in the West End for two years and performed the role on tour. He returns to this role having toured the US in Saturday Night Fever.

An exceptionally talented dancer, Danny has achieved the status of British Champion in Freestyle, Hip Hop, Latin American and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Naomi Slights plays the role of Stephanie. Her credits include Mamma Mia! in the West End, 20th Century Boy on UK Tour.

This production is choreographed by Andrew Wright winner of Best Choreographer at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2013 for his choreography on Singin’ in the Rain. He was also nominated for Best Choreographer at the 2012 Olivier Awards and the 2011 Broadway World Awards.  Earlier this year, he choreographed the UK Tour of Barnum starring Brian Conley, and the UK tour of Betty Blue Eyes.

Theatre fans can also purchase Eastbourne Theatre Vouchers as gifts and with a great spring season including dance, musical theatre, opera, drama and children’s shows with Dance Til Dawn, La Traviata, Calamity Jane, Rebecca, Room On The Broom and Basil Brush to name a few, even the fussiest of family members can be catered for.

Tickets for Saturday Night Fever and Eastbourne Theatre vouchers are available from the box office on 01323 412000.

Saturday Night Fever


Event:  Saturday Night Fever

Where: Congress Theatre, Carlisle Rd, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21

When: Monday 8 – Saturday, December 13

Time: 7.30pm Matinees 2.30pm

To book tickets online, click here:

 

Gardener fined for flytipping green waste

A garden landscaper who flytipped a large quantity of green waste in a Hangleton street has been given a 12 months conditional discharge and a £500 fine by Eastbourne magistrates.

Brighton & Hove CouncilCHARLIE BRAZIL, 36, of 17 Ridgeview, Coldean, had been cutting back Leylandii at 18 Hangleton Manor Close in July but then left a large quantity of foliage and tree trimmings on the property.

Mr Brazil told homeowner Mrs Lynn Morley that he would be back the following week to take away the rubbish, but failed to return.

Brighton & Hove City Council’s CityClean service tried to contact Mr Brazil on the number given to Mrs Morley, but without success. Following a visit to the address given by Mr Brazil, the council’s flytipping investigator was told by his son Joe that Charlie no longer lived there but that he would arrange for the waste to be collected. However, it was still there a week later and a flytipping notice was issued.

Following several similar false promises that the waste would be removed, the council stepped in, took away the waste and started court proceedings to recover costs.

This flytip was a considerable nuisance to the homeowner and residents in the street, many of whom are elderly.

Cllr Pete West
Cllr Pete West

Councillor Pete West, chair of the city’s environment committee, said: “The council takes flytipping extremely seriously and where we are able to identify the person responsible, we will take them to court if they fail to take the waste away. We urge residents having this kind of work done to check that trades people are reputable to ensure they receive a reliable service, including waste being disposed of responsibly.”

Magistrates awarded full costs to Brighton & Hove City Council.

Lewisham council commits to halving late and undiagnosed HIV through early testing

In the run up to World AIDS Day on Monday, December 1, Lewisham Council, in London has committed to halving late and undiagnosed HIV by passing a motion on HIV testing in support of the Halve It campaign.

Lewisham to Half HIV

PASSED unanimously by the Council on Wednesday, the motion recognises the importance of local action in coordinating and commissioning accessible and effective HIV testing, and outlines a commitment by the Council to strengthening its own provision of HIV testing services through working with local NHS partners, HIV charities and patient groups.

Cllr Alan Hall, tabling the motion, said: “HIV is a significant public health issue in Lewisham and we are committed to taking practical steps to tackle this in partnership with local groups. I am proud that Lewisham is leading the way with supporting Halve It and its objectives, and I would encourage other councils across London to do the same.”

Heidi Alexander MP, herself a supporter of the Halve It campaign, added: ‘The sooner HIV is diagnosed, the sooner appropriate care can begin. We know that early testing for HIV saves lives and money too, and I fully support Lewisham Council’s work on this public health priority.’

Halve It is a national coalition that focuses on the expansion of HIV testing services, on the basis that early testing of HIV saves lives and also results in substantial savings to the public health budget. Since its inception in 2010, Halve It has galvanised national and local cross-party support for HIV testing, and is supported in its aims by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Lewisham’s action on HIV testing comes in the same week as comments from Andy Burnham, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, who said: “Much more needs to be done to tackle HIV in this country. Everything from awareness around prevention, to early diagnosis, treatment and care. A key part of the solution lies in collaboration across stakeholder groups, nationally and locally. The Halve It campaign is an excellent example of local and national organisations and individuals uniting around an important issue and driving change.”

Halve It is a coalition whose members represent the following organisations:

•     African Health Policy Network

•     All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS

•     British Association for Sexual Health and HIV

•     British HIV Association

•     Department of Health*

•     Elton John AIDS Foundation

•     Gilead Sciences Ltd

•     HIV Clinical Reference Group

•     HIV Pharmacy Association

•     Local Government Association*

•     MEDFASH

•     National AIDS Trust

•     National HIV Nurses Association

•     National Institute for Health and Care Excellence*

•     NAZ Project London

•     Positive East

•     Positively UK

•     Public Health England*

•     Royal College of General Practitioners

•     Royal College of Physicians

•     Scottish HIV and AIDS Group*

•     Terrence Higgins Trust

•     Tri-Borough Public Health Service*

*Observer Member

 

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