Peter Roberts for North East CambridgeshireNational News

National News

Cameron would repeat mistakes of the past - Cooper
Yvette Cooper MP, Labour's Chief Secretary to the Treasury, launching a Labour analysis of Cameron's do nothing approach to the global economic challenges, said today: "David Cameron is making empty promises to hide the fact that the Conservatives would do nothing to help the British economy, and once again would turn their backs on the British people in difficult times. "The cruelest of his empty promises is a loans scheme to business when he also rules out providing the money to fund it. "The fact is every economy in the world will face real challenges in 2009. That's why it's
State Pension 100 years Old
Labour Ministers have marked the one hundredth birthday of the state pension – received by over 12 million people across the country. Today the Basic State Pension is worth around four times more than the amount received in 1909. Help with fuel, Council Tax and rent plus the one-off payment of £60 on top of the regular £10 Christmas payment bonus boosts it further. Labour’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell, said: "It is incredible to think that one in four babies born today could live to 100. Things have come a long way since 1909. People
A stronger voice on local policing for every community
Labour’s Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has congratulated all 43 police forces for delivering the Policing Pledge for every community across England and Wales. The Pledge, which sets out what the public can expect from the police, gives local people a better say over how their communities are policed and the opportunity to hold the police to account - to ensure they are getting the service they want. The national Policing Pledge gives the public a clear minimum standard of service, including: * contact telephone numbers and maximum response times to emergency, urgent or priority calls. * regular surgeries and meetings
Labour challenges David Cameron's 'do nothing' approach
Labour Ministers today wrote to Conservative Shadow Cabinet members, challenging them to reveal if they support David Cameron's cuts to key investment projects that Labour has brought forward to help Britain through the current economic downturn. £800 million investment in schools and £100 million of improvements in GP surgeries are among the projects that will Labour is bringing forward to help stimulate the economy and improve services. David Cameron has made clear he opposes Labour's economic stimulus and the Conservatives have voted against the government's Pre-Budget Report that introduced the measures. Liam Byrne, Labour's Cabinet Office Minister, said: "The Tory
Cameron's £7 tax on filling up a family car
Today's average petrol price figures mean that David Cameron's 'fuel duty stabiliser' would put 10p on the price of a litre of unleaded fuel. Geoff Hoon MP, Labour's Transport Secretary, said: "David Cameron wants to hit people driving home for Christmas with an extra £7 tax to fill up an ordinary family car. "He made a reckless, novice policy to win headlines in July, but now he is committed to putting an extra 10p on the cost of every litre of petrol - that's £7 more each time to fill up a Mondeo. "We're giving people real help now with
Let's not forget Zimbabwe this Christmas
The recent story of Zimbabwe is one of intense human suffering – of a country where its citizens cannot afford to eat, where education and health systems have failed and where people live in fear. At Christmas, which should be a time of joy and happiness for people all around the world, please remember the people of Zimbabwe and leave your message of support for them below. Over the last few weeks the catastrophe in Zimbabwe has become even worse with a cholera epidemic that has affected thousands and killed hundreds of people. But this is not a pure health
Osborne's Empty Promises are a Cruel Con - Timms
Stephen Timms MP, Labour's Financial Secretary to the Treasury, responding to George Osborne's incorrect claims about how business loan guarantee schemes work during Treasury Questions today, said: "George Osborne's empty promises will do nothing to help people or business today. "He has shown he doesn't understand how business guarantee schemes work when he says it 'did not add to public expenditure'. "Such schemes require public spending at the point any participating firm defaults and the bank calls in the guarantee from government. "The Tories have promised a scheme and then ruled out finding the money to fund it. Promises the
Cameron offers no real help for pensioners - Timms
Stephen Timms MP, Labour's Treasury Minister, responding to David Cameron's comments in today's Telegraph, said: "Unless the Conservatives can explain how they will pay for this commitment, it remains an empty promise - for all Cameron's warm words he opposed Labour's measures to give real help now to pensioners. The fact remains the Tories would do nothing to help families and business. "Cameron cannot hide the fact that he is a do nothing leader of a do nothing party. The Labour Government is giving all pensioners real support through the tough times, including giving every pensioner £60 in January -
Labour gives £4 billion boost to pensioners
Pensioners are set for a £4 billion boost next year as the Labour Government confirmed the biggest rise in the Basic State Pension since 2001 today, on top of £900m in Christmas Bonuses and a £575m increase in Winter Fuel Payments. From April, the State Pension will go up by 5%, ensuring someone on a full pension will see their weekly income go up from £90.70 to £95.25. Ministers also confirmed that Pension Credit will increase by the highest amount ever, up from £124.05 to £130 per week. The Labour Government confirmed today that most National Insurance benefits will rise
James Purnell unveils welfare reform white paper
Labour’s Work and Pensions Minister, James Purnell, has revealed the new welfare reform white paper - ‘Raising Expectations and Increasing Support: Reforming Welfare for the Future’ - which sets out plans for more support to enable those out of work to overcome problems in return for greater responsibility. Labour is offering real help now during the global downturn and reforming welfare for the long term to help people make the most of their potential. This stands in stark contrast to the Conservatives. We are giving real help now to people. The Tories are the do nothing party and would let