Peter Roberts for North East Cambridgeshire European News

News from the European Parliament

Labour MEPs urge shoppers to switch to Fairtrade
Shoppers are being encouraged to help tackle poverty by joining the Fairtrade Big Swap campaign. The call to buy Fairtrade products comes from Labour MEPs and coincides with Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until Sunday 7 March. Every year campaigners organise events during the two-week period to raise the profile of the scheme, which helps ensure workers in poorer countries get a fair price for the products they produce. MEPs are urging shoppers in their constituencies to look for the Fairtrade Mark on food, gifts and other products in the shops. Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade
Glenis Willmott pays tribute to Michael Foot
Labour's leader in the European Parliament has paid tribute to Michael Foot, the former leader of the Labour Party, who died on Wednesday (3 March). Speaking after news of his death was announced, Glenis Willmott MEP, said: "This is truly sad news for anyone who believes in the core Labour values to which Michael Foot was so committed. "He was a man who held deep beliefs and was passionate about those beliefs. He always wanted to do the best for the people of Britain and will be sorely missed by everyone in the labour movement."
New mobile rules to prevent post-holiday bill-shock
Labour MEPs have welcomed new rules that give consumers extra protection from unexpectedly high mobile phone bills. The EU rules on mobile data roaming, which came into force on 1 March 2010, are designed to prevent consumers from building up big bills because they are unaware of the cost of accessing the internet on their mobile. Catherine Stihler MEP, Labour's spokesperson on consumer affairs in the European Parliament, said: "For many people mobile communication is now just as much about Facebook and Twitter as calls and text messages. These new rules will ensure that people can enjoy their holidays without
Budget answers demanded by Labour MEPs
Labour's leader in the European Parliament has said she will continue to push the institution's authorities to answer crucial questions about its budget. A vote in the parliament on Thursday (25 February) called for an increase in staffing levels, a move that was opposed by Labour's Euro-MPs and the UK government. Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour's leader in Europe, has now written to the President of the parliament, Jerzy Buzek, to express her concerns. Labour MEPs say that the parliamentary authorities have failed to explain where the additional funding needed for the posts will be found. Speaking immediately after the vote
Time to tackle deadly needle pricks
Labour's Euro-MPs have called for quick EU action to protect healthcare workers from contracting fatal diseases through injuries from used needles. The European Parliament has called on government ministers across the EU to prioritise a new European directive to protect people from so called "needlestick injuries", through which it is possible to catch serious blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis and HIV. Over the last six years Labour's Stephen Hughes MEP has been working with health workers' unions to drive a campaign for European action on the issue. He said: "The idea that a needle prick could be fatal might raise a
Labour members of the European Parliament have welcomed the announcement of government plans to give agency workers new rights today.
Labour members of the European Parliament have welcomed the announcement of government plans to give agency workers new rights today. Labour MEPs played an instrumental role in establishing the European legislation on which the new rules are based. They have also been lobbying hard to ensure that British agency workers get a fair deal as a result of the EU legislation. Glenis Willmott, leader of the Labour MEPs and a life-long trade unionist, said: "It has not been easy getting to this point, but today's announcement will make a big difference for some of the most vulnerable people in our
Spanish 'Land Grab' of UK houses - Labour MEPs go direct to Spanish Prime Minister
Labour MEPs appealed directly to the Spanish Prime Minister on his visit to the European Parliament today to intervene on behalf of British people whose legally owned Spanish homes were taken from them. West Midlands Labour MEP Michael Cashman has written a personal appeal to the Spanish Prime Minister. In his letter to Prime Minister Zapatero, he says "it is the Spanish Government alone that can bring an end to these abuses. The Spanish Presidency of the European Council has just started and it represents an opportunity to decisively tackle these long term problem once and for all, especially in
Jeleva resignation "A victory for common sense and the European Parliament"
"This is not an issue of politics it is purely a matter of her ability to do a good job," said Glenis Willmott, Leader of the Labour MEPs, on hearing that Rumiana Jeleva had resigned as Bulgarian candidate for the European Commission. "Common sense has prevailed. The issue was her competence. She did not give a good account of herself at the hearing. "We are looking forward to working with a new Commissioner from Bulgaria. This is a victory for accountability to the European Parliament," she said. West Midlands Labour MEP Michael Cashman was one of the leading MEPs involved
Engagements | Oral Answers to Questions - Prime Minister | Commons debates
This week, a Member of the House has resigned, with mental illness being a factor. I make no comment about individual cases, but as the law stands any Member of this House who suffers a bout of...