Saturday 13th September
Today I went out with Labour Party members meeting residents in the Preston Park area to find out about issues of concern to them. I met a retired couple that were concerned about their income and I thought they might be entitled to pension credit so I’ve put them in touch with The Pension Service. Many benefits go unclaimed simply because people don’t realise they are entitled to claim them. I’ll be writing to retired people in Brighton Pavilion with a factsheet of useful contacts.
Meanwhile, if you want to find out the amount of State Pension and Pension Credit that you are entitled to and how you can access other pension-related entitlements, give them a call on 0845 606 0265 or get in touch with me and I’ll send you my factsheet. All my contact details are on this website.
Saturday 20th September
I’m on my way up to Manchester for the Labour Party conference to support our delegate in calling for a ‘windfall tax’ on energy companies. Rising international energy and fuel prices are affecting everyone, but it is those on a tight budget, who could be worse hit.
Companies like BP are continuing to make staggering profits of up to £37 million a day and have reported profits of £6.7 billion in the first half of this year. In comparison, the entire industry only contributes £50 million a year to renewable energy and tackling fuel poverty. This is equivalent to only a single days profit for some of the larger fuel companies.
Energy companies are making huge profits at the expense of people who are struggling to pay their fuel bills. With rising fuel costs, it’s time to renew Labour’s commitment to ending poverty by levying a windfall tax and using the money to help those on fixed and low incomes who are hit the hardest.
A one-off windfall tax on energy and oil companies, could contribute to social and environmental justice. The extra investment from big companies could be used to create jobs, producing and installing renewable energy, home insulation and improving energy efficiency.
Friday 26th September
Off to the hairdressers today, not to get my hair done, but to join in the fun at Waters Hair Stylists in Upper North Street, by taking part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.
Last year, two million people got together and raised a staggering £7.6 million. Macmillan used this money to provide much needed support to people affected by cancer.
I took part because like a lot of people I know how hard it is when someone close to you is affected by cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support is the kind of organisation that you may not be aware of until you need them. The more money we can raise through the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, the more help they can give just when families need them most.
Rose Waters, owner of Waters Hair Stylists said, “I organised this coffee morning because I think it’s important to support people who are having a hard time. On a sunny Friday in Brighton, what better way to raise money than getting a few people together in the salon for a coffee and some homemade chocolate cake!”
Friday 26th September
Fair tips campaign
Brighton and Hove Labour Group are launching a campaign together with the Mirror and Unite to try and continue the work already started with the government closing the loophole that allowed businesses to make up their staff's minimum wage through tips. However, there is still no legislation to say how tips will be divided between staff and businesses and no protection that tips will not be used to cover 'walk outs' and breakages. The Mirror, Unite and the Labour Group still believe more needs to be done.
David Lepper MP, Leader of the Labour Group Cllr Gill Mitchell, Unite reps and I launched the campaign outside Pizza Hut on Dyke Road, in Brighton today.
I want to congratulate Pizza Hut for distributing tips fairly and recognising that the minimum wage is just that, the minimum and any tips are a bonus awarded to the staff by satisfied customers. I’d like to see all restaurants and hotels in Brighton following their example so that customers are certain their tips are allocated fairly to reward staff for good service.
Brighton and Hove Business Awards
I was honoured to be invited once again to Brighton and Hove Business Awards by Midnight Communications, to celebrate the achievements of Brighton businesses. There were new awards this year including the ‘Most Awesome Use of Digital Media’. Once again, the winners were kept a closely guarded secret until the night… click here to find out more.
Saturday 27th September
It’s only fair!
I think I was up earlier than anyone else who was at the Brighton and Hove Business Awards last night! The streets were extremely quiet as I walked from my home in Hanover to the BBC Southern Counties Radio studio for their breakfast show to talk about the Fair Tips campaign.
We are urging the council to use its huge resources and influence to persuade local business to adopt the fair tips charter and are working alongside Unite, to bring the fair tips sticker to restaurants that sign up to the charter. Up to eight thousand residents who work in the city's pubs and restaurants stand to gain if the council backs the Fair Tips Charter.
Tags: campaigning, nancy Platts
Posted on September 30, 2008 in Out and About in Brighton.
