Remember the dead and fight for the living

Workers Memorial Day is an important day in the calendar each year. It gives us a chance to commemorate those who have died as a result of their work and to think of the families and friends that have been left behind. We also think of those who have been seriously injured or made ill through work and reaffirm our commitment to supporting and protecting them.

Britain can rightly be proud of the health and safety legislation we have in place and the British trade union movement has led the way in protecting the lives of people at work through Health and Safety Representatives. Their dedication has protected countless workers and their families from the consequences of deaths and injuries at work and I pay tribute to their tireless efforts on behalf of us all.

The theme of this year’s Workers Memorial Day is “Good Occupational Health for All Workers”. We must never be complacent and that is why we are committed to improving occupational health support. So let us remember those who have sadly lost their lives and renew our commitment to improving safety at work in the future.

Only Labour will increase police numbers

David Williams has criticised Conservative spending plans which would see cuts, equivalent to 55 fewer police officers in Cheshire.

If the Conservatives had their way, they would make sudden cuts to the Home Office budget of £160m.

David Williams Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich said:

"I know what an important role each of our police officers play in keeping the streets and neighbourhoods of Crewe and Nantwich safe.

“There are now Neighbourhood Policing Teams at work in every area – and since 1997, police numbers are up by more than 14,000 nationwide, alongside nearly 16,000 Community Support Officers.

“I’m committed to making sure there’s a visible police presence on our streets. Unfortunately, David Cameron cannot say the same. His plans for sudden cuts in the Home Office budget would be equivalent to slashing the number of police officers in England & Wales by more than 3500.”

A new scheme giving communities a greater say in how criminals pay back their debts to society has been welcomed by David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich.

The plan means that the public can use the internet to choose the sorts of tough physical labour offenders on community sentences should have to do.

This follows the launch of branded high-visibility jackets for offenders on Community Payback in December last year.

Local people in Crewe and Nantwich will be able to vote or make suggestions via the direct.gov website

The scheme receiving the most votes will be undertaken first by offenders carrying out Community Payback, representing a real and distinct choice for the public.

The voting process will be promoted in local newspapers and on local radio and information will be provided on how, across the country, the public can suggest other projects offenders should undertake throughout the year.

These could include renovating community centres, clearing undergrowth and cleaning off graffiti for local communities.

Giving the public a say on Community Payback is the next stage in the Government’s Justice Seen, Justice Done campaign launched earlier this month to address public concerns about crime and justice.

David Williams said:

“This is a very welcome scheme. It is vital that local people have a say in how offenders pay back their debts to society. This will really help the people of Crewe and Nantwich to do that.

“Labour has cut crime by a third since 1997 and has increased prison sentences and toughened up community sentences. This is a further step forward – giving local people a direct say in how the justice system works for them.”

Happy St George's Day

England’s national day is a chance English people here and around the world to think about England’s achievements whether in sport, the arts, business, public services or in voluntary sector, England continues to produce men and women whose standards of excellence inspire the whole world.

Of course this day is also Shakespeare’s, which gives us a chance to commemorate England’s greatest writer: so let me join him in sending best wishes to everyone in “this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England”

David Williams congratulates staff of Leighton Hospital

The NHS now has the shortest waits since its records began. The latest data shows that in Crewe and Nantwich and across England the NHS has met its target to treat patients within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral by their GP – an achievement which was unimaginable 12 years ago.

"This is a tremendous achievement by NHS clinicians and staff in Crewe and Nantwich who should be proud of the difference their hard work has made to the experience of every NHS patient.

"Achieving the shortest waits since NHS records began has made a huge difference to patients’ experiences of the NHS. In the 1990s it was not uncommon for people to wait 18 months or more for their operation – with some people dying on the waiting list.

"The NHS is one of our country's greatest achievements and I will always value stand up for it. I'm proud that over Labour’s years in government, we have made sure the NHS has the staff it needs and backed them to deliver improvements in standards and driving down waits. Today's news is further evidence that this investment has worked."

Nationally the NHS met its commitment six months ago to ensure that 90% of patients who require admission to hospital and 95% of patients not needing admission, start treatment within 18 weeks of referral from their GP. Today’s figures confirm that every part of the country is now meeting this standard.

Time spent waiting is important to patients which is why the Labour Government made it a priority to reduce waiting times. This has made a significant difference to the treatment experience of millions of patients. For example:

Over 250,000 patients have a cataract removed every year. The average referral to treatment time for these patients has reduced by half, from 20 weeks in March 2007 to 10 weeks in January 2009

Hardness of hearing and deafness affect the lives of large numbers of people. The NHS treats over 400,000 patients referred directly to audiology services every year where the average wait from referral to treatment is now 5.3 weeks.

NHS waiting times are the lowest they have ever been since NHS records began, 92.9% of admitted patients and 97.3% of non-admitted patients were treated within 18 weeks in January.

The median wait from referral to inpatient treatment was 8.6 weeks and from referral to outpatient treatment was 4.6 weeks.

It’s not just patients who are feeling the benefits of 18 weeks; clinicians also value the difference it makes to their patients and the quality of care they provide.

David Williams concluded, "I'm really proud of this achievement by Labour in Government, we must continue to improve services. What amazes me is that the Tories are abolishing these important targets that deliver real benefits. It just shows that they haven't learnt and that the Tories cannot be trusted to run the NHS."

David Williams welcomes Lord Adonis to Crewe

“We all know that Crewe and Nantwich had a railway past, but I am determined to ensure that we have a railway future”, said David Williams Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich.

David Williams joined Rail Minister Andrew Adonis on his five day rail tour around the UK. The Minister was conducting a fact finding tour to experience rail travel from the perspective of an ordinary fare paying passenger.

David continued, “There is no doubt that the Minister is seeing rail travel in the same way as the rest of us, we had to stand in between carriages during our journey from Chester to Crewe, like so many do daily.

“But I took advantage of the Minister’s visit to press the case for the redevelopment of Crewe station on the existing site. Lord Adonis saw at first-hand the state of the existing station and the first impression all visitors have when they visit the town by train.

“We were delighted when the proposal to move the station to Basford was put on ice, following the meeting I arranged with the Secretary of State. But, as I explained to the Minister, simply halting the move is not enough. We need a redeveloped station on the existing site. It is crucial for the economic development of the town.

“I was very disappointed to hear that our MP has not sought to meet the Minister and press the case for a redeveloped station. Mr Timpson sat on the fence about the relocation to Basford, he got that badly wrong. Don’t get this wrong and join Labour’s campaign for a station to be proud of.”

Accompanying David at the meeting with Lord Adonis was Cheshire East Councillor Chris Thorley and Roy Cartlidge.

Cllr Chris Thorley said, “The redevelopment of Crewe station is crucial to the economic development of Cheshire East. There are up to 9,000 jobs that could be created in South Crewe and we need a station fit for purpose. We need this to help us come out of a global recession strong and ready to take advantage of the upturn, when it comes.”

Cllr Roy Cartlidge said, “I felt we received a good hearing from the Minister, but we are now looking for delivery. Crewe is very important to the rail network. The fact that we lie on such a major junction makes the Town key to rail growth."

Andrew Adonis said, “David Williams is doing a great job of standing up for Crewe and Nantwich. He makes a very strong arguement for the constituency, along with Labour’s councillors. I have listened to their representations and I will look further into the case they have made.”

Please click here for more information on Lord Adonis’ rail tour

Gwyneth Dunwoody

Today is the first anniversary of the death of Gwyneth Dunwoody. David Williams said, "Gwyneth was a good friend of mine and a real inspiration for me and many many others.

"Since I was selected as the Labour candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, I have been out knocking on doors, talking to voters. One of the many lasting testaments to Gwyneth is the number of times people still refer to her with admiration and fond memories.

"There are few MPs who could match that level of affection from their constituents."

Vaisakhi

On the occasion of Vaisakhi, I want to take this opportunity to send my warmest best wishes to Sikhs here in Crewe and Nantwich and around the world.

Sikhs everywhere will be celebrating not only new year but the birth of Sikhism itself. As many of you will be preparing for joyous celebrations we also take the opportunity to remember the meaning behind today. It is Nam japna, Kirt Karna and Vand Chhakna, three lessons we can all embrace: Pray, Work and Give.

Happy Easter

Please accept my warm best wishes to you and your family as you celebrate Easter.

In churches all over Britain people will gather in fellowship to celebrate the hope they have found in the story of the resurrection. Many will be inspired by it to give service to others and I recognise local churches and faith-based organisations for all the work that you do in helping the young and old, the homeless, the ill and the bereaved, those in debt or poverty and most of all those who otherwise would shoulder heavy burdens in isolation and despair.

This contribution to our country is immeasurable and we should be all be grateful for this selfless commitment to helping those in need.

I hope you enjoy a happy and peaceful Easter.

Passover

Pesach Sameach. The story retold at the seder table each year is one which shaped history and continues to serve as an inspiration for people all over the world - it is a story of how a people retained their vision of a better future even amidst great suffering; of how a people built that better future by focusing always on children and on teaching your children the values you hold dear; and it is a story of hope, the hope that keeps us going on the long walk to freedom. This story is at the heart of what is so special about the Jewish community and the great contribution they have made to Britain. Warm wishes for a happy Pesach.

Getting the world economy back on track

G20 London summit delivers major progress

David Williams welcomed the progress made at the London G20 summit. David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, said:

"We face a global financial crisis on a scale that we have never really seen before. At the end of the day to get British economy back on track we have to help get the world economy back on track too. To protect jobs and businesses in Crewe and Nantwich we need to get the world leaders working together to restore confidence, growth and jobs.

"The G20 is always an important meeting, in these tough times when people across Britain are worried about jobs and paying the bills it is even more important.

"So I welcome the successes our Labour Government has secured this week. The London Summit brought together leaders of the world’s major economies and key international institutions. They have agreed collective action necessary to stabilise the world economy and secure recovery and jobs."

London Summit Outcomes:

The London Summit takes place at a time when the world confronts the worst economic crisis since the Second World War. The London Summit aims were to bring together leaders of the world’s major economies and key international institutions to take the collective action necessary to stabilise the world economy and secure recovery and jobs. Leaders faced an unprecedented range of challenges – of averting an even more severe downturn and restoring growth in the short term, while at the same time reshaping the financial system, preserving the world trading system, and laying the foundations for a sustainable recovery. Real action was agreed at the Summit, with Leaders agreeing on steps to:

Restore confidence, growth, and jobs: Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work together to restore growth and jobs, while preserving long-term fiscal sustainability. They agreed actions to accelerate the return to trend growth and committed to taking whatever action is necessary to secure that outcome, and called on the IMF to assess regularly the actions taken and the global actions required. They committed to make available an additional $1.1 trillion programme of support to help the world economy through the crisis and to restore credit, growth and jobs. Most of this will be provided through the international financial institutions (see below) ;

Strengthen financial supervision and regulation: Leaders agreed to strengthen the financial system by putting in place a better and more credible system of surveillance and regulation to take account of macro-prudential risks and prevent excess leveraging, including (for the first time) regulation and oversight of large hedge funds and credit rating agencies. They also agreed actions to tackle non-cooperative jurisdictions and common principles for executive remuneration.

Fund and reform our international financial institutions to overcome this crisis and prevent future ones: Leaders agreed to make an additional $850 billion in resources available through international financial institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and other multilateral development banks, including a $500 billion expansion of the IMF’s resources, an SDR allocation of $250 billion, and at least $100 billion in additional lending from MDBs. The leaders also agreed to ensure to they have the facilities needed to meet the needs of emerging markets and developing countries and speed up reform of international financial institutions to ensure national representation is in line with the changing balance of the world economy.

Promote global trade and investment and reject protectionism, to underpin prosperity: Leaders committed not to resort to protectionism, direct or indirect, and put in place a transparent monitoring mechanism; and to take measures which promote trade, including a commitment to make available $250 billion to halt the slow-down in trade finance, which facilitates up to 90% of world trade.

Build an inclusive, green, and sustainable recovery: Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to meeting the Millennium Development Goals and to delivering on development aid pledges; made $50 billion available to low income countries, including through the proceeds of agreed IMF gold sales; agreed that the IMF would further support low income countries; and called on the UN to establish an effective mechanism to monitor the impact of the crisis on the poorest and most vulnerable.