The Conservatives have promised a radical reform of fuel duty that would give an immediate cut of 5 pence a litre on the price of petrol at current rates. Under plans unveiled this week duty on fuel would be lowered when oil prices are high and raised when they fall to give a fairer deal to motorists.
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock has fully backed the plans saying: “This will help families when the cost of living is rising and also reduce the inflationary impact on the economy from fluctuations in the international oil price.”
“If a Fair Fuel Stabaliser had been introduced at the 2008 Budget, fuel would now be 5 pence per litre cheaper, shaving £3.50 off a tank of fuel for a Ford Mondeo. If it had been in operation for the last year, it would have saved the average household more than £90 in fuel costs at a time when family finances have been under pressure.”
Mr Metcalfe added: “Government revenue would remain the same, as it would be financed by the higher tax take resulting from soaring oil prices currently kept by the Treasury. The Treasury would take less tax on fuel when oil prices rose, but claw back cash when prices fell.”
Thursday 10 July 2008
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Stephen Metcalfe comments on end of year report for Gordon Brown
One year on: higher taxes, services cut and communities gagged
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock delivered his verdict Gordon Brown’s first year as Prime Minister, highlighting Government policies which are adding to the rising cost of living, bringing about the closure of local services and silencing the voice of local communities.
• Soaring taxes at time of rising cost of living: Families and pensioners are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, but Government taxes are making it even harder. Families have lost out due to the 10p income tax debacle and rising council tax bills. Higher, retrospective car taxes and new bin taxes are on the way. The housing market is slowing, tied up in the new red tape of Labour’s Home Information Packs and hit by Gordon Brown’s punitive stamp duty, compounding the effect of the credit crunch.
• Cuts to local services: In a Government programme of massive cuts, 2,500 post offices are being closed across the country. 1,000 shops which double up as post offices are expected to close if their post office business is axed. Another 3,000 post offices are under threat due to the end of the Post Office Card Account. On top of this, 1,700 family doctor surgeries could close down across England, under Labour plans for large and remote ‘polyclinics’ to replace local GPs.
• Silencing the voice of local communities: Under new planning laws being pushed through Parliament, local councils will lose any say over large, controversial planning applications. A new Labour quango – the Infrastructure Planning Commission – will take control, enforcing planning rules imposed by Ministers with no say for Parliament. The people of Britain have also been denied any say over the European Constitution (also known as the Lisbon Treaty), after Gordon Brown went back on his promise to hold a referendum.
Stephen said:“One year on from Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister, the country is going in the wrong direction – with looming cuts to local services, a soaring cost of living fuelled by higher taxes and local people consistently ignored by Whitehall.
“Gordon Brown has no big vision for Britain and no answers to the long-term challenges we face. People in this country are desperate for change: to improve the NHS, to raise standards in schools and to fight back against crime. They need a government that is on their side and not on their backs like Gordon Brown.”
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock delivered his verdict Gordon Brown’s first year as Prime Minister, highlighting Government policies which are adding to the rising cost of living, bringing about the closure of local services and silencing the voice of local communities.
• Soaring taxes at time of rising cost of living: Families and pensioners are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, but Government taxes are making it even harder. Families have lost out due to the 10p income tax debacle and rising council tax bills. Higher, retrospective car taxes and new bin taxes are on the way. The housing market is slowing, tied up in the new red tape of Labour’s Home Information Packs and hit by Gordon Brown’s punitive stamp duty, compounding the effect of the credit crunch.
• Cuts to local services: In a Government programme of massive cuts, 2,500 post offices are being closed across the country. 1,000 shops which double up as post offices are expected to close if their post office business is axed. Another 3,000 post offices are under threat due to the end of the Post Office Card Account. On top of this, 1,700 family doctor surgeries could close down across England, under Labour plans for large and remote ‘polyclinics’ to replace local GPs.
• Silencing the voice of local communities: Under new planning laws being pushed through Parliament, local councils will lose any say over large, controversial planning applications. A new Labour quango – the Infrastructure Planning Commission – will take control, enforcing planning rules imposed by Ministers with no say for Parliament. The people of Britain have also been denied any say over the European Constitution (also known as the Lisbon Treaty), after Gordon Brown went back on his promise to hold a referendum.
Stephen said:“One year on from Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister, the country is going in the wrong direction – with looming cuts to local services, a soaring cost of living fuelled by higher taxes and local people consistently ignored by Whitehall.
“Gordon Brown has no big vision for Britain and no answers to the long-term challenges we face. People in this country are desperate for change: to improve the NHS, to raise standards in schools and to fight back against crime. They need a government that is on their side and not on their backs like Gordon Brown.”
Samaritans need your help!
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock met with volunteers from the Samaritains at this year’s Basfest and heard first hand about the challenges they face and their desire to attract more volunteers.
Samaritans, who provide a 24hr support service for those who feel desperate and alone, and those contemplating suicide, believe that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence and accepted without judgement, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings. In providing this service, they hope to achieve their aim of reducing suicide across the UK.
As a former volenteer himself, Stephen Metcalfe said:
“I know how valuable the work of the Samaritans is and how very rewarding it can be for those who volunteer. The listening ear the Samaritans provide can make a real diffence to those who are feeling desperate and suicidal. This vital service can often be the last hope for those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.”
The service provided on a voluntary basis depends on members of the public coming forward and offering to help them. Volunteering with the Samaritans gives people a real chance to make a difference to peoples lives and to help those experiencing emotional distress.
All sorts of people volunteer with the Samaritains from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. There are many roles within the organisation from helping with fundraising and publicity, to helping answer the phones and supporting those who need help.
Anyone intersted in volunteering should contact Basildon & Thurrock Samaritans on their volunteer hotline on 07866 725258 or visit them at 16 Little Lullaway, Basildon SS15 5JJ.
Samaritans, who provide a 24hr support service for those who feel desperate and alone, and those contemplating suicide, believe that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence and accepted without judgement, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings. In providing this service, they hope to achieve their aim of reducing suicide across the UK.
As a former volenteer himself, Stephen Metcalfe said:
“I know how valuable the work of the Samaritans is and how very rewarding it can be for those who volunteer. The listening ear the Samaritans provide can make a real diffence to those who are feeling desperate and suicidal. This vital service can often be the last hope for those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.”
The service provided on a voluntary basis depends on members of the public coming forward and offering to help them. Volunteering with the Samaritans gives people a real chance to make a difference to peoples lives and to help those experiencing emotional distress.
All sorts of people volunteer with the Samaritains from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. There are many roles within the organisation from helping with fundraising and publicity, to helping answer the phones and supporting those who need help.
Anyone intersted in volunteering should contact Basildon & Thurrock Samaritans on their volunteer hotline on 07866 725258 or visit them at 16 Little Lullaway, Basildon SS15 5JJ.
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