Commenting, Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Party Committee on Work and Pensions, Jenny Willott said:

With the Government planning a host of changes to benefits for disabled people, it is vital that we ensure that people have confidence in the assessment system. Conference has recognised some of the good work that this Government has already done in reforming the Work Capability Assessment by implementing the independent review of Professor Harrington, but there is clearly more still to be done.

“Whilst the Government is having to cut back public spending in order to clear up the economic mess left behind by Labour, it is really important that we continue to provide as much support as possible for sick and disabled people. As this motion shows, the Liberal Democrats are committed to making sure this happens.

Burnley and Padiham MP stated: “It is of the utmost importance that the government continues to press for the Harrington Review is implemented in full. People who need the support of benefits need to have support at all times. The less stressful these assessments can made for genuine claimants the better.”

The full text of the motion, as passed:

Conference notes:

1. That eligibility for the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) benefit is determined by the Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) which are currently carried out by Atos Healthcare, a private company.
2. That currently 39% of assessed rejections which go to appeal are subsequently overturned, though the appeal success rate is lower for claimants without representation.
3. That the way in which WCAs are conducted has been criticised by Parliamentary Inquiries and by the Tribunal Judiciary.
4. That the Liberal Democrat-Conservative Coalition Government has stated its aims to support people who are fit to work move off state benefits and into work and support those currently unable to work to prepare for work in the future.
5. The on-going reviews of Work Capability Assessments led by Professor Malcolm Harrington, which have made recommendations on how the WCA process can be improved.
6. That the Government has so far implemented the vast majority of the recommendations made by Professor Malcolm Harrington.
7. The Government’s Welfare Reform Bill proposals to simplify the appeals process for claimants.

Conference believes that:

1. It is the duty of a compassionate society and government to provide the necessary support for those who are unable to support themselves.
2. The old Assessment procedure, when claimants were assessed using a ‘tick box’ questionnaire, did not take into account the claimant’s medical history as provided by their GP and/or Consultant.
3. The new Assessment procedure must aim to reduce the number of cases which are overturned on appeal.
4. That vulnerable cases like this, where a welfare recipient’s income is threatened, should qualify for free legal representation.

Conference calls for:

1. The Government to continue to implement Professor Harrington’s recommendations on reforming the WCA as a priority, in addition to an emphasis on:
a) Clearer Assessment criteria and descriptors, to make it more apparent under what circumstances ESA is paid.
b) Ensuring greater accuracy in Assessment, particularly for those with fluctuating conditions.
c) A less stressful Assessment process.
d) People with disabilities getting the support they need.

1. Liberal Democrats in Government to oppose an arbitrary time limit on how long claimants can claim contributory ESA.

1. All ESA claimants going to appeal to be given access to adequate representation and expert advice, and for Government to reconsider the exclusion of welfare benefits casework such as this from the scope of legal aid.
2. A presumption that ESA claimants with serious and uncontrollable life-threatening conditions should be allocated to the support group rather than the work related activity group.
3. A review of ATOS performance in delivering the Medical Services Agreement contract with DWP in respect of the quality of medical assessments.
4. Effective contract compliance for contractors carrying out ESA eligibility assessments to avoid poor performance, and a presumption that in future ESA eligibility will be carried out by the public sector or non-profit organisations.

Having written to industry regulator Ofgem demanding action, they have responded with assurances that the issue is being pursued with demands that energy providers provide clearer and simpler price tariffs which are transparent and understandable to consumers. Further action is also being taken to break the stranglehold of the ‘Big Six’ companies which currently dominate the market and clear the way for further competition to help keep prices down.

Gordon has further supported plans which will keep energy bills affordable for local families, calling for social tariffs to be implemented to help provide those on lower incomes the energy they need to heat their homes. Gordon has also strongly stated his support for the British Gas initiative to provide more efficient boilers and free insulation to the homes of their customers to keep bills and energy usage down. As a part of this he has written to the other major energy providers demanding they introduce similar schemes to help residents of Burnley and Padiham.

Commenting, Gordon Birtwistle said: “As the weather is starting to turn colder as we head back towards winter, it is important that both the government and Ofgem as regulator continue to work closely together to ensure that energy companies put people before profit. These companies have a moral obligation to protect the wellbeing of their customers.”

“I recently had a meeting with British Gas at which they explained the steps they have been taking to help their customers save money and reduce their energy bills. I have since written to the other major energy suppliers asking them to follow their lead. It is indefensible for these companies to not help their customers in difficult times such as these, whilst posting record price hikes alongside record profits.”

“I am doing everything in my power to work with the government and the industry regulator to get the best deal for the people of Burnley and Padiham.”

Futaba-Tenneco UK Ltd has secured a major order from a major Japanese company to manufacture pressed and welded components. The order will effectively give the plant an almost full order book for the next few years, but importantly still leaves capacity for any other work that the Company secures.

Gordon Birtwistle at Futaba Tenneco

The winning of this order shows that the Company’s drive, vision and long term strategy, coupled with the exceptional commitment of the entire workforce has successfully guided it through the recession and the re-structure that was necessary to ensure that the plant remained competitive. The re-structure persuaded Futaba and Tenneco (the Mother companies) to continue to invest in the plant, and also kept its major customers onboard.
The Company has an excellent safety and quality record as shown by recent awards received from Toyota for both quality and delivery, and has recently invested heavily in the training and development of its employees, one of the issues heavily discussed during the meeting.
Mr Birtwistle offered his full support and will be working closely to help the company access some of the government’s £1.4 billion apprenticeship schemes (which saw an additional £180 million in funding announced in the recent budget) to aid the company in securing not only its own future but that of its workforce, as well as providing a boost to local employment.

Assistant Managing Director Kevin Schofield says, “This is not only fantastic news for the Company and all its employees, but also for the Burnley area and our supply chain. There are not many other companies in this area that can boast of the prospect of several years work and is testament to the hard work put in by every single employee. In fact, production levels are higher than expected at the moment which has led to 23 temporary workers being employed through a ground breaking scheme developed between FTUK and Neville Gee Employment Agency.

About the visit Gordon said “Futaba Tenneco are a fantastic local company, and this is very positive news for Burnley’s economy. The hard work and exceptional commitment of Futaba’s entire workforce are an example to us all, and Futaba are a company which Burnley should be extremely proud of.”

“The Government has published some very sensible advice on how people can help in the snowy weather by clearing the pavements and areas outside their houses,” he said.

“If people do this with care and follow the advice that is given then there should be no reason why they should face legal action.”

In particular the Snow Code says that people shouldn’t use water to clear snow and ice as that can refreeze forming “black ice” which is considerably more hazardous.

Cold weather payments are made to people in receipt of Pension Credit and certain other benefits when the temperature drops below 0c for more than 7 days.

Pension Credit provides a top-up to pensioners on low incomes to ensure they have a minimum income.

A recent report by Age Concern suggested that between 27 and 38% of older people eligible for pension credit were not claiming it, either because they don’t know about it or don’t think they are eligible.
“Pension Credit is a ‘passport’ benefit which can provide access to a number of other payments such as this,” said Gordon. “It is important that people who might be eligible don’t miss out.
Age Concern run a helpline 0800 169 6565 which can provide people with advice. Alternatively people can contact the Pension Service direct on 0800 99 1234.

Gordon has been pressing British Waterways for action to repair this vital route into Hapton since August and is delighted that work is finally due to begin. The bridge will be repaired using the correct stone quarried for purpose to maintain the heritage of Hapton village.

Commenting, Gordon said:

“I am delighted that, after over 12 months of delays, stalling tactics and buck-passing by various public bodies, work is finally due to begin to repair this bridge. This is a vital connection for Hapton, and for far too long it has been a danger to all residents and motorists using the bridge.”

Spending on adult apprenticeships will be boosted by £250 million by 2014-15 providing an extra 75,000 apprenticeship places. The move has been welcomed by groups like the Federation for Small Businesses.

Commenting on the announcement, Gordon said
“I am delighted by this expanded commitment by the coalition government to the apprenticeship program. This will reverse the slide we have seen in apprenticeships over the last 20 years. We need skilled workers to help boost the economy and apprenticeships will help train people for these vital jobs”

Liberal Democrat MP for Burnley, Gordon Birtwistle described the announcement as a “massive relief” for the millions of people who lost up to half their pensions in the collapse.

The Equitable Life Bill, which was outlined to the House of Commons yesterday [Wednesday], will give the Treasury the authority to make payments to policyholders or dependents who have been fighting the Labour Government for compensation since 2000.

A previous Liberal Democrat motion to get compensation for the millions of people involved was defeated in October 2009.

Gordon Birtwistle, Liberal Democrat MP for Burnley said:

“The previous Government continually ignored the millions of people who lost their savings.

“People in Burnley lost up to half their pensions in the fiasco yet Labour failed to act, ignoring Liberal Democrat advice, ignoring the High Court and ignoring an Ombudsman report.

“This Bill is a massive relief to thousands of pensioners and is long overdue.

“I am delighted that something the Liberal Democrats have been calling for can now finally happen. We are using our position in Government to give policyholders the money they deserve.”

The full text of the written statement to the Commons is available here:

Inpatient beds will be moved to Blackburn by the end of the year.  Whilst children with minor illnesses will still be treated in Burnley, anyone requiring an overnight stay will have to go to Blackburn.

Gordon said: “What we will have is a new maternity facility, but no children’s ward or paediatricians. If that is the case then the lunatics really are running the asylum.

“This is totally unacceptable. We will fight tooth and nail to prevent this happening. It’s a death by a thousand cuts and this is the latest cut in the death throes of Burnley General Hospital.

“Parents will be facing a round trip of over 20 miles to visit their sick children, and those without a car will have to struggle with public transport.

“The people who have dreamed this up should resign and have their places taken by people who understand what is needed in Burnley.”

Local health bosses have been ordered by the Government to make £50 million worth of cuts over the next three years, which they have described as the most severe they have experienced.