MP Calls on Government to Vote to Keep Legal Aid for Voiceless

Posted on Apr 19, 2012

The MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy, has today called on the Government to accept the decisions of the House of Lords to protect disabled people, children, domestic violence victims and sufferers of industrial diseases like asbestos-induced cancer. Applying pressure on the Government to do the right thing, Kerry is urging Liberal Democrats who have repeatedly said they want to protect frontline advice centres need to act with their votes, not just with their words.

Today the House of Commons will debate the Lord’s amendments to the Legal Aid Bill which has been defeated a historic 11 times in the House of Lords, making it the most controversial legislation of its type since at least 1979. Under the guise of reforming Legal Aid, the Government plans to leave untouched the £1.2 billion criminal legal aid fund and instead put a stop to advice on common social welfare issues. This kind of advice, given by a mix of volunteers and legal experts, is delivered primarily through Citizens Advice Bureaux and neighbourhood law centres.

Kerry said: “Legal Aid provides a crucial safety net to those in our community who need support and advice in resolving complex and serious issues and do not have the means to pay for expensive legal costs. I have received a large number of letters and emails from my constituents, who are rightly concerned that these cuts will have a profound effect on peoples’ ability to access the legal advice they often desperately need.

“From talking to charities and organisations, it is clear that disabled people, children, domestic violence victims and sufferers of industrial disease that single parents will be among the hardest hit by these cuts and I fear that the Government’s Legal aid Bill will have profound social consequences, leaving many people unable to challenge the injustices they face. This is unacceptable and unfair, the Government should support the amendments the House of Lords have made and consider the damage it is about to inflict on our legal system.

“Today I am appealing to Liberal Democrat MPs to do the right thing, and vote with Labour in support of the Lords amendments which will help ensure that ordinary people can access the advice they need. If we really are all in it together, then part of that means ensuring the most vulnerable are protected when things go horribly wrong in their lives. I would strongly urge Liberal Democrat MPs to accept the ruling of the House of Lords and not start a battle between the Houses by following the Government whip which will only deny many people access to justice. ”

Kerry Attacks Prime Minister’s Million Pound Dinners

Posted on Apr 19, 2012

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions today, the MP for Bristol East Kerry McCarthy has criticised the Prime Minister for his cosy Downing Street “kitchen suppers” with millionaires, while thousands of ordinary people depend on food banks. Kerry has accused the David Cameron of being out of touch and has urged the Government to do more to help thousands of ordinary people avoid food poverty.

There are now over 190 food banks throughout the country, 88 of which were launched in 2011. Increasingly low income families are depending on food banks to make ends meet. The cost of food in Britain has risen sharply over the last two years, and the number of people needing emergency aid is expected to continue to increase dramatically, with the Trussell Trust estimating that half a million people in the UK could be dependent on food banks by 2015.

Speaking after Prime Minister’s Questions, Kerry said: “While the Prime Minister is handing out tax breaks to the rich and enjoying cosy Downing Street dinners with millionaires, the economic policies of his Government have push thousands of ordinary hard working people into food poverty. Since the last general election food prices in the UK have rocketed, forcing families, who are now struggling to put food on their table, to turn to local food banks to avoid hunger. Without the daily support of local food banks I know many families would go hungry. Today my message to the Prime Minister is clear -Instead of wining and dining the rich in Downing Street, David Cameron should visit Food Banks like Fareshare in Bristol and see the daily reality people are now facing. Or maybe he could invite some ordinary people, who haven’t got millions to donate to the Tory Party, to supper instead?”

Customer Services Officer

Posted on Apr 18, 2012

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Customer Services Officer

Reference: 23238Department: Health and Social CareWorking Hours: Part timeEmployment Type: Fixed termSalary: £19,621 – £21,519 pro rataClosing Date: 02 May, 2012Location: Kings Square

Part time 18.5 hours, fixed term for 15 months

If you are a permanent employee of Bristol City Council this post can only be taken as a secondment and if shortlisted you will be asked to bring your managers written approval for a secondment to interview. Permanent employees cannot resign their substantive post to take up a secondment or a Fixed Term Contract.

If you are currently on a Fixed Term Contract or a member of the in house employment agency (currently in a placement) this will be a Fixed Term Contract.

An interesting opportunity has arisen to be an exciting part of the Health Promotion Project working with the Deaf Community and Deafblind People. The project will include delivery of information at a number of events aimed at promoting healthy living and access to health care services. This will further include developing the concept of Virtual Healthy Living Centre Resource, which will be in an accessible format.

The successful application must be fluent in British Sign Language, have good organisational skills and have developed interest in health care matters. The post is fixed term for 15 months and the hours are 18.5, with flexibility required in working these hours to potentially include some planned evening and weekend work as dictated by the needs of the project.

A BSL Stage 2, Deafblind Communication Level 3 qualification and hold or be willing to gain NVQ level 3 in customer care is required for this post.

This post is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Checks operated by Bristol City Council in conjunction with Criminal Records Bureau and Medical Clearance.

Article source: http://jobs.bristol.gov.uk/JobDetails.aspx/23238

Technical Officer Level 3 – INTERNAL

Posted on Apr 18, 2012

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Technical Officer Level 3 – INTERNAL

Reference: 23236Department: City DevelopmentWorking Hours: Full timeEmployment Type: PermanentSalary: £22,221- £24,646Closing Date: 02 May, 2012Location: Wilder Street

Please note this post is only open to employees of Bristol City Council.

An enthusiastic and thorough individual is required to join the Traffic Regulation Order Team to assist with the statutory process that must be followed during the development of various traffic and highway improvement schemes across the city. The role would ideally suit a person who enjoys working as part of a team, both in and out of the office, and who appreciates the importance of attention to detail.

This position requires a good understanding of the role of the Transport Service and appropriate technical knowledge and experience. It is also anticipated that applicants for this position would have some experience of computer aided drawing (CAD) and/or scheme design.

As a Technical Officer within Highways and Traffic, you would be involved in the design of schemes and projects of varying size, including those associated with the Community and Neighbourhood Partnerships now in place in Bristol, and also major projects such as residents’ parking, Bus Rapid Transit, the South Bristol Link and the roll-out of the 20mph speed limit across the city.

A relevant degree plus comprehensive relevant experience or NVQ4 in a related field and comprehensive relevant experience or HNC/HND with substantial experience in a relevant subject or equivalent is r equired for this post. 

The post will be included in the Highways and Traffic Career Progression Scheme. Further information will be available at interview.

For more information, please contact Neil Terry on 0117 903 6824 or Gareth Vaughan-Williams on 0117 903 6833.

Article source: http://jobs.bristol.gov.uk/JobDetails.aspx/23236

Technical Officer Level 2 – INTERNAL

Posted on Apr 18, 2012

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Technical Officer Level 2 – INTERNAL

Reference: 23235Department: City DevelopmentWorking Hours: Full timeEmployment Type: PermanentSalary: £19,621 – £21,519Closing Date: 02 May, 2012Location: Wilder Street

Please note this post is only open to employees of Bristol City Council.

An enthusiastic and thorough individual is required to join the Traffic Regulation Order Team to assist with the statutory process that must be followed during the development of various traffic and highway improvement schemes across the city. The role would ideally suit a person who enjoys working as part of a team, both in and out of the office, and who appreciates the importance of attention to detail.

This position requires an understanding of the role of the Transport Service and appropriate technical knowledge and experience.

As a Technical Officer within Highways and Traffic, you would be involved in the design of schemes and projects of varying size, including those associated with the Community and Neighbourhood Partnerships now in place in Bristol, and also major projects such as residents’ parking, Bus Rapid Transit, the South Bristol Link and the roll-out of the 20mph speed limit across the city.

The post will be included in the Highways and Traffic Career Progression Scheme. Further information will be available at interview.

A relevant degree plus relevant experience or NVQ4 in a related field or HNC/HND with experience in a relevant subject or equivalent is required for this post.

For more information, please contact Neil Terry on 0117 903 6824 or Gareth Vaughan-Williams on 0117 903 6833.

Article source: http://jobs.bristol.gov.uk/JobDetails.aspx/23235