Labour 'sticking to plan' says Calderdale MP amid benefits cut fears
Plus, Town Hall celebrations bring out clouds despite wet weather
Hello and welcome to The Calderdale Lead.
I hope you’ve all had an enjoyable week despite the weather seemingly running through all the seasons over the last few days.
On the political front - sticking with the theme of weather - there’s been storm clouds gathering for Chancellor Rachel Reeves after her ‘spring statement’ (definitely NOT a budget!) and the cuts to disability benefits.
We’ve got some reaction from the borough’s two MPs below.
And the wind and rain didn’t stop folk in Todmorden from coming out yesterday for the Town Hall celebrations.
We’ve got a sneak peek of the film that is being projected onto the front of the Town Hall below and I would definitely urge you to get out and see it tonight if you’ve not done so already - it’s fantastic!
So, on with the news…
Calderdale MPs react to Chancellor’s spring ‘budget’
Halifax MP Kate Dearden says that she is available to support anyone who might be impacted by the Government’s cuts to benefits but insisted Labour will remain ‘a party of work’.
Reacting to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement, in which she announced sweeping cuts and freezes to some benefits, Ms Dearden said Labour was sticking to their election pledges to shift the NHS backlog, build more homes and put more money in people’s pockets.
Ms Dearden, who is a Government whip, said she would continue to run her cost of living surgeries to help those in most need.
In a video message to constituents, she said: “Our plan is to change Britain for the better, that’s what the people of Halifax voted for and that’s what we’re doing.
“People’s real wages are growing at the fasted rate in three years, we’ve made two million more NHS appointments to end the backlog that we’ve seen in our NHS for far too long and from next week those on the minimum wage in Halifax will get a proper payrise leaving them £1,400 better off every single year.”
She went on to add that the Office for Budget Responsibility had confirmed that Labour’s plans would see more homes built over the course of the Parliament than in anytime over the last 40 years.
But addressing the cuts to welfare, she said: “Labour is a party of work and these reforms are designed to ensure that anyone who could choose work does so and that is only right.
“However, for those are you for whom work is impossible, I’m here to represent you too so know that my office is always available to help.”
Meanwhile, Calder Valley MP Josh Fenton-Glynn raised a question in Parliament about the Government’s consultations on the proposed cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
He said: “There is real fear among many of my Calder Valley constituents with disabilities and with caring responsibilities about the proposed changes to PIP, and that fear has been exacerbated by some of the reporting.
“Can the Minister please give me a categorical assurance that the consultation on these measures is genuine, and that the Government will ensure that the responses of disabled people and of disability rights campaigns such as Scope will be given the weight they deserve?”
Social Security minister Sir Stephen Timms replied: “I can give him the assurance that he seeks. Indeed, I spoke to Scope yesterday, and to other disability charities. Yes, this will be a proper consultation, and we will listen very carefully to what people say to us in response.”
Click below to read my colleague
‘untangling’ on the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.
Video: First night of celebrations a success despite wet weather
People in Todmorden didn’t let a bit of bad weather get in the way of a celebration last night as they came out to toast the Town Hall.
Hundreds of people braved wet and windy conditions to see the spectacular specially-commissioned film projected onto the front of the building, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
The film celebrates the past, present and future of the town with appearances from a range of local people and was produced by Ramsbottom-based firm Illuminos.
Here’s a sneak peek…
The film is being shown again tonight, every 15 minutes from 8.30pm.
That’s all for this edition.
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Enjoy what is left of the weekend and we’ll be back in your inboxes on Wednesday!
Andrew