Stilton: campaigning to defend historic connection with Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire

My previous blog article was on the importance, and success, of the food industry and heritage in the East Midlands.

We have a food movement with a strong history and we should be proud of it, celebrating produce  from across the region. I will always support our region's food industry and heritage.

Today we hear that a consultation will be held on a challenge to the European Protected Designation of Origin of Stilton cheese, which can only be produced in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

The European Commission Protected Designation of Origin for Stilton cheese was secured by the Stilton Cheesemakers' Association in 1996.

A challenge has been made to extend this protection to include the village of Stilton in Cambridgeshire.

I will be supporting efforts and campaigning to maintain the historic connection and recognition of Stilton with the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. 

Campaigning to defend Stilton's historic connection
with Derbyshire,  Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire.

British Pie Awards & East Midlands food heritage

I was in Melton Mowbray today to be a judge at the British Pie Awards.

This was a wonderful event, well done to the organisers and all those who have entered pies. There were hundreds of entries across different categories ranging from speciality pie, football pie, dessert pies and traditional pies.

It was interesting and enjoyable to judge some  really excellent pies alongside my judging companion, acclaimed food critic Charles Campion.

I am not a food expert but I am an enthusiast and supporter of our local food heritage and production. We have a very special food culture and heritage in the East Midlands. When asked about the region's identity and what distinguishes the East Midlands I often talk about the area's food industry and heritage.

Across all parts of the region we have great food producers from industrial scale to small, artisan producers. I will always be a supporter of our region's food movement, it is important economically but it's also part of who we are and is an integral part of the identity of communities up and down the region. This includes those foods produced here historically but also the produce we now enjoy in our region from all parts of the world.

The range of produce and its history in our region should be celebrated. Think about the Melton Mowbray pork pie, traditional Red Leicester, Stilton and Lincolnshire Poacher cheeses, Bakewell pudding, the Lincolnshire sausage, meats from Northfield Farm, strawberries grown in North Nottinghamshire or the fresh produce from farms across all our counties,  and we should not overlook the excellent breweries across the region as well, including a growing number of microbreweries.

I will always champion and support our local food industry and producers.

We should be proud and celebrate the East Midlands food industry and heritage. 

Judging at the British Pie Awards in
Melton Mowbray.

Say no to rural poverty | Save the Agricultural Wages Board

Government proposals to scrap the Agricultural Wages Board should be opposed. AWB is vital in protecting living standards and wages of agricultural workers. 

Agricultural industry is a significant part of the East Midlands economy and those working in it should have decent pay, conditions and protection from exploitation. 

Find out more: www.unionstogether.org.uk

Anthony Nolan donor registration drive: Regent College this Friday

On Friday this week (26 April) a donor registration drive event will take place at Regent College in Leicester for the Anthony Nolan bone marrow campaign.

I am a governor at Regent and the college students have got behind this important campaign. The event is organised with Anthony Nolan and the Rik Basra Leukaemia campaign, the charity set up by Leicestershire police inspector Rik Basra who received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant 18 months ago.

I met Rik and his wife Kas last year and have been supporting their campaign ever since. I hope the event at Regent this Friday is a success. It has been great to see the students work on the organisation and promotion of the event.

There are around 1700 people in the UK needing a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant, 70% of patients will not find a matching donor from within their families. 

The event will run from 10am-3pm at Regent College, Regent Road, Leicester. Anyone aged 16-30 is encouraged to come along to find out more and register. For more information on the registration process see www.anthonynolan.org 

Made by the Many | Labour's local elections broadcast

#labourdoorstep for County Council elections

There is now just over a week until Polling Day for the County Council elections.

These are an important set of elections and Labour candidates and activists have been working tirelessly for many months.

In the East Midlands Labour candidates are standing in every single seat across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. Credit for this must go to all our candidates, agents and campaign organisers. It is vital we fly the Labour flag in every part of the region.

I have enjoyed joining colleagues across the region campaigning for these elections over the past months, and I am looking forward to more #labourdoorstep canvassing and leaflet delivery in these closing stretches of the campaign.

County Council campaigning. 

Youth unemployment: my top priority for the East Midlands

Since it was announced that I would be a Labour candidate for next year's European Parliament elections people have asked me why I want to represent the region and what my priorities are.

My top priority for the region is youth unemployment.

The latest figures will be published this week and I fear we will see youth unemployment going up again. We cannot afford a lost generation and we need urgent action at local level, national level and in Europe.

In the East Midlands youth unemployment is 18.7% with 63,000 young people out of work.

I grew up in this region and have seen the impact of industrial decline. I have seen the impact on communities when good, decent jobs in industry and manufacturing disappear. As well as the youth jobs crisis we have to deal with the problem of under-employment and the low wage economy. We need to see employers paying the Living Wage and we have to deal urgently with the scandal of zero hours contracts.

I back proposals for a European Youth Guarantee. In Europe almost 6 million young people are out of work. We need a European Youth Guarantee to give young people hope: ensuring that every young person is offered a job, further education or work-based training within four months of leaving education or becoming unemployed.

We need to see government's invest in programmes like Labour's Future Jobs Fund that got young people back into work.

As Deputy City Mayor in Leicester I have led the development of our Leicester to Work programme which has created new apprenticeships at the council and has introduced a new programme of paid work six month placements for young people out of work. For more information on Leicester to Work see here.

Last October I wrote for Labour Uncut on the need for urgent responses to the youth jobs crisis. I called on the British government to take action:

We know that this government is dangerously stubborn in its refusal to admit their plan is failing. When it comes to youth joblessness, political failure matters less than the economic and social consequences. When it comes to the risk of a lost generation it is the very real human cost that should motivate all politicians, whether in town halls, Whitehall or Brussels.

I am making youth unemployment the top issue in my campaign. We need a European Youth Guarantee and we need regional approaches to this, something more difficult to secure after the government abolished Regional Development Agencies. As an MEP I will work with local authorities, employers, unions, Local Enterprise Partnerships and training organisations to get real help from Europe, including funding, to get young people in the region back to work.

I want to see the youth jobs crisis and our determination to give young people hope and a better future central to Labour's campaign for next year's European Parliament elections.

Tackling the youth jobs crisis is my top priority now and it will be my top priority from day one if I am elected as an MEP.

Visiting rail apprentices with MEP Glenis Willmott
at Vital Skills in Leicester.

Health & Wellbeing Board's first meeting

Last week I chaired the first meeting of the city's new Health & Wellbeing Board.

Health & Wellbeing Board's were formed following the government's NHS reforms and bring together local councils, Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS England, HealthWatch and other partners.

At this first meeting we endorsed Closing the Gap, a new health strategy for the city.

Leicester Mercury article following the first Health & Wellbeing Board meeting.

New community gardening project in Eyres Monsell

We are pleased to be launching a new project in Eyres Monsell this week in partnership with BBC Radio Leicester.

As part of BBC Leicester's summer campaign to get more people growing their own food, we are launching 'Blooming Eyres Monsell.'

We want to get more people growing their own food in Eyres Monsell, which is good for health, can save money on shopping bills and is good fun for families.

BBC Radio Leicester's Ben Jackson and Ady Dayman will be visiting Eyres Monsell to give away seeds to local residents to help get thing started. These seeds are for tomatoes, lettuce, sweetcorn and runner beans. As councillors we have agreed to fund some gardening starter kits including pots and tools.

This project will also see the creation of a new community vegetable patch at Eyres Monsell Community Centre. We are looking for residents and volunteers to help with this.

To get your free seeds and to find out more about this project come along to Eyres Monsell Community Centre tomorrow (Wednesday 17 April) from 5:30pm.

BBC Radio Leicester's Ben Jackson and gardener Ady Dayman will be there to answer your questions and help get this project started.

With BBC gardener Ady Dayman, fellow
Councillor Virginia Cleaver and BBC Leicester's Ben Jackson
at Eyres Monsell Community Centre.

Lord Willy Bach gives backing to Rory

Lord Willy Bach, Labour Peer and former Justice Minister is supporting my campaign:

'I have campaigned alongside Rory Palmer and I know he has the experience and values to be a strong member of Labour's European team in the East Midlands.'

'He understands the challenges facing the region and I know he will be an effective parliamentarian in Brussels.'

'I am pleased to be supporting his campaign.'

Tweet your support: #Rory1forEastMids

#Labourdoorstep in Northampton & Leicestershire

It was good to be in Northampton this weekend to support our county council candidates.

I joined our excellent county council candidates Rhea Keehn (Delapre & Rushmere) and Ben Wesson (Boothville & Parklands).  We had a good response on the doorsteps. Good luck to Labour's candidates in Northamptonshire and across the East Midlands for these weeks of the campaign.

Campaigning for Rhea Keehn in Northampton, with my friend
and colleague from Nottingham Labour, Alex Norris.

Campaigning for Ben Wesson in Northampton.

I also joined the campaign again in Leicestershire this weekend, this time in South Leicestershire for county council candidate Amanda Hack.

Labour campaign team with our
candidate Amanda Hack in Enderby, Leicestershire.

Former MEP Mel Read supports my campaign

I am delighted to have the support of former East Midlands Labour MEP Mel Read in my campaign for the European Parliament.

Mel was a member of the European Parliament for fifteen years from 1989-2004. I am proud to have her support and endorsement for my campaign to be a Labour MEP.

Tweet your support: #Rory1forEastMids

Local Labour members back Rory

Earlier this week it was announced that I would be a Labour candidate in the East Midlands for next year's European Parliament elections.

I am really grateful for the messages of support I have received from Labour members and activists from across the region.

The Labour Party Branch in Eyres Monsell and Freemen - where I am a councillor - met this week. I am pleased and proud to have the support of members of the branch.

Members of Eyres Monsell & Freemen Branch Labour Party
supporting my campaign.

Pictured are fellow city councillors Virginia Cleaver, Bill Shelton and Ted Cassidy.

Later in the week members at Leicester South Labour Party backed my campaign.

Virginia Cleaver, Labour councillor for Eyres Monsell:
'As Rory's co-councillor in Eyres Monsell I know how committed he is to speaking up for the people he represented. He is tireless in his work to improve things for people and the community.'

I know Rory well and have campaigned and worked with him closely. He will be a strong addition to Labour's team in Europe. He will be an excellent MEP for our region.'

Gavin George, Secretary of Leicester South Labour Party:
'As Rory's Election Agent for Eyres Monsell I know how hard working and dedicated he is. As a fellow CLP Officer Rory is a campaigning politician who listens to, and speaks for, the communities he serves.'

Tweet your support: #Rory1forEastMids

European elections 2014: Ready to win for our region

The Labour Party has announced its candidates for the European Parliament elections which will take place next year.

I am pleased and proud to have been selected as a Labour candidate in the East Midlands.

Congratulations to all of the Labour candidates selected for these elections. Our teams of candidates in all regions are strong and experienced. I am really looking forward to campaigning as part of our team in the East Midlands.

Next year’s European elections are really important. They are important for the East Midlands, for the country and for Labour. 

I was born and bred in the East Midlands. This is the region where I live and work. 

I know how important it is to have strong Labour representatives working for our communities at every level, from town halls to Whitehall and in Europe.

Europe matters to all of us. We won’t get jobs and growth in Britain without growth in Europe. Europe matters if like me, people are worried and angry about the youth unemployment crisis. 

Europe matters in securing jobs and investment in the region and it matters if you care about our public services and our rights as citizens, consumers and workers. 

My politics is about lifting living standards and tackling poverty; to do this we need a fairer future in the East Midlands. 

To secure that fairer and better future we need to have a strong Labour team speaking up for our region in Europe. I will be working tirelessly over the coming months to join Glenis Willmott in the European Parliament to speak up for our region and pursue the issues that matter to people across the East Midlands.

I have the experience, commitment and ideas to be a strong and effective voice for the East Midlands in Europe. 

I am ready to win a fairer and better deal for the East Midlands in Europe.
I am ready to work with our members and supporters to win for Labour in our region.

Tweet your support: #Rory1forEastMids

Our Healthy City: launching council's new public health work

From 1 April the city council took on new public health responsibilities. These responsibilities transfer to the council from the NHS Primary Care Trust as a result of the government's re-organisation of the health service.

The government's re-organisation of the NHS remains controversial and politically divisive. In my view the transfer of public health responsibilities presents an important opportunity for local government. There has been a close relationship between local government and public health ever since Victorian times; local government used to be responsible for public health functions.

In my view the big opportunity now is to embed a new public health approach across all the core services of the council. There are significant health inequalities in Leicester and I am determined that we adopt a renewed and determined approach to these trends. Health inequalities are interwoven with wider socio-economic inequalities, poverty and disadvantage. We need to see truly joined-up approaches across the council and that's what I am determined to see happen in Leicester.

Next week I will chair the first formal meeting in public of the city's new Health and Wellbeing Board where partners will adopt the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the city. This strategy sets out five strategic priorities. I will write more about this next week.

On Friday we launched the council's new public health agenda, Our Healthy City, with a live healthy cooking demonstration in Leicester Market. Our first public health campaign is about healthier eating, encouraging people to make small changes in their diet to eat more healthily. This campaign started yesterday with hundreds of free bags of fresh vegetables and recipe cards given away. There will be similar events over the next few months in communities across the city.

Launching Our Healthy City by cooking a
healthy curry at Leicester Market.

For more information about Our Healthy City, the new Health & Wellbeing Board and the council's approach to public health see www.leicester.gov.uk/ourhealthycity

The Our Healthy City vegetable curry recipe:

April Fools' Day was no joke

For those of us who care about living standards Monday of this week, 1 April, was no joke. April Fools’ Day it may have been but for people on the receiving end of the government’s savage clobbering of the welfare system that day will have very real consequences.

As if that were not enough, a day later we see coalition ministers apparently considering freezing or cutting the national minimum wage. This was well past the threshold for April Fools’ Day wind-ups. Freezing or cutting the national minimum wage would be outrageous and would have a devastating impact on living standards.

As the government was setting about wrecking the welfare system, this week, Labour-led Leicester city council increased the pay of 1,100 staff to the level of the living wage. This includes over 280 kitchen assistants and 270 cleaners. We committed to this in our manifesto, it was recommended by the Leicester Child Poverty Commission and I am pleased we have delivered it.

It won’t stop the coalition’s devastating welfare changes but it will make some difference to those workers and their families. It will strengthen our hand in encouraging other employers to pay the living wage. We have seen strong campaigns for the living wage. In Leicester, Labour Students at the university have run an excellent campaign and there are many others like it across the country. This movement needs to continue with energy and determination.

The living wage has become a practical example of how Labour councils are doing their bit to help and deliver fairness in these tough times. As the coalition continues to create hardship and misery for hard-pressed families it will fall to Labour councils to help. It will fall to the next Labour government to pick up the pieces. The living wage can play a big part in this. As Labour we have always, and will always, be about lifting living standards and protecting workers from poverty pay.

There is a compelling argument for the living wage to be central to Labour’s economic and social priorities and a cornerstone of our next manifesto. We have to make the case for the living wage but it now seems to do that we may have to fight to defend the minimum wage: this argument is one and the same.
It is an argument we must win.

This article was published by Progress, 5 April 2013.

By-election campaigning and success in Nottingham

It was good to join friends in Nottingham on Thursday campaigning on polling day in the Wollaton East and Lenton Abbey council by-election.

Congratulations to newly elected Labour councillors in Nottingham Sam Webster and Wendy Smith (Bilborough ward) and well done to the Nottingham Labour team.

I am looking forward to more by-election campaigning in the coming weeks as we aim to get Vijay Riyait elected in Leicester's Abbey ward by-election. I will be also be joining Labour colleagues campaigning in the upcoming county council elections as well.

From Nottingham Labour by-election leaflet. 

Child poverty: welfare changes will have devastating impact

The dreadful welfare changes that happen today will hit many households hard. These changes will also have a devastating impact on child poverty.

Figures show that the number of children living in poverty will increase because of the government's changes to the benefits system and tax credits. The Institute of Fiscal Studies project 800,000 more children will be living in poverty by 2020 because of the coalition's welfare cuts. On top this a further 200,000 children could fall below the poverty line because of the benefit uprating changes (increasing benefits by 1% instead of at the rate of inflation).

At the same time as pushing through these changes the Government has also been consulting on how child poverty should be measured. This has been seen as a way to downplay the importance of income in measuring poverty, the government arguing that other social and economic factors should be included in a single 'multidimensional' measure of poverty. I disagree with this approach. Attempts to redefine measures of child poverty which downplay the importance of an adequate income as a central measure should be resisted.

This critique of the Government's approach and consultation by Alison Garnham of Child Poverty Action Group is worth reading.

The Leicester Child Poverty Commission which I chair has also responded to the Government consultation, the response can be read here.

The Leicester Child Poverty Commission Report, with 66 recommendations on tackling child poverty and its worst impacts, can be found on the Your Britain website. I hope people will comment and share their thoughts. Reducing child poverty has to be a central theme of Labour's thinking as we develop policy solutions to the challenges we are seeing today.

In February the End Child Poverty campaign published the child poverty rate for each local authority and parliamentary constituency in the country. Of course data at local authority and constituency level does not tell the full story; areas with overall relatively low levels often have wards where rates of child poverty are extremely high.

I have set out the data for the East Midlands below:

Child Poverty by local authority in the East Midlands

Amber Valley	15%
Ashfield	20%
Bassetlaw	16%
Blaby	7%
Bolsover	20%
Boston	16%
Broxtowe	12%
Charnwood	11%
Chesterfield	18%
Corby	18%
Daventry	9%
Derby City	22%
Derbyshire Dales	7%
East Lindsey	19%
East Northamptonshire	10%
Erewash	16%
Gedling	13%
Harborough	5%
High Peak	11%
Hinckley & Bosworth	10%
Kettering	13%
Leicester City	29%
Lincoln	22%
Mansfield	21%
Melton	8%
Newark & Sherwood	14%
North East Derbyshire	13%
North Kesteven	8%
North West Leicestershire	11%
Northampton	18%
Nottingham City	32%
Oadby & Wigston	11%
Rushcliffe	5%
Rutland	5%
South Derbyshire	11%
South Holland	13%
South Kesteven	11%
South Northamptonshire	Below 5%
Wellingborough	16%
West Lindsey	13%

 Child Poverty by parliamentary constituency in the East Midlands

Amber Valley	18%
Ashfield	21%
Bassetlaw	16%
Bolsover	20%
Boston & Skegness	18%
Bosworth	10%
Broxtowe	11%
Charnwood	7%
Chesterfield	18%
Corby	14%
Daventry	9%
Derby North	19%
Derby South	27%
Derbyshire Dales	7%
Erewash	18%
Gainsborough	13%
Gedling	14%
Grantham & Stamford	12%
Harborough	8%
High Peak	11%
Kettering	13%
Leicester East	24%
Leicester South	28%
Leicester West	34%
Lincoln	19%
Loughborough	14%
Louth & Horncastle	17%
Mansfield	21%
Mid Derbyshire	8%
Newark	11%
North East Derbyshire	13%
North West Leicestershire	11%
Northampton North	20%
Northampton South	22%
Nottingham East	33%
Nottingham North	37%
Nottingham South	24%
Rushcliffe	5%
Rutland & Melton	7%
Sherwood	16%
Sleaford & North Hykeham	8%
South Derbyshire	11%
South Holland & The Deepings	12%
South Leicestershire	6%
South Northamptonshire	5%
Wellingborough	15%

Data from End Child Poverty, February 2013.