Simon Collyer
Live, Budget Statement, House of Commons, 12:30 approx
House of Commons
Wednesday 22 November 2017 Meeting starts at 11.30am
AGENDA
Oral questions: Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (including Topical Questions)
Prime Minister's Question Time
(12:30 approx.) Financial Statement: Budget Statement
Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
Adjournment: Future of guards on Merseyrail trains
Dan Carden MP (Liverpool, Walton, Labour)
ABC Comment: Who is spreadsheet Phil? According to the Conservative Party:
PHILIP HAMMOND
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR RUNNYMEDE AND WEYBRIDGE
Philip comes to the Cabinet from a wide-ranging background of hands-on business experience in small and medium-sized companies in manufacturing, property and construction, and oil and gas, both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
Philip was brought up in Essex, attending a local state school. He went up to Oxford to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics in October 1974 – on the very day that the Labour Government, which ended in disaster in 1979, was elected.
He watched, first as a student of politics, and then as a new employee in a small pharmaceutical company, as economic disaster engulfed Britain.
Philip's political convictions were formed against that backdrop and he strongly believes that the first responsibility of Government is to promote economic stability, sound money, and prudent public finances. He believes that none of our aspirations for a better society can be met if we do not have a strong economy to support them. In a tough public spending climate, that means tackling the deficit, while maintaining capital investment to ensure Britain's international competitiveness.
Philip's active involvement in Conservative Party politics began when he volunteered for the 1979 General Election campaign and was assigned to Westminster North, a constituency which the Conservatives won by just 106 votes. He later became a Constituency Association Chairman.
Philip resolved to stand for Parliament when he realised that the Thatcher/Major era would come to an end with much work remaining undone. He believed that it would take another Conservative Government to successfully build on the economic reforms of the 1980s and deliver real social change in Britain.
Philip first stood for Parliament in Newham North East in 1994. Having been defeated in that by-election, he was elected in 1997 for the Surrey constituency of Runnymede and Weybridge.
POSITIONS HELD:
- MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, 1997-
- Shadow Minister for Health, June 1998-Sept 2001
- Shadow Trade & Industry Minister and Shadow Minister for Small Business, Sept 2001-2002
- Shadow Minister for Local Government and Regions, 2002-2005
- Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, May 2005-Dec 2005
- Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Dec 2005-July 2007
- Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, July 2007-May 2010
- Secretary of State for Transport, May 2010-Oct 2011
- Secretary of State for Defence, Oct 2011-July 2014
- Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, July 2014-July 2016
- Chancellor of the Exchequer, July 2016 -
PROUDEST POLITICAL ACHIEVEMENT:
Forcing the Home Office to back down on a plan to locate a hostel for convicted paedophiles in a county mansion it had secretly refurbished in the middle of Runnymede, yards from a primary school.
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF POLITICS:
- Reading
- Cinema
- Hill-walking in Scotland
FAMILY LIFE:
- Married to Susan since 1991
- Three children: Amy, Sophie and William (and a dog)
Live, Work and Pensions Committee - PIP and ESA assessments, Wednesday 22 November 2017 Meeting starts at 9.30am
Work and Pensions Committee
Wednesday 22 November 2017 Meeting starts at 9.30am
Subject: PIP and ESA assessments
Witnesses: Yolanda Barker, PIP applicant, Amanda Browning, PIP and ESA applicant, Denise Martin, PIP and ESA applicant, and Natalie McMinn, PIP and ESA applicant
Witnesses: David Bryceland, Welfare Advisor, Oxfordshire Mind, Gary Edwards, Welfare Advisor, Southampton Advice and Representation Centre, Kayleigh Nor-Val, Welfare Advisor, Citizens Advice, and Martin Richards, Welfare Advisor, Involve Northwest.
Are You Looking For Your Pension?
Pension Tracing Service tops one million searches as people claim forgotten savings
New figures show that the Government’s Pensions Tracing Service has now been used more than a million times, - helping people across the country track down their lost or forgotten pension pots.
Launched by the Department for Work and Pensions in May 2016, the Pensions Tracing Service is a free and comprehensive online database listing more than 320,000 pension scheme administrators.
It’s simple to use – just type in the name of your former employers, and you’ll automatically see the contact details for any listed workplace pension schemes you may have paid into.
When the service was launched, experts estimated unclaimed UK pension savings were worth £400 million. With people having 11 jobs on average over the course of their working lives, it’s easy to lose track.
Guy Opperman, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, said:
“Keeping track of pensions savings over your career can be difficult, but with millions of pounds in unclaimed pots waiting to be reunited with their rightful owner, I’d encourage everyone to get in touch with the Pension Tracing Service today.
“After all, every pound traced is another pound towards a more secure retirement.”
For help on tracking down lost pension pots, contact the Pension Tracing Service today by visiting https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details for a simple, step-by-step process or calling 0345 6002 537, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (+44 (0)191 215 4491 from outside the UK; 0345 3000 169 by textphone)
Or click here:
BREXIT Inflation – Equivalent to A £448 Pay Cut For An Average Worker
Brexit has already cost workers in the UK the equivalent of a week’s wages due to rising inflation, according to new research – with Scotland amongst the hardest hit. The report, conducted by researchers at the London School of Economics, found that the impact of Brexit-driven inflation is equivalent to a £448 pay cut for an average worker – while residents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been worst effected. The damning analysis comes as the UK government claimed, in response to SNP calls for transparency, that releasing analysis on the impact of Brexit on food prices may weaken the Government’s hands in negotiations.
Image: London School of Economics
Watch Live at the ABC - Budget Statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday 22 November 2017
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, will deliver his Budget Statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday 22 November 2017.
The Budget sets out the government’s plans for the economy based on the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
The Statement is expected to start at 12.30pm on Wednesday after Prime Minister's Questions.
RAF Bentwaters, The Rendlesham Forest Incident and UFO’s
We made a trip to RAF Bentwaters, Sunday.
RAF Bentwaters is in Suffolk near to the town of Woodbridge. It opened in 1944 and closed in 1993. It was the home of the United States Air force's 81st Tactical Fighter Wing. The base at its peak used to pour a million pounds a week into the local economy. The Bentwaters Cold War Museum is open, largly during the summer months.
The Rendlesham Forest incident refers to three days in December 1980 where numerous unidentified, triangle-shaped objects were spotted hurtling through the sky near Rendlesham, Suffolk. They were seen close to the RAF Woodbridge, which was then being used by the US Airforce. There is a walk through the forest known as the UFO trail. Rendlesham Forest is a 1,500-hectare mixed woodland in Suffolk owned by the Forestry Commission with recreation facilities for walkers, cyclists and campers. A fascinating but scary place. Not so much because of the likelihood of a close encounter with a UFO but as a reminder of the ever-present danger of nuclear weapons.
If you get a chance we suggest you might pay a visit. The base is now home to the film industry and it creating new opportunies for jobs of a more peaceful kind.
You read more about The Rendlesham Forest incident here:
Fines Suggested For Gig Economy Companies Exploiting Loopholes
Businesses in the “gig economy” are exploiting loopholes in employment law to the disadvantage of workers, according to a group of cross-party MPs.
In a draft bill, two Commons committees suggest companies should be fined if they falsely classify workers and deny them benefits such as holiday pay and sick pay.
The proposed legislation comes from the work and pensions committee and the business, energy and industrial strategy committee. It seeks to put pressure on the Government to respond to Matthew Taylor’s report on the modern job market which was published earlier this year.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves, who chairs the business committee, said “companies should pay higher wages when they are asking people to work extra hours or zero-hours contracts”.
A spokesman for the Government said it recognises the “labour market is not working for everyone”.
Gig economy businesses such as Uber and Deliveroo argue their workers are self-employed, although Uber has lost several legal cases over the issue.
Image: Deliveroo has been subject to a legal challenge.
DWP Blunder Sees 75,000 Disability Benefit Claimants 'Underpaid' And Could Cost £500m To Fix
Tens of thousands of disability and sickness benefit claimants may been underpaid by the DWP and it could cost up to £500million to correct the blunder.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed errors in payment of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) that could affect 75,000 people who transferred to it from incapacity benefits.
The errors affected people who applied for ESA between 2011/12 and 2014/15 and were identified by DWP late last year, according to BBC News, which first uncovered the error.
The department has contacted about 1000 of the people who could be affected so far, according to the BBC, and has begun making repayments.
Debbie Abrahams, shadow work and pensions secretary, said: "This is yet another example of the total failure of this Government to provide people with the support they need.
"From the chaotic introduction of Universal Credit to the quiet pushing back of the state pension age of 1950s women, it's been one disaster after another from the Department of Work and Pensions.
"The Government must act immediately to provide the support people are entitled to and apologise to all the people who have struggled to heat their homes and put food on their table."
A DWP spokesman said: "We're aware of this issue and are currently reviewing the historical benefit payments of claimants.
"We've already contacted some of the people affected and are making repayments.
"Anyone potentially affected will be contacted by the department."
The revelation comes with the Government under pressure to reform Universal Credit, with critics complaining that some claimants are left with waits of six weeks or more for payments, which they say is pushing them into debt and rent arrears.
Plaid Cymru Say Social Care Cuts Could Led to Unnecessary Deaths
Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Public Health and Social Services Dr Dai Lloyd has warned the Labour government in Wales not to repeat the scandal of social care cuts in England after a new analysis of data showed that cuts to social care in England have contributed to more than 22,000 deaths per year.
Executives
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Simon Collyer
Position: Founder & Director
Simon Collyer hails from Brightlingsea in Essex, a small town on the coast between Colchester & Clacton. Simon worked very successfully in the leisure marine industry in the UK and in Australia. Later in London Simon worked in the web development and publishing fields, founding a below-the-line sales promotion agency in the early nineties and then later a software company Red Banner in South Africa (2002-06). Here in South Africa, Simon became interested in the Third Sector and starting his own organisation.
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Christopher Johnson
Position: Bookkeeping and Administration
Chris lived in Oxford for twenty years, having been educated at Magdalen College School. Chris sought a career with British Rail and spent twenty years in railway retail management ending with Virgin Trains at Euston Station. Christopher retrained in bookkeeping and accounts in 2000 and now works for Chelmsford Community Transport.
A strong, enthusiastic team player with a meticulous eye for detail, Christopher brings a range of skills to the ABC.
Team
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Frances Rimmer
Position: Researcher
When not charming snakes Frances is a Modern History student at the University of Essex, focusing specifically on social history. The lives and experiences of the ordinary person rather than on politics or the military. Outside of her studies, Frances enjoys film and writing. As a keen roller skater who plays roller derby with the Kent Roller Girls, Frances secret wish would be to become a skating instructor and open her own rink, as she has always wanted to help people in some way, and feels it would be great to do so while also sharing her passion with like-minded people.
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Stuart Meyers
Position: Researcher
Stuart Meyer, is a final year American Studies student at the University of Essex. Stuart focussed his academic life on global justice and the rights of migrants. Additionally Stuart has a passion for writing, both creatively and with the aim of providing accessible information to those who need it most Stuart has made a great contribution to our library of Advice Guides demonstrating his versatility by writing intelligently on a wide range of topics.
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Louis Jones
Position: Film Maker
Louis is a 19 year old TV and film student studying at Colchester Institute. Along with hand-picked fellow students, Louis made the ‘Membership’ video that can be seen on the ABC website. Louis volunteers at, Hospital Radio Colchester, as a football commentator. A true fan of the ‘Great Game’ Louis insights have been sought after on occasions by key local media, the Colchester Daily Gazette & even BBC Essex.
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Marcus Pierpont
Position: Film Director
Talented student film maker, Marcus Pierpoint, directed the ABC 'Membership' film which can be seen on the organizations website. Marcus has recently graduated from a BTEC course, studying Creative Media Production at Colchester Institute and he claims a true passion for films and filmmaking. Marcus also enjoys radio work and volunteers at the local hospital radio station, producing and presenting his own show. Marcus is enrolled at the University of Greenwich, and dreams of a career in the media industry.
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Shane Mitchell
Position: Film Maker
Shane Mitchell, is another Colchester Institute Film and TV student that aspirers to be a Director of Photography in the future. Shane was the camera operator for the ABC Membership video, fun to make says Shane but it is also work he is very proud of. Shane loves all things ‘film’ and he makes videos even in his spare time.
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Joe Corlett
Position: Film Director
Ex-student script writer/director, Joe Corlett, directed the ABC's corporate video (About Us) which is now viewable on the main website. Joe graduated from the Colchester Institute with a BTEC diploma in the field of media. Joe is passionate towards film making and hopes to continue making more that are constructed form his own material. On the side he's loves being out jogging in all terrains and when not out side he's writing scripts for future projects. Joe is now out in the world ready to start his life goal of working in the Media industry.
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Jon Taylor
Position: Film Maker
Jonathan Taylor has been working in the media sector for 3 years and for our filming projects he worked as the production manager. John worked on graphical elements of our film, About Us for example, rendering images and making them look good on screen.
Jon is also experienced in animation and he made the logo and animation sequences in the ABC corporate videos.
Part of Jon’s brief was to also organise the administration side of filming, known collectively to admin experts the world over as ‘the paperwork’.
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Thomas Hearn
Position: Film Maker
Thomas Hearn, has been involved in media, for about three years. Tom likes to work a lot at a computer, particularly the editing suite. For the ABC project, Tom worked on the edit itself; created and pieced together both the footage and the music, Tom created the visual elements of the ABC ‘About Us’ video and put most of the visual effects on the video.
I think we can agree that along with the rest of our youthful student team; Tom has done a very fine job indeed.
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Max Gillard
Position: Film Maker
The last of our film team Max Gillard has recently finished college studying Creative Media Level 3 and Max hopes to continue the course on to University to someday gain a job in the media industry.
We wish Max the best of luck.
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Harry
Position: Film Maker
My name is Harry Genge and I am an aspiring film maker. I have skills in the majority of film orientated jobs, though I am most interested in the creative roles such: Directing, Director of Photography and Writing. In my spare time I make short films, write, read, draw/paint and take the dog out for long walks.
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Ned
Position: Producers
My name is Ned Woodcraft and I’m an aspiring Producer. As well as completing a diploma in media production I have also had a number of jobs in the professional market. I’m also a keen sailor and water sport enthusiast.
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Brandon
Position: Producer
My name is Brandon and I’m an aspiring producer and actor. I enjoy bringing a production together with planning and preparations to create a great finished product. My hobbies also include street magic and bass playing.
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Callum
Position: Writer and Director
My name is Callum Olive and I’m an aspiring writer and director. I’m always looking for a new project and love writing new stories and screenplays at home and on the move. My hobbies include playing the piano and street magic.
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Joanie DeMuro
Joanie joined ABC team in early 2017. She was one of six student volunteers from the University of Essex in that cohort. The student team focused on a range of projects, including creation of Wikipedia page,‘training manual’ and most importantly, researching and adding entries to the website directory of organisations that assist the unwaged, or those on low incomes. “This placement was very helpful - thanks for the opportunity Simon.”
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Cherry Lam
Cherry Lam has been volunteering for ABC for one month. Although it is a short period of time, she knows a lot more about the running of a charity organisation. Cherry is responsible for adding directories to the organisation website according to categories. Joining this placement helped her improving skills and gaining new experiences. Cherry says is extremely appreciative of the support she has received from ABC which allowed her to improve skills.
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