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Paul welcomes Spodden Valley recognition.
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14/05/2008 at 20:22
Rochdale MP Paul Rowen was pleased to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Asbestos Group, in which the work of local campaign group Save Spodden Valley was singled out for praise. The praise is a boost for the group reaches its 4th anniversary.
Paul said, "I am pleased that the Save Spodden Valley Group is receiving national recognition for the excellent work they carrying out in Rochdale. I have worked very closely with the group to ensure the health and well being of people living near the site as well as our environment. The DVD I produced on the issue is on my website - www.paulrowen.co.uk and just goes to show the strength of feeling and the commitment of people like Jason and Derek Addy and the whole group. I think in recognition of the 4 years of campaigning - MMC Properties should come clean about their plans for the site as they've sat on this land for 4 years. If the job is too big they move along and give the Council an opportunity to pursue the grants available to remediate the site and look at things like recreational use of the site.
I hope this timely boost from this influential Parliamentary Group gives our campaigners the impetus they need to complete their task. This has been classic case of David V Goliath and Goliath is on the ropes. The Save Spodden Valley Campaigners continue to have my full support and it's good to see their good work being praised in the mother of all Parliaments." More...
Carers to lose out in 10p rate cut
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14/05/2008 at 20:18
People caring for elderly, sick or disabled relatives will lose out under new tax rules, according to Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen. Mr Rowen says because those claiming Carer's Allowance are only allowed to earn a certain amount each week, they are likely to fall into the group affected by the abolition of the 10p tax rate.
Mr Rowen said: "Carers provide an invaluable resource to society through their dedication and hard work. They have precious little thanks as it is and now the Government is planning to make it even harder for them to make ends meet. Many carers are in a Catch 22 situation over benefits. To qualify for the Carer's Allowance, they have to work less than 17 hours a week, but if they wanted to claim Working Tax Credits to make up for the tax hike, they would have to work more than 30 hours a week!"
Mr Rowen, a Lib Dem Work and Pensions' Spokesperson continued: "Most Carers look after adults and so they can't claim Child Tax Credits either. They are in a trap, and doubling their tax rate to 20p in the pound really knocks them when they are down. These are the one of the groups of people who will not benefit from Gordon Brown's tax u-turn. I will be raising this issue in Parliament. Already this year, they have turned down my sensible proposals to give carers free transport. This is a huge kick in the teeth and I hope that this injustice is reversed." More...
Rowen welcomes bus station announcement.
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27/03/2008 at 16:32
Rochdale's Paul Rowen has spoken of his delight after the Government finally gave the green light to a new Bus Station in Rochdale. Transport Minister Rosie Winterton announced up to £10 million of Government support for a new £11.5 million bus station, developed by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) and Rochdale Council.
Paul Rowen said, "Our new Bus Station is central to our plans to regenerate our Town and I have been lobbying the Department of Transport hard for some time to deliver this project. I spoke to Transport Minister Rose Winterton MP last week who confirmed that an announcement was imminent and I am pleased to see confirmation of that. Plans were drawn up for our new station when I was Council Leader in 2004 and I am pleased to see a successful conclusion to our campaign. The next step is obviously to get the Government to commit to funding the extension of Metrolink from our railway station to our Town Centre. Only then will we have the integrated transport system that has long been my ambition for Rochdale."
Council Leader Alan Taylor said, "This is a significant announcement and good news for every user of public transport in our Town. I would like to thank our MP Paul Rowen for his hard work on this. These are exciting times for our Town and with the multi-million pound regeneration of our Town Centre - this is another piece in our ambitious plans. Rochdale is on the way up and this announcement is confirmation of that." More...
"Get your priorities right" says Rochdale MP.
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25/03/2008 at 18:11
Paul Rowen, Lib Dem Work and Pension's Shadow Minister has written to energy company E.On to ask them to get 'their priorities right'. Paul has acted after uncovering that E.On spent £32 million sponsoring the FA Cup and only £4.4 million on helping its elderly customers. The figure of £4.4 million is derisory when you consider that in the last year alone the German firm made a profit of £777 Million.
The company became the 5th energy company to raise their prices in December. It raised the costs of its electricity and gas prices by 9.7 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.
Paul said, "There is something drastically wrong with the priorities of energy companies like EON (formerly Powergen) when they can spend £32 million sponsoring the FA Cup but only £4.4 million on helping its elderly customers. I am a football fan and not against sponsorship of the FA Cup. However prior to the budget the Government were threatening sanctions against energy companies if they did not reform social tariffs. The fact is the government have bottled it. More...