Government's scrapping of EMA criticised by MP

Students protest the scrapping of EMA

GRAHAM STUART MP is in the national spotlight once again after the House of Commons Education Select Committee - which he chairs - strongly criticised the way that the Government scrapped the Educational Maintenance Allowance.

The EMA was a £560m fund aimed at helping poorer 16 - 19 year olds stay in education by providing a means-tested grant of up to £30 a week. Its abrupt scrapping left many young people unable to work out exactly what funding would be available to them.

The Select Education Committee said in a report published today that the "sudden decision" to drop the EMA and replace it with a bursary scheme was made "far too late" to allow Year 11 students to make fully informed decisions on what they will do the following year. The report states: "That delay was regrettable and should not have been allowed to happen." and "The Government should have done more to acknowledge the combined impact on students' participation, attainment and retention, particularly amongst disadvantaged sub-groups, before determining how to restructure financial support."

Graham Stuart MP, is quoted on Parliament's House of Commons website:

“Young people taking life defining decisions at 16 need clear information on the support they may receive and deserve better than rushed and ill thought through reforms. We accept that changes and savings need to be made but the organisation of the change has been far from smooth. Decisions on how much will be available for distribution by each school or college have been taken far too late, and it is 16 year olds who have suffered uncertainty as a result. That should not have been allowed to happen.”

The Report is available to read online at the Parliament House of Commons website: Participation by 16-19 year olds in education and training.

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Graham Stuart MP: "You are far too excitable!" says The Speaker in remarkable scenes in Parliament

"DO NOT SHAKE YOUR HEAD AT ME!"

IN A REMARKABLE EXCHANGE in the House of Commons yesterday, then local MP Graham Stuart was told in no uncertain terms by The Speaker John Bercow to "Be quiet and calm down..." and told to leave the chamber if he could not.

Graham Stuart was attempting to quiz the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who was making a speech on the Phone Hacking scandal and the bid by News International to acquire BSkyB.

The Beverley and Holderness MP had been trying to intervene in Gordon Brown's speech through the Parliamentary tradition of asking the person to 'give way'. On his second attempt the following exchange took place (reported by Hansard):

Mr Graham Stuart rose —
Mr Brown: I will set out my case and then I will answer questions.
This is the only way—[ Interruption. ]
Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for interrupting the right hon. Gentleman. Mr Stuart, I am going to say it to you once and once only: you are far too excitable. Be quiet and calm down—[ Interruption. ] Order. If you cannot — do not shake your head at me —then leave the Chamber.

Then later:

Mr Graham Stuart: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. May I ask whether there is any time limit in this debate, and—
Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman will resume his seat. If there were a time limit it would be announced;

And later still:

Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for having to interrupt the right hon. Gentleman...
There will be interventions when the Member who has the floor takes them, and not before. Members will observe basic courtesies and listen quietly and with respect to speakers. That is the end of it. Mr Stuart, if you are not prepared to do so, leave the Chamber. We can manage without you

Alex Stevenson who is a Lobby journalist for politics.co.uk had this to say about the exchange (see: Politics.co.uk - commentary)

As usual, the official record presents a soberer version than the reality. While the above was being said Labour backbenchers were shouting away, roaring "sit down!" at Stuart. At one point an opposition MP went further, venturing: "Sit down, stupid!" Hansard did not record these remarks. Nor did it convey the full extent of Bercow's bile. I would propose they amend their version with this: 'DON'T SHAKE YOUR HEAD AT ME! Stuart gaped, shrugging with his left hand sprawled along the back of the wooden bench. He waited just a few seconds, his eyes never leaving Bercow's - before shaking his head defiantly once more.'

The Telegraph captures some of the exchange on a video posted at its article: Order? How Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow fails to keep control of 'the children'

Unfortunately this kind of pantomime-type behaviour in Parliament grabs all the attention and headlines - and we tend to overlook the important issues being discussed.

Although perhaps - just perhaps - the "Punch & Judy" Parliamentary approach will attract and appall a new audience that will want to investigate our decision-making processes a bit more thoughtfully....?

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MP adds his support to the Fish Fight Campaign

LOCAL MP GRAHAM STUART, has pledged his support for the Fish Fight campaign by signing an Early Day Motion.

Early Day Motions are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. They are an effective way for publicising the views of individual MPs, drawing attention to specific events or campaigns, and demonstrating the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.

Graham Stuart has backed the campaign, led by Chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, which raises awareness that around half of the fish caught in the North Sea, despite dying in the trawling process, are unnecessarily thrown back.

The Fish Fight Campaign claims this behaviour is unsustainable.

Graham Stuart said: “We need to find ways to make use of all the fish we catch and avoid the current system’s failings where vast quantities are senselessly being thrown back into the sea. People like Hugh are making great strides to bring about a change in attitude that will work to benefit consumers, fishermen and fish alike”

The Campaign also calls for strong reform of the European Union Common Fisheries Policy and the creation of a regionalised, eco-systems-based framework for fishing quotas.

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PM offers comfort to voluntary and community groups threatened by cuts

PRIME MINISTER David Cameron was specifically asked about public spending cuts affecting voluntary and community groups in Parliament during PM's Question Time on Wednesday 15th September. In response to a Labour MP's assertion that many groups were on the brink of closure due to the cuts, the PM had this to say (Hansard: column 877):

"...what I would say to every council in the country, which is that we all know - and Opposition Members know - that we have to make spending reductions. The Opposition were committed to £44 billion of spending reductions at the last election, and we should say to every single council in the country, "When it comes to looking at and trimming your budgets, don't do the easy thing, which is to cut money to the voluntary bodies and organisations working in our communities. Look at your core costs. Look at how you can do more for less. Look at the value for money you get from working with the voluntary sector." (HU12 emphasis in bold)

Voluntary organisations across the HU12, Hull and East Yorkshire area should latch onto these words from David Cameron and insist that they are heeded by local authorities. Voluntary and community organisations are quite often closer to local people and have gained their trust, thus they can deliver services much more effectively and can offer good value for money.

Also see: Fears that cuts will hit voluntary and community groups including comments by Graham Stuart MP.

Parliamentary material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO on behalf of Parliament.

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Graham Stuart MP has been elected Chair of the Children, Schools and Families Committee

GRAHAM STUART MP for Beverley and Holderness (including Hedon) has been elected by fellow MPs as Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee for Children, Schools and Families (Education).

This is the first time that these influential Chair positions have been elected by MPs themselves. Graham Stuart was one of four candidates nominated for this key post.

A large part of the work of the House of Commons takes place in committees made up of MPs. These committees consider policy issues, scrutinise the work and expenditure of the government, and examine proposals for primary and secondary legislation. Select committees operate largely by an investigative process.

See: The full results of the elections for select committee chairs.
Also: Children, Schools and Families Committee - UK Parliament
Website: Graham Stuart MP

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