November 2018: Brexit, the Budget, and Gambling Addiction

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central
Keeping in touch - November 2018

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Welcome to my latest update, providing highlights from my work over the last month, covering Brexit, gambling addiction, victims of trafficking, international students and more. As ever, I’d welcome your feedback. I’m also launching my Christmas Appeal for the children of Yemen, which I hope you’ll be able to support.
As well as this newsletter, every Monday I produce a brief summary of my week ahead. If you’d like to receive it, reply to this email saying ‘yes’.

Brexit

As Shadow Brexit Minister, the current chaos has dominated my time, and I’ve spoken inside and outside Parliament on it. The Government has now published the Withdrawal Agreement which does not meet our six tests and we will be voting against it. Read more here.

The Budget

In the Budget debate I pressed concerns of constituents raised with me in my Big Conversation including access to mental health services, as well as violent crime and anti-social behaviour. Read the speech here.

Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals

I also spoke against the Government’s plans to delay reducing the maximum stake on FOBTs from £100 to £2 to October 2019, so welcomed their U-turn and the reinstatement of the April 2019 date. Read more.

International Students

I launched a major new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Students, which I co-chair, ‘A Sustainable Future for International Students in the UK’, which aims to re-establish the UK as the destination of choice for international students. Read more.

Victims of trafficking

I was shocked by an answer I received from the Immigration Minister that the Government plans to charge victims of trafficking and modern slavery to pay to stay in the UK after Brexit and have challenged them on it. Read more.

Gambling with Lives

I hosted the launch of Gambling with Lives, a new charity established by families of young men who have lost their lives to suicide as a result of gambling addiction, led by the family of my constituent, Jack Ritchie, who took his life at the age of 24. Read more.

Universal Credit

I joined Labour colleagues for a rally calling for a halt to the rollout of Universal Credit. UC has been rolled out in Sheffield for new claimants. You can get in touch with my office or Citizens Advice Sheffield if you require assistance with an application.

Homelessness

I brought local homelessness charities to Parliament to meet Government Ministers. Read more. You can see a video explaining the support available to those begging or sleeping rough in Sheffield here.

Get in touch

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Help the children of Yemen

Each year I organise a Christmas appeal, which has raised thousands of pounds for local and national charities. This year, I’ve linked with Save the Children, to support the children of Yemen who face a humanitarian disaster. If you would like to help, you can donate here.

Big Conversation

Thanks to everyone who came to Big Conversation events and completed my survey. You can read my report, outlining the main issue raised this year, here.

Citizens' Rights

I spoke at a lobby organised by the 3 Million and the British in Europe to support their demand that the citizens’ rights provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement are upheld in the event of no deal.

Palestinian Ambassador

I met with the new Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, as a member of the Britain-Palestine All Party Group.

Anti-trafficking unit

I was pleased to speak at the launch of a new Sheffield centre for the Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU), a national charity.

Tree planting

I was pleased to donate five trees to Sheffield Park Academy as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative with the Woodland Trust, and to join students to plant them.

Sheffield-London trains

I met with the Managing Director of East Midlands Trains to press the concerns on rail timetabling, which I have been pursuing with Ministers.

Child Obesity

I spoke at the AGM of Shine Academy, a Manor-based charity helping obese young people, with which I’ve been working over the last year.

Community notices

ShipShape Community Grants Available - Grants available from ShipShape to set up physical activity services for carers, older people, families and people with long-term health conditions. Deadline noon 30^th November. E-mail Tanya Basharat (Health Manager) on t.basharat@shipshape.org.uk for more information

Sheffield Christmas Dinner for care leavers – Give a present to a young care leaver. Click here for the Amazon gift list or e-mail tcdsheffield@gmail.com for more information. More information about the Christmas Dinners here.

Martin Jenkinson Photography Exhibition - An exhibition of the work of Sheffield-based photojournalist Martin Jenkinson. Wednesday 28^th November 6-8pm in Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP. RSVP at rsvp@museums-sheffield.org.uk

The Portland Works Christmas Makers Market – Christmas Market in the MakerSpace, Randall Street, Sheffield S2 4SJ. Friday 7th December 3-9pm. For more information ring 01142759354 or 07892082058.

Keeping in touch

My office is open every weekday and if you have any questions or need any help please ring 0114 272 2882 or email me.

Best wishes,

Paul

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Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central Keeping in touch - November 2018