Press Release 5^th March 2014

Napo Cymru, the Union for probation staff in Wales has voiced its dismay at Liberal Democrat MP, Jenny Willott after she voted in favour of the Government’s Bill to privatise 70% of probation work.

Having met with constituents who raised concerns about the privatisation in September 2013, Ms Willott wrote to the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling in October 2013 expressing her own concerns about the government’s intentions.

The Napo spokesperson went onto say that the government’s proposals were putting the public safety at risk. The Ministry of Justice has produced its own risk register, which Napo understands contains concerns that the proposals will compromise service delivery and public safety. The government is refusing to publish the risk register.

Napo held a Special General Meeting of members across Wales and England on 5th March at which privatisation was discussed and NAPO took a decision to take strike action at the end of this month against the privatisation programme. NAPO Cymru’s concern is that those offenders who commit serious offences, such as burglary, robbery, domestic violence and other violent offences will be managed by a system that will be fragmented, damaging rehabilitation and risking public safety.

The Union was under the impression that Ms Willott shared these concerns but seems to have forgotten her constituents’ anxieties when it came to a crucial vote in the Commons.

Jo Stevens, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Cardiff Central, said “This is yet another example of Jenny Willott saying one thing to her constituents and doing another. It adds to a long list of votes, including the bedroom tax and Gagging Bill, where the people of Cardiff Central are told one thing and then see their MP vote differently.”

“Probation privatisation is unnecessary and risky. Probation professionals and independent analysts are all warning that this compromises public protection. Not even the usual suspects, G4S or Serco are bidding for probation contracts showing what a flawed policy this is. NAPO and people in Cardiff Central are right to be extremely concerned.”

Napo Cymru is calling on Jenny Willott to make a public statement explaining to her constituents her rationale for not supporting a high performing probation service which is managing offenders in the community.

ENDS

I was pleased this week to see that Cardiff University has decided to apply for accreditation as a Living Wage employer. This is great news.

Since the Lib Dem and Tory government came in to office wages have been falling behind the rising cost of living. People are working harder, for longer, for less.

I hope many other local business and organisations follow Cardiff University’s lead and become Living Wage employers.

You can read more about this story, including quotes from Cardiff South and Penarth Labour MP Stephen Doughty, in the Penarth Times.

Today, 5th February, marks 182 years since the introduction of voter registration. Then, in 1832, the number of eligible voters in a borough varied from six to 12,000, with the selection of some MPs controlled by one person. We have come a long way since then, but there is still much more we can do.

In the 2010 general election, only 44% of 18 to 24 year-olds voted, while 76% of those aged 65 and over cast their vote. At the moment, only half of all young people are registered to vote. Certain groups are disproportionately under-represented. Only 56% of people living in private rented homes are registered. Nearly half of those not registered to vote mistakenly believe that they are.

This democratic deficit affects us all and it’s in all our interests to change this for the better. The electoral register performs a hugely important civic function. You can only vote, and choose the politicians who represent you, if you are on the register. It also ensures citizens are properly counted for the drawing of political boundaries – by ward and constituency – meaning the voice of Cardiff Central is heard. For our criminal justice system, the register enables selection for jury service.

From next year, each individual will have to register, rather than the traditional method of a household survey.

To register and to ensure you have a voice, simply visit About My Vote, or contact Cardiff County Council Electoral Services at County Hall, electoralservices@cardiff.gov.uk 029 2087 2087.

You can find out more about the benefits of voting, and how to decide who to vote for, on the Bite the Ballot website. Keep up with activity all around the country today by following the hashtag #NVRD on Twitter.

On 22nd January, the Tory and Lib Dem government’s anti-charity bill, known as the Gagging Bill, was back in the Commons for votes on key amendments made by the House of Lords to safeguard the work of charities and to clean up politics. 

Before the vote, Cardiff Central Lib Dem MP Jenny Willott took to twitter and said “I support almost all the Lords amendments. V important to make lobbying transparent & get big money out, but not gag charities”

What she actually did was back the government on all the votes that mattered, ignoring the many representations received from constituents.

Jenny Willott

•Voted against having new lobbying rules cover MP’s Special Advisers, preventing transparency of big business lobbying

•Voted against exempting charities’ staff costs from funding limits that threaten to gag charities

•Voted to put back in key limits on what campaigners, charities, and voluntary groups can do to speak up on issues of the day

So, she says one thing and then does another hoping no-one will notice. Is this the way for an MP to behave? The voters of Cardiff Central will make up their own minds.