NW MP Responds To Lobby On Health And Safety Cuts

Many cynics use apathy and fatalism as an excuse to do nothing, but on the issue of health and safety, we cannot afford such behaviour as lives depend upon the protection of workers through health and safety legislation and enforcement.

Whilst the current Con-Dem(ned) government waiges war on the electorate of this country, by slashing public spending, putting millions on the dole and attacking health and safety and other workers rights; action must be taken to protest.

Following on from reminders by the CWU's Dave Joyce's National Health And Safety Officer in his letter to branches LTB907/10, many concerned people are writing to their MPs about the the health, safety and welfafre of people at work, and condemning the Government's stance on existing protection and attacks on the HSE enforcement regime.

LTB907/10 explains:

"The aim of our campaign is to persuade Government MPs that any cuts in health and safety enforcement, research, or in the provision of advice and guidance will have very real effects in the long run.

Britain already has over 20,000 premature deaths caused by work and over 2 million people whose health has been damaged by work. The message needs to get through that their constituents are deeply concerned about the impact of the cuts and want the Government to change course.

It may be unrealistic to expect an MP to announce a complete change in their views after a single meeting, but the more they get the message that their constituents are concerned about the impact of the cuts the more they are likely to think next time the issue is raised."

One North West MP, Angela Eagle, has already responded to being lobbied by a constituent member, Chris Ingram, by writing to Ian Duncan Smith and asking him to reply to concerns raised in the letter she recevied from her constituency member in October.

She writes:

"HSE protects people against risks to health and safety arising out of work activities. Through regulation, research and enforcing the law, HSE provides an invaluable and irreplaceable service that has placed Britain as one of the safest countries' to work in Europe."

In asking him to respond directly to the issues raised in the letter, she said:

"Please could you explain why you feel that reducing the budget of HSE by 35 percent is a 'safe cut'? Can you let me know how people will remain protected at work despite this budget reduction?"

A reply is still awaited, but clearly writing to your MP on this issue will not be ignored and the more people that do so, the greater the pressure will be on MPs to respond to the concern felt by all USRs and Trade Unionists about the safety and welfare of those at work.

See also: Health And Safety Legislation As Relevant As Ever Says TUC

Have you had a response from your MP? If so send details to the editor of this website and it will be published.

Source: Unionsafety

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