Last Thursday I attended the Harlow Gatehouse Art exhibition which show-cased local artists. It was excellent. I was really happy to be there. You can see me with local artists, as well as a few of the exhibits themselves.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Inspirational Art at the Gatehouse
Last Thursday I attended the Harlow Gatehouse Art exhibition which show-cased local artists. It was excellent. I was really happy to be there. You can see me with local artists, as well as a few of the exhibits themselves.
Over 16,500 people have now signed the Rob Halfon/FairFuel UK Petition for lower petrol and diesel prices
The campaign for lower petrol diesel costs continues apace. Over 16,500 people have now signed the E-Petition. At present it is the second biggest petition on the EGov Website. You can sign HERE.
You can read more HERE. Have a look also at FairFuel UK.
Conservative Home, also wrote about this issue today. Click on THIS website link.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
Friday, August 5, 2011
Sign the Cheaper Petrol E Petition, By Robert Halfon MP and FAIRFUEL UK
The petition calls for three things: First; it urges the Treasury to abandon the planned fuel price increase in January; Second, it asks the Government to put pressure on the International Oil companies to cut petrol prices at the pump when global prices. Third; the petition calls for a Commission to be established, to examine the cost of fuel and to look at ways of reducing petrol prices - possibly via the fuel stabiliser and moving petrol tax to other areas including road tolls.
A full debate in Parliament on petrol prices is a necessity. To those 'do-gooders' who say we shouldn't be using cars, I say get in the real world. The question is not can you afford to have a car - but can you afford not to: Britain is a great car economy.
The cost of petrol is crucifying motorists up and down our country. Businesses, families, job seekers are suffering under the strain. High petrol prices are a break on economic growth, push up costs on frontline public services and act as a poverty trap to those seeking work.
Please sign the petition here:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/347
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Cutting petrol taxes.
Today - as Parliamentary Chairman of the All-Party Fair Fuel Campaign - I have a letter in The Times, jointly signed by Fair Fuel UK, the Road Haulage Association, Freight Transport Association and the RAC. We call on the Government to do everything possible to cut fuel tax, and cancel the fuel tax increase planned in January. If we have any scope for tax cuts, the priority must be to support our hard-pressed motorists.
You can read more HERE.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
More Universities under scrutiny about accepting money from Libya
According to the Scottish paper The Herald (2August 2011), two more universities - Strathclyde and Dundee - have had substantial financial dealings with Libya and Libyan Associates. You will see that I am quoted in the article, arguing that Universities that take money from autocracies, should receive a reduction in public subsidy:
TWO Scottish universities have been criticised after it was revealed they have pocketed at least £1.7 million from Colonel Gaddafi’s Libyan regime.
Strathclyde and Dundee have both been criticised for accepting student fees paid by the Gaddafi Government and Libyan oil companies.
The chaotic civil war in Libya has thrown the spotlight on higher education bodies’ financial ties to the discredited regime.
Sir Howard Davies resigned as a director of the London School of Economics earlier this year following a row over the LSE’s links to Gaddafi’s son, while Huddersfield University was criticised for training Libyan police officers.
Critics of the arrangement fear that universities, by accepting students from Libya, are helping train people who are part of Gaddafi’s governing apparatus.
As the full extent of the financial relationship between UK universities and the despotic regime was revealed, several institutions pulled out of deals to educate Libyan students.
It has now emerged that Strathclyde, one of Scotland’s most prestigious research institutions, has accepted nearly £1.2m from Libyan sources since 2008.
The vast bulk of the cash – £1.07m – came from student fees paid by the country’s embassy, known as the Libyan People’s Bureau. Nearly £300,000 of the embassy funds were paid in the last financial year, 2010-2011.
Tory MP Robert Halfon, who has campaigned for an inquiry into academic links with the country, said universities that took money from Libya had “lost their moral compass”.
News of the links comes days after Foreign Secretary William Hague expelled the remaining Libyan diplomats from the UK, while offering the tyrant’s opponents a chance of representation in London.
Another chunk of Strathclyde’s Libyan income (£85,875) came directly from three oil companies: Mellitah Oil and Gas BV, Mabruk Oil Operations, and RAS Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing.
Another chunk of Strathclyde’s Libyan income (£85,875) came directly from three oil companies: Mellitah Oil and Gas BV, Mabruk Oil Operations, and RAS Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing.
Nearly £14,000 of the £1.2m was paid directly by Libyan students, which included fees for tuition, accommodation and graduation.
A spokesman for Strathclyde said the cash for was a “range of courses”, and did not say whether the financial relationship with the Libyan embassy had ended.
Dundee University received £814,600 from Libyan groups and individuals between 2008 and 2011, of which around £713,000 came from the People’s Bureau.
Both universities have also confirmed paying for staff trips to Libya. The six trips funded by Strathclyde, mostly relating to engineering, cost £14,557, while sending two people to a conference event cost Dundee £481.
Mr Halfon said: “I remain incredibly concerned some of our universities have lost their moral compass, and have taken money from the Libyan regime and its associates.
“There needs to be a full inquiry into academic involvement in Libya, and I believe universities that continue to receive money from Libyan sources should see a reduction in public subsidy.”
Liam McArthur MSP, the Scottish Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, said: “Given the controversy surrounding the Gaddafi regime, the public will be understandably concerned at the extent to which Strathclyde and Dundee appear to be reliant on income generated through the Libyan People’s Bureau.
“Both universities must take urgent steps to reassure ministers and the public about these figures.”
A spokesman for Dundee University pointed out some of the fees were for dentistry courses, adding: “Libyan students, as with those from other countries, are entitled to come and study in Scotland provided they meet the key criteria of being qualified for the course, having the necessary funding, and that they’ve been granted an educational visa by the UK Government to come and study in this country”.
A spokesman for Strathclyde said: “Like the majority of UK universities, the University of Strathclyde recruits students from a wide range of countries, including Libya. This funding is used for the education of Libyan students.”
You can also read more HERE and HERE.by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
Monday, August 1, 2011
PETITION : Save Occasio House
Please sign our petition to save Occasio House HERE.
As The Harlow Star has reported, West Essex PCT is cutting our local health services in Harlow. These include the "One-Stop" health clinic at Occasio House.
There is an anger and frustration among Harlow residents - especially young people - who feel that this decision came out of the blue. As local MP, I was not briefed in advance, and have received many letters and phone calls from patients, who also say they were not consulted.
I accept that the economy is difficult, and that the Government is having to make cuts, to tackle the astronomical public debts of £2 trillion.
But the fact is that the NHS is one of very few areas that has been ringfenced nationally, and the Department of Health has given the PCT a cash boost of £12 million pounds this year, to help them cope with inflation.
West Essex PCT has extra cash this year. So I can understand why Harlow residents are asking: "Why are local services being cut?" Given the importance of the health clinic at Occasio House, I am campaigning with local residents to save it.
You can read more on The Harlow Star website HERE.
If you feel that this is a disgraceful and shortsighted decision by the PCT, please sign our petition and show your support.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
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