Lee Anderson MP's Weekly Column

Yes, we do. Do we know of people who are genuinely disabled who refuse to claim disability benefits? Yes, we do. But what about veterans? I asked the Government what assessment they had made of the potential impact of proposed changes to Universal Credit and PIP on veterans. The answer I received was as follows ‘no assessment has been made. Information on previous occupations is not systematically recorded on DWP IT systems and is not readily available for analysis’. It truly beggars belief.

Last Friday, I met with Mr Maher from Ashfield School to discuss the very latest plans for the complete transformation of Ashfield School, into a world class, state of the art educational campus which we have been working on for many years. All will be revealed at midday on the 7th of July, including an invitation for the whole community of Ashfield to view the amazing plans in detail, and to give feedback. It really is an incredible, once in a century investment in the young people of Ashfield who are as bright, talented and ambitious as any in the country, and who deserve and are about to get, the very best.

I also visited Pete Edwards in Sutton Junction who has recently been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his community work in Ashfield. Pete grew up in South Yorkshire in foster care and overcame a hip condition which affected the way he walked and his lower spine as a child. As he grew up, Pete was a miner and tragically lost his leg in an accident in 1989. He moved to Ashfield a year later and became an advocate of disabled sports. He played amputee football for Yorkshire and Humberside, swam for Sherwood Seal Swimming Club -retiring as a regional champion- and played wheelchair basketball for 18 years. Now Pete is the Chair of the Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Network, and sits on many panels and groups playing an active role in the Ashfield District. Pete’s story is remarkable. Well done Pete.