28th December 2011

Labour out of touch on Benefits Cap

David Mowat, MP for Warrington South, this week blasted the Labour Party for failing to back the Government's proposal to introduce a cap on the amount of benefits any one household can receive. The Government's Welfare Reform Bill would see a limit of around £25,000, or approximately £500 per week, on the combined amount of benefits a single family can receive. Disability Benefits and War Widow Pensions are excluded from the cap.

Labour MPs opposed the Bill at Third Reading and now it seems that Labour Peers may attempt to "gut" the provisions of the Cap at the Report Stage in the Lords.

David Mowat said:

"The principle behind the Cap is very simple: it's just not fair and not right that some families are able to earn more on benefits than many ordinary families in Warrington who have to work long hours to pay their bills.

"If Labour don't want this cap, they need to explain why they are taking the money of hard working taxpayers in Warrington and handing it over to families in London, some of who are receiving £100,000 a year in Housing Benefit alone. They've talked the talk on Welfare Reform, but when push comes to shove, they don't seem to want to walk the walk and they are completely out of touch with public opinion."

4 December 2011

Helping Britain Get Back to Work

Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Mike Biggin was on hand Friday to hand out certificates to successful participants of the 6th season of the successful Jobs Club founded by David Mowat, MP for Warrington South and Karen Gould of CCOWork.

Since it began in 2009, the Jobs club has helped over 150 people in Warrington back into work or training with an number of participants choosing to start their own businesses. The Jobs Club harnesses the talents of local businessmen by using them as mentors to help participants improve their CVs, stand out during the interview process and remain motivated to keep hunting for work.

David Mowat said:

"Being out of work for a long period of time can be very dispiriting and it is all too easy to just give up. The fact that the people here today made the effort to come to a Jobs Club to give them the edge says much about them and that "can-do" attitude will come over during the interview process. That's why so many of our previous graduates have found work shortly after completing the course. I'd like to congratulate all those who took part for remaining motivated and I wish them all well for the future."