Local residents have a right to know the true level of public spending in Waveney.

Peter Aldous, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney has demanded that Gordon Brown stops dragging his feet over a new law that requires the Government to tell us how taxpayers' money is spent in Waveney and in every other part of the country. In Parliament on 28th October, Labour M.Ps actually voted against a motion calling for more openness on public spending across Waveney.

The new law, called the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, was introduced by a Conservative M.P and passed by Parliament with wide cross-community support from local and national organisations. It could help fix Britain's broken politics - by giving local people the power to decide how their cash is spent in their area, and requiring a regular breakdown of spending by central government departments and quangos in new "Local Spending Reports".

More and more taxpayers' money is being spent by unelected quangos. A new report published on 26th October by the Taxpayers Alliance has revealed that quangos now spend an astonishing £90 billion a year – equivalent to £3,640 a year for every household in Waveney.

However Labour Ministers have been trying to water down the new law. They initially only wanted to publish spending by councils and NHS Primary Care Trusts – facts already in the public domain. Further information will only be “developed over time”. Conservatives are calling for greater openness and accountability, and are pledging to:

• Use the Sustainable Communities Act to publish detailed Local Spending Reports including central government and quangos and devolve more power to local communities.


• Require local councils to publish online figures for all expenditure on goods and services over £500, as is already being piloted by Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

Peter Aldous said: “it is time for the Government to show us the money – and tell Waveney’s residents how much of their money is actually being spent in our area. Gordon Brown wants to stop local people finding out that they get a raw deal from his Government, and conceal that his unelected quangocrats spend almost £4000 a year per household in Waveney with little or no say for local people.”

“Local communities deserve a far greater say on how their money is spent. It is time for change and only the Conservatives will open the books and give power back to local people”.

Peter Aldous, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney, recently visited the May Centre to buy his Christmas cards. These are produced annually to fund the Centre's activities.

The May Centre, on Common Lane South, is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays and puts on a variety of activities for adults with disabilities. The Centre relies entirely on donations, fund raising events and bequests.

Peter Aldous said:

"It was good to meet with everyone at the May Centre and to hear all about the brilliant work that they do in the community."

Chairman, Mr Dermot Wesley Smith, commented:

"We were very pleased to welcome Mr Aldous and his contribution will help us in the important work that we do in providing a link for many people in the community".

Photo: Peter with Mr Wesley Smith chairman of the May Centre

Peter Aldous, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney, has welcomed new Conservative proposals to get people working and to tackle the growing burden of Government debt.

This comes as Government figures showed that in September 2009, there were 2593 unemployed in Waveney claiming Jobseekers Allowance (an increase of 41% since September 2008), with 4 jobseekers chasing every job centre vacancy.

National debt is forecast to double up to £1.4 trillion; equivalent to £22,500 of debt for every man, woman and child in Waveney.

Under detailed new Conservative plans, Labour’s numerous and piecemeal work programmes would be simplified into a single back to work programme for everyone on out of work benefits. This will be backed up with new and additional work pairings, apprenticeships, further education college places and vocational education for young people. There would also be programmes to support self employment, work clubs and volunteering opportunities to help people prepare for work and to find jobs.

Action would also be taken to tackle Britain’s debt crisis, by reducing the cost of Government while protecting frontline service. Measures would include reducing the administrative costs of Whitehall and it quangos, capping the biggest Government pensions, a pay freeze for public sector workers in 2011 – except for the million lowest paid; concentrating benefit spending on the poorest and the most vulnerable and tackling the pensions time bomb while ensuring a decent standard of living in old age.

Peter Aldous said “some of the biggest challenges facing Waveney are Labour’s jobs crisis and debt crisis. There are already four people chasing every job vacancy in the area and we will soon each be burdened with £22,500 of Government debt.”

“We need to rebuild our broken economy, mend our broken society and fix our broken politics. Help should be directed towards those in society who are most in need. Modern Conservatives will reward those who take responsibility and care for those who can’t”.

Peter Aldous, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney, has pledged to do his bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Peter Aldous met with representatives from The Royal British Legion at the recent Conservative party conference in Manchester where he was presented with a copy of the Legion's manifesto for the next general election.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to "do their bit" for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion's Head of Public Affairs, said, "We're really grateful to Peter for making the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns. Our message to every candidate standing at the general election is very simple: 'It's time to do your bit'.

"The entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties," he added. "Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration".

Peter Aldous said, "I was delighted to meet with The Royal British Legion. They have an important role to play in highlighting the needs of the whole Armed Forces family. I have pledged to do my bit and would encourage everyone to do the same by visiting the general election manifesto website - www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk - to find out more."

Photo: Peter Aldous pledges to "do his bit" for British Armed Forces