John MP for Edinburgh West REPORT 2007 www.johnbarrettmp.com do my job of representing Edinburgh West John Barrett MP – Factfile in Parliament properly. • Re-elected as Member of Parliament in 2005 I also keep in regular contact with a large • Majority 13,600 John Barrett MP number of community groups and if you • Elected Member of Parliament for Edinburgh West, 2001 are involved in a group or organisation I • Edinburgh City Councillor 1995 -2001 Dear Resident, have not yet contacted, please write to me • Community councillor for 10 years with their details. When I was re-elected as the Member of • Married to Carol with one grown up daughter Parliament for Edinburgh West I promised Should you require further information • Shadow Minister for International Development to report back to every household in the on any aspect of my work, or more • Honorary Vice President of Scottish SPCA constituency about the work I have been information on any issue in this report, • Lives locally in Edinburgh West. doing at Westminster and locally. I hope please contact me. I am always happy to Full profile: this, my sixth annual report, gives you a deal with any issue related to Westminster www.johnbarrettmp.com/profile flavour of what I have been working on in and if I can be of service to you, please do the last twelve months. not hesitate to get in touch. It is equally important that I hear your With best wishes views and if there is any issue you feel , strongly about, or any issue of concern you feel I should be taking action on, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me. It is John Barrett MP only by listening to local people that I can The cost of this report was met from the parliamentary allowances of John Barrett MP. Printed by Ink Shop, 41 Dalry Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2BU. Published by John Barrett MP, 1A Drum Brae Avenue, Edinburgh, EH12 8TE. Keeping in Touch Helping Constituents – Working For You Website My main priority is always helping As your MP I can help with any constituents whenever possible. issue reserved to Westminster, these In order to keep constituents If you would like any assistance include: as up to date as possible with please contact my office, which is • The Economy and Taxation my work on your behalf I open 5 days a week. (See contact • Benefits, Pensions, Social Security have a website containing details under Keeping in Touch.) • European and Foreign Affairs a wide range of news, Many constituents now contact • Defence me by email and I produce regular • Immigration and Asylum information and contact email updates for those who wish • Energy Policy details. to receive them. If you would like a • Air and Rail Safety Contact Details regular update please contact me at • Employment Legislation Surgeries [email protected] • Constitutional Matters Write: John Barrett MP I hold regular surgeries by The Scottish Parliament is Constituency Office appointment (to avoid a long responsible for issues such as wait) in my constituency 1A Drum Brae Avenue health, education, crime and office and in a number of Edinburgh EH12 8TE housing. These are best dealt with other locations, to help local Tel: 0131 339 0339 by Margaret Smith MSP with whom people with their problems. I work closely. You can contact Appointments can be made by Email: [email protected] Margaret on 0131 348 5786 or write to her at the Scottish Parliament, phoning 0131 339 0339. I can Website: Edinburgh, EH99 1SP arrange home visits for those with mobility difficulties. www.johnbarrettmp.com/ www.johnbarrettmp.com/advice Working in Parliament Out and About in the Community This parliamentary term has I am always looking to hear the schools, churches, and local proven to be another busy one. In views of local community groups groups and organisations to speak the past year I have succeeded in and organisations on the big both about the work of an MP securing parliamentary debates issues in your local area. As a and to answer questions about on reform of the Child Support long-time community activist, I my 5 years on the International Agency, Tax Credits and the am well aware of the importance Development committee. prospects for an environmentally of local community involvement. If you are part of a group and friendly high speed rail link It has been a great pleasure to would like me to speak to you on between Edinburgh and London. support a number of community a particular issue please, do not This coming year will be very events and fundraisers over the hesitate to contact my office. I look important with a new Prime last year. Throughout the last forward to meeting many more 12 months I have visited many constituents in the coming year. Minister in post and key bills on Visits to the House of Pensions, Climate Change, and compulsory ID cards, all coming Commons Recent events and visits include: “Good Neighbour Award” Ratho Gala Day, Kirkliston Gala presentation, Roseburn Primary Over the last year I have welcomed before parliament. One of my Day, Edinburgh Airport (security), School, St Serfs School, Cargilfield many school visits and individual most important jobs is raising Murrayfield Stadium (flood School, “Bin the Bomb” Rally, constituents to Westminster. If local issues and concerns with protection), BAA Youth Games, St Serfs Stenhouse Primary School, Balgreen you are planning a visit to London Government Ministers. Please let School, Drumbrae Community Primary School, Queensferry Lifeboat and would like to visit Parliament, Council, Carrick Knowe Parish Church Branch Jazz fundraiser, Corstorphine me know if there is a particular please contact my office and I fundraiser, St Anne’s Church, Kirkliston Trust, Friends of Corstorphine issue you would like me to raise at would be happy to arrange a tour. Westminster. Myasthenia Garavis Association Hospital, St George’s School for Girls, fundraiser, Murrayfield Parish Church SSPCA, Highland Show, Edinburgh JUST US Group, Drylaw Parish Church, Zoo Masterplan meeting. Benefits and Pensions Our benefits system is hugely overcomplicated with around 50 Veterans’ Badges separate benefits, 250 different rates Over the last 12 months the and countless long and complicated Government has twice extended forms. Almost every week this year the eligibility for veterans’ I have met constituents who have badges. The badges are now had their benefits miscalculated – available to all men and women much of this is down to the needless who served in the armed forces complexity at the heart of the to radically simplify the system so up until 31 December 1994, system. Tax credit Overpayments I have been working hard to make that people receive benefits based however many veterans now now total £8.6 million across sure that as many veterans as on need, not on how good they are eligible have either yet to apply, Edinburgh throwing many budgets at filling out complicated forms. possible across Edinburgh West are into disarray. or are unaware of the extension. able to claim the award and have If you have a benefits problem so far helped almost 400 veterans The take-up rate of pension credit There are also veterans’ badges or if you are not yet receiving claim their badges. If you think you is also shockingly low with more for Merchant Navy seafarers and pension credit but think you may might be eligible and would like an than 40% of pensioners across fishermen who served in vessels be eligible, then please contact my application form please contact my Edinburgh not receiving the help assisting military operations by UK office for advice. office and I will send you a form. to which they are entitled. I have Armed Forces at any time prior to been calling on the Government www.johnbarrettmp.com/benefits 31 December 1969. www.johnbarrettmp.com/veterans What local people have said about John Barrett: “Thank you for all your help “Thanks for restoring some and time during our struggles, of my faith in parliamentary “I was positively over the moon when we would not have managed “The Voice of Reason” representation!” I checked your voting history!” without your support.” Mr A C, Gogarloch S H, Cramond Talk Radio J H John MP MP for Edinburgh West safe place where you can use it for reference. safe place where to cut out this handy guide and keep it in a Please feel free Airport Noise: 0800 731 3397 484950 National Rail Enquiries 08457 First Bus 01324 602 200 Lothian Buses: 555 6363 & train information): 08706 082608 Line Scotland (for bus, coach Travel TRANSPORT 0845 609 0042 Child Support Agency: Hailes 456 4300 Wester 456 4000 High Riggs, Tollcross Job Centres: 0845 6060265 Pensions Service (Scotland Office): PENSIONS AND BENEFITS 529 3596 Tel: PLANNING DEPT. 527 3800 Tel: HOUSING DEPT (General) bins) special uplifts, wheelie (recycling, 529 3030 CLEANSING Tel: lights) blocked drains, street (roads, 0800 23 Freephone CLARENCE (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm) www.edinburgh.gov.uk Web: 200 2000 Tel: City of Edinburgh Council THE COUNCIL www.johnbarrettmp.com Web: [email protected] Email: 339 0339 Tel: EDINBURGH EH12 8TE 1A Drum Brae Avenue etc.) child support, immigration affairs, (taxation, pensions, benefits, foreign MP John Barrett MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT Pilton Office: 332 9434 Citizens Advice Bureau HELP AND ADVICE FURTHER Gas Leaks: 0800 111 999 0845 601 8855 Scottish Water: hour): 200 2000 Council Emergency Number (24 AND GAS WATER NHS 24: 08454 24 information and advice, phone For general queries, health (Craigleith) 537 1000 Western General Hospital 01506 419 666 Hospital (Howden): St. John’s under 13) 536 0000 children (for Royal Hospital for Sick Children 536 1000 Royal Infirmary (Little France) For urgent treatment: For health emergencies, dial 999 HEALTH Hailes 442 2626 Wester End 229 2323 West South Queensferry 331 1798 Drylaw Mains 343 3171 Corstorphine 334 4900 Police Stations: For Emergencies, dial 999 POLICE www.margaretsmithmsp.com Web: @scottish.parliament.uk Email: Margaret.Smith.msp 0131 348 5786 Tel: Edinburgh EH99 1SP Scottish Parliament (health, education, crime, housing) Smith MSP Margaret PARLIAMENT MEMBER OF THE SCOTTISH HANDY NUMBERS HANDY .