National news

A local MP has hit the national headlines with his plans to re-shape the nation’s pension system, and is now asking local people for their feedback.  

By Steve Webb MP

Despite the difficult economic backdrop, I thought there was a surprising amount of good news in the Autumn Statement.   This includes a range of issues which my constituents have contacted me about and where I’ve lobbied government colleagues for action.  Some highlights included:

• A further move towards the £10,000 tax free allowance which we promised at the last election;  the allowance in 2013-14 will now be over £9,400 tax free per person;
• Cancelling the 3p petrol duty increase for January 2013;  by the time this is looked at again in September, petrol duty will have been frozen for two and a half years!
  

The biggest changes to pensions in 100 years have been welcomed by charities, trade unions and employers, as millions of low and middle earners are enrolled into workplace pensions for the first time this week. Pensions Minister Steve Webb has been in the headlines explaining what the changes mean.

You can watch Steve on the Guardian's website here.

The Telegraph has covered the story here.

You can read more about the scheme on the BBC’s website here.

Local MP and Pensions Minister Steve Webb is working on plans to help more young people onto the housing ladder.

The BBC has covered the announcement here, which was revealed last Sunday by Nick Clegg at Lib Dem Party Conference.

Local MP and Pensions Minister Steve Webb has welcomed the news that businesses and workers’ groups are backing the Government’s pension plans launched this week. The plans will see over half a million people saving in a pension for the first time by Christmas.

You can hear more about the story here.

Local MP and Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions, Steve Webb, visited Horfield Job Centre this week as the Government launched a new £1billion Youth Contract to tackle youth unemployment.