British Telecom surcharge

Last week I visited a pensioner in Truro who was fed-up that she had to pay extra on her phone bill unless she paid by Direct Debit.  

She likes, like many pensioners, to go up to the Post Office to pay her bills.  BT don't really want her to do this - they want everyone to pay by direct debit.  If you don't you get charged an extra £4.50 a quarter for their additional costs in 'processing' the cheque or cash.  This is £18 a year that I am sure a single pensioner could put to better use.  

BT say that they are keen to allow customer's choice of payment!

It also tells us a lot about why Post offices are losing business and being forced to close.

I would love to hear from anyone else who feels they have been denied real choice.

Liberal Democrats : Post Office

Liberal Democrats : Post Office

Vsiting farmers at Allet

It's hard to think that in April last year we were basking in sunshine.  On Friday I visited some dairy  farmers at Allet.  Although milk prices have gone up over the past year by about 8p a litre this is just about compensating for the huge increases in feed, energy and fertilizer costs.  Farming is never easy.  From my days down on a dairy farm I know that.  The milking starts early meaning that most dairy farmers start at about 5.30am and go on until late sometimes working via tractor headlights in the fields in the evenings.  Paper work tends to pile up and get done in odd meal breaks during the day.  I think that many also put off doing this task as it's not always the top priority and let's face it not much fun.  

I had not seen the paperwork and forms used in recent years.  Passports for all the cows, rip out portions if the cow moves anywhere off the farm - even to a neighbouring field. Forms to fill out if they die.  Huge colour manuals on what to do in every eventuality from wildlife to goats, pigs, sheep,cows.  All of this paperwork is costly and since it is constantly being updated most farmers have filing drawers full of information from the Government.

I was interested to hear that the nitrogen free zones (NFZ's) which prevent farmers from spreading slurry during the wet winter months is causing concern.  Many smaller South west farms do not have slurry pits.  This means they usually spread slurry every day.  With the milder climate and longer growing season this has always been the case. Now some are being faced with building slurry pits at a rough cost of £50,000.  There will be no grant aid towards this work.  The NFZ's are not in place everywhere so some will lose out and have to borrow heavily to comply.  No wonder that last year 3 dairy farmers a year quit!

Meeting with Cllr Doris Ansari Chairman of Cornwall County Council

I had a very productive meeting with the Chairman of Cornwall County Council Cllr Doris Ansari and David Whalley, Leader last week. I wanted their support to back a One stop shop approach hopefully incorporating some of our post offices. Since we will be getting a new single Council it is a perfect opportunity to use innovative ways of delivering local government services into our communities.
This Tuesday there is a motion going to the full Council to back this proposal from Joyce Mepsted who is also a member of Postwatch.
I am really pleased that this is being looked at in a positive manner

Post Office March from Carnon to Playing Place

I awoke to pouring rain and gales on Saturday morning. But the planned Post office march I had organised was going ahead whatever the weather. I was delighted to see at least 70 people turn out to brave the weather to show their support for their local Post offices. In July the Post Office Ltd will announce up to 40 Post office closures in Cornwall. No-one yet knows who is on the list. A Conservative government started the closures and it has continued under Labour.
I know that the modern world means new ways of paying benefits and the use of the internet means forms can be downloaded. But why oh why not look at how services can be delivered straight to the community by using these Post offices?
It was great to see children on the March along with grandparents. Cars were hooting and people waving on the buses showing their support for our campaign. The atmosphere was great - like a carnival.
I would also like to thank Ally who was our very helpful police lady.

Chancellor delivers budget today

Today we will see what Labour are going to do in the budget. I hope that Mr Darling remembers the thousands of pensioners who are struggling to pay their heating bills.
I remember knocking on one door and waiting a long time for an elderly lady to answer the door. When she finally opened the door she said, "I'm so sorry but I thought it was my son". I was a bit concerned thinking she may be being hurt in some way. "So why don't you want to see your son?" I asked. "Oh dear it's just that I have to turn my fire on and make sure the bar is red before I let him in."
She was obviously hiding the fact that she kept her heating off most of the time. Sad to think that our pensioners are frightened of their heating bills while the energy companies are coining in massive profits.
This generation of people were taught to pay their bills before anything else.

Nick Clegg speaking at Liverpool

Nick made an excellent speech at conference. I think the thing that did it for me was his sincerity. It made me feel proud that I was in the Liberal Democrats. Politicians are clever with their words. But here was a man who truly believed in what he was saying about social justice. His ability to roam the stage with no podium or notes for fifty minutes was pretty impressive too.

Considering the vote on the Treaty of Lisbon problems of last week Nick was completely upbeat. He has the ability to keep moving forward despite adversity. I like that. What really annoys me is that the press seem to forget that the Liberal Democrats were the only party wanting a Referendum on the European constitution - do you want in or out? But the Speaker would not allow that debate. It's a nonsense because neither the Labour party or the Tories want to come out of Europe in any way. It's just window dressing and a sop to their followers - particularly in the Conservative party. This nonsense about the Treaty of Lisbon vote is just not the issue at all. But the public are only given the 30 second sound bites. It is about time this country really understood the issues involved once and for all. The silly comments people make to me about Europe. I even had one man saying that its all a huge German plot and our gold bullion was being shipped to Germany!