Hayley Green & Cradley South

Speaking in a Parliamentary debate on veterans and mental health, James Morris has commended the work of constituent David Herbert on establishing a veterans charter in Dudley Borough to signpost veterans towards key information including the provision of mental health services.  read more »

Speaking during a debate on manufacturing, James Morris highlights the importance of enterprise zones and calls for extending those enterprise zones and enhanced capital allowances to encourage manufacturing investment.  read more »

In February's monthly column for the News Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris explores the issue of welfare reform.

Judging by my mailbag and email inbox, there is no doubt about what the hot issue of the moment is – welfare reform.

The overwhelming majority of people who contact me either support moves to introduce a £26,000 cap on benefits, or think we should be going much further.

It is important that we make sure – particularly at a time when all budgets are so tight – that what money we do have is focussed on those who most desperately need help.  read more »

The snow may have melted, but the cold snap has triggered Cold Winter Payments for thousands of pensioners and other vulnerable families across Halesowen and Rowley Regis.

The icy weather has meant that all eligible households will receive the £25 for last week. This includes older people in receipt of Pension Credits, families with a child under five and people with certain disabilities.

The Government has permanently increased the level of the Cold Weather Payment from £8.50 to £25 per week.  read more »

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris has challenged local businesses to create 50 new apprenticeships by the time that the London Olympics start on 27th July.

Speaking at the start of National Apprenticeship Week, James laid down the challenge to encourage local companies to find out more about how training an apprentice could help their business.

Well-known firms like Barrett Homes and Sandvik already have established apprenticeship schemes, but the MP is also calling on smaller businesses to look at taking on their first apprentice and take advantage of the incentives on offer.  read more »

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris has called for Parliament to take action to tackle bankers’ bonuses.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Morris asked the Leader of the House of Commons to schedule a debate on why the previous Government failed to secure undertakings on bonus levels from the banks that took taxpayers’ money and on measures that can now be taken to curb excessive payments.  read more »

The weather may have turned decidedly chilly, but one Halesowen couple is warm and snug thanks to help from a local warmth scheme.

Local pensioners Barry and Mary Clement welcomed Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris into their home to see the new boiler that they have bought through npower’s Health through Warmth scheme.

Last autumn, the couple’s boiler broke down, leaving them facing the prospect of a cold winter without any heating or hot water. This would have caused particular problems for Mr Clement’s health as the effects of his diabetes worsen in cold weather.  read more »

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris is encouraging local year 11 students to sign up for this summer’s National Citizen Service programme.

Dudley and Sandwell have been included in this year’s pilot programmes, giving local young people to gain a wide range of experiences after they complete their exams.

The programme will run for six weeks, including two weeks away from home, and will offer a packed schedule of adventure activities to help develop young people’s leadership and team-building skills.  read more »

James Morris, Member of Parliament for Halesowen & Rowley Regis, has spoken in Parliament about the need for more support to be given to local high streets and town centres.

Responding to the review carried out by retail expert Mary Portas, Mr Morris praised the action that is being taken to regenerate Halesowen town centre but called for local councils to be given more freedom to act to support local high streets.  read more »

Gas and electricity prices continue to be amongst the most pressing issues for many people in Halesowen and Rowley Regis.

At the start of the winter, I spoke in the House of Commons about the need for action to help vulnerable families with energy costs.

The new Warm Home Discount Scheme will support over 2million families, including more than 600,000 vulnerable pensioners, by providing a discount on electricity bills. This is on top of a permanent increase in the cold weather payment from £8.50 a week to £25 a week.  read more »