by Liz Twist | Mar 21, 2020 | 2 Featured, COVID-19
If you cannot work due to coronavirus and are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay you will get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of your illness. DWP intends to legislate so this measure applies retrospectively from 13 March 2020.
Statutory Sick Pay will be payable if you are staying at home on Government advice, not just if you are infected by coronavirus. This will apply from 13 March 2020.
If you are a gig worker and/or on a zero hours contract, you may be entitled to sick pay. Check your eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay
If you need to provide evidence to your employer that you need to stay at home due to having symptoms of coronavirus an Isolation Note can be obtained from NHS 111 online. If you live with someone that has symptoms, an Isolation Note can be obtained from the NHS website.
If you are not eligible to receive sick pay you can apply for Universal Credit and/or apply for New Style Employment and Support Allowance. You can also apply for these if you are prevented from working because of a risk to public health.
Click the link below for information about coronavirus and claiming benefits. It will continue to be updated. Please check this page regularly for updates on the arrangements the Department for Work and Pensions is making to support those who are affected by coronavirus.
https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
by Liz Twist | Oct 25, 2019 | 2 Featured, Office News
Blaydon Quarry Tip Update:
Today I have again called on the Environment Agency for the closure of the Blaydon Quarry tip due to the ongoing and persistent breeches of their permit.
Over the last two days I have received further complaints about odour and concerns about the perceived lack of correct coverage of the site waste.
I have also raised concerns about the impact of the flooding and subsequent closure of Liddle Fell Road and pressed for an urgent drainage solution to ensure this doesn’t happen again in the bad weather.
The Environment Agency has stated that they are now involving additional officers to cover incidents at the weekend, however this only seeks to manage the problems rather than prevent them.
Again, if you experience any odour or have other concerns please report them to the Environment Agency complaint hotline on 0800807060 as the number of complaints dictates the level of action.
I will continue to fight to prevent the detrimental impact this is having on our local communities and press for early closure of the site.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blaydon-quarry-landfill-newcastle-upon-tyne/blaydon-quarry-landfill-newcastle-upon-tyne?fbclid=IwAR0Tf5u77mP2A8K6BUE3q40rgMzw5I1LRxVWnAqrf-clik97-rHgL6PV5Ag
by Liz Twist | Sep 4, 2019 | 2 Featured, Office News
Are you, or is someone you know, a 1950’s-born woman?
If you or someone in your household were born in the 1950s, you may be affected by the increase in the pension age under the Conservative government.
The increase in retirement age from 60 to beyond 65 has hit hundreds of thousands of women born on or after 6th April 1951 particularly hard. Many feel they have been treated unfairly and unequally just because of the date on which they were born.
Many women are suffering financial hardship due to the way the reforms were rolled out, with many receiving no notification of the changes and not enough time to re-plan for retirement.
I will be hosting two public meetings for women born in the 1950’s, regarding the changes to pensions entitlements.
I will be joined by Christine Smith, Woman Against State Pension Inequality, Newcastle Wear and Tees WASPI Group (Women Against the State Pension Increase) and Pat Heron from UNISON Northern Region who I have been working with on this issue in Parliament. The meetings will give us an opportunity to look at progress so far and to look at how we can make sure that state pension inequality remains a high profile issue which the Government must address.
The meetings will take place at the following locations:
- Friday 13 September at 6.30pm – Birtley Methodist Church, Station Lane, Birtley, DH3 1DG
- Saturday 14 September at 11.00am – St Joseph’s Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5AE
If you would like to join me at one of these meetings, or if you would like further information about the issues affecting 1950’s born women, please let me know, either by emailing me on liz.twist.mp@parliament.uk or by phoning my office on 0191 414 2488.
by Liz Twist | May 23, 2019 | 2 Featured, Office News
I was honoured to speak at an APPG on Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) event yesterday, which brought together survivors of ABI at a reception in Westminster.
The group has done a great job of raising awareness of ABI and the need to improve neurorehabilitation services across the UK.
ABI is a hidden epidemic with life-long consequences. Neurorehabilitation is a vital part of the brain injury care pathway that ensures the best possible recovery for survivors – it is one of the most cost-effective treatments in the NHS. But neurorehabilitation services are variable and difficult to access, in-patient beds are lacking, community services are poor, and there is a lack of skilled personnel.
That’s why our group recently published a report on ABI – ‘Time for Change’ – which gives some key recommendations to the Government.
You can read our group’s report here: https://www.ukabif.org.uk/campaigns/appg-report/
by Liz Twist | Feb 14, 2019 | 2 Featured, Office News
Earlier today I asked the Leader of the House if she would grant a debate on the importance of culture to local economies. The Angel of the North celebrates its 21st birthday this week, and I am very proud that this magnificent landmark is in my constituency and has been one of the most famous symbols of the North East for the last 21 years.
Tomorrow I will be visiting the Angel to celebrate this milestone. Members of the Low Fell Community Choir and Art Diamonds project will also be there to sing a very special rendition of Happy Birthday, along with another song or two. People have also been invited to come along and board the Go North East Angel bus to take part in some angel themed creative activities with local artists (10am–2pm). Do come along if you can!
by Liz Twist | Jan 3, 2019 | 2 Featured, Office News
- Date Added: 03 January 2019
- Closing Date: 14 January 2019
- Job Title: Caseworker
- Working For: Liz Twist MP (Blaydon)
- Location: Blaydon Constituency Office
- Salary: £22,000 per annum in line with IPSA pay scale
Job Details
Liz Twist MP is seeking to appoint a caseworker to support her role as the Member of Parliament for Blaydon. The position would suit a flexible, proactive and hard-working individual who can act on their own initiative. Key to the position will be your prior experience in welfare rights, knowledge of Universal Credit. ability to absorb new information and support constituents in resolving a variety of casework enquiries. Excellent written and verbal communication, research skills, the ability to draft correspondence and understanding of the welfare benefits system are essential.
The successful applicant with be a team player, a self-starter, have good knowledge of welfare rights, housing, health, education and other public service. They will work in the Constituency office alongside the Senior Caseworker and will be line-managed by the Office Manager.
Experience of working in welfare rights, politics, public services or a trade union is desirable for this role. Flexibility and team work skills are essential.
Job Description
Responsibilities include:
Dealing with complex casework issues and attending advice surgeries
Drafting responses to constituents
Logging and monitoring all cases in line with GDPR
Undertaking research and preparing briefings for the Member
Flexible evening and weekend work will be required with time off in lieu
Liaising with constituents, agencies, the local authority and other public services
Develop and maintain knowledge in specialist areas as required by Member
Support the Member’s work on APPGs and Select Committees
Personal Specification
Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal with a keen attention to detail
Knowledge of welfare rights and current social issues
Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office
Good organisation skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage own workload and work to tight deadlines
Ability to work proactively and independently as well as part of a team
Sympathetic to the aims and values of the Labour Party
Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.
Closing Date: 14 January 2019
Interview/Start Dates
Please note, due to the high volume of applications that are expected, only suitable applicants will be contacted. If your address and contact details are not on your CV, you will not be considered.
Interviews: 25 Janaury 2019 in Blaydon
Start Date: Subject to agreement
Application Details
To apply for this position please send an email titled “Application for caseworker post” your CV (2 pages max) with a covering letter explaining your interest and suitability for this role to Chris McHugh, Office Manager and Senior Parliamentary Assistant on Christopher.mchugh@parliament.uk
For further information telephone 01914142488.
http://www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.aspx?jobid=69239
