Commenting on the news that more than 16,000 prisoners have been released early because of jail overcrowding, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath said: “Government policy has left us with prisons that are still full to bursting despite 16,000 prisoners being released early.

“The length of sentence served should be dictated by the severity of the crime, not by how much room there is available in our prisons.

“If the Government really wants to reduce the number of people in prison it should focus its attention on increasing secure mental health provision and drug treatment places.

“Instead, ministers are relying on short-term solutions and desperately trying to convince themselves they can simply build their way out of this crisis.

“The Government must take a long hard look at the report published this week by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, and address Anne Owers’ concern that we are moving towards 'large-scale penal containment, spending more to accomplish less, losing hard-won gains and stifling innovation.’ ”

Reoffending plans betray lack of forward planning - Heath

Commenting on measures announced today by the Government to reduce prisoner reoffending, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath said: “The belated understanding that we need to do something to remove those who shouldn’t be in prison is welcome, if only to ensure there is enough prison accommodation to hold those who are a danger to the public.

“Extra investment in drugs rehabilitation and mental health provision should have been introduced years ago.

“The flip-flopping on the so-called ‘Titan’ prisons betrays the lack of forward planning in the department. They have moved from definite, to maybe, and back to definite within a week, while the recent report by HM Inspector of Prisons clearly shows they are not the answer.

“This is a Government desperate to find a way out of a crisis of its own making. I suppose that we should be grateful that at least some of the ideas Jack Straw is grasping at have been Liberal Democrat policies over many years, but I hope they are given the resources to make them work.”

Community orders must be monitored more effectively - Heath

Commenting on today’s [Thursday] National Audit Office report into the supervision of community orders, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath said: “This report makes it clear that the Government needs to do more to get the most out of community orders.

“There is strong evidence that as well as offering an effective alternative punishment to our overcrowded prisons, these orders benefit the community and the offender, with reconviction rates even lower than predicted.

“However, it will be impossible to get the best out of them if not all components are used properly and if the Probation Service itself does not know the amount of orders it has the capacity to oversee effectively.

“Government must urgently improve the data it collects on the cost of orders and the number of offenders who failed to complete them. “Unless this is done, it will be impossible to demonstrate the effectiveness of these orders to the judiciary and local communities.”

Media u-turn on Titan jails shows lack of prison strategy - Heath

Responding to Jack Straw’s acknowledgement this morning that plans to build huge new ‘Titan’ jails may not go ahead, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath said: “Last month Jack Straw said that the Government will build Titan prisons but now he is saying that they are not definitely going to go ahead.

“It is exactly this sort of indecisiveness and lack of strategy that has caused the current crisis in our prison system and prompted such a damning report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons.

“The reality is that ministers are not going to be able to build their way out of this crisis. We need to ensure that people who should not be in prison in the first place, because they need secure mental health accommodation or drug treatment, are dealt with more appropriately.”

Justice restructuring is admission of failure, says David Heath

Commenting on today’s announcement on the restructuring of the Ministry of Justice, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath said: “After a year of crisis, Jack Straw has now rearranged his senior management, and in the process ditched the organisation which was meant to transform the prisons and probation services.

“The over-bureaucratic structure of the National Offender Management Service is now for the chop within a couple of years of it being set up, and the probation service faces its third major upheaval in as many years.

“This is an admission of failure by the Government: failure to deliver on promises of greater efficiency, failure to provide a prison and probation system that works, and failure to achieve real coordination with functioning IT.

“No wonder we have prisons bursting at the seams, a demoralised probation service, and prisoners held in police cells at a cost greater than sending them to a luxury hotel.”

Authorities must act to restore confidence on MPs' expenses

Commenting on the controversy over payments made by Conservative MP Derek Conway, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, David Heath said: “There are two things that the authorities could do to allay public concern over this issue.

“Firstly, they should immediately introduce the recommendation of the Senior Salaries Review Body that auditors should be able to carry out spot checks on MPs’ expenses to ensure they are being spent appropriately.

“Secondly, it should be a matter of public record who is employed on the public payroll by MPs.

“It is perfectly proper that individual salaries should be a matter for the employee, but the fact that somebody is being paid from public funds is a matter that should be disclosed.”

David Heath come to the rescue in whisky blunder

David Heath brought some belated Christmas cheer to some constituents who thought they had ruined a 35-year friendship over a bottle of House of Commons Whisky.

Roger and Jackie Reed from Ash were staying with friends when Mr. Reed woke in the night with toothache. Fumbling around in a kitchen that was not his own, he was able to find a bottle of scotch, swill some around his mouth and retire for a decent night’s sleep.

It was only in the morning, however, that he discovered that he had broken the seal on a bottle of House of Commons Whisky signed by the former Prime Minister Tony Blair, which their friends were hoping to auction for charity.

Mrs. Reed contacted Mr. Heath’s office in a panic just before Christmas to see if there was anything that he could do. After using some of his contacts at the House of Commons, Mr. Heath was able to provide them with a new bottle signed by Gordon Brown.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “I knew that Mrs. Reed’s story was too good to have been made-up and it did bring a smile to my face and that of my staff during the busy Christmas period.

“Now that Tony Blair is no longer an MP, it was impossible to get him to sign a replacement. The next best thing, however, was to get the current Prime Minister to sign one.

“I explained the situation to Gordon Brown’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, Angela Smith MP, who found it pretty amusing and kindly arranged for Gordon to sign a bottle. I’m grateful to them both and I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Reed are too.

“A member of my staff delivered to it to the Reeds in Ash and I hope that the combination of a full bottle of whisky signed by Gordon Brown and a half-drunk one by Tony Blair raises a great deal of money for their friends’ chosen charity.

“I hope that Mr. Reed has since visited the dentist and that next time he wakes in the night with toothache, he reaches for the medicine cabinet rather than the drinks cabinet. Knowing his luck, though, he’ll probably take some Paracetamol signed by James Callaghan!”

Commenting further Jackie Reed added: “Both Roger and I were mortified when we realised what he’d done. We’re just so grateful that David was able to get Gordon Brown to sign a bottle. He may just have saved a 35-year old friendship!”

David Heath quizzes minister over Severn barrage plan

David Heath voiced his support for the Severn barrage scheme during a House of Commons debate on the Energy Bill on Tuesday 22nd January.

However, Mr. Heath also called for assurances that the Somerset region would be protected from any potential flooding if the scheme was to go ahead.

The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, John Hutton MP, confirmed that no decisions had yet been made and that the current study will consider the potential of other potential barrage schemes along with the Severn barrage.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “Twenty years ago, I was on the feasibility group that considered the Severn barrage and I still believe that it must be the right sort of thing to do.

“I understand from the Secretary of State that the precise location of the development, whether in the upper or lower Severn estuary and the technology to be employed are still to be decided.

“The Government must ensure that the current feasibility study will consider not only the environmental and energy benefits and disbenefits but also the possibility of providing some protection against flooding in the Somerset levels area through a barrage, or at least some form of barrier, in the lower Severn estuary.”

Muck spreading must continue, says David Heath

David Heath secured a debate in the House of Commons on the Government’s proposed regulations to the management of slurry on Tuesday.

The Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Phil Woolas MP, offered slight encouragement to Mr. Heath as he appeared to recognise that there was a problem with the current proposals.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “I secured this debate in Westminster Hall because I had been contacted by a number of constituents who expressed concerns about the effect of the proposed regulations on the agriculture industry.

“Somerset has some of the best dairy land in the country but many of the people who farm it will find themselves facing mounting costs to comply with the new regulations governing the spreading of slurry.

“The lasting benefits to the environment will be negligible, particularly when compared to the costs incurred by an already overstretched farming industry. These expensive and unnecessarily overburdensome regulations will not achieve their goal of a hugely significant fall in the level of nitrates in our soil.

“The question marks over the proposals, their implications for working farmers in the cost of slurry storage and the changes to working practices, should at the very least result in a postponement of the introduction of the regulations, currently due in April.

“The Government can improve the design of the regulations to make them much friendlier to our farmers. After a difficult few years, the current proposals would make it even worse and we could risk losing yet more Somerset dairy farmers.”

Government must improve the A303, says David Heath

David Heath branded revisions to the recently published spatial strategy for the south west ‘absurd’ during Transport Questions in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Mr. Heath will be meeting Tom Harris MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport in the near future to discuss the matter further.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “I cannot believe that any document purporting to be a transport strategy for the south west can leave out any reference to developing the A303.

“It is a disgrace that the second strategic route, or the A303 as we know it, has been neglected in favour of amorphous improvements in city areas.

“I will be meeting the Minister very soon and driving him along the stretch of the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford. I hope that when he has seen the problem at first hand, he will be persuaded about the dire need for work to begin on this continuing problem.”

David Heath congratulates award winners

David Heath has congratulated four groups on winning funding from the Awards for All Programme.

Frome Selwood Tennis Club has been awarded £10,000, Dreamweavers in Frome have been awarded £10,000, Central Somerset Outdoor Learning Partnership has been awarded £9,996, and Somerset Racial Equality Council has been awarded £9,500.

The awards programme is supported by the Arts Council England, the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are awarded for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.

Frome Selwood Tennis Club will use the grant to provide floodlighting to its third court. "The project on offer will add to the sport and environment of local people and members of the tennis club. I hope that many more people will now benefit from the services and activities on offer as a result of the extra funding they have received,” said Mr Heath.

Hazel Stewart, the Founder of Dreamweavers, is a poet who gives performances and also runs creative writing courses.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “I am delighted to see £10,000 awarded to Dreamweavers and I wish them the very best of success for the future.

“I understand that Dreamweavers will use the funding to provide a guided walking tour involving poetry workshops and other creative activities, culminating in the creation of an anthology and CD, which I look forward to.

“The project on offer will add to the life and environment of those living within the area. I hope that many more people will now benefit from the services and activities on offer as a result of the extra funding Dreamweavers have received.”

Somerset Racial Equality Council will use the grant to fund a community event celebrating the multicultural demography of the South Somerset area, combined with a series of workshops covering the impact of slavery and war on people’s lives and a course for young people to teach them about rights and responsibilities.

“It is fantastic that this money will be used to teach our children about such important issues and I am confident that the workshops will have a positive impact on their views on rights and responsibilities,” said Mr Heath.

Central Somerset Outdoor Learning Partnership will use the funding to transform an area of local woodland into a conservation area. Funds will purchase new training equipment, national trust membership, paths and workshop and family sessions among other things.

“It is extremely important that some of the delightful woodland we have here in Somerset is preserved for current and future generations to enjoy,” said Mr Heath.

Heath rallies to support police pay demands

David Heath has given his support to the police officers who are marching through London today in protest at their pay settlement.

Mr. Heath’s comments came after the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg MP, addressed the police federation rally in support of police pay demands.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “I fully support this march today, and I hope that the Government will listen to the men and women that undergo at times dangerous and unrewarding, yet vitally important jobs within our communities.

“Given that the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal has recommended an increase for police officers of 2.5%, why now is the Government ignoring such claims? There is little point in going to arbitration if the recommendation is not binding for both sides.

“It is time now for the Government to admit they were wrong, and ensure that the police receive a pay increase that they fully deserve.”

Bevin Boys! Heath needs you - to claim your veterans badge

David Heath is calling on all former Bevin Boys to come forward and claim their Veterans Badge.

The Bevin Boys scheme ran between 1943 and 1948 by then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, in response to increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry.

Mr. Heath is urging anyone in the Somerton and Frome constituency who thinks they may be eligible to contact his office on 01373 473 618 or write to David Heath MP, 14 Catherine Hill, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1BZ.

Alternatively, you can complete an application form, available by calling the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency helpline on 0800 169 2277 or 01253 866043, or by visiting www.veterans-uk.info.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “I think it is a great idea to allow people to demonstrate their proud record of service in an often forgotten, yet vitally important contribution to the war effort. They have earned it and I want to do my uppermost to ensure that as many Veterans as possible get their badges.

“I think it is an excellent idea for us to be able to show these brave men that we do appreciate the risks and hardships they undertook on our behalf, and that we are still thankful to this day.

“It is important that we never forget the sacrifices that were made by the men and women who risked their lives on a daily basis both abroad and at home during the war. If you are a Bevin Boy, or you know someone who is please come forward to claim your Veterans Badge.

“While Somerset will not have as many Bevin Boys as some areas of the country, I am confident that there will be a few out there, in the northern part of my constituency for example.”

Energy prices too high for Somerset pensioners, says Heath

David Heath has expressed his concern that recent rises in gas and electricity prices have completely wiped out the value of the Winter Fuel Payment.

Figures from the House of Commons Library show that:

For a typical pensioner household (aged 65-74) with gas central heating, gas bills have gone up by £260pa and electricity by £160pa – a total of £420
For a typical pensioner household (aged over 75) gas bills are up £200pa and electricity bills up £150pa – a total of £350
The value of the Winter Fuel Payment per household for those aged 60-79 is £200, and £300 for those aged over 80
The £300 rate for the over 80s was introduced in the winter of 2003/04 and hasn’t risen since

Commenting David Heath MP said: “I am deeply concerned that the recent hikes in fuel prices will more than wipe out the value of the Winter Fuel Payment. The hardest hit are likely to be the elderly and the poorest families.

“The Government must do far more to combat fuel poverty. The top priority must be to end the scandal where pensioners are paying a fortune to heat draughty houses where a lot of the heat is simply wasted.

“It is frequently forgotten but there is also the issue of the price in fuel oil in rural areas. Many people across Somerset still use this oil for their central heating but the cost of it has sky-rocketed in recent years.

“The Government needs to offer Somerset’s pensioners a fairer deal on fuel so that they don’t have to make a choice between heating and eating on cold winter days.”

Data losses undermine ill-judged ID cards plan, says Heath

David Heath has reiterated his calls for the Government to abandon plans to make people carry identity cards.

Mr. Heath voiced his concerns after the Liberal Democrats published figures showing that 37 million pieces of personal information on UK citizens were lost in 2007, mostly by the Government.

The law bringing in ID cards has already been passed by Labour and soon most citizens will have to pay for an identity card.

Commenting David Heath MP said: “To create ID cards, the Government will store large amounts of information about everyone on a central database, but in 2007 the Government stumbled from one data loss crisis to another. The loss of the personal details of all 25 million families with children in November, for example, has put the privacy of every family in Somerton and Frome at risk.

“The dangers of putting so much information about every citizen in the UK into one central database are clear to everyone except, it seems, the Government. Ministers are in denial when they argue that the information will be safe and people’s privacy will not be undermined.

“The scheme will be a bureaucratic nightmare. It won’t prevent illegal working. It won’t help stop crime or terrorism. If the Government really wants to make an impact on crime, terrorism and illegal immigration, the money it has earmarked for this scheme would be far better spent on more police and intelligence officers, as the Liberal Democrats have pledged to do.”