Bob Russell's hopes for holidays
Bob Russell, Lib Dem MP, campaigning for holidays
On the day that Britain went Pudsey crazy, the MP for Colchester Bob Russell was doing his bit to help Children in Need.
He told the House of Commons that almost one in three children didn't have a holiday this year- not even a single day trip to the seaside or other attraction - and he thinks that's unfair.
"Holidays help to make stronger, healthier and happier families which in term contributes to a healthier and happier society for everyone," he said.
His solution is for the Government to introduce a scheme common in parts of Europe where low income families receive financial support to get away on a break.
"I am not talking about holidays that some people have, sipping cocktails by the pool under the Caribbean sun, but relatively simple off-peak breaks here at home - more Skegness or Sheringham than Spain or the Seychelles, more train than plane".
"Many of us manage to take a decent holiday at least once every year. We consider it a necessary part of life to ensure that we stay healthy - physically, emotionally and mentally".
Mr Russell quoted examples from Scandinavia, Greece, Belgium and Spain where the Government gives help towards short term breaks for low income families.
In France he said 7.5 million families were helped last year by buying tax free vouchers which could be redeemed in local tourist resorts.
Mr Russell believes this "social tourism" would be a boost to our tourist economy.
"From Hunstanon in North Norfolk to Southend in Essex, taking in such wonderful destinations as Cromer, Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe, Clacton and Walton, the East Anglian coastal towns would get a fantastic boost through the economic tourism I have proposed today."
The Education minister Tim Loughton agreed that there was a growing body of research which showed that holidays can greatly benefit families. But free holidays were not on this Government's agenda:
"Many people who are not in poverty choose not to go on holiday for many different reasons, and we would not want to force them to do so. It is surely up to families how they spend their time and money, and at this time when resources are tight and there are many competing priorities for taxpayers' money, it is, I am afraid, unaffordable for the Government to subsidise holidays."
Instead, Mr Loughton said the Government wanted to tackle poverty thus giving families the freedom to decide what to do with their money. And he mentioned the new early intervention grant, worth around £2 billion a year which will allow local councils to decide how they can best deliver their local priorities. This could, he suggested, include leisure opportunities for deprived families.
So Mr Russell didn't get the result he wanted - but he raised the issue and knowing Bob he'll keep on campaigning.
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The House is used to Mr Russell championing Colchester at every opportunity and during today's debate he reeled off a list of the town's many attractions.
We all know that it's Britain's oldest recorded town and it's got a good Zoo - but there was a new claim to fame from Mr Russell: Colchester is where the nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" was written.
According to the local tourist board it was composed by Jane Taylor and her sister Ann in 1806 as part of the book 'Rhymes for the Nursery'. At the time they lived in Colchester having moved there from Lavenham with their father who was a Preacher, in 1793. The house where they lived in West Stockwell Street is marked with a blue plaque.
Welcome to the political blog for the East. I'm Deborah McGurran, the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's Political Editor for the region. From Lowestoft to Luton, this is the place for politics with an eastern twist.
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