Worried householders, who have taken to stashing their cash under their bed instead of trusting banks, have been warned to take care.

 

"I can understand why people, particularly the elderly, have lost faith in the banking system in this country but keeping cash at home is even riskier," said MEP Godfrey Bloom today.

 

"Sadly burglary is still a common crime and the current economic situation is making matters worse. It is often an opportunistic offence and householders must take every precaution to protect their belongings.

 

"It is often those living in the poorer areas who fall prey to burglars and they are the very people who can least afford to lose any savings," said Mr Bloom, UK Independence Party Euro MP for Yorkshire & North Lincolnshire.

 

"I would not recommend anyone to keep their cash under their mattress and would urge them to put it into a bank, post office or similar financial institution," he added.

 

ends

 

notes to editors - A survey of 2,000 people by the More Than insurance firm revealed 1 in 10 admit to hiding money beneath their mattress

 

August 26, 2009 - LIGHT BULB BAN

 

The introduction of energy saving lights is not only being forced on people but it will also leave thousands of people isolated in the dark.

 

The European Commission's ban on traditional light bulbs begins on September 1 with 100 watt bulbs being removed from shelves and the rest will be phased out by 2012.

 

"They have had no regard for people's right to choose and absolutely no concern for the terrible impact this will have on those with light-sensitive health conditions," said Godfrey Bloom, UK Independence Party MEP.

 

"Time and time again we watch with despair as the EU churns out legislation with unintended consequences - and here we go again," he said.

 

"We are being bullied into this in the name of climate change but what about the mercury contained in the new energy saving bulbs. I have no doubt that the issue of their disposal has not been given proper consideration."

 

People who are light sensitive suffer because of the emission of ultra violet and the blue part of the visible spectrum. Tests by the Health Protection Agency has shown that the new compact fluoresent bulbs (CFLs) emit both.

 

"These types of bulbs should carry a health warning similar to cigarettes," said Mr Bloom, MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

 

" A whole range of illnesses are involved including lupus, psoriasis, eczema, porphyria, migraines, ME, epilepsy and autism.

 

"I have been told that adverse effects include pain, nausea, burning sensations, rashes, lethargy, swollen joints, anxiety and genetic damage."

 

"Nearly all public buildings, including hospitals, and the majority of work places are lit with these types of lights which means that sufferers are unable to live a normal life.

 

"And if a proposal to change street lighting from amber sodium to white fluorescent tubes goes ahead it will mean sufferers will be unable to go out in the evening. This will make them prisoners in their own home," said Mr Bloom.

 

"There maybe only a small percentage of the population affected but they have the same rights as anybody else under the Disability Discrimination Act and are entitled to access to any public building," he added.

 

ends

 

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

 

August 23, 2009 - BENN BRANDED HYPOCRITE

 

PRESS RELEASE 

 

Environment minister Hilary Benn was today (Sun) branded "a hypocrite" by Yorkshire MEP Godfrey Bloom.

 

"It is outrageous that this man should pontificate about the importance of recycling when it turns out that he doesn't even recycle his own detritus.

 

"He has the brass neck to lecture us about such matters and now we learn from a Sunday newspaper that when his own household bins are examined he has been merrily chucking away the very items we are instructed to recycle," said Mr Bloom, who is environment spokesman for the UK Independence Party.

 

"Of course it should really come as no surprise as it is exactly the sort of hypocritical behaviour we have come to expect from members of this inept government.

 

"Perhaps he's secretly come round to UKIP's view that man made global warming is a myth and Brussels and this government - which slavishly follows its EU masters and their landfill directives - are conning the public," suggested Mr Bloom.

 

"I'm all in favour of recycling - because it makes sense not to waste valuable materials and not because of tyrannical bullying by hypocrites."

 

ends

12 August 2009

The Charity Commission has been asked to consider the status of a major charity.

Godfrey Bloom, MEP for the UK Independence Party,  has written to the Commission after receiving a lobbying letter from the War on Want organisation.

"I have asked for their views on the charitable status of War on Want following their overtly political lobbying. 

"They have charitable status yet the Commission, for somewhat obscure reasons, recently decided to remove small private schools from such status," said Mr Bloom,  MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

"War on Want contacted me about their recent report, 'Trading away our jobs: How free trade threatens employment around the world' and asking me to pledge to scrutinise EU trade deals and the European Commission to ensure they prioritise  development, environmental sustainability and human rights.

"Why should such an organisation with its political agenda have charitable status and all the benefits that accrue and small private schools lose theirs," queried Mr Bloom.

 

 

11 August 2009

Outside the Church	The First Dance
Click on images to see a larger view

Congratulations to my senior PA Mrs Emma Lund, who you may have known as Emma Brader who has recently got married.  Her husband, Tom, is a farmer and joiner making farm gates and driveway doors and they have recently moved into their first home together in Norton.  Emma will continue to work for me and I would like to take this opportunity to wish them all the best in a long and happy future together.

Godfrey

 

 

4 August 2009

Click on image to see a larger view
Godfrey Bloom MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire attends the Freedom of the City Parade in Leeds. Above Godfrey is pictured with a Platoon Commander from the 5th Battalion The Rifles about to start training for Afghanistan.

Godfrey now has met members of the regiment in Canada, Afghanistan and Cyprus under the Armed Forces Parliamentary Attachment Scheme.