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I’m Councillor James Alexander and I am the Prospective Labour MP for York Outer. I currently work at York St John University and I am a graduate in Economic History. I have set up this website to help inform York Outer residents and businesses of what the Government and I are doing to help people and businesses during the global credit crisis. I also include helpful information from local agencies such as York Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Government and I are determined to learn the lessons of past recessions when people were left to cope on their own – like my parents during the 1980s. Measures are being taken across the board – because doing nothing is not an option.

A summary of the help available has been put together in a booklet which I urge all York Outer individuals and businesses to look at. The booklet will be updated as more help becomes available. To view it, please click here. Up-to-date information can be viewed on the national real help now website. This can be viewed by clicking here. A local information booklet can also be found by clicking here.

The Government is fighting this recession with every weapon at its disposal. That’s why it’s also acting to prevent the collapse of the banking system, so that people’s savings are secure and the banks can do their job; to get the financial system lending again responsibly to support businesses, jobs and growth.

Action has been taken to boost our economy by putting money in people’s pockets and bringing investment plans forward, including:
-Income tax cuts of £145 for every basic rate tax payer
-£60 extra for every pensioner in January
-A VAT cut worth on average over £200 to every family this year
-An extra £3 billion investment in projects that will protect and create jobs.

And because the problems we face and the flows of money are international, the Government will be working with other countries to encourage them to take similar action. This is why the Government is working closely with President Barack Obama.

The alternative the Conservatives would have us do, is ‘nothing’. This would leave homeowners and businesses to go to the wall. We know this is going to be a difficult time and unlike in previous difficult economic times I think the Government really needs to give people a helping hand.

I hope this website goes some way to helping people and businesses in York Outer.

Councillor James Alexander, Prospective Labour MP for York Outer