Wirral MP Watch: Neston MP's appeal over Haiti

Here's a selection of Andrew Miller's latest views:

AGENCY WORKERS

Mr Miller welcomed the publication of the regulations that bring into effect the Agency Workers Directive, which will provide greater equality to temporary and agency workers.

He said: "This has been a long and difficult path but I am delighted that real progress has now been made both for thousands of agency workers and the many good employers who are being undercut by rogues."

HAITI

Mr Miller backed the emergency appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which brings together leading UK charities such as Save the Children, Oxfam and World Vision, to respond to the devastating earthquake which has struck Haiti.

Mr Miller also welcomed the announcement by the UK government of an immediate $10 million donation (over £6 million) to aid the victims, as well as the urgent deployment of a search and rescue team comprised of UK firefighters.

He said: "It is clear that we are facing a major humanitarian crisis. Haiti needs help and it needs it now. The scenes on our television screens have deeply shocked us all.

"The most pressing need is for international search and rescue teams - including firefighters from all over Britain - to get on with their work of saving lives - and I applaud their work.

"But at the same time there is an overwhelming requirement for food, water, sanitation, shelter and medicine among the people who have been made homeless.

"That is why I welcome the announcement by Douglas Alexander today that the Department for International Development is providing $10 million (over £6 million) to help kick-start humanitarian relief in Haiti.

"It is also at times like these that I am always so impressed by the generosity of people across Britain.

"I would strongly encourage people in Ellesmere Port and Neston to support the appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee for UK charities who will be undertaking life-saving work in Haiti - you can make a donation by calling 0370 60 60 900 or by visiting www.dec.org.uk"

WARMER HOMES

Andrew Miller is backing National Energy Action's Warm Homes Campaign.

He said: "The most important message this year is that there is help out there for vulnerable households. I urge everyone who is concerned to contact the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 to get help and advice on staying warm in their home this winter without the fear of fuel debt and ill health."

I'm in two minds about this.

Mr Miller picks up on the sort of issues most other MPs wouldn't think of commenting on, which you could argue is a good thing.

But while it's nice to know that your MP thinks the images from crisis-hit Haiti are shocking and we should all donate-money-very-quickly-because-it's-a-disaster-and-just-look-at-the-pictures, for the purposes of what I do, it's pretty useless.

The helpline number is great but I'm more interested in finding the people from Neston who have relatives or friends on Haiti or the Wirralians doing something weird, wonderful or downright inspiring to raise money to help.

Maybe with my voter's hat on, I'd be pleased my MP was having a say on disaster relief instead of worrying about what's happened to next door's cat.

It's up to you.

But politicians care about whether their words get into the paper and get your vote.

One Wirral Councillor, who shall remain nameless, once told me there his party had a league table to keep tabs on the people getting the most mentions in the Wirral News and Daily Post/Echo.

And I'm not sure this one will make it in.