So Unfare!

Brooks Newmark has joined the growing number of MPs who have answered a call to donate a day's salary to the compensation fund set up to help over 150,000 families who have lost money in the collapse of the Farepak Christmas Savings Club. Brooks Newmark has joined the growing number of MPs who have answered a call to donate a day's salary to the compensation fund set up to help over 150,000 families who have lost money in the collapse of the Farepak Christmas Savings Club.

Brooks said, "It is a scandal that hard working people have been let down in this shameful way when all they were trying to do was save a little extra for Christmas."

Farepak collapsed on 13th October 2006 and its administrators have announced that no orders will be filled. Farepak and other similar hamper clubs appeal particularly to the less well off, the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Farepak was profitable and in good financial health but its parent company, European Home Retail, had overdrafts at HBOS and the NatWest banks and collapsed when the banks withdrew their support.

Brooks said, "I was a businessman before I became an MP and this situation should never have been allowed to arise in the first place because the contributions should have been protected from the general pot available to creditors."

The Government announced on the 24th of October that the collapse would be investigated by the DTI and announced the creation of the Farepak Response Fund on 7th November 2006. The Minister for Trade, Ian McCartney, also called on Members of Parliament to donate a day's pay to the fund.

Brooks said, "I am delighted to do my bit to help some of those whose Christmas has been ruined by the collapse of Farepak. Christmas is a time for giving and I am happy to be able to give something to families who have lost out. We can't donate to every good cause but each of us has to choose which causes we are able to support."

"I have been outraged by what has happened here and I will join other MPs in pressing for answers, both in Parliament and as a member of the Treasury Select Committee. But the answers that people expect will come long after Christmas and I am pleased to have the opportunity to give some money now in the hope that it will make a difference at the time of year when it is most needed.