Blomfield named Parliamentarian of the Year

Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield has been named Parliamentarian of the Year 2014 by the national charity Citizens Advice.

The Rt Rev John Gladwin, Chairman of Citizens Advice, praised the Labour MP for championing the need for better regulation of payday lenders on the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee to protect consumers.

A special award was also given to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Debt and Personal Finance, of which Mr Blomfield is Secretary, for the group’s work campaigning on the issue of payday lending and debt management companies.

After receiving the Parliamentarian of the Year award Mr Blomfield said:**“It’s a huge honour to receive this award from Citizens Advice. It’s a tribute to everyone who has campaigned to stop the payday loan rip-off and forced the Government to act.

"Ministers could not ignore the sustained pressure from debt and consumer charities, churches, trade unions, MPs, Councils, and the thousands of people who signed our petition saying that the irresponsible behaviour and practices of payday lenders have to stop."