Latest news from Bolton West and Westminster
Posted by Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West, at 15:18, Wed 17 September 2008:
Dear all,
I am writing to keep you updated regarding developments both in my constituency and at Westminster.
Bolton West
Bolton Primary Care Trust response on Hepatitis C As you may have seen in the local media, I recently contacted the Chief Executive of Bolton Primary Care Trust following the results of survey of Greater Manchester GPs showed that 36% were not confident in their ability to diagnosis the disease. The rate of progress of hepatitis C is often slow and difficult to diagnose but can lead to liver disease, cirrhosis or even cancer. The symptoms associated with the virus are easy to miss and include weight loss, fatigue, tiredness and nausea. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C but treatment can provide a cure in over half of patients.
I was pleased to hear back from the Chief Executive that all Bolton GPs who are part of the "shared care" system, which is run jointly between the local drug treatment service and GPs, receive training about hepatitis C. The training covers signs and symptoms of the virus, screening/testing, referral pathways and treatment options. 20 practices out of a Bolton total of 56, have received or are in the process of receiving this training Bolton Primary Care Trust, in conjunction with the drug service, is arranging a training session for GPs and Acute trust medical staff to be held later in the year. The Trust have also hosted the "Face It" campaign and have a hepatitis C group which meets on a regular basis-looking at issues such as training. Local GPs were actively involved in the establishment of this group. I am glad that Bolton Primary Care Trust are taking action on this issue and that they are ensuring that effective training for GPs is available.
Macmillan’s “World’s Biggest Coffee Morning”
I was delighted to hear that Macmillan Cancer Support would be holding their second annual “World’s Biggest Coffee Morning”on 26th September. Macmillan are a registered charity which supports people who are affected by cancer by providing practical, medical, emotional and financial help. Last year’s fundraising event saw over 50,000 people hold a coffee morning to help people living with cancer and raised £7.5 million. The aim this year is to raise £8.5 million to enable Macmillan to assist more people living with cancer.
I think it is an excellent idea and I hope that Macmillan succeed in their aim of raising even more money this year. There are several coffee mornings which have been organised already in Horwich and Westhoughton. I would urge all families and friends as well as workplaces to organise events and have fun in aid of a good cause. For more information and details of how to arrange your own coffee morning, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee
Daisy Hill Football Club secure funding for under 18s team
I was delighted to hear that the club secured the funding that they needed for their under eighteen’s team. I wish all involved every success in undertaking this project.
I am sure that the club will be inundated with responses from youngsters who are keen to make good use of this excellent opportunity.
The aim of the project is to develop an under eighteen’s team, creating a player pathway from Daisy Hill Juniors to their counterpart adult open age sides.
Demand for an under 18 team has come from young people currently unable to continue playing football past the age of 16. Those playing junior football have previously either been rushed into playing open aged football or have had to discontinue playing.
It is anticipated that twenty 16 to 18 year old boys will be engaged in year one with an under 18 team formed. Players will be recruited prior to the start of 2008 / 2009 football season, with training and trials commencing in summer 2008 and will be recruited from local sixth forms. The new youth team will enter in to the North West Youth Alliance League and play home fixtures on the Daisy Hill first team pitch. Training will take place weekly and be conducted on the Artificial Grass Pitch at Horwich Leisure Centre.
‘Kick It Out’ campaign
Kick It Out, the organisation established to promote racial inclusion in football, and the Football Foundation have joined forces this summer to award ‘One Game, One Community’ grants to groups who wish use sport to tackle discrimination and exclusion. The grants offer a cash sum of up to £1,000 each and are being made available to groups across Britain as part of the forthcoming ‘One Game, One Community Weeks of Action’. Organisations such as community and grassroots football groups, schools and tenants associations can apply for funding awards. The awards will be granted to those working to benefit or engage young people, ethnic minorities, football fans, estates- based projects and refugees and asylum seekers.
I have urged local groups to apply for funding to participate in schemes to promote social inclusion in football. I believe that it is vital to ensure that sports activities are available to all sections of society.
The ‘Weeks of Action’ will take place between the 16th and 28th October in a unique coming together of professional football, the grassroots game and community groups in a celebration of the contribution made to football by ethnic minorities and other groups often on the margins.
News of local firms’ successes
Local entrepreneur Lee Bevan, who owns Leapfrog Computers in Westhoughton, has been shortlisted for the Lancashire Young Director of the Year award. Lee was one of only three finalists who have been put forward for this prestigious award, which will be announced on September 18th. Severfield-Rowen Plc, the parent company of Watson Steel, which is based in Lostock, announced record half year results for 2008. The firm said that the future of the company was bright due to forthcoming projects. Watson Steel is a leader in specialist steelwork and engineering projects.
I am very pleased that local firms are achieving the recognition they deserve. These successes highlight the diversity of businesses locally and the real contribution which they make to the wider economy. I wish Lee every success for the awards ceremony later this month and Watson Steel all the best with their involvement in building the Olympic Stadium in London, which begins in October.
Guidelines for parents worried about internet safety
Following representations from worried constituents, I have issued guidelines for parents on ensuring that their children. These guidelines appeared in the local press and can be read in full on my web site www.ruthkellymp.com
The main things that parents can do is to ensure that the computer is in a ‘family room’ so that you can keep an eye on what your children are looking at and who they are talking to and remind children not to meet up with anyone they meet online. Parents can also check with their internet provider how to adjust internet settings so that websites with adult content are blocked. It is important that children do not give too many personal details in their profiles online, such as their address, telephone number of name of the school which they attend.
Events
I attended the civic reception for Jason Kenny, the 20-year-old cyclist who won gold and silver medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing last month. It was a well attended event and about 500 people gathered in Victoria Square to see Jason show off his medals on the steps of Bolton Town Hall. I also went to Howfenfest in Central Park in Westhoughton. It was a great event and it was really good to see so many families attending. We were lucky that the rain held off for the event which was a credit to the hard work of the Mayor of Westhoughton, David Chadwick, and the Mayoress, Victoria Chadwick, his daughter.
Westminster
Help for first time buyers and homeowners announced
The government has announced a wide-ranging package of measures to help those affected by the difficulties taking place in the housing market including:
Offering 10,000 more first time buyers currently frozen out of the mortgage market the chance to get onto the property ladder through a new shared equity scheme in a new partnership with housing developers.
A one-year Stamp Duty holiday for all houses costing under £175,000 meaning that 50 per cent of all house purchases will be exempt.
Supporting thousands of vulnerable homeowners facing repossession to remain in their home through a new mortgage rescue scheme.
Reforming the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme to increase help for some of the most vulnerable homeowners on very low, or no, incomes.
Bringing forward £400 million of government spending to deliver up to 5,500 new social rented homes, at affordable prices, over the next eighteen months while the private sector market remains weak
Support for house builders and those working in the sector Building on the £66 million that has already been allocated, confirming that a total of at least £200 million will be available to buy unsold property from house builders
Freeing the industry to manage the new HomeBuy Direct scheme itself I welcome this series of measures which follows on from an earlier announced which aim to respond to the impact of the credit crunch on the housing market and maintain the delivery of new affordable housing.
The Government has already announced it is extending eligibility for its shared ownership schemes, so that households with an income of £60,000 or less can apply. The government is continuing to look at further options to help first time buyers and families who aspire to home ownership, and to support the minority of borrowers who may be facing difficulties at the moment. They are also providing an extra £9 million for debt advice, and extending free legal advice for all households at risk of repossession.
£1bn energy saving package announced
The measures announced by the government include free loft and cavity wall insulation for all pensioners and those on low incomes. There will be discounts of at least 50% for householders. In addition to this move, cold weather payments for the most vulnerable will be increased from £8.50 to £25 a week. I am pleased that steps are being taken to reduce energy costs through efficiency savings. I believe that this kind of practical help will make a difference. People could save as much as £250 to £300 a year, every year, on their fuel bills through these measures. I would urge constituents to call 0800 512 012 to find out what help is available for them.
New diplomas
Around 20,000 young people will begin working towards the new Diploma qualifications this term, following their establishment by the government. The Diplomas require a student to achieve a minimum standard in English, Maths and ICT, complete a project and do a minimum of 10 days’ work experience. Diploma students will also acquire the skills and knowledge which are essential for success in employment and higher education, both related to the discipline and those which are common, like teamwork, self-management and critical thinking skills.
There are three levels of Diploma - Foundation, Higher and Advanced. A Foundation Diploma is worth five GCSEs grades D to G; a Higher Diploma is worth seven GCSEs grades A* to C; and an Advanced Diploma is worth three-and-a-half A levels. The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, recently announced a new Extended Diploma, which could be equivalent to as many as four-and-a-half A levels.
I am sure that the introduction of the new Diplomas will offer a real choice regarding the options open to 14-19 year olds. It is important for our young people to have a range of qualifications open to them, which reflects both their educational requirements and learning methods as well as the needs of business and the wider community.
Extra investment in sports welcomed
The government recently announced £36 million of investment in a nationwide initiative to get more children and young people taking part in sports that interest them most outside of school.
‘Sport Unlimited’ is a three-year programme will enable 900,000 more 11-19 year olds to choose from a vast range of sports including several in which Team GB has excelled at the 2008 Olympics such as sailing and cycling as well as less traditional sports like dodgeball, snowboarding and American football.
The programme is being run by Sport England in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and County Sports Partnerships. Sport Unlimited offers young people 10-week taster sessions in sports which they have requested and aims to get 300,000 participants to join clubs and continue with sport when the 10 weeks are up.Sport Unlimited will make a significant contribution to the Government’s target of giving children and young people the opportunity to do 5 hours of PE and sport a week at school and in the community. The funding is part of the additional £100 million investment in sport for young people announced by the Prime Minister in 2007.
I am delighted that this extra investment has been announced. It is evident from the success of the British team at the Olympics that encouraging young athletes through increased funding makes a real difference. As well as achieving sporting successes, participating in such activities also helps young people to improve social skills and to keep physically fit.
If you have any queries on the above issues or there are any matters that you would like to raise, please get in touch with me at my constituency office.
Kindest regards,
Ruth Kelly Member of Parliament for Bolton West
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