Latest news from Bolton West and Westminster
Posted by Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West, at 10:12, Tue 14 October 2008:
Dear all,
I am writing to keep you updated regarding developments both in my constituency and at Westminster.
As many of you will have heard by now, I have decided I will not stand to be your MP again. This has been a very difficult decision for me to make; however, I have decided that I need to spend more time with my children and be there for them as they grow up. I would like to say thank you for all the support I’ve been shown during the last 11 and a half years as your MP.
It has been a real privilege to serve you and I fully intend to continue to keep working diligently for you until the next General Election.
Bolton West
Shelter expands service in Bolton
Shelter, who are based locally at Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau, have recently received increased funding to offer free, independent legal advice regarding housing and related issues to those in most need of support. The organisation assists a variety of client groups including disabled people, people with mental health problems, young people with learning difficulties and 16 and 17 year olds who are homeless. I welcome the expansion of Shelter’s Advice Service in the area and their liaison with Bolton Citizens Advice Bureau to increase the range of services which they currently provide. The staff who work at both organisations perform excellent work on behalf of the local community and I am pleased that they will be able to assist more clients and their families.
Government consults local people about the future of policing
The Policing Green Paper, recently published by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith aims to cut red tape and free up more police officers to fight crime. The Policing Green Paper sets out how the government will build on its achievements, working with the police to continue to drive down crime in local areas. The plans aim to give local people more information and a bigger say in how their neighbourhood is policed.
Part of the proposals is a ‘Policing Pledge’ which will outline what local people can expect from their local police team. This pledge will set out clear national standards, including the amount of time spent on the beat, easy ways to contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team and clear response times to all calls and incidents. The Home Office have encouraged members of the public to submit their views on key issues including cutting police red tape, deciding police priorities and greater liaison between the police, councils and residents. The deadline for consultation was October 10th and I have urged residents through the local press and via my web site to take part in this consultation and to have their say on which policing priorities are most needed in their local area.
I understand that anti social behaviour is an issue which continues to cause concern locally despite recent figures which show that crime rates have fallen. It is vital that local residents feel included in the policing of their neighbourhoods and equally important that their local police force responds to concerns on the ground. I shall inform my constituents of the results of the public consultation and continue to keep you updated regarding the Green Paper.
HBOS campaign to reclaim lost funds
I have publicised the recent campaign led by Halifax and Bank of Scotland to reunite customers with dormant back accounts in the local media.HBOS are the first major UK bank to launch such a campaign to reunite customers with their money. They have helped customers to claim more than £18 million of dormant funds, however there is £29.2 million still to be reunited. 83 per cent of these accounts hold less than £100. In this constituency alone, Halifax and Bank of Scotland have identified 128 dormant accounts which have the total of £7264 lying dormant in them which people have forgotten about. I would urge constituents to search the web sites provided or contact their local branches if they have any queries. You will be able to check if you have unclaimed dormant bank accounts through the British Banking Association at www.mylostaccount.org.uk.
Local woman establishes alcohol awareness charity
Last month, I met Andrea Spencer, to discuss her charity ‘Beware’, which aims to educate young people of the potential health risks of drinking alcohol and warn them about the dangers of drinking alcohol excessively. Mrs Spencer, who lives in Horwich, is particularly keen to inform children of the dangers associated with underage drinking after seeing the effects caused by alcohol abuse first hand as a carer for an alcoholic.
She has already raised £2,000 by taking part in a sponsored sky dive and now she plans to walk from Rivington and Blackrod High School to Southport. I fully support Mrs Spencer with her fundraising efforts and I wish her well on her forthcoming sponsored walk. She also has concerns about sponsorship and advertising by drinks companies and I am taking up these issues with relevant Ministers.
Events
I visited local children rehearsing at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester for the 'Find Your Talent' event. Pupils from four local schools took part in the initiative, which is being piloted in 10 areas across England and gives children and young people the chance to get involved with arts and culture. The children gave a 20 minute performance involving a quintet from the Halle Orchestra with the children accompanying them on drums, harps and a range of other instruments. All of the children were superb and the levels of skills and enthusiasm they demonstrated were excellent
Whilst at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester, I met a large group of scouts from across Greater Manchester and listened to their views on a range of subjects including crime, obesity and how they aim to influence politics. I was impressed by their interest in political issues and the mature and articulate way in which they relayed their opinions to me. It is great to see young people expressing an interest in political issues and wanting to make a real difference to their communities.
I unveiled a plaque at Manchester Oxford Road train station to mark the 40th anniversary of Barbara Castle's Transport Act. Barbara Castle, who was the first female Transport Secretary, has also had a train named after her. The name plate was unveiled by Baroness Castle’s niece, Sonya Hinton. I was delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate her achievements and meet her family. It was also interesting to reflect on how transport in the North West, and indeed the country, has been greatly improved since the Transport Act of 1968 and I feel that this is a fitting tribute to the work begun by Barbara Castle.
Westminster
Ministers meet foreign counterparts to discuss international banking situation
As a result of the global banking situation, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alastair Darling, have been liaising closely with their counterparts in Europe and America to agree a series of measures to resolve the difficulties faced by the banking sector.
Chancellor’s statement on financial stability
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alastair Darling, made a statement to the House of Commons last Wednesday. He outlined that he had increased the amounts available to the Bank of England to lend through the Special Liquidity Scheme, to a total of at least £200bn to provide sufficient liquidity in the short term.
The Government has established a Bank Recapitalisation Fund to make available new capital to UK banks and building societies to strengthen their resources and restructure their finances, while maintaining their support for the real economy. The government has offered a temporary underwriting for any eligible new debt issued by banks.
This measure has been taken to ensure that the banking system has the funds necessary to maintain lending in the medium term. There was a debate in the House of Commons the following day to discuss the measures announced by the Chancellor.
One million workers benefit from minimum wage increase
Almost one million low paid employees, two thirds of them women, will benefit from the latest increase in the rate of the National Minimum Wage announced last week. The rate is rising to £5.73 per hour for workers aged 22 and over, £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
The Government has also boosted funding for enforcement of the minimum wage is planning tough new penalties for rogue employers who underpay staff as part of the Employment Bill, which is now before Parliament.
The Children & Young Persons Bill
The Bill is currently being debated in the House of Commons following amendments made after it was heard in the House of Lords. The key proposals aim to ensure that the child’s voice is heard when important decisions that affect their future are taken into account, in particular by strengthening the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer, and to increase the focus on the transparency and quality of care planning.
The Bill contains important amendments to the current inspection regime for Children’s Homes to ensure swift and decisive action again substandard homes and ensure children in care and custody are visited regularly. The Bill also outlines that local authorities are required to take steps to secure sufficient suitable accommodation within their area and will ensure that every school has a designated teacher for children in care who will lead work to help these children achieve. It also aims to ensure young people (up to 18) are not forced out of care before they are ready, by giving them a greater say over moves to independent living and ensuring they retain support and guidance for as long as they need it.
Kindest regards,
Ruth Kelly Member of Parliament for Bolton West If you do not want to receive my eNewsletter please email kelll@parliament.uk with “no eNews” in the subject matter
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