Latest news from Bolton West and Westminster
Posted by Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West, at 17:38, Mon 2 February 2009:
Dear Constituent,
I am writing to keep you updated regarding developments both in my constituency and at Westminster.
Bolton West
Train timetables
I have contacted Ministers at the Department for Transport and officials at GMPTE to ask whether timetable changes to Lostock and Blackrod train services will be revised after commuter complaints.
I originally wrote to both TransPennine Express and Northern Rail last December to highlight customer dissatisfaction at these changes which have seen services reduced at both train stations. I have also been making enquiries with GMPTE to resolve this matter and I have asked them to reconsider the changes in light of local residents concerns.
I have been liaising closely with the train operators concerned and with GMPTE on behalf of several concerned constiuents. I have asked Ministers at the Department for Transport whether urgent revisions will be made in light of commuters complaints.
C difficile
The NHS is on track to achieve the national target of reducing C. difficile infections by 30% by 2010/11 against the 2007/08 baseline. To meet the target, a reduction of at least 30% compared to the average quarter in 2007/08 would need to be sustained over four consecutive quarters.
Recent government figures published by the Department for Health showed that there were 73 C. difficile infections at the Royal Bolton Hospital between July and September 2008. Good hand hygiene, high standards of cleanliness, prompt isolation and responsible use of antibiotics are all vitally important in the fight against C. difficile infection.
I am pleased that these recent figures show that the NHS is on track to achieve the national target of reducing C. difficile infections. Although I welcome the figures showing that C. difficile infections are continuing to fall, we cannot be complacent. I have contacted the Chief Executive of NHS Bolton to enquire what progress is being made at a local level to combat C. difficile infections and how they plan to build on these good results.
United Utilities
I have contacted United Utilities to ensure that local sports clubs will not be hit by high water rates when the new system of charging is introduced. I have been in regular contact with United Utilities on behalf of several local organisations, including scout groups and a local cricket club, for the last year.
I have asked for exceptions to be made for these groups, as I am concerned that these extra costs will mean that many of these organisations would have to close down or drastically reduce vital services in the local area.
I had initially welcomed the decision to introduce a moratorium on the site charging of water for faith buildings, community amateur sports clubs and guide and scout associations. However, after the moratorium was announced, I have learned that many local sports clubs will not qualify as a ‘community sports club’ under the definition given by United Utilities. This definition prohibits clubs which employ a player who is paid to play. Under the terms of League Cricket Clubs, clubs must have a Professional player on a seasonal paid contract to qualify to play in the various leagues.
Although I welcome the moratorium for churches and scout and guide organisations, I remain concerned for local sports clubs which miss out on this benefit due to the rules of their competitions. Such groups contribute greatly to our community and face potentially high water bills. I have contacted United Utilities to raise the issue with them and ask whether these clubs can be included in the moratorium.
B&Q Awards
I have urged local organisations to apply for B&Q awards of up to £10,000s worth of products. B&Q have launched the ‘One Planet Living Awards’ as part of their 40th birthday celebrations. The awards are designed to support community groups which aim to save energy, conserve nature or support local culture & heritage. Successful groups will receive B&Q products which will enable them to extend their current activities for the benefit of their local communities. There are 40 awards; 1 winner of £10,000, 4 winners of £5,000 and 35 winners of £2,000.
There have been many excellent projects in the past twelve months which have benefitted the community, such as clearing brush at Doffcocker Lodge. This type of project is invaluable and such projects make a real difference to our local area. I would urge schools, environmental groups, charities or other community organisations to apply for these awards. The deadline for the awards is 27th March 2009. If any groups would like to apply for them, they should contact the B&Q application hotline number on 0845 300 1001 or visit www.diy.com/awards
Events
Last week I visited Washacre Primary School and Sure Start Centre. I was impressed by the dedication and hard work of staff of both facilities. I was particularly impressed by the recent results at Washacre Primary School, which has seen a dramatic improvement in the last four years.
I also spoke with bosses at Reebok after recent news reports revealed that the company planned to close down its local operations. I am saddened by this news and how it will affect local residents. I am liaising with the company and I have asked to be kept updated regarding developments. We have discussed opportunities for the redeployment of the local staff at the site. I am monitoring the situation and will be making contact with the company in a few weeks when the company has a clearer idea of its future plans.
Westminster
Free prescriptions for cancer patients
I am delighted that the Government has announced that people being treated for cancer, who hold a medical exemption certificate, are eligible for free prescriptions from 1st April 2009. Patients can collect an application form from their GP surgery or oncology clinics. The form must be countersigned by their GP, hospital doctor or service doctor. The Government expect that the new scheme will benefit up to 150,000 people already diagnosed with cancer, who might pay £100 a year in prescription charges
This means that people living with cancer and related conditions will have one less worry at such a difficult time. The expansion of early screening programmes and the extra investment in cancer services have contributed to great improvements for patients. The Government’s investment in and reform of the NHS has delivered real improvements in cancer care. The Government are investing more than ever before in cancer services - approximately £4.35 billion was spent on cancer services in 2006/07, amounting to 5.2% of all NHS spending.
Cancer death rates are down by 18.2% since the 1996-8 baseline, saving nearly 9,000 lives in 2007 alone. The Government is on track to meet our target of a reduction of at least 20% in cancer deaths by 2010. 99.7% of people with suspected cancer are seen by a specialist within two weeks – in 1997, only 63% were seen this quickly. Over 99% of patients are now treated within a month of diagnosis.
Equitable Life
Over the last few months, I have received many letters from concerned constituents about the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s Report into the prudential regulation of the Equitable Life Assurance Society from 1988 to December 2001. The government responded to the Ombudsman's statement in the House of Commons. The full statement, which sets out the government's action in response to the findings can be found at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/statement_cst_150109.htm
Gaza
Over the last month, many constituents have contacted me about the situation in Gaza. The Government has been liaising closely with charities and Non-Governmental Organisations to brief them on the current situation and to discuss their plans for providing on-going humanitarian relief. The Government held a meeting last week with the British Red Cross, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, CAFOD, the Disasters and Emergencies Committee, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Islamic Relief UK, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Mines Advisory Group, Mercy Corps, Merlin, Muslim Aid, Oxfam GB, Save the Children UK, the Welfare Association and World Vision UK.
The Government is working to allocate funding to those charities and NGOs which have the most effective plans to deliver humanitarian assistance on the ground. Senior Ministers at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office have expressed continuing concerns of the UK Government in media interviews with Al-Jazeera, Muslim News, Al Arabiya MBC TV, ARY One World, Islamic Republic News Agency, Asharq al-Awsat, Al-Quds al-Arabi, Nahdat Misr and the Jewish Chronicle.
The Government has been unequivocal in calling for an immediate, permanent and fully respected ceasefire. It is hoped that the ceasefire will hold and that a political solution can be found but in the meantime, it is clear that the humanitarian situation will be dire for some time to come. Around 100,000 people have left their homes, and over 50,000 people are sheltering in 50 UN emergency shelters. £20 million extra funding has been announced to assist this situation in addition to the £6.8 million committed by the Government on 31st December.
Millions of pounds have been allocated to help deliver medical supplies, and support evacuation of the wounded to Egypt. £4 million has been allocated to help feed 550,000 people, provide shelter for those who have been displaced and provide fuel to maintain essential public services. £1 million has been allocated for the UN’s Humanitarian Emergency Response Fund to enable the UN's local Humanitarian Coordinator to quickly allocate funds to emerging priorities.
New directgov web site
I welcome the new-look Directgov web site, the official government website for citizens. Directgov is a comprehensive ‘one-stop-shop’ web site which aims to make life in twenty-first century Britain easier. The site has links to sections such as ‘Money, tax and benefits’, ‘Employment’ and ‘Government, citizens and rights’.
The site provides links on a wide range of issues such as benefit entitlement, a section for students and advice with regard to finance and mortgage payments. It aims to make public services more accessible to citizens; there are links for paying council tax online and renewing car tax.
I am sure that residents will find the improved web site easy-to-use and informative. It is a very useful resource for providing up-to-date information and advice. The site will enable local residents to access information quickly and to save time from searching for several different web sites. There are 11 million visits to www.direct.gov.uk every month and it is hoped that this number will increase as a result of the national media campaign which was launched recently.
Kindest regards,
Ruth Kelly
MP for Bolton West
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