Andrew Gwynne MP Parliamentary News
Posted by Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, at 10:25, Tue 3 February 2009:
Welcome to my Parliamentary newsletter for members, constituents and people who have asked me to keep them updated on my work in Parliament for Audenshaw, Denton, Dukinfield, Haughton Green, Heaton Chapel, Heaton Norris, and Reddish.
Holocaust Memorial Day
I marked Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to honour those who perished in the Holocaust. January 27th marks the anniversary of the liberation in 1945 of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp. On and around Holocaust Memorial Day, schools, local communities and faith groups from across the UK joined together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Thousands of events were held across the country to commemorate all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust and in more recent genocides. Ultimately the aim of the day is to motivate people – individually and collectively, to ensure that the horrendous crimes, racism and victimization committed during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides are neither forgotten nor repeated again. Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said:
“We are delighted that Andrew supported Holocaust Memorial Day. Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust education is more important now than ever. This year’s topic, “Stand Up to Hatred” highlights the importance of joining forces against hatred, prejudice and intolerance.”
Recycling Christmas Cards
I helped the Woodland Trust create new woods by recycling my Christmas cards at Denton's Marks and & Spencer’s Outlet store. I received hundreds of Christmas cards at my office and think it is a really good idea by the Woodland Trust to make sure that they can be recycled. Over one billion Christmas cards were sent last year, which is a huge amount. If everyone recycled just one card it would help the Woodland Trust plant 15,000 trees. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to recycle their Christmas cards.
Cards were recycled throughout January, in bins at WH Smith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer. All of the cards collected during the campaign are taken to paper mills where they are recycled into new paper products, with money raised helping the leading woodland conservation charity plant thousands of trees. Last year 73.6 million cards were recycled which enabled the Woodland Trust plant 17,000 trees in some of its 1,000 UK woods. Since the scheme was founded 12 years ago more than 600 million cards have been recycled which has enabled the charity to plant 140,000 trees.
Free prescriptions for Cancer Care
I welcome the news that people being treated for cancer, who hold a medical exemption certificate, are eligible for free prescriptions from 1st April and they can apply for their certificate.
The new scheme, announced by the Prime Minister in September last year, extends exemption from NHS prescription charges for everyone undergoing treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer, or the effects of cancer treatment. Everyone undergoing treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer or the effects of cancer treatment is entitled to apply for an exemption certificate for free prescriptions valid from 1st April this year. 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 new scheme is expected to benefit up to 150,000 people already diagnosed with cancer, who might pay £100 a year in prescription charges. Ciarán Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are delighted the Government has listened and abolished prescription charges for cancer patients. This was absolutely the right thing to do. Cancer not only threatens your life, but can also make you poor. Free prescriptions will transform the lives of thousands of people living with cancer who were struggling to pay for drugs.” Labour's investment in and reform of the NHS has delivered real improvements in cancer care, tough targets have driven waiting lists down and standards up.
Tackling the problem of “Tag” graffiti
I have been involved with tackling “tag” graffiti in Denton, where persistent offenders scar an area with constant vandalism. Removal of the offending graffiti is well underway. Tameside Council have secured indemnity forms from private landowners and will be trialling their new graffiti removal equipment in Denton; Stockport Council, GMPTE and Network Rail have already removed graffiti on their property and the Highways Agency has been reminded of their obligation to do the same.
Community Groups saved from huge utility charges
I welcome the decision by United Utilities to suspend its new system of charging for surface water and highway drainage for faith buildings, Community Amateur Sports Clubs, Guide and Scout Associations. The change in charges were brought in to deal with surface water drainage (SWD), where the water companies remove and process rainwater which falls on properties and flows into the public sewer system. The proposed new charges would have been based on the site area of properties, not as before on rateable value. These changes would have meant that many local community groups were facing utility bills of thousands of pounds. After an effective approach by Andrew and other North West Labour MPs, United Utilities decided to freeze charges for these groups and not to phase in any new charges. There will be further discussions to see what will happen with these charges in the future. I very pleased that United Utilities will now suspend their decision on additional water charges for community groups such as Churches, Scout Groups and Community Amateur Sports Clubs. These groups are run by volunteers, often with very limited funding, so this decision allows them to carry on with their invaluable local work. What United Utilities wanted to do was outrageous and would have closed hundreds of local groups in the region. However I now want to see United Utilities scrap the extra charges on those already billed as their announcement only covers those groups who haven’t been billed. I think that’s wrong!
Speaking in Parliament
I asked a question in parliament to the Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Secretary of State, Department for Children, Schools and Families. I asked if he was pleased to hear Stockport, an authority in the later stages of Building Schools for the Future, was preparing a bid for capital that includes £20 million for Reddish Vale technology college, which he had previously visited.
He responded that the Government was doing the right thing by bringing forward the capital programme to invest in our schools and support our economy. In the case of Stockport, in Denton and Reddish, he added that of 13 schools, two are set to be closed if the Conservatives have their way.
Real Help Now
A new guide called “Real Help Now” has been launched to give people help in finding homes, jobs and finances when you need it. The guide outlines the real help available now that the Labour Government has put in place to support people and businesses through the downturn. I know that the international financial crisis is having a real impact on individuals, families and businesses in Denton and Reddish. We shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past when people were left to cope on their own. This new guide outlines the extra support that is needed to get us through the downturn, and how you can access it.
The Real Help Now guide can be found at either www.direct.gov.uk and www.businesslink.gov.uk.
For more information on my campaigns, and for full copies of my press releases please visit my website at http://www.andrewgwynne.co.uk/.
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