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Andrew Gwynne MP Parliamentary News

Posted by Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, at 15:29, Wed 1 July 2009:

Supporting Crisis accommodation in Stockport

I visited crisis accommodation CAHSS (Crisis Accommodation and Home Support Service) run by Stockport Mind on an open day to celebrate its first anniversary. The anniversary also coincided with National Mind Week. The accommodation allows people can and stay for up to seven nights to allow them to remove themselves from the cause of the crisis or stress. I was shown round by Richard Wickison, Stockport Mind's Chief Executive and saw some of the services and therapies on offer. The service is available to anyone living in Stockport, Tameside or Glossop aged over 16. People can refer themselves or be referred by a GP, Social worker or other professional. It is run by Stockport Mind who are a branch of the national charity Mind.

I was delighted to see the crisis accommodation that is available for people all across Denton and Reddish. People who are going thorough mental health problems shouldn’t have to suffer in silence and CAHSS offer a really valuable service and support to people who find themselves in a difficult situations, they also have a really effective outreach service which targets the help where it is needed. I was very pleased to help them support their one year anniversary.

The service aims to help people who for whatever reason are having difficulty coping with a particular situation, maybe they are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, have no where to turn. The service aims to help people to help themselves out of a crisis. They can offer problem solving, counselling, practical and emotional support, alternative and supportive accommodation when needed

Celebrating Sure Start Children’s Centres in Tameside

I went to Denton's Linden Road Children’s Centre in Tameside to celebrate news that 3,000 Sure Start Children’s Centres have now been opened across the country. Parents I meet in the constituency regularly tell me how much they value their local Sure Start centre and the real help they offer with childcare, healthcare and other services for their children. I saw this at first hand when I visited Linden Road and really want to thank all the Sure Start staff and volunteers who have helped to make them such a success. Sure Start Children’s Centres have transformed the services on offer for children and families in our area. Before the Labour government was elected there were no Children’s Centres but I’m delighted that there are now 15 across Tameside and free childcare for three and four year olds too. Unfortunately the Tories want to cut the Sure Start budget by £200 million per year. This is the equivalent of one in five Children’s Centres – three of the fifteen centres in our area – having to close their doors, just at the time when local families need them most. The Labour Government will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. I don’t want to put that at risk by letting the Conservatives cut Sure Start.

Moving up in Government

I have taken a step up the ladder of government by being appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. This is an important role to ensure that government legislation and business proceeds smoothly thorough the House of Commons.

I am absolutely delighted to have been given such a position of responsibility and I am looking forward to working closely with Ed Balls. The Department of Children, Schools and Families are hugely important and decide how our schools are run up and down the country. As the father of a young family I know how important school education is to parents everywhere and to the development of young children. I am relishing the challenge of working closely with this Department and making sure this government continues to deliver the best in education possible to the people of Denton and Reddish.

Supporting pupils in Dukinfield

I visited the Bridgeway PRU (pupil referral unit) in Dukinfield where young people are taking part in the “Aimhigher Associates” Scheme. This allows the students to get a helping hand in exploring, selecting and applying for university courses under a national scheme. Undergraduate students also come in from local universities to give support to young people in Tameside who have the potential to get to university. They share their own personal experiences aimed at smoothing the way from school and college to university life. With good advice and support, students can have the confidence to make important decisions about their education that will affect the rest of their lives.

A new play area in Granada Park

I was very pleased to unveil a new play area at Granada Park recently. This new flagship project was built using Tameside’s Playbuilder money from the Department of Children, Schools and Families. About £100,000 has been spent on new equipment which will keep many local school children entertained. The centre piece is a large concrete dragon’s head and wings. The wings are climbing walls and the head is a tunnel. There is also a new toddlers' play area and climbing frames and swings for older children.

Ten Years of the minimum wage for Denton and Reddish

It has been 10 years since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage. This is one of my proudest achievements for the Labour Government, because I know it has made a real difference to the people and families I speak to in Denton and Reddish. I am determined to build on this success, that’s why the Government will increase the minimum wage and bringing in better safeguards at work like paid holidays and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers. I became an MP to fight for the rights of working people in Denton and Reddish and I'll always do what I can. That’s why our Labour Government will come down hard on employers that don't pay workers the minimum wage. And there are even tougher penalties for rogue employers who con staff as part of the Employment Bill, now before Parliament. I'm proud that our Labour Government is taking steps to strengthen the Minimum Wage – ensuring that working people know their rights, employers know their responsibilities, and that everyone has the opportunity to work and get on in life.

Greater Manchester Regional cancer centre gets it money back

I am really happy with the news that the Christie Hospital is to get back the £6.5m of charity cash it lost in the Icelandic banking collapse. It is understood that the money will be paid back by the government via the NHS.

It followed a huge public outcry where a petition was signed by 100,000 people. The world-famous Manchester cancer hospital will receive the money from the NHS North West, who insist no other services or plans will be compromised.

I am delighted with this decision, which finally brings the issue to such a positive conclusion for cancer patients.This world famous cancer hospital offers a remarkable service to people in Greater Manchester. It is only right that it continues to offer this support to families affected by cancer.

The £6.5m was `lost' after the collapse of Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander - a UK-regulated Icelandic bank. The money had been invested in the bank last May and July after expert financial advice. Now NHS North West, the strategic health authority for the region, has announced that it will be giving The Christie the £6.5m.

Supporting USDAW’s campaign to support working Parents

I gave my support to the shopworkers’ union Usdaw’s national spotlight day in June to highlight the benefits due to working parents and to give renewed support to the pledge to end child poverty by 2020. Labour has put in place many measures to support working parents. I want to make sure that local families have all the information they need to claim what they’re due, particularly those in tough economic times. I am also pleased to give my personal commitment to the pledge to end child poverty by 2020. The Labour Government’s action in helping parents back into work and giving them practical and financial support will help to lift even more children out of poverty. John Hannett, Usdaw’s General Secretary said: “I know that because of the global recession many Usdaw members are worried about money, as are millions of low-paid families. Working parents are particularly concerned about their ability to pay the bills, take their planned maternity or paternity leave, and the quality of their family life.” Usdaw have produced information leaflets for working parents on Child Benefit, Tax Credits and Sure Start Maternity Grants. For further information look at Usdaw’s website on www.usdaw.org.uk

Supporting Deaf Awareness week

I marked Deaf Awareness Week this month and RNID’s (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) call for people to value their hearing health and take the charity’s specially developed hearing check. RNID’s five-minute hearing check, which helps identify whether you have a hearing loss, is supported by The Co-operative who has chosen RNID as their charity of the year for 2009. Many people don’t realise how important their hearing is in their everyday lives, until they start to lose it. That’s why I lent my support to RNID’s Hearing Matters campaign, which urged people to look after their hearing. You can ring 0844 800 3838 if you would like to take immediate action to avoid experiencing unnecessary isolation from friends, family and colleagues. For more information on my campaigns, and for full copies of my press releases please visit my website at http://www.andrewgwynne.co.uk/.