News from Westminster
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 14:39, Fri 15 January 2010:
WELCOME!
Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.
COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS
The current cold weather which began in mid-December is the most prolonged spell of freezing conditions we’ve seen across the UK since December 1981 and I know that many people in Bristol - particularly older people - have needed to turn up their heating to cope. The Government is providing extra help to the most vulnerable people during this unusually cold weather with Winter Fuel payments of £250 for the over 60s and £400 for the over 80s, and people on qualifying benefits will receive Cold Weather Payments of £25 per week for any seven consecutive days where temperatures are at or below zero degrees Celsius. If you are entitled to receive Cold Weather Payments you don’t need to apply as the payments will be made to you automatically. Around 60,700 people in the postcode districts covered by the Filton meteorological office station (which includes residents in Bristol South) have received two cold weather payments so far this winter.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIDGE LEARNING CAMPUS
I was delighted at figures published this week showing that Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe is one of the top 100 schools with the most sustained improvement in the whole country. Official school by school results for the whole of England show the number of pupils at Bridge Learning Campus getting five or more GCSES at A*-C grade including English and Maths increased considerably, rising from 11% in 2006 to 36% in 2009, making the school the 28th most sustained improved school in the whole country. I would like to extend my congratulations to the other Bristol South secondary schools who have also seen their GCSE performance improve considerably in recent years. These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the pupils and staff at our local schools.
BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME
Last week the Government launched the new Boiler Scrappage Scheme. Up to 125,000 households in England with working “G-rated” boilers can now apply for a voucher which will entitle them to a £400 discount on the price of a new, modern “A rated” boiler or a renewable heating system such as a biomass boiler or a heat pump. The aim of this scheme is to sustain work for the heating industry, help save money on fuel bills, and upgrade household heating systems to cut carbon. Already some companies are complementing or matching the offer which will extend the scheme to many more people. For more information about the scheme, and to find out if you are eligible, contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 or visit www.est.org.uk. The cashback vouchers will be issued to the first 125,000 eligible households that register via phone and website. MEETING WITH SAINSBURY'S
Today I met with representatives of Sainsbury’s who came to tell me more about the company’s plans for moving their existing Winterstoke Road store to a new site at Ashton Gate, which could create up to 400 new jobs. I was very interested to hear further details about the proposals and the future plans for their current site which could include a mix of housing and employment use. Sainsbury’s is holding public exhibitions about the proposals next weekend, and I took the opportunity during my meeting today to stress the importance of ensuring local residents are consulted and given the chance to have their say on the plans.
CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES BILL
This week in Parliament saw the Second Reading of the Children, Schools and Families Bill which will build on the investment and improvement already seen in our education system over the last 12 years. As Minister for Children, Schools and Families, I have been closely involved with the development and progress of this legislation which will introduce a series of new ‘guarantees’ for pupils and parents such as: catch-up support pupils falling behind in English and maths, including one-to-one tuition; online information for parents on their child’s behaviour, progress and attainment; the right to learn triple sciences at GCSE; and the opportunity for every primary pupil to learn a musical instrument. The aim of these measures is to help every child and young person make the most of their talents and to ensure no barrier is allowed to hold them back.
OFF-SHORE WIND ENERGY
I welcomed the Government’s announcement last week about its ambitious plans to develop the largest expansion of wind energy ever seen in the world. The news followed the granting of rights to energy companies by The Crown Estate, owner of the UK’s coastal seabeds, including the Bristol Channel Zone. Thanks to our northsea workforce, long coast line and innovative businesses, the UK is uniquely positioned to be the world leader in the new offshore wind industry, which could support up to 70,000 high quality UK jobs by 2020
These bold plans have the potential to see an additional 32GW of clean electricity feeding into the UK grid, which is enough off-shore wind energy to supply nearly all the homes in the UK and will mean an extra 6,400 turbines. The turbines required are yet to be designed and the Government’s goal is to encourage their design and manufacture within the UK.
HAITI EARTHQUAKE
In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti earlier this week, the Department for International Development has announced a $10 million donation to support urgent humanitarian needs and relief work. In the wake of the disaster, it’s important that help reaches Haiti as soon as possible. The Disasters and Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal to raise funds for assisting those affected by the disaster. For more information or to donate visit www.dec.org.uk or call the donation line on 0370 60 60 900.
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Just email me at primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH.
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