Crewe News: MP’s news 79

Welcome ...

Welcome to this my 79th electronic news bulletin.

Last week the Government announced the budget for the coming year. I am confident that it will help families struggling with the cost of living by cutting income tax by an average £48 for millions, taking over a million more people out of paying tax altogether, cutting fuel duty immediately, postponing Labour's planned duty increase this April, scrapping their fuel escalator, and bringing in a fair fuel stabiliser by taxing oil companies more to stop future inflation rises in duty.

The budget is focused on boosting manufacturing, growth and jobs by cutting tax for businesses and entrepreneurs; scrapping burdensome regulations; radically reforming the planning system; investing in science and innovation; and providing more support for young people with an additional 50,000 apprenticeships and 100,000 work experience places.

And the Government are sticking to the clear and necessary plan - backed by the IMF, OECD and every major business body in Britain - to put the public finances back on track after Labour maxed out the nation's credit card. The fiscal plan is unchanged. We cannot go on spending £120 million a day on debt interest - more than we spend on schools and defence combined. Our children and grandchildren don't deserve to be lumbered with the consequences of Labour's profligacy.

Elsewhere the tumultuous events in Japan and across North Africa and the Middle East continue to exercise all our thoughts.

The determination of the Japanese people in the face of such catastrophe has been extraordinary. Our hearts go out to them.

Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.

You can forward the bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.

Best wishes,

Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich

I have recently ...

Met with representatives from North West Ambulance Service to discuss First Responders services in Crewe & Nantwich
Been interviewed by Supported Community Business of Crewe about the need to provide support for constituents with special needs to develop their own businesses
Been interviewed by local Redshift Radio in Crewe on their Polish hour
Attended a parliamentary reception for Action for Children & Barnardo's, promoting support for vulnerable young people
Attended All Party Group for Bingo to promote & support bingo clubs across the United Kingdom, especially here in Crewe!
Chaired a discussion forum at the Positive for Youth Summit - a Department for Education initiative to promote youth issues
Supported Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 with ambassador Sir Steve Redgrave view here
Met at a local farm with the National Farmers Union and local dairy farmers from across the constituency to discuss support for the dairy farming industry
Completed a training session for the London Marathon with instructor & ex-soldier Lee Riley, with a TV crew from ITV Granada
Attended & spoke to the Nantwich Rotary Club annual dinner in Hough
Attended a Cheshire East Council Young Persons event to promote opportunities for young people in Crewe & Nantwich and to celebrate many of the positive contributions they make.
Helped Nantwich in Bloom and children from Weaver Primary School plant new trees along the Weaver River in Nantwich
Attended a Nantwich Choral Society recital at St Mary's Church, Nantwich
Held a constituency surgery in Shavington
Spoken in the Budget debate and questioned both the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Education in the House of Commons Chamber where I was able to inform MPs of the dramatic improvements made by Haslington Primary School over the last year and a half.
Been interviewed by BBC Radio Stoke as the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Looked After Children and Care Leavers about the Government's announcement of £5m being made available for Local Authorities to set up Junior ISAs fir children in care, a result of a cross party campaign I have been involved with in partnership with Action for Children and Barnardos charities

Photos & Video ...

Edward supports Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 with ambassador Sir Steve Redgrave

You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com

Tory MPs Stephen Crabb and Edward Timpson prepare to run the London Marathon (and would appreciate your sponsorship!)

Conservative Home

Among the runners competing in the London Marathon in less than four weeks' time are two Conservative MPs, Stephen Crabb and Edward Timpson.

They will join more than 35,000 other runners on the 26-mile course through the capital on April 17th.

Stephen, a Government whip and MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, is entering for the third time and will be raising money for the Hope MS Therapy Centre in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, which serves people living with Multiple Sclerosis and other debilitating illnesses.

He tells me:

"The Virgin London Marathon is one of the largest fundraising events in the world and is a great opportunity to help raise money for small local charities. Every year several MPs manage to stagger round the 26 mile course and the atmosphere on the day is incredible. I will be pleased if I finish in under 4 hours, although this is still a long way off Matthew Parris’s record time for an MP of 2 hours 32 minutes in 1985. That was a phenomenally quick time for an MP to run it. My training is going well and is a welcome diversion from the long hours currently spent whipping the Health Bill."

To sponsor Stephen's run in aid of the Hope MS Therapy Centre, go to his fundraising website.

Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, will be running his ninth marathon, raising money this year for Parkinson's UK.

He says:

"My first marathon was in 1998 and my best time is 3 hours 47 minutes. Ever since campaign literature during the Crewe & Nantwich by-election in 2008 committed me to running the London Marathon in 2009 I have managed to run every year in aid of both local and national charities including Homestart Cheshire, Supported Community Business based in Crewe and this year Parkinson's UK. An MP's lifestyle is not necessarily conducive to healthy eating and regular exercise, but by challenging myself to stagger 26 miles in one go once a year I hope I go some way to staving off the ravages of Westminster. However, this year I will not be putting my personal best time at risk."

To sponsor Edward's run in aid of Parkinson's UK, go to his fundraising website.

Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt - a veteran of nine marathons - had hoped to make this his tenth, but duties as the minister responsible for the Middle East have understandably eaten into training time and stopped him being able to do it.

P.S. In the interests of promoting positive Coalition relations, I should also mention that the Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire, Jo Swinson, is running the London Marathon this year in aid of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Click here to go to her fundraising website.
© 2011 Conservative Home

Govt to fund Junior ISA saving for children in care

Money Marketing

Around £5m of Government funding will be made available to help fund junior Isa saving for children in care.

Junior Isas were announced by the Government as a replacement for child trust funds in October and are expected to be available from the autumn. Unlike CTFs, junior Isas have no Government contribution, however the Government is making £5m available to contribute into junior Isas for children in care.

Speaking at Treasury questions in Parliament today, Chancellor George Osborne said further details on the wider scheme will be released next week.

He said: “I know these children face particular challenges and I can tell the house the Department of Education will work with others to make the necessary funding available to ensure we can provide the support they serve. The sum of money involved will be around £5m.”

Bernado’s and Action for Children proposed to the Government that these accounts should be used to support savings for “looked-after” children and Osborne said the Government will work with the charities to develop detailed proposals on how the scheme will work.

Looked-after children are those subject to care orders or who are voluntarily accommodated in the care system.

Conservative MP and all party parliamentary group on looked after children and care leavers chairman Edward Timpson said the proposal enjoyed strong cross bench consensus and welcomed the announcement.

Shadow Treasury spokesman David Hanson said: “As ever the devil will be in the detail but I am certainly prepared to work with the charities and Treasury ministers to make sure we get a scheme which is effective.”

Tax cash for care children savings

Press Association National Newswire

Children in care will be given tax-free savings accounts with cash from the Government, Chancellor George Osborne announced today.
The step means some of Britain's most vulnerable youngsters will have money deposited in their accounts from the taxpayer to help them start their lives.

Speaking at Commons question time, Mr Osborne told MPs today's announcement followed the unveiling last October of the Junior ISA for children, which will be available from this autumn.

Mr Osborne said: "We will work with the charities and interested parties to develop detailed proposals, funded by the Government, so that Junior ISAs can best support these children."

The Chancellor added: "Barnardo's and Action for Children have proposed these accounts be used to support saving for looked-after children.

"I know these children face particular challenges and I can tell the House the Department for Education will work with others to make the necessary funding available to ensure we can provide the support they deserve."

The coalition was keen to help youngsters cared for by local council social services departments, who often do not benefit from bank accounts set up by parents or other relatives.

Mr Osborne said he wanted the £5 million scheme running as soon as possible, saying previous governments struggled to provide "a decent level of care for children who we owe the greatest obligation".

He said the Government would outline details next week of how the accounts would work, adding: "We are going to provide the funding to make this a reality for looked-after children."

The Chancellor pledged the scheme would be implemented across the UK, even though it is run by the Department for Education, powers for which are devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Tory Edward Timpson (Crewe and Nantwich), chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for children in care, hailed Mr Osborne's announcement, saying: "This proposal has widespread, cross-party support.

"The fact the Government made provision for the most vulnerable children in our society is extremely welcome."

Shadow treasury minister David Hanson told Mr Osborne Labour argued for such a scheme when the Government abolished the Child Trust Fund, and asked how much the Government would put into each account.

The Chancellor replied: "The exact design of the scheme now has to be determined with the charities."

Mr Osborne said he welcomed Labour's support for the scheme, adding Treasury officials would work with Opposition.
It was important that it was not too bureaucratic and the money reached those who "needed it most", he said.
"Let's work together and make the scheme work," Mr Osborne told Labour.

Speaking outside the Commons, Barnardo's chief executive Anne Marie Carrie said: "Barnardo's is extremely pleased to see the Government living up to its responsibility as corporate parent for children in the care system, who are some of the most disadvantaged children in our society.

"This modest investment into savings accounts for looked-after children will help these young people achieve their goals and avoid negative outcomes such as homelessness or falling into cycles of debt.

"We look forward to hearing from the Government about their wider financial package for vulnerable children and young people in the Budget."

Action for Children's chief executive Dame Clare Tickell said: "Action for Children congratulates the Government for taking the opportunity to provide savings accounts for children in the care system.

"Leaving care can be a frightening and isolating time and, in the absence of support from their families, this financial support will make all the difference to care leavers, helping them to stand on their own two feet as independent adults.

"We look forward to working with the Government to make it happen."

Major Choral Work In Nantwich

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

A MAJOR new choral work will receive its world premiere by Nantwich Choral Society in St Mary’s Nantwich on Saturday March 26.
Even Such Is Time by Andrew Mildinhall takes the text of the Requiem Mass and intersperses it with poems by Walter Raleigh, Keats, Edmund Blunden, Elizabeth Jennings and others.

These reflect on the transitory nature of time, the futility of war, God’s love for humanity and the search for eternal life.

The chorus sing the text of the Requiem Mass and as each section unfolds the two soloists comment on it through the texts of the striking and imaginatively selected poems.

Also in the programme will be Gabriel Fauré’s much loved Requiem, which will be performed in his original 1893 version, which uses violas, cellos, harp, horns timpani and organ accompaniment.

The Northern Concordia Orchestra will accompany the choir and the soloists will be Christopher Booth-Jones and Nantwich-based mezzo-soprano Susan Marrs.

Composer Andrew Mildinhall is well known to local audiences.

Before returning to his native Norfolk to concentrate on composing he was previously organist at St Mary’s Church and until recently accompanist for Nantwich Choral Society.

His new composition has been commissioned by NCS and the concert will be supported by a generous legacy from a former member of Nantwich Choral Society.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson said: “It’s great that St Mary’s here in Nantwich is playing host to this new work.
"I’ve known the talent and dedication of Nantwich Choral Society for some time now, and I am sure they will do it justice.”

NCS music director John Naylor added: “The texts that Andrew has chosen are very thought provoking, the music he has composed is superb – dramatic, introspective, full of memorable melodic lines and poignant harmonies and delightful to perform.

“This new work is a worthy companion piece to Fauré’s well known Requiem and it thoroughly deserves to find a permanent place within the standard choral repertoire.

"I am convinced that this is a genuine opportunity for anyone interested in approachable and moving new music to be present at the first performance of something very special.”

For more details visit www.nantwichchoral.org.uk.

Crewe and Nantwich MP touched by plight of families of missing people

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has been hearing about what help is available for the families of missing people.

He was at an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting to hear Peter Lawrence, father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence.
Mr Lawrence spoke about what more can be done to help families of missing people.

The meeting explored the practical and legal problems families face after a disappearance.

Attendees concluded that a parliamentary inquiry would be the best avenue to explore the issues raised.

Ann Coffey, who chairs the APPG on Runaway and Missing Children and Adults, said: “Relatives who have endured the pain of a loved one going missing need as much help and support as possible with the practical and legal problems they face.”

Mr Timpson said: “An inquiry will help us understand the problems faced. Having a missing relative is terrible for any family so we need to make sure they get all the help they can.”

British children facing care crisis

Press TV

The child care system in Britain is plunging into a crisis with an increasing number of children needing help and a declining number of carers to meet the need.

The number of British children who need care will increase by 35 percent or 61,000 over the next two years, according to new figures compiled by the Sunday Express.

Britain is also suffering from a 10,000 shortfall of foster carers which will probably get worse as a result of the government's spending cuts plans.

Meanwhile, a survey commissioned by the charity NSPCC Child Protection Awareness and Diversity Department says thousands of children as young as five have called ChildLine last year to complain that their carers were abusing them physically or sexually.

“Many children suffer in care. It is vital there are enough foster carers to meet the needs of this very vulnerable group,” said an NSPCC spokesman.

Furthermore, Conservative MP Edward Timpson has called for a “relentless recruitment drive for foster carers” and a “full and proper national review of residential care.”

“Sadly the continued shortage of foster carers as well as the high turnover of social workers means too many children in care are not getting basic requirements,” said Timpson who has campaigned for better care provision.

Many troubled children are dislocated sometimes several times during their life in care, because of the shortage of suitable and skilled carers.

Words from Westminster

Edward Timpson, Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

It is estimated that about 1.4 million - nearly 5% per cent - of British motorists drive uninsured.
This is unacceptably high and we all know poses a great risk to all of us.

Cheshire is one of the top 20 hotspots for this type of crime, with 26,837 uninsured vehicles on its roads according to police figures.

Currently every responsible motorist pays an average £30 each year within their premiums to cover crashes involving uninsured drivers and it's also estimated that uninsured drivers kill 160 people and injure 23,000 every year.

I am assured that the Government intends to tackle this important issue. Why should responsible drivers like you and I be left to pay while criminals go largely unchallenged?

In addition to existing measures to tackle uninsured driving, which lead to the seizure of more than 400 uninsured vehicles by the police every day, a Continuous Insurance Enforcement scheme will shortly come into force.

Under the new powers it will be an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive whilst uninsured.

This means that, as enforcement can now take place not just for driving without insurance, but also for keeping a vehicle without insurance, there will be no place for illegal motorists to hide.

The scheme will work by identifying uninsured vehicles from a comparison of information held by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and the DVLA in respect of registered vehicle keepers. Where identified, motorists will receive a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured and warning them that they will be fined unless they insure it within a set period.
If the keeper fails to insure the vehicle they will be given a £100 fine – if the vehicle remains uninsured, it could then be seized and destroyed.

It's high time that the vast majority who play by the rules on our roads are not the ones made to suffer by the actions or inactions of the minority who don't.
This news marks a significant step forward in Crewe and Nantwich and elsewhere in the fight against uninsured driving.

St Mary's Nantwich to stage choral world premiere

Nantwichnews

A major new choral work will receive its world premiere by Nantwich Choral Society in St Mary’s Nantwich on March 26.

‘Even Such is Time’ by Andrew Mildinhall takes the text of the Requiem Mass and intersperses it with poems by Walter Raleigh, Keats, Edmund Blunden, Elizabeth Jennings and others.
The chorus sings the Requiem Mass text and as each section unfolds, two soloists comment on it through the poems.

Also in the programme will be Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem which will be performed in his original 1893 version using violas, cellos, harp, horns timpani and organ accompaniment.
The Northern Concordia Orchestra will accompany the choir and the soloists will be former English National Opera star Christopher Booth-Jones and Nantwich-based international mezzo-soprano Susan Marrs.

Composer Mildinhall used to be organist at St Mary’s and an accompanist for Nantwich Choral Society.

His new composition has been commissioned by NCS and the concert will be supported by a generous legacy from a former member.

Crewe & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson will be among the audience.

He said: “It’s great St Mary’s is playing host to this new work. I’ve known the talent and dedication of Nantwich Choral Society for some time now, and I am sure they will do it justice.”

NCS Music Director John Naylor said: “The texts which Andrew has chosen are very thought provoking, the music he has composed is superb – dramatic, introspective, full of memorable melodic lines and poignant harmonies and delightful to perform.

“I am convinced this is a genuine opportunity for anyone interested in approachable and moving new music to be present at the first performance of something very special.”

MP Timpson backs new funds for Cheshire's potholes

Nantwichnews

Crewe & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has welcomed funding of £100 million which will help councils like Cheshire easy repair potholes.

Mr Timpson said: “This money should make a real difference in Crewe and Nantwich to the huge number of drivers and cyclists.

“They are fed up with having to continually battle against dangerous potholes, enabling them to have safer and smoother journeys.”

The money has also been welcomed by the AA who say if the £100 million is used entirely for roads, it will repair 1.5 million potholes.

The money is in addition to the £831 million already provided to councils for road maintenance this year, and the £30 billion of
transport infrastructure spending the Government has committed to over the next four years.

Crewe & Nantwich MP welcomes cash to fix potholes on nation's roads

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicles

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has welcomed the Government stumping up £100m to help councils pay for pothole repairs after the icy winter caused terrible damage to the nation’s roads.

The money is in addition to the £831m already provided to councils for road maintenance this year and the £30 billion of transport infrastructure spending the Government has committed to over the next four years.

Mr Timpson said: “It should make a real difference to the huge number of drivers and cyclists who are fed up with having to continually battle against dangerous potholes, enabling them to have safer and smoother journeys.”

Nantwich to stage world premiere of bold new choral work using music and poetry

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

A MAJOR new choral work will receive its world premiere by Nantwich Choral Society in St Mary’s Nantwich on Saturday March 26.

‘Even Such is Time’ by Andrew Mildinhall takes the text of the Requiem Mass and intersperses it with poems by Walter Raleigh, Keats, Edmund Blunden, Elizabeth Jennings and others which reflect on the transitory nature of time, the futility of war, God’s love for humanity and the search for eternal life.

The chorus sing the text of the Requiem Mass and as each section unfolds, the two soloists comment on it through the texts of the striking and imaginatively selected poems.

Also in the programme will be Gabriel Fauré’s much loved Requiem which will be performed in his original 1893 version which uses violas, cellos, harp, horns timpani and organ accompaniment.
Both works have the same rather unusual orchestration.

The Northern Concordia Orchestra will accompany the choir and the soloists will be Christopher Booth-Jones - for many years principal baritone of English National Opera - and Nantwich-based mezzo-soprano Susan Marrs. Susan is finding time for the local performance within a busy international singing career.

Composer Andrew Mildinhall is well known to local audiences. Before returning to his native Norfolk to concentrate on composing he was previously organist at St Mary’s Church and until recently accompanist for Nantwich Choral Society.

His new composition has been commissioned by NCS and the concert will be supported by a generous legacy from a former member of Nantwich Choral Society.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is among those looking forward to the concert: “It’s great that St Mary’s here in Nantwich is playing host to this new work. I’ve known the talent and dedication of Nantwich Choral Society for some time and I’m sure they’ll do it justice.”

Commenting on the forthcoming performance, NCS music director John Naylor said: “We’re all so impressed and delighted with ‘Even Such is Time’. It will form the first part of our concert on March 26. The texts which Andrew has chosen are very thought-provoking, the music he has composed is superb – dramatic, introspective, full of memorable melodic lines and poignant harmonies - and delightful to perform.

“This new work is a worthy companion piece to Fauré’s well known Requiem and it thoroughly deserves to find a permanent place within the standard choral repertoire.

“This is a genuine opportunity for anyone interested in approachable and moving new music to be present at the first performance of something very special.”

Children with nowhere to go

Daily Express

BRITAIN’S child care system is in crisis with record numbers of children needing help and a desperate shortage of foster parents.

Frantic social workers say they have had to leave children in unsafe homes because there was nowhere for them to go and one child had to spend a night in hospital because no alternative bed was available.

An NSPCC report warns that even in care children may not be safe. The charity says that last year thousands of children, some as young as five, rang ChildLine to complain that their carers were abusing them physically or sexually.

The next two years are expected to see 61,000 children taken into care, a 35 per cent rise since the tragic case of Baby Peter came to public attention.

The surge in child care applications since the toddler’s death in 2007 has coincided with a shortfall of about 10,000 foster carers, a situation likely to worsen as funding cuts bite.

The figures compiled by the Sunday Express have alarmed child care experts. The NSPCC believes the escalating problem will put more vulnerable children at risk.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Many children suffer in care. It is vital there are enough foster carers to meet the needs of this very vulnerable group.”

Conservative MP Edward Timpson, who has campaigned for better care provision, last night called for a “relentless recruitment drive for foster carers” and a “full and proper national review of residential care”.

He said: “Sadly the continued shortage of foster carers as well as the high turnover of social workers means too many children in care are not getting basic requirements.”

The shortage of suitable carers means that troubled children may be uprooted many times, sometimes several times in a single month. One child was moved 15 times during their life in care. Brothers and sisters are often forced to live apart.

The NSPCC said constant moves leave many children traumatised. One boy in a care home told ChildLine that staff ignored constant bullying.

ChildLine’s director Peter Liver said: “Every day, looked-after children talk to us about lives filled with pain and hurt. We hear from children who have been beaten or sexually assaulted while in care. Others feel abandoned or unloved by their new carers. Many have reached crisis point.”

The court advisory service Cafcass, said it received 8,239 new applications between April 2010 and February this year, an annual rise of 3.3 per cent.

Last year 53,934 children in the country needed a foster home, compared with 51,009 in 2007.

Figures compiled by the Local Government Association show that the dramatic increase in child protection referrals could see the number of new cases reach a record 61,000 by 2011/12, almost 35 per cent higher than in 2007/8.

5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
By phone: 01270 501 725
By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
In person: Click here to see surgery times

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Thursday 31 March 2011

MP’s news 79