Phil Hope MP - News archive: Mar

News Archive March - April 2009

Workers Memorial Day

Workers Memorial Day, Corby
Workers Memorial Day is an international day of remembrance of workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. It highlights the preventable nature of the majority of workplace accidents and ill health and promotes campaigns in the fight for improvements in work placed safety.

The theme of this year's Workers Memorial Day is "Good Occupational Health for all workers".

Phil Hope said:
"I attended the Workers Memorial Day in Corby as a mark of respect to the thousands of people killed, injured or made ill through their work. The event is recognised as a day of action globally to focus on the issue of worker's health and safety.

"It is especially important in these times of world wide recession that we make sure that safety standards aren't compromised by the need to reduce costs.

People should always be provided with the correct personal protective equipment and training. If you know of a work environment that isn't providing these basic safety requirement please contact me at my constituency office."
30/04/09

Corby Town Promoted

The Steelmen triumphed in the most important game of the clubs history on Saturday the 25th of April winning 5 – 0 against Banbury guaranteeing them the top place in the BGB Southern League. The Steelmen are the pride of Corby after their win secured promotion for the team.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I was at the match and want to congratulate the Steelmen on their amazing achievement; it was a great game of skilful and entertaining football. The atmosphere at the Rockingham Triangle was absolutely fantastic with nearly 2,000 supporters there to watch the Steelmen win.

"It was great to see so many families and young fans at the match; this sort of success is really important for the community and is another huge example of Corby being a great place to live. I found it really moving to see hundreds of fans rush onto the pitch to celebrate when the final whistle blew."
27/04/09

Corby celebrates railway station opening

Geoff Hoon opens Corby Station
Secretary of State for Transport Geoff Hoon unveiled a celebratory plaque on Monday the 27th of April at Corby Town Station to mark the first day of the full services.

Phil Hope led the 10 year campaign for the mainline station to be re-opened in Corby 43 years after it was first closed. Phil Hope helped to gather more than 10,000 signatures from people in Corby in support of the station's re-opening. He campaigned tirelessly in Westminster, promoting the railway link as a crucial part of the town's wider successful regeneration.

At the opening Phil said:
"Let me thank the government and the Department for Transport for their support. I have worked with a succession of government transport ministers in formal meetings and behind the scenes negotiations. I want to put on record our thanks for their personal interventions whenever the going got tough.

"There have been a number of regional and local partners without whom this would not have happened. So I would like to thank, Corby Borough Council, North Northamptonshire Development Corporation, the Homes and Community Agency, East Midlands Development Agency, Network Rail, East Midlands Trains and the Evening Telegraph.

"Corby's journey over the last 10 years and the success story it has become is something we are very proud of. Our new rail service locks in the regeneration to secure a sustainable future for our town."

At the ceremony, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon MP joked about Phil Hope's persistence:

"I know some of the recent transport ministers would run a mile knowing that Phil Hope was arriving, and it's Phil's tenacity and determination that's made this possible.

"Corby is back on the map."
27/04/09

Phil Hope in bid to create jobs for local youngsters

Phil is encouraging Corby Borough Council and East Northamptonshire Council to ensure that his constituents get their fair share of the new £1 billion Government funding made available to create jobs for young people at risk of long term unemployment. He has written to request that the Councils put forward proposals to bid for the funds to create new, useful jobs that young people can do in the local community.

Phil said:
"The Government has put up the money, now I am asking the community to come up with the ideas as to how we can give real jobs to young people who are out of work. "

"In the last recession young people were left on the scrapheap. I am determined that mistakes of the past will not happen this time. I would like to see every young person who would otherwise be long term unemployed get a job, or training. We need to work together to make sure we grasp this opportunity with both hands not only to ensure that young people get the jobs they need but also to ensure those jobs help the community."

The Budget for Jobs announced a new £1bn Future Jobs Fund which aims to create 150,000 jobs for people at risk of long term unemployment. The Future Jobs Fund is part of more than £3bn investment in extra skills and training for jobseekers, which has enabled to Government to be able to guarantee work or training to every 18 to 24 year old who is in danger of becoming long term unemployed. We aim to have that guarantee in place by January but are looking to develop jobs fund places as quickly as possible.

The Fund, though only announced last week, is open for business and already sports organisations have pledged to create 5,000 jobs for young people.

James Purnell, Labour's Work and Pensions secretary said:
"Phil Hope MP and others have campaigned hard against unemployment and the Future Jobs Fund is the result. I want Corby to get its fair share of this money and more importantly to make sure that young people are not abandoned to life on benefits like in the last recession.

"I want to see local councils, third sector groups and others coming forward with ideas on how to create jobs for young people. Work can give young people pride and purpose and local people know the useful jobs they could be doing in the local area."

For more information visit www.dwp.gsi.gov.uk/futurejobsfund
30/04/09

New chance to have your say in justice

Phil Hope is appealing to local people to join a consultation aimed at generating more ideas for ensuring that the justice system is run for the people it serves – the law-abiding public. He was speaking after the publication of a Green Paper called Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice.

The Green Paper sets out new ways of making the justice system more responsive to the needs of local communities. The government wants the people who play by the rules to be able to influence how their justice system works.

We want people to be able to:

Get more information about justice outcomes in a format that suits them, linked to information on crime maps
Find out about outcomes of cases of particular local concern on-line and in other ways
Have a say in how initiatives like Community Payback are run in their area
Feed their views into the heart of the justice system through face-to-face meetings with Community Prosecutors, magistrates and neighbourhood policing teams and through Community Impact Statements
Benefit from problem-solving techniques pioneered through Community Justice
Get feedback on how their information has been used and what happened in the case;
Get involved, through more joined up and effective engagement activities or by taking up one of the many volunteering opportunities with criminal justice organisations.

Phil Hope MP said:
"This is a brilliant new initiative. It will give the people of Corby and East Northamptonshire an even greater chance to have their say.

"I believe that people should be able to get more information about crime and justice in their area, and have more say in what happens to those who break the law.

"Our opponents call this sort of thing ‘gimmicks'. But I don't think there is anything gimmicky about giving communities a greater voice in the justice system.

"Crime is down by a third since 1997 but it is also crucial that the law-abiding majority has confidence in the system.

"Justice must not only be done, but also be seen to be done. This goes a long way to achieving that.

"I really urge everyone to get involved – it's your justice system, so we want your views."

The Government is planning to develop:

websites which will allow local people to see what happened in particular court cases in their area
more Citizens Panels to allow communities to decide what work offenders on Community Payback sentences should do,
new Community Prosecutors closely linked to local communities
new Community Impact Statements so that when a crime is committed, local people can feed their views into the prosecution process.

29/04/09

Boost to internships to help graduates

Phil Hope welcomed the announcement that graduates who want to boost their skills for employment will get real help through the new 'Graduate Talent Pool', the next stage in our graduate internship initiative.
The scheme will help match companies looking for graduates to employers looking for interns. It will also provide an advice line for employers to make offering an internship as simple as possible.
The boost to internships will assist more graduates to kick-start their careers by gaining the skills and experience they need to get-on. At the same time, internships offer a great way for companies to inject fresh talent into the workplace.

Phil Hope MP said:
"In these tough times, employers need fresh talent. The matching service and advice line will make it quick and simple to offer an internship. I urge local employers to sign up and try out a graduate.

"At the same time, graduates who need an extra boost to their employability skills will be well served by these internships. Labour is offering real help now to our graduates. We need to make sure that we don't lose a generation of talent."

John Denham, Labour's skills secretary said:
"A degree is one of the best pathways to achieving a good job and rewarding career, but nobody is immune from the current economic climate. That's why we are committed to proving graduates with the support to help them gain employment or further their education.

"The Talent Pool will sit alongside the thousands of other opportunities available to new graduates that will help them improve their chances to get a long term and well paid career."

Interested organisations can register their interest in becoming part of the Graduate Talent Pool today online at www.dius.gov.uk/graduatetalentpool.

Businesses that have already signed up to the Talent Pool include Network Rail, the Police Service, Marks and Spencer and Microsoft.
28/04/09

Phil Hope welcomes Equality Bill

The Equality Bill received its First Reading in the House of Commons on Monday. It sets out groundbreaking new laws which will help narrow the gap between rich and poor; require business to report on gender pay; outlaw age discrimination; and will significantly strengthen Britain's anti-discrimination legislation.
Despite considerable progress since 1997, inequality and discrimination still exist which is why the law needs to be strengthened.

women are paid on average 23% per hour than men;
disabled people are twice as likely to be out of work;
people from ethnic minority backgrounds are nearly a fifth less likely to find work; and
One in five older people are refused quotes for motor or travel insurance, or car hire .

The Equality Bill is expected to come in to force from autumn 2010.
Phil Hope MP said: "I believe in equality for people and I have supported our Labour government's action such as challenging disability discrimination and outlawing age discrimination at work.

"This Bill is about fairness. It is about all people in our community getting fair treatment. So in Corby and East Northamptonshire it might mean making sure there are extra park benches in local parks so older people can enjoy public spaces and providing play areas for younger people so that they can make the most of our parks. I welcome this and I will support it."

Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, said:
"The Equality Bill is part of building a strong fair future for Britain out of the downturn. That means fairness and opportunity. Especially in tougher economic times, we need to face the problems fairly and we need to look for a fairer future.

"Though we have ensured new rights and opportunities for people with disabilities, for women, black and asian people and older people – there is still unfairness and discrimination to tackle. And this Bill will take the action necessary to tackle it.

The Equality Bill will strengthen our equality law by:

Putting a new duty on public bodies to consider how to reduce socio-economic inequalities;
Putting a new Equality Duty on public bodies;
Using public procurement to improve equality;
Banning age discrimination outside the workplace;
Introducing gender pay reports;
Extending powers to use positive action;
Strengthening the powers of employment tribunals;
Protecting carers from discrimination;
Protecting pregnant and new mothers;
Banning discrimination in private clubs; and
Strengthening protection from discrimination for disabled people.

28/04/09

Better service and bigger grants will help thousands of people save money and keep warm

Households in Corby and East Northamptonshire will have more cash to spend on heating systems and insulation under changes to the Warm Front scheme.

Customers will get a better deal from the Warm Front Scheme now that the Government has made changes to the service. These changes will lead to better values for money for customers as the Scheme will be opened up to greater competition.

Phil Hope said:
"I welcome the changes made by the government to the scheme that will lead to better value to money for people.
The increase in the grant from £2,700 to £3,500 will make a huge difference to people in Corby and East Northamptonshire who need help"

"As costs have risen since the grants were last set in 2005 I know many people have been asked to top up their grant to get the work done. The increase should make that situation less likely."

Phil Hope also welcomed the extension of the scheme to include new technologies that are suited to people off the gas grid.

"With volatile oil prices, it makes sense to give people who are not on the gas grid the option of other heating systems apart from oil-fired ones. So now people will be able to get grants for air source heat pumps as an alternative. If you add in the fact there will be grants for solid wall insulation, you can see this will make a huge difference for people in some of the hardest to heat properties."

Ed Miliband said
"Costs have gone up, so now is the right time to offer real help now. I want to ensure that the number of customers asked to make a contribution will be vastly reduced. It will mean some of the most vulnerable households will get vital heating and insulation measures installed in their homes. And with low carbon heating system available for the first time, it will help some of the poorest families play their part in tackling climate change while keeping warm."
23/04/09

Phil Hope visits Sandalwood Court Care Home

Phil with Marlynn Black
Phil Hope MP met staff and residents of Sandalwood Court Care Home specialist dementia unit and toured the facility. He also presented members of the staff who have recently completed the Shaw Homes Dementia Training Programme with their training certificates and congratulated Marlynn Black on her retirement from a thirty year career in care services.

Phil Hope MP said:
"Shaw Health Care is committed to providing their staff with comprehensive training allowing them to achieve recognised qualifications and reach their full potential. I am delighted to have been asked to present the staff at Sandalwood Court in Oakley Vale with training certificates marking their success in completing the specialist dementia training programme.

"One of the biggest challenges for us in the future will be to provide more older people with specialist care, so I am pleased that Sandalwood Court is training its team in the proper care of dementia sufferers giving them a greater understanding of this debilitating illness and its effects on the suffer."

"I'd like to congratulate Marlynn Black on her retirement and thank her for the fantastic contribution she has made to the people of Corby over the last thirty years."

Marlynn Black said:
"Care is not just a job; it's a love & vocation which has given me great work satisfaction over the past 30 years."
27/04/09

Late Developers

Phil with Late Developers
Phil Hope met the ‘Late Developers Photographic Group' at 53 High Street, Corby on Friday the 24th of April to view a slide show of their work.

The photographic group which aims to widen members' social circles and help them gain confidence has received £4,500 funding in July 2008 and £5,000 in February 2009 from the Northamptonshire Community Foundation. The money has allowed them to teach members photographic skills including camera making, photography and dark room skills culminating in an exhibition of their work.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I enjoyed visiting the Late Developers Group who has been supported by Northamptonshire Community Foundation to find out more about their activities within the Corby Community. They have already worked collaboratively with Corby Mind and are actively working towards community cohesion by inviting new comers to the town to join their group.

"Now that we have seen so much physical regeneration of the town I would like to encourage other groups who are working within the community and who will be instrumental in the cultural regeneration of the town to approach Northamptonshire Community Foundation for financial support."

Northamptonshire Community Foundation has now distributed £3,338,675 to 970 small community groups over the last 7 years. Small community groups who have a project idea which will benefit their community can contact Northamptonshire Community Foundation on 01640230033 or email Rachel@ncf.com.
22/04/09

Phil Hope welcomes Budget for building Britain's future

Phil has welcomed the Budget as delivering real help now to get people, especially young people, quickly back into work, and support businesses and homeowners facing problems.

The Budget also supports investment in the growth industries of the future on which Britain's success will be built.

Speaking shortly after the Chancellor delivered the 2009 Budget, Phil said:
"We know that if we don't act now, it will cost us all more in the long run. I welcome today's Budget with its focus on jobs now and jobs in the future.

"Building on the support already coming through – from an income tax and VAT cut - the measures in the Budget will help us deal with the economic difficulties and support jobs, families, businesses and the environment.

"We have the confidence to invest in the recovery – and not talk Britain down."

The Budget announced:

support for employment
including support for Jobcentre Plus and the Flexible New Deal, and the offer of a guaranteed job, training or work placement for all 18-24 year olds who reach 12 months unemployed;

support for individuals
including through an increase in the annual investment limit for Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) to £10,200, up to £5,100 of which can be saved in cash; an additional payment alongside the Winter Fuel Payment worth £100 for households with someone aged over 80 and £50 for households with someone aged over 60 – which will support 19,380 people in this constituency; Pension Credit: increasing the capital disregard on the level of savings that are not taken into account when calculating entitlement, from November 2009, from £6,000 to £10,000. The Pension Credit helps 4,130 people in this constituency.

support for homeowners and homebuyers
including with a £600 million funding package of measures to build more homes, and an extension of the stamp duty holiday for all houses costing up to £175,000 until the end of the year;

support for the environment
including setting the world's first carbon budgets and measures to encourage energy efficiency and low-carbon growth.

For further information visit the treasury website.
21/04/09

MP Welcomes New Support for Homeowners

Phil Hope MP is joining forces with Labour's Housing Minister Margaret Beckett to highlight the help available to keep people in their own homes if they fall on difficult times.

The Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) will enable eligible borrowers who suffer a temporary loss of income to cut their mortgage interest payments for up to two years to help them get back on track with their finances.

Phil Hope MP said:
"This excellent scheme will ensure repossession is always a last resort. I want everyone in Corby and East Northamptonshire to be aware of what help is available.

"The Labour Government is committed to helping people through these difficult times. Losing your home is one of the most devastating things that can happen but Labour is determined that hard working people, who are facing difficulties such as temporary unemployment, are not left to fend for themselves.

Margaret Beckett welcomed the support from Phil Hope MP adding:
"We know that many families are worried about how to pay the mortgage right now, and we're determined to ensure there is real help available for them.

"Today's news is a result of excellent co-operation between Government, lenders, and money advice services.

"On top of the range of measures we've already put in place, this new support will help borrowers who just need a bit more time to get themselves back on their feet. This is in stark contrast to the early 1990s when there was nothing.

"The clear message to borrowers is to contact your lender straight away if you're concerned about how to pay the mortgage as often a solution can be found."
21/04/09

NHS delivering even more

Phil Hope has welcomed three new real improvements for NHS patients.

Phil said:
"The NHS is becoming as good at prevention and keeping people healthy as it is at providing care and cures. From the beginning of April ‘Free NHS Health Checks' are being introduced to focus on the prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease; MRSA Screening for patients before surgery will protect against infection and every patient undergoing treatment for cancer will receive free prescriptions.

"Investment and reform of the NHS has delivered real improvements for patients, today the NHS has more services and more staff, delivering faster and better quality treatment. I am pleased to be able welcome these measures which concentrate resources on prevention and the individual patient needs."

Free NHS Health Checks for everyone in England, aged between 40-74 will be introduced from 2009/10 as part of a national programme to identify people's risk. This ambitious and innovative national programme will help ensure greater focus on the prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease which currently affects the lives of 4 million people and causes 170,000 deaths a year. Support will be given to people to reduce or manage their risk through individually tailored advice.

MRSA Screening for all relevant patients before planned operations to help protect patients against infection. This will help the NHS reduce the chances of patients getting an MRSA infection, or passing MRSA onto another patient. MRSA rates in our hospitals are falling and this is an additional tool to reduce numbers further.

The abolition of prescription charges for cancer patients also to came into effect from April 1. The new exemption is available to anyone who is undergoing treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer, or the effects of cancer treatment. This is expected to benefit up to 150,000 patients already diagnosed with cancer. Patients can collect an application form from their GP surgery or those oncology clinics that registered. The form must be countersigned by their GP or at the GP's discretion a member of the GP's practice who can access medical records, hospital doctor or service doctor.
17/04/09

Stepping in, not stepping aside

Phil has welcomed new extra support being offered by Job Centre Plus in Corby to people who may be facing redundancy, have become unemployed or who have remained out of work for 6 months of more.

Phil said:
"I welcome these new extra types of support being offered by Job Centre Plus to people who have lost their jobs or who are facing redundancy. Increased government funding means that we are stepping in to help not stepping aside.

"I think it is especially useful that individuals can access professional external support from specialists in their category of work. People finding themselves out of work at the moment have never been in this position before so help in both job search skills and work-focussed training are crucial to ensuring that they get back to work quickly."

From April the Job Centre Plus existing support will be supplemented in a range of new ways:

For people facing redundancy:

increased funding for the Rapid Response Service so that we can help more people when they are made redundant.

For people as they become unemployed:

access to the Adviser Discretion Fund providing one-off cash help to improve an individual's immediate job prospects.
access to Local Employment Partnership vacancies.
access to help updating job search skills, with a new one hour group information session for those needing more support.
a new one day advice and coaching session delivered by external providers, including specialist support for those looking for professional or executive jobs delivered by organisations specialising in such jobs.
additional funding for Access to Work which supports disabled people overcome barriers to gain or remain in employment.
access to LSC-funded work-focussed training to help people to move into a new job.

For customers who remain out of work after six months:

increased adviser support, including skills screening and a skills health check if required; and
a new set of choices, including:
- Access to jobs where an employer receives £1,000 recruitment subsidy
- Access to in-work training support through Train to Gain, typically worth £1,500.
- Help with setting up a business.
- Easier access to a training allowance of up to eight weeks, where the training is focused on getting a job; and
- Access to work-focussed volunteering placements.

16/04/09

Free Swimming in Corby!

swimming pool £372,000 of government funding has enabled the launch of free swimming for under 16's and over 60's in Corby from April 1st. Corby Borough Council are one of over 300 ambitious participating local authorities to have taken up the offer to provide free swimming in an innovative collaboration between the department for culture, media and sport and the department for children, schools and families.

Phil says:
"I want to congratulate Corby Borough Council for taking part in the Governments drive to bring Free Swimming to the under 16's and over 60's. I am delighted that more than 20,000 of my constituents whether young or old will benefit from this new scheme to keep them fit. The new swimming pool will be opening very soon so I can't think of better time for this programme to start, I am pleased that it will allow more people to make the most of the wonderful new state of the art facility."
16/04/09

Phil Hope welcomes new powers to support town centres

Phil has welcomed new Government efforts to ensure that our town centre continues to be vibrant and attractive to shoppers and visitors, even if some shops cease trading.

The new money available from the Government, and new powers available to local councils, will encourage creative and innovative ways to keep the centre of our town open for business. That might mean new community advice centres, new spaces for arts and crafts, new premises for small start-up businesses, community cafes, and spaces for social enterprises and the voluntary sector.

Phil said:
"Corby town centre is bucking the trend, sales are up and we have new retailers coming into Willow Place. However, these new powers available to the council are still great news.

" Land Securities have lead the way already in finding innovative ways of ensure that our town centre is successful – these powers will make it easy for temporarily vacant premises to be transformed into something useful for the community – a social enterprise, a showroom for local artists or an information centre. Empty shops can be eyesores or crime magnets these ideas will help to stop shops from being boarded up.

"The Labour Government's town centre first planning rules and business rate deferments are also helping small businesses in more direct ways during this difficult time.The recession is going to affect all of us. We all understand it's going to be tough. But we have two alternatives: do nothing, and let it run its course, or work together to do all in out power to give local people real help. I believe we should do all we can to help people through the recession, and that will be my focus in coming months.'
15/04/09

Getting the world economy back on track

G20 London summit delivers major progress
Phil Hope MP welcomed the progress made at the London G20 summit. The Leaders at the G20 agreed to:

Restore confidence, growth, and jobs: They committed to make available an additional $1.1 trillion programme of support to help the world economy through the crisis and to restore credit, growth and jobs.
Strengthen financial supervision and regulation: Leaders agreed to strengthen the financial system by putting in place a better and more credible system of surveillance and regulation
Fund and reform our international financial institutions to overcome this crisis and prevent future ones: Leaders agreed to make an additional $850 billion in resources available through international financial institutions like the IMF,
Promote global trade and investment and reject protectionism to underpin prosperity: Leaders committed not to resort to protectionism
Build an inclusive, green, and sustainable recovery: Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to meeting the Millennium Development Goals and to delivering on development aid pledges

Phil Hope MP said:
"We face a global financial crisis on a scale that we have never really seen before. At the end of the day to get British economy back on track we have to help get the world economy back on track too. To protect jobs and businesses in Corby and East Northamptonshire we needed to get the world leaders working together to restore confidence, growth and jobs.

"The G20 is always an important meeting, in these tough times when people across Britain are worried about jobs and paying the bills it is even more important.

"So I welcome the successes our Labour Government has secured this week. The London Summit brought together leaders of the world's major economies and key international institutions. They have agreed collective action necessary to stabilise the world economy and secure recovery and jobs."
03/04/09

Looking for a small grant?

Phil Hope is encouraging local community groups to apply for small grants now being offered through the Arts Council England, Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England.

Following a review of the Awards for All scheme each Lottery Distributors in England will run their own small grants programmes. This change will mean that each Lottery Distributor can better address the needs of their good cause area in terms of the type of applicant and the activity supported.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I want to encourage all our local community groups to apply for small grants that are now available through four separate fund distributors. To find out which is the most appropriate source of funding for your project visit these websites:

Sport England encourages people to take up and enjoy sport;
Arts Council England engages people in the arts or helps people work as artists;
The Big Lottery Fund gives people a better chance in life, builds stronger communities and improves our environment and the
Heritage Lottery Fund involves young people and communities learn about their local and national heritage.

15/04/09

Boost for local schools

The Department for Children, Schools and Families recently announced a £1.75 billion new capital investment which includes a major injection of funding benefiting children and families in Corby and East Northamptonshire.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that the government's Primary Capital Programme which challenges local authorities to think long term about teaching and learning in our primary schools will bring a major injection of capital investment locally. Corby will see a new Special School and the refurbishment of St Brendan's Primary whilst Titchmarsh Primary will see a new school hall. Not only will this benefit children and their families in Corby and East Northamptonshire but it will bring a welcome boost to the construction industry and local businesses."

Northamptonshire County Council have put together a three year programme with a total budget of £31.5m which includes the £13.7m Primary Capital Programme grant funding. In Corby and East Northamptonshire this will mean a £6m spend on the Maplefield Special School, £2.2m on plans to amalgamate the two building in St Brendan's Primary School, spending on structural problems at Stanion Primary School and a new hall for Titchmarsh Primary School.
15/04/09

Corby's G20 Summit

Phil with Kingswood students
In the run up to the G20 Summit Phil Hope MP for Corby met the ‘A' level Politics students a The Kingswood School to discuss the global financial crisis and the action necessary to stabilise the world economy and sustain employment, protect the poor and reform the financial system to prevent future crises.

Phil gave an over view of the economic situation and the Governments goals for the outcome of the G20 summit. Then he asked the students about their opinion of the proposals and their own ideas for ways of bringing prosperity and stability back to the world economy.

Phil said:
"These are unprecedented times as far as both our own national economy and the global economies are concerned, our world leaders are meeting to agree action to stabilise the economy and secure recovery and jobs. I was delighted to meet the politics students at Kingswood again and discuss the aims of the G20 summit with them.

"Although these may be worrying times for families the students at Kingswood who are studying politics are finding the subject matter fascinating. The decisions made at the G20 summit will be particularly crucial to our young people because it will impact the lives of generations to come."

The G20 summit is discussing|:

action to stimulate the world economy
additional resources for the IMF, support for trade finance, and action to protect the poorest
measures to stabilise the financial sector and encourage credit to flow to people and businesses, alongside tougher regulation of the financial sector to prevent crises in the future
strengthened commitments to maintain open markets and refrain from protectionism
reforms to the international financial institutions to ensure they have the tools and governance structures to meet the needs of the modern global economy
commitments to support a green recovery

26/03/09

New rights for hard-working people in Corby and East Northamptonshire

National Minimum Wage 1999 - 2009: Ten years of fairer treatment at work

This week marks ten years since the introduction by the Government of Britain's first ever National Minimum Wage. Phil Hope MP today celebrated the introduction and welcomed three new key rights which come into effect in April.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I became an MP to fight for the rights of working people and I'll always do what I can to make sure people in Corby and East Northamptonshire get a fair deal. I have been campaigning for fairness and respect for agency workers in Corby for over ten years and have already achieved important changes in the law and I'm pleased that from April three new key employment rights which I voted for come into effect.

"It's only right that hard working people get a decent amount of time off and the chance to balance work and home life. So from April statutory holiday entitlement will increase by 4 days to 5.6 weeks for full-time workers (28 days), pro rata for part-timers. And more people locally will now have the right to request flexible working as from April it will be extended to parents of children aged 16 or under."

Phil Hope MP also gave a warning to rogue employers that they face tough action if they underpay staff.

"In April tough new powers to take action against rogue employers who underpay staff come into force. Every worker should earn a fair wage for a fair day's work - there is no excuse not to pay up. I supported and voted for the Employment Act because I wanted to see tougher action on rogue employers who con their staff.

"Rogue employers need to be exposed. If you think a rogue employer is not paying up then get in touch with me on 01536 443325 email hopep@parliament.uk or call the national minimum wage helpline on 0845 6000 678. And don't worry, you don't have to give your name or details to them if you don't want to."
01/04/09

Phil Hope MP enjoys a junior breakfast

Phil Hope at Rockingham Primary School
Phil Hope visited Rockingham Primary School recently to congratulate them on their recently published Ofsted Report.

While he was there he joined the young members of the ‘Nurture Group' for an informal chat around the breakfast table. The Nurture Group is part of the schools strategy for pastoral care which was described as its greatest strength in the report.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Rockingham Primary School to congratulate them on their recent Ofsted report and on the glowing terms used by the parents and pupils to describe the schools in the report.

"The schools pastoral care was marked out as its greatest strength so I was especially please to have a warm welcome from the children in the Nurture Group when I joined them for breakfast. They are clearly flourishing in the group with a dedicated team who use exciting and creative activities to engage them.

"The happy and positive attitude of all the pupils in the school has lead to good behaviour and very importantly good and improving standards of achievement. Well done!"
23/03/09

Shortest hospital waits ever in Northamptonshire

hospital corridor
Phil Hope congratulates local hospital staff

The NHS now has the shortest waits since its records began, Labour Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced on Thursday.

New data shows that in the East Midlands and across England the NHS has met its target to treat patients within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral by their GP – an achievement which was unimaginable 12 years ago.

Phil Hope MP said:
"This is a tremendous achievement by NHS clinicians and staff who should be proud of the difference their hard work has made to the experience of every NHS patient.

"Achieving the shortest waits since NHS records began has made a huge difference to patients' experiences of the NHS. In the 1990s it was not uncommon for people to wait 18 months or more for their operation – with some people dying on the waiting list.

"The NHS is one of our country's greatest achievements and I will always stand up for it. I'm proud that the Government has made sure the NHS has the staff it needs and backed them to deliver improvements in standards and driving down waits. Today's news is further evidence that this investment has worked."
31/03/09

Phil Hope presents keys to new homes

Phil Hope attended the official completion of the new affordable homes complex at Rowlett Road, Corby on Friday the 27th of March to make an address at the ceremony and present the keys to the new residents.

The scheme at Rowlett Road has been developed by LHA after being sold to the association by Corby Borough Council and Woodnewton School to provide much needed affordable housing in the area. The proceeds of the sale of the land have helped to fund the new Children's Centre at the Woodnewton School.

Phil said:
"I am delighted to be able to officially hand over the keys to the new residents of this much needed scheme. The £1.136 million grant from the Homes & Communities Agency has given us a well designed development for Corby residents which include both rented and shared ownership homes.

"Sustainability is now extremely important so I want to congratulate the developer, Corby Borough Council and the designers on completing this great new scheme with the environment in mind, it has been judged against the Eco Homes system as 'Very Good'."
31/03/09

East Northamptonshire misses out on national free swimming launch

Phil Hope expressed disappointment at East Northamptonshire District Council's decision not to apply for the funding on offer by the Government to provide Free Swimming for under 16's and over 60's.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I will be joining my constituents in Corby tomorrow to celebrate when they will be able to take advantage of the new Government subsidised scheme to give free swimming to the under 16's and over 60's. Corby Borough Council have shown once again that they take the health and well being of the community very seriously. I have been running a campaign to encourage ENDC to take up the offer from the Government and give my constituents in East Northants the same level of services as those in Corby however they still refuse to take up the opportunity.

"The benefits of offering a fun, healthy leisure activity for free far outweigh any cost especially in these tough economic times. We all know how important exercise is to people, and it's essential that we all try and encourage people to take part in physical activity. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise because it's something people of all ages can do."
31/03/09

MP Claims Victory for local Blind People

Phil Hope has claimed victory in his campaign to get more support to local blind people. Under the changes backed in the Welfare Reform Bill by Phil Hope MP 20,000 blind people nationally will be entitled to receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance.

The intention is to support some 20,000 visually impaired people with their additional mobility costs, allowing them greater freedom to get out and about either socially or to find work. At current rates this will mean an additional payment worth £29 a week to those who qualify (£1,508 per year).

Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that my campaign to get more help to blind people has been successful. When this is introduced this change will transform the lives of blind people and their families. It can mean people are able to go out to meet friends, to get a job and to live life the way most of us take for granted."

James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:
"I pay tribute to the campaign that Phil Hope MP has led on behalf of blind people in Corby and East Northamptonshire. He made a powerful case on behalf of local people and we are pleased to have been able to include the measure in our welfare bill."

The Government has always been supportive of this change so we are delighted that we have been able to include it in our Welfare Reform Bill.

Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, said:
"I know many severely blind people have been waiting to hear this good news and will be very happy with the outcome. The Labour Government has been working closely with the RNIB to make this possible so I'd like to especially thank them for all their support."

The Welfare Reform Bill has passed third reading stage today in the face of opposition from Conservative, Liberal and Nationalist MPs. The Bill will provide the additional powers to ensure that people make use of the help made available to them and maximise their employment prospects for the future. After the legislation finishes going through parliament Ministers will decide on how to implement these changes for blind people.
30/03/09

Real Help Now

Phil Hope spoke at the "Accessing Government Backed Finance" seminar held at the Holiday Inn Hotel Corby on Friday.

Karen Brown, Managing Director of a2z recruitment arranged the seminar to inspire confidence in local businesses. She felt that with the Government's help and the support from each other local small and medium business can succeed.

Phil Hope said:
"The Government has put in place a range of measures to help small and medium sized businesses who are struggling to secure the finance they need, not because of any failure in their business but due to much tougher credit conditions. Two Corby companies have already benefited from the Enterprise Finance Guarantee; I want to make sure that all the business people attending this seminar know what support is available and how to access it.

"Like Karen, I think it is really important that local business people work together to ensure that Corby fulfils its reputation as the town best placed to weather this recession."

Since the start of the year Government has introduced a range of measures to help increase liquidity and ease credit conditions for SMEs. This is real help that is focused and funded.

A one page document (pdf) summarises the help available to businesses.
26/03/09

Back to School

Phil with year 8 pupils, Lodge Park
Phil Hope took part in a special Year 8 assembly at Lodge Park Technical College on Friday.

Phil had been invited to speak to the year 8 students to tell them about his role as MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire and his positions as Minister for Care Services and Minister for the East Midlands. He then spent some time answering their questions about his work and his vision for the further regeneration of Corby. He said:

"I was delighted to meet the young people at Lodge Park Technology College. I talked to them for a short time about what drives me, why I first went into politics and my roles as a constituency MP and a Minister. I always enjoy bringing politics to life for young people and to make sure that they understand how it impacts on their day to day lives. The Member of Youth Parliament of Corby Matthew Reay was a student at Lodge Park, so I hope my visit inspired the younger students at the school to follow in his footsteps and become equally involved."
30/03/09

Phil Hope urges local families to commit to change

Phil Hope is encouraging families in Corby and East Northamptonshire to commit to change and sign up for the Fitter Families initiative, led by Gladiators host and former England striker, Ian Wright MBE.

If none of us change our habits, 60% of the nation will be obese by 2050, with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. This is why Change for Life and supermarket Asda have teamed up with Fit for Sport the UK's leading healthy lifestyle activities provider, to encourage families to make lifestyle changes together.

Families can sign up at www.fitterfamilies.com and commit to simple, achievable and sustainable changes to their lifestyle, which will increase their fitness over the long term.

A new book 'Ian Wright's Fitter Families' has been published and its authors, Ian Wright and Fit for Sport CEO and founder, Dean Horridge, have taken a proactive approach to engaging the whole family in a healthier, more active way of life.

Filled with easy steps that families can take together, from walking to school to taking the dog for a walk, the advice in the book aims to get families motivated enough to build fun, healthy activities into their everyday lives.

Phil Hope said:
"Family fitness is a crucial issue, not just in Corby and East Northants but around the UK. I admire the small steps that Ian Wright and Dean Horridge advocate, as constituents often tell me that they find it hard to find time for a rigorous exercise regime or diet, which often don't last. I'll be signing up to Fitter Families and seeing if I can commit to change, and I encourage my constituents to do the same."

Ian Wright commented:
"I think that it's important people in Corby and East Northamptonshire do have the chance to commit to change and that's why role models are so important. Phil Hope MP is setting a great example to families and I want to hear how it goes. This is all about making small changes for a better, healthier lifestyle, not running a marathon or giving up sweets! This means Simple, Achievable and Sustainable changes for the long term future health of your family."
25/03/09

Collyweston – 'Stop the Drop'

Collyweston Litter picking
Phil Hope joined Fiona Cowan Chairman of Collyweston Parish Council and residents of Collyweston on Saturday the 21st of March to pick up litter in the village as part of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Northamptonshire's Stop the Drop Campaign.

Litter is a growing problem. Last year alone, an estimated 25 million tonnes were dropped in Britain, and the problem affects countryside and rural areas alike.

So the residents of Collyweston donned their hi-viz jackets and pick up litter pick sticks on Saturday morning and collected a dozen bags of rubbish as well as a number of large items including a discarded TV.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I really enjoyed showing my support of the 'Stop the Drop' campaign by helping the residents of Collyweston on their litter pick. I can't stand litter myself, and when I talk to my constituents litter is one of the issues that concerns them the most. So I think it is vital that we do all we can to highlight the problem and try to re-educate those people that think it is OK to pollute our environment by dropping litter or by fly tipping.

"I would like to urge everyone to get behind the campaign by either organising a litter pick themselves or by joining one in their community. You can find out more on CPRE's Stop the Drop litter campaign pages on www.cpre.org.uk."
23/03/09

Phil Hope MP celebrates Training in Corby

Phil presents certificates
Phil Hope visited White Lion Training on Friday the 20th of March to help them celebrate five years of success in delivering training in Corby. Whilst there he presented learners with their certificates of achievement.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I have supported White Lion training since their inception in 2004, they have been a huge asset to the town starting with training IT skills to local people. Their new Employability Programme now being offered at their centre in Corby is especially important at the moment when many people need to gain the skills to get themselves back into work.

"I want to congratulate them on their fifth anniversary I am delighted to have been invited to join their celebration. I am pleased to have the chance to meet some of their students and present them with their certificates."
30/03/09

Tighter regulations for bailiffs

Phil Hope has greeted plans for tighter regulation of bailiffs, announced by the Government today, as an important new protection for people in Corby and East Northamptonshire facing economic difficulties.
To safeguard the public from cowboy bailiffs the Government is introducing:

an on-line certificated bailiff register allowing debtors to check bailiffs' certification status;
an extension to the certification process to ensure that all bailiffs provide a Criminal Records Bureau check with their application;
minimum training requirements and competences for inclusion in the certification process.

These measures will contribute to the development of a more permanent solution of independent regulation in 2012. This will form the basis of a code which will govern the industry and require tougher checks on who can be a bailiff, as well as clearer guidelines on what they can and can't do.

Welcoming the new measures, Phil Hope said:
"People have a right to recover their debts, but no-one should have the right to threaten, bully or intimidate people just to collect cash they are owed. Regulation of bailiffs is an important part of protecting householders in disputes over debts and fines.

"The Government's action will raise the level of professionalism among bailiffs by ensuring they are trained and know their legal limits. It will also ensure the public in Corby and East Northamptonshire are protected by having a properly regulated sector."
18/03/09

Phil Hope MP visits M.O.M.S

Phil with MOMS volunteers
Phil Hope visited the Pen Green Children's Centre on Friday the 13th of March to meet Volunteer Breastfeeding Supporters working for the M.O.M.S. Mothers Own Milk Support project.

The project is part of a countywide PCT initiative to increase peer support for parents making choices about how to feed their babies. The 'Volunteer Breastfeeding Supporters' encourage mothers to consider breastfeeding and support them to continue.

Breast milk is the best form of nutrition for babies; it promotes health and prevents disease in both the short and long term for both the baby and the mother.

Phil Hope said:
"I really support the work of the volunteers in the M.O.M.S. project. Their important work is to spreading the word to mums and dads; making them aware of the huge health benefits of breastfeeding and helping them with any difficulties they might come across.

"If you are interested in helping mums in Corby give their babies the best start in life and want to becoming a 'Volunteer Breastfeeding Supporter ' please contact Jemma Claypole at Pen Green on 01536 400068.

"Like the volunteers I would like to see Corby town centre as a place where breastfeeding mums are welcome and are able to feed their babies without feeling under scrutiny."
11/03/09

Phil Hope MP visits Avon to promote the 2009 Crazy Hats Walk

Phil supports Crazy Hats walk
Phil Hope dropped in on the staff at Avon, Corby on Friday to help them promote the '2009 Crazy Hats Walk'. Avon is a great supporter of the event generously sponsoring the walk for the second time this year to the tune of £5,000.

Crazy Hats which is now in its 7th year supports women and men who are going through treatment for breast cancer, who are about to undertake treatment or are fighting the battle to become cancer survivors. They work with the two major hospitals in Kettering and Northampton and the Breast Reconstruction team at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Their major fund raising event is the Crazy Hats Sponsored Walk which is going to be held on Sunday March the 7th in Wickstead Park from 10.30 am.

Phil Hope said:
"The Crazy Hats Sponsored Walk is a fun way to raise money for this fantastic charity. I will be there on Sunday March the 7th and would urge everyone to come along and join in the fundraising; it's really important that this valuable local help for women and men with breast cancer is supported.

"If you can't come you can now make a donation to Crazy Hats via the justgiving.com website – just select Crazy Hats as the charity to give to. What could be simpler?"
11/03/09

Real help for new mums in Corby and East Northamptonshire

£190 cash boost for every new mum.
From April 2009, mums will get tax-free payment from the Government to help if you're a mum-to-be who's at least 25 weeks pregnant. The payment is called 'Health in Pregnancy Grant'.

Phil Hope is urging mums-to-be in Corby and East Northamptonshire to claim their £190.

Phil Hope said:
"Having a baby is an exciting time for mums and their families. Whether it's your first time or you're having another child there is loads of planning to do and things to get sorted. And from getting a pushchair to stocking up on nappies, there are bills to pay.

"To get the grant mums to be will need to get a claim form from their midwife or doctor. So I would urge mums to do this as soon as possible.

"I'm proud that children and families are at the heart of the Government's policies, but especially so during these tough times. This cash boost will make a real difference to families in Corby and East Northamptonshire."
10/03/09

Real help now to keep council rents down

Phil Hope welcomed the announcement from Margaret Beckett MP offering additional support to local authorities enabling them to keep rent for council tenants in 2009/10 down.

The average guideline rent increase for local authority tenants in 2009/10 will be halved from 6.2% to around 3.1 % to encourage councils to reduce the amount tenants would have to pay for the coming year.
The changes to the guideline rent increase means tenants should see a marked drop in their proposed average rent increase for the coming year from around £4 per week to approximately just under £2.

Phil Hope MP said:
"In these challenging economic times the Government is offering real help to council tenants. So I am writing to Corby Borough Council to make sure that they take up this offer of additional money now and that rent increases will be adjusted accordingly.

"Ultimately, it is for each council to take up this offer of support, but having worked closely with Corby Borough Council over the years I know that they will do their best to pass this help on to their tenants."

The guideline rents increase for 09/10 was set in September at a time of much higher inflation but the new guidelines will override this and support tenants during the current economic uncertainty, whilst making sure that local authorities still have the money to carry out essential repairs and maintenance

Last year, the Government was pressed to give authorities greater financial certainty by giving guidance for two years rather than one – which authorities appeared to welcome. However, since recent major changes in the economic situation, the Government is under substantial pressure from Local Authorities to reconsider the 2 year deal.
This is in addition to an undertaking that has been given for guideline rent increases in 2010/11 to be reviewed. The Government have already indicated that they will look again at the guideline rents for 2010-11 to ensure that council tenants continue to pay rents that are affordable and fair.
06/03/09

Phil Hope walks on the Wild Side

Phil Hope & Nick Hammond Phil has been seeing at first hand how nature is being preserved closer to home. He held a meeting with Northamptonshire's Wildlife Trust Director, Nick Hammond as they walked around Old Sulehay Reserve near Kingscliffe.

The area is very popular with local people and has a diverse range of habitats including an impressive ancient forest, former quarry land and a wealth of wildlife, with coldwater springs feeding an extensive marsh.

Phil said:
"I was interested to hear that the Old Sulehay Reserve is part of the Wildlife Trust's Living Landscape project, which aims to connect different nature reserves in an attempt to create a wildlife corridor giving wildlife caught in pockets of green the chance to migrate naturally as they would prior to industrialisation."

"I would encourage everyone to get out in the fresh air, walk around this wonderful area and enjoy the woodland and wildlife."

The reserve also has one of the best locations for training and education in ecology in the country at its small field station at Ring Haw, which is on the reserve. Mr Hope heard how the Trust offers everything from practical courses in dry-stone-walling and hedge-laying, to detailed workshops on botany, birds and digital photography.

Northamptonshire's Wildlife Trust Director Nick Hammond told Mr Hope that, "It's vital that we keep a close eye on how wildlife responds to climate change and the way land is managed. We are already detecting new species on this nature reserve as wildlife moves north in response to the climate."
09/03/09

Phil Hope says 'Let's Grow'

Phil with Weldon pupils
Phil visited Weldon C of E School on Friday the 6th of March to present the children with a range of free gardening equipment to help pupils learn about growing their own greens. Morrison's working in partnership with the Government's 'Growing Schools' programme which is part of the national curriculum is providing the equipment through its 'Let's Grow' scheme.

The school is just one of over 18,000 from across the UK to get involved with the Morrisons 'Let's Grow' campaign. Teachers will use the new tools and seeds to inspire the children to develop a passion for growing their own fresh produce.

Phil said:
"It's great to see a local school embrace this opportunity – it's a fantastic way of involving kids in learning about growing their own fruit and vegetables and eating more healthily; that can only be a good thing".
The campaign has captured the imagination of the British public, with over 39 million vouchers redeemed by UK schools in exchange for gardening equipment. By the end of the spring growing season, UK schools will have taken delivery of:

4,750 greenhouses
3,703 pairs of wellies
16,463 pairs of gardening gloves
19,426 trowels
12,492 watering cans
…and much more

Tracy Cunningham of Weldon C of E School said:
"We're over the moon to get so much gardening equipment and the children can't wait to get stuck in and put it to good use. This type of hands-on learning is really important for children's development and its good fun too!"

Richard Taylor - Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons said:
"The enthusiasm for the 'Morrisons Let's Grow' campaign has been tremendous and we've had some wonderful feedback from parents, teachers and children. While its fantastic that the kids are looking forward to digging into the mud, there's an important message here about engaging young people in healthy fresh food."
05/03/09

Next step towards a new university centre with a base in Corby

student Phil Hope has welcomed the next step towards getting a new university centre in Corby as the higher education funding council published its guidance on submitting proposals for new local higher education centres.

The guidance sets out how proposers must put forward a 'statement of intent' to the funding council, by 30th June this year, although there will be a second round in December. Once bids have had their statement of intent agreed, they must then submit a full business case, in consultation with the funding council.

Phil Hope MP has been working closely with Tresham College, North Northants Development Company and Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited locally to put together a strong case for a new university centre in the area. He says it could transform opportunities for people to get degrees locally, and attract local business to the area.

He said:
"A new university in North Northamptonshire with a centre in Corby would have a hugely beneficial impact. Lots of people tell me they'd love to get a degree, but can't travel for miles, and don't want to move away. A university centre would mean they could study, perhaps part time, close to home.
"I welcome this milestone; I believe that Corby matches all the criteria needed to win a bid to bring a university to the town."
09/03/09

Phil Hope on Kettering General Hospital's plans

hospital corridor

Phil Hope MP said:
I fully support Kettering General Hospital's plans to provide a new outpatient facility to serve the majority of the people of East Northamptonshire based in Irthlingborough.

Moving some 32,000 outpatient appointments from Kettering General Hospital into East Northamptonshire (which includes Rushden and Higham Ferrers outside of my own constituency) into a new, large and modern site will be of huge benefit to the people of the area.

I applaud Kettering General Hospital's decision that whatever the site of the outpatient facility it will be provided on the basis of clinical need, value for money and better access for all.

I hope that when the plans are re-submitted by developers that the Planning Committee at East Northamptonshire Council will judge these objectively on their planning merits.

Planners and service providers should not be swayed by the subjective criteria of a petition simply demanding that the facilities should be located in another town (Rushden) from where the minority of outpatients currently using the Hayway Memorial Clinic live and from where these outpatients will remain a minority of users of the new facility.

As the developer has temporarily withdrawn their planning application I trust that any remaining planning issues are resolved as swiftly as possible so that everyone in this part of East Northamptonshire will have closer access to a superb and affordable facility that may otherwise be jeopardised and result in people still having to travel to Kettering if there are further delays or political interference.

If people wish to demonstrate their support for Kettering General Hospital's proposals for the new facility at Irthlingborough, they should contact:

Dr Mark Newbold
Chief Executive
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Rothwell Road
Kettering
Northamptonshire
03/03/09

Boost for schools in Northamptonshire will help to support economy

school kids Phil Hope MP has welcomed news that schools across Northamptonshire will get extra funding this year.

As part of the Government's efforts to support local businesses and jobs through the recession, millions of pounds of spending on school buildings and repairs are being brought forward from 2010/11 to 2009/10.

Every school in Northamptonshire will benefit with £5,411,371 of funding brought forward from next year to this year - a total of £18,939,798 of spending this year. The funding will go direct to headteachers and schools can choose how to spend the money as they see fit, from building new classrooms or science laboratories to fitting out new gyms or ICT facilities.

In addition, the Government has allowed Northamptonshire council to bring forward £6,764,695 for larger school building projects co-ordinated by the local authority – making a total of £23,600,849 of spending this year.

This week's announcements mean a total of £42,540,647will be spent on school buildings and repairs in Northamptonshire from April - £12,176,066 of it brought forward from the following year.

Phil Hope said:
"It's vital that we support the economy at this difficult time, so I'm delighted that every school in our area will benefit from this injection of extra funding this year.

"This is all part of the Government's efforts to put extra money into the economy this year to help the country through the recession. So I hope local schools will get on and spend the money - not just to improve facilities for pupils but to support small businesses and jobs in our area too.

"But I urge the County Council to look again at their response to the Government's offer to bring forward spending on school building projects co-ordinated by the Council. It's a shame that they've only decided to bring forward 46.9% of the total available to them to support jobs and businesses in our area. "
03/03/09