Phil Hope MP - News archive Jun

News archive Jun - Aug 2007

August 2007

Corby Station - artist's impressions

The two images below give an impression of what Corby's new station will look like. Clicking on each image will open a larger image in a new window.

Artists impression of Corby station

Artists impression of Corby station
17/08/07

Phil puts forward residents' views

Phil with priorities for Irthlingborough Phil Hope MP presented the views of Irthlingborough residents to East Northamptonshire District Council on Monday 30th July to highlight the Priorities for Action in Irthlingborough.
The government awarded Irthlingborough £500,000 last year to improve the town centre and Phil used this as an opportunity to consult the views of over 2,000 residents to ask them what they would like this money to be spent on.
He also asked residents to tell him their top five issues of wider concern in the Irthlingborough area. After gathering and collating the results, Phil is now calling upon East Northamptonshire District Council to take heed of his constituents concerns.
Phil Hope said:
"I have received an overwhelming response from my constituents in Irthlingborough, who welcomed the opportunity not only to express their views about the improvements to the town centre but also to identify what they believe to be wider issues of concern in Irthlingborough. The top issues of wider concern they highlighted included:

the need for more shopping and to see the shopping area as it stands substantially upgraded.
the need to improve parking and transport links in the town and strong calls for the re-introduction of a direct bus from Irthlingborough to Northampton.
the need to tackle low-level nuisance, vandalism and anti-social behaviour around the town. There is clearly a need to increase the number of uniformed officers-Police Officers and Police Community Officers- in Irthlingborough.

"I have now written to East Northamptonshire District Council outlining the issues raised by my constituents. I have also again repeated my request that East Northamptonshire District Council agrees to invest some resources in co-funding additional Police Community Safety Officers in Irthlingborough to tackle anti-social behaviour."

For full details read Phil Hope MP’s letter to East Northamptonshire District Council (pdf 22k)
01/08/07

Phil gets on board skate park campaign

Phil with Irthlingborough skateboarders Phil joined local action group Ramps 4 All on Monday 30th July to launch a joint petition campaigning for a skate park to be built in Irthlingborough.
Town Councillor Kate Tysoe, campaign leader, formed the group 12 months ago after a small petition organised by the young people was presented to Irthlingborough Town Council and then passed to the Irthlingborough Partnership where she took up the issue on behalf of the young people.
Phil decided to launch a petition campaign, in partnership with Ramps 4 All, to get local people behind the campaign and to put pressure on the Town and District Councils to grant planning permission and release funding for the project.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I was delighted to meet members from the Ramps 4 All group and see them perform skateboard tricks. They currently have nowhere to skate in Irthlingborough and I think it is right that they should have proper facilities. The group deserves support for what they are trying to do. I would encourage my constituents in Irthlingborough to get on board this campaign and sign the petition today."
Kate Tysoe, Campaign leader said:
"Our user group has been very busy fundraising over the last 12 months, we had the backing of the then Town Council and things looked good for us. We are organising this petition as we feel we need to show the new council just how much support there is for this project. I for one do not want these youths using the streets and paths for their sport.
"Any one who would like to join our user group, or if they feel they could contribute to our cause in any way can contact me on 01933 388695. We have had some donations made to our group and if anyone wants to make a donation we would be most thankful."

If you support Phil’s campaign and want to sign the petition then please visit the Surgery page and fill in your details in the online surgery form.

Download a copy of the petition and collect names for the campaign. Completed petitions should be sent back to my constituency office address or drop them into Kate Tysoe at Cheries Pet Shop on Irthlingborough High Street.

01/08/07

July 2007

Praise for work of local firefighters

Phil with Corby firefighters Phil Hope visited Corby Fire Station to meet the crew and praise their work in helping the flood relief effort in Yorkshire, Doncaster and Gloucestershire.
Corby firefighters have a specialist high volume pump and this has been used to help pump out flood waters. Phil also donated a bottle of House of Commons whiskey to the crew as a raffle prize for their summer open day being held on Sunday 19th August.
The open day is being held to raise public awareness of the dangers of fire but it is also a fundraising day to raise money for the Fire Services National Benevolent fund, a registered charity which provides assistance to injured firefighters and their families.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I was delighted to visit the Corby firefighters and learn about their work to help the flood relief effort. They all do a fantastic job and are very brave and skilled. I would encourage my constituents to go along on the open day on 19th August to meet the firefighters and learn about their valuable work."
31/07/07

Phil Hope puts record straight

Phil Hope hits back over claims in the Sunday Express that Corby is "ASBO capital of Great Britain".
In Phil Hope MP's letter to the Sunday Express editor he writes:
"The unacceptable face of British Journalism was on full display in your recent disgraceful, inaccurate and scurrilous attack upon Corby (20/07/07). Your double page spread that heaped abuse upon my constituency ranks as one of the worst articles I have ever seen a newspaper produce. The factual inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and deliberate distortions were designed to fit a pre-set right-wing agenda to score cheap and nasty political points.
"Well, you failed. One fortunate unintended outcome of your paper’s onslaught upon my town has been to unite local people in disgust at your journal. I will be encouraging local constituents to convert all copies of the Sunday Express into bedding for the droppings of their pets as that is all that is good for.
"For the record, Corby has been undergoing a transformation of growth and regeneration over the last ten years. The facts are:

Crime is falling dramatically
Perceptions of Corby as a safe place are rising rapidly
We have record numbers of police and new safer community teams throughout the town
Major regeneration of the three main inner housing areas is now underway
A major new town centre shopping area is being built
A new international swimming pool is being built
A new Corby Academy secondary school is being built
A new rail station and hourly service to London will open in 2008
A new civic centre with a theatre, library and restaurant will open in 2009

"If your journalists had bothered to contact me I would have been happy to show them round a thriving and increasingly prosperous town that I am proud to represent. With this government, confidence and investment has returned and the people of Corby have a better, brighter future that at any time since the 1960s."
31/07/07

Phil books in for a chat with library users

Phil Hope joined staff and local councillors at Corby library to hear the views of library users.
The informal drop in session was organised to give library users the opportunity to discuss current library services. The Library Service Manager, Grace Kempster OBE, was on hand with Phil Hope MP, Cllr John McGhee, Cllr Bryan Massie and staff to take note of customer's requests and suggestions.
Customer's wish list ranged from requests for more classics to setting up a Friends of the library group.
Phil said:
"Corby library is a well used facility and provides a good service, so I was delighted to be part of the drop in session and listen to the views of the library users. It was a really positive opportunity for Corby library users to make their views known to staff."
31/07/07

Phil welcomes cash boost for local schools

Phil with pupils at Irthlingborough Junior School On a recent visit to Irthlingborough Junior School, Phil was pleased to hear about the active after school clubs held there. Phil has welcomed news that schools in his constituency will benefit from over £1 billion of government investment.
The government has committed over £1 billion to enable children and families to access breakfast clubs, out-of-hours tuition and after-school clubs in sport, music and drama as well as family learning and parental support within their school.
The additional investment will mean that every school will be offering access to extended services by 2010. It haas been confirmed that the programme remains ahead of course with more than 5,000 - or one in five - schools now offering the core extended services.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that the government has committed over £1 billion to extended learning and that children and families in Corby and East Northants will benefit as a direct result. Extended learning will help to improve children’s lives, boosting their attainment and placing schools at the heart of their communities.
"Extended schools help families juggle work and home life by giving parents greater flexibility and providing learning and parental support. But above all they give children the chance to take part in fun activities - they can practice sports, learn a musical instrument, have drama classes or simply catch up on their home work. All children should have the chance to learn new skills and have fun out of school hours – and extended schools will give them those opportunities."
26/07/07

Students put questions to the Prime Minister

Phil with pupils from Manor School Phil Hope made a whistle-stop tour of primary and secondary schools in his constituency on Friday 13th July to help open dialogue between school children and the Prime Minister.
Phil visited Raunds Manor, Huxlow Science College, Irthlingborough Primary Schools in East Northamptonshire and Kingswood Secondary, Kingswood Primary, Corby Community College and St. Patrick's Primary Schools in Corby to engage pupils aged seven to eighteen years old to join his project titled 'ASK THE PRIME MINISTER'.
Throughout the tour of schools, students raised similar themes such as concerns about climate change, immigration and university fees. Phil was able to answer many of the pupils' questions, such as reassuring sixth form students who raised concerns about student University fees. Phil was able to point out to them that they will not have to pay university fees up front and that there is a generous grant scheme available for students from low and middle income families. In the new school term Phil will present the questions to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I was impressed by the quality of discussion that I had with the students and thought that they had gone into some depth when deciding what to ask the Prime Minister. I was pleased at their interest and understanding shown about government and how it affects their lives. The questions ranged from concerns about climate change through to leisure facilities and costs of higher education.
"I would encourage all young people to have their say on the issues that are of most concern to them and I would be happy to receive questions from them."
More photos...>>

16/07/07

Phil Hope MP and Deputy Leader bring Crown House jobs fight to Minister

Phil Hope, Cllr. Mark Pengelly and Maria Eagle Phil Hope and Cllr. Mark Pengelly, Deputy Leader of Corby Borough Council, today presented a petition to Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Prisons, at the Home Office on behalf of Crown House staff in Corby and held a meeting with her to press the case for retaining the Crown House prison service jobs in Corby.
During the meeting, Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Prisons, made a commitment to review the Crown House case. Phil Hope MP and Cllr. Mark Pengelly presented the Minister with new information about the recently announced Corby to London Rail service, and stressed the point that many of the Crown House workers are part time and the guidelines for journey times to Leicester may not be met under current relocation proposals.
The Minister was very receptive to the arguments made about the regeneration of Corby and Phil Hope MP and Cllr. Pengelly emphasised that Corby Borough Council and North Northants Development Company had been working hard to find suitable locations throughout the town.
Speaking today Phil Hope MP said:
"It was a good meeting with Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Prisons. I was pleasantly surprised how receptive the Minister was to our arguments. I am satisfied that she is taking a personal interest and giving her thorough attention to this case. I believe that we have strong arguments on our side that I know she will take seriously when drawing up her conclusions.
"Cllr.Pengelly and I made very clear to her the strong feeling in Corby and she acknowledged the support that Corby people are giving to Crown House staff from the size of the petition."

12/07/07

New Government Role for Phil

Phil Hope has been appointed by the Prime Minister to be the Minister for the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office.
The third sector is diverse, active and passionate encompassing the smallest voluntary group to the biggest national charity.
Sitting at the heart of government his job will be to promote the sector across the country to strengthen community action, improve public services and create a thriving culture of social enterprise.
Phil Hope said:
"It is an honour to be asked to serve in a Government led by Gordon Brown to make the changes needed to meet the new challenges we face as a country.
"I am greatly excited by the new role I have been asked to undertake. The third sector – voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises – plays a critical role alongside the public and private sectors to build economic success, create social justice and develop stronger communities.
"I look forward to drawing upon the experiences of voluntary and community groups in Corby and East Northamptonshire as I take on this new task. Having worked in the third sector for many years before entering Parliament and chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Voluntary Sector when first elected, I hope I can bring firsthand experience to the job of promoting voluntary and community groups and creating successful social enterprises."

01/07/07

Corby to benefit from affordable veterinary practice

Phil opening Vetsavers practice Phil Hope opened a new affordable Vetsavers veterinary practice at the Oakley Vale shopping area on Monday 18th June.
Vetsavers are a national group and have four practices in the Northamptonshire area. They offer the same service as other veterinary surgeries but at a reduced cost. Vetsavers appreciate that veterinary practices continually need to purchase expensive veterinary equipment to help with the diagnosis of certain medical conditions which is reflected by ever increasing prices. They have combined their interest with the PDSA for their clients benefit along with offering a buy now pay later privilege card to help budget for those unexpected large bills.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted to open the new Vetsavers surgery at Oakley Vale shopping precinct. I welcome the payment plan that Vetsavers offer customers as money is often a difficulty for pet owners especially those on a low income."
Andrew Bennett, Principal of VetSavers said:
"VetSavers surgeries are a forward thinking Group - I believes everyone deserves the right to be able to enjoy having pets without the worry that they may not be able to afford the veterinary bill that go with having them."
01/07/07

Awards for adult learners

Phil Hope with adult learners Phil Hope visited adult learners at the Learning for Life Centre, Farmstead Road in Corby on Friday 15th June to award students who have successfully completed courses or course modules.
The Learning for Life centre offer a wide range of courses including NVQs, IVQs, CLAIT, as well as basic Maths and English courses. The courses are all designed and tailored for the individual and can help people get back to work or for those who may want to progress further in their job.
The courses can also help people to improve their English and Maths skills so that, for example, parents may gain more confidence to help their children with homework or people may gain more confidence with filling in utility forms. People can learn in a supportive and relaxed environment and staff are on site to offer guidance and advice when needed.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted to award these adult learners with certificates to recognise their achievements. The effort and hard work they have shown in completing their courses or modules is admirable. The centre provides a fantastic service to adult learners wanting to improve their skills."
Philip Miller, a learner at the centre said:
"I started my European Computer Driving Licence at the Learning for Life centre in August 2006 and have nearly completed the course. I left school without qualifications and since starting the course I have developed new skills and I am now looking to pursue further education and training."
Paula Franks, Learning 4 Life's Centre Manager said:
"We’re really proud of the achievements made by all the adult learners. The centre is going from strength to strength; we have doubled the pass rates for basic Maths and English in the last year which is the equivalent to a GCSE in each subject. We welcome people of all abilities to come to our centre and see what is on offer for them."
Anyone interested in taking a course can discuss the options with a member of staff at the Learning for Life Centre on 01536 202006.
1/07/07

June 2007

Government delivers 8 extra holidays to 500,000 workers in East Midlands

500,000 workers in the East Midlands were yesterday promised up to eight extra days annual holiday with the first four coming in October this year. The extra holidays will benefit up to 6 million workers across Britain including 3.5million women and 2.5million men.
In line with the agreement at Warwick, the new regulations were published yesterday to boost the minimum holiday entitlement from 20 days a year to 24 days this October, and to 28 days from April 2009.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that the government will introduce up to eight new holidays for workers, many of whom live and work in my constituency. The government supports hard working families and is making it easier to balance work with family responsibilities. It has also ensured that our most vulnerable workers have core employment rights to protect them from abuses.
"This extra time off will make a real difference in the lives of hard-working people - a proper rest from work and more time to spend with their families and friends."
13/06/07