Fun not fright, on bonfire night
In the run up to 5th November Phil Hope MP supports firework safety and
a crackdown on firework associated anti-social behaviour.
Phil Hope MP said:
"We want bangs, not burns, at firework displays so it's really important
that individuals and families follow the firework
code.
"I know fireworks can be a worry for many people, especially in the run up to Guy Fawkes night and I agree with them that controlling fireworks matters. We need to make sure that fireworks are enjoyed safely and that the majority of people are protected from the small minority who misuse fireworks around this time of year.
"Fireworks must not be sold to anyone who is under 18 by law and they cannot be carried in a public place. It's why the Labour Government has also introduced powers for the police to fine those who cause disturbance late at night, let off fireworks in the street and fine youngsters who carry fireworks in public."
Consumers Minister Kevin Brennan adds:
"Bonfire night is a time families enjoy. But unfortunately accidents
can and do happen. Even if you think you know how to handle fireworks
look again at the Fireworks Code to ensure you and your loved ones have
a safe and happy time on bonfire night."
Visit the Firework
Safety webpage for further information
31/10/09
Plan to put a buzz back in markets
Phil Hope welcomes the move by government to revitalise our town centre market places by creating a new body made up of representatives from market traders' groups, town centre management, local government and government departments.
The new body will be to raise the profile of markets, highlight best practice, encourage local councils to use licensing powers to allow more markets, promote markets as tourist attractions and create forums to give feedback to government on legislation.
The new government body which is yet to be named, will meet for the first time this autumn.
Phil Hope said
"It is great to see the government support our town centre markets.
Good markets will help ensure the survival of our town centres which have
been the bed rock of communities for hundreds of years."
30/10/09
Time for credit and store card companies to clean up their act
Credit card firms to be forced to end rip offs
The Government has announced it will take tough action to end unfair lending terms by credit card companies. The action will mean:
- Banning the practice of increasing credit limits without prior consent
- Banning unasked for credit card cheques
- Placing restrictions on increasing the interest rate on existing debt
- Raising the minimum monthly repayments levels to encourage people to pay off their debt faster
- Changing the rules so that the most expensive debt on your credit card is paid off first. (Currently most credit card companies make you pay off the cheapest debt first.)
Supporting the move Phil Hope has called on credit and store card companies to give people a fairer deal and prevent spiralling debts.
Phil Hope MP said:
"During this difficult economic time I want to do what I can to help
local people manage their finances and cope with repaying their debts.
"What I hear about time and time again are complaints from people about unfair practices and rip offs.
"Whether its over the top charges in credit card bills, credit repayments or the high cost of credit on things like store cards, it's clear that something needs to be done to help consumers.
"What concerns me most is interest rates being increased without proper explanation. Consumers using their cards responsibly and making payments on time should not pay the price for excessive risk-taking by financial institutions. So I will push for the Government to ban or at least restrict the re-pricing of existing debt." Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan said:"Card companies have to get their act together and do more for consumers.
"It is not acceptable for card companies to impose complex and
confusing terms and conditions that can leave people baffled, or to increase
interest rates without a proper explanation. Consumers have a real responsibility
to manage their finances properly, but they also have a right to clear
information to enable them to do that. Consumers should not feel each
month as if they've been exploited or disadvantaged."
29/10/09
Phil Hope MP celebrates 'The 10th Big Draw'
Phil Hope MP joined local Corby families on Monday the 26th of October
at Kingswood Children's Centre to mark 'The 10th Big Draw' the flagship
event for the National Campaign for Drawing.
Corby celebrated this year by hosting a family drawing extravaganza day with local artists Jo Dacombe and Carole Miles and children's illustrator Lynne Chapman.
The Children's Centre show-cased work from the Family Drawing Extravaganza and other Corby Big Draw projects. Lynne Chapman held short drawing workshops for children ages 4 – 12 years.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am pleased that The 10th Big Draw is being celebrated in Corby
and I'm looking forward to seeing the exhibition of local family art.
Drawing is an easy and accessible way for people of all ages to do something
creative and fun. I am glad that the Campaign for Drawing is encouraging
more people to draw in Corby as they believe that drawing is key to understanding
and a useful tool for thought so can be used for learning. They say that
their work will be finished when the words 'I can't draw' are dropped
from our vocabulary."
The Campaign for Drawing's vision is to engage more people in drawing
as a medium for intellectual development and for drawing to be widely
understood by professionals and the general public as an important tool
for learning, creativity, enjoyment, and social and cultural engagement.
They also want drawing to be seen as a basic human skill used by everyone
in all walks of life as a creative tool for observation, thought, invention
and action: in formal and informal education, creative and cultural fields,
across the arts and sciences and in other areas of work and leisure.
25/10/09
Pitch Inspection at Windmill School
Phil Hope visited Windmill Primary School in Raunds on Friday the 23rd
of October to meet new Head Teacher Rob Astley and to see the schools
new grass football pitch.
The school was awarded Football Foundation funding at the beginning of the year to transform some extra land it had acquired into a quality grass Mini Soccer pitch.
Phil Hope MP says:
"I am delighted that the £15,076 from the Football Foundation
has created a great new grass football pitch at Windmill Primary. It will
not only benefit the young students there but also give younger players
from the FA Charter Standard Raunds Town Youth Team a safe and central
location to practice.
It is planned that the liaison between the school and football club
will be able to develop stronger links with the school to develop coaching
with parents and the clubs qualified coaches.
25/10/09
Pedestrianisation of Corby town centre
Phil Hope is delighted that the pedestrianisation of Corby town has got the go ahead after the government announced a £1.5 million grant.
Corby Council has been awarded £2.9m which includes cash for George Street and other town centre projects. The work will hopefully commence within the next few weeks and should be finished by next summer.
The work will see most of George Street closed to most motorists and open to pedestrians, taxis and buses only. A roundabout will be built at the Westcott Way-Cottingham Road junction.
Some of the money will also be spent on providing between 190 and 230 car parking spaces at the new swimming pool and Corby Cube, which is nearly complete. Also the money will be used to build a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the railway line this will form a key part of the Corby Walk. This is a direct route between the woods behind the swimming pool and the railway station.
The funding will cover some of the cost of demolishing the old swimming pool and the Willow Arts Centre, this land will be used to develop the land between the rail station and the town centre and design fees for the proposed new Tresham College site.
Phil Hope said
"This government funding will ensure the next phase of regeneration
gets going and creates an even more attractive town centre."
"Making the town centre pedistrianisied will connect up the shopping
centre, cube and swimming pool making it safer, greener and more pleasurable
to use."
27/10/09
Free Maps for 11 Year Olds
Phil Hope MP and Natural England's Sue Buckenham joined pupils at Corby Business Academy, Northamptonshire this week, in support of a joint initiative between Ordnance Survey and Natural England, to assist teaching map reading in schools.
The visit saw local Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps provided to Year 7 pupils as part of OS's nationwide Free Maps for 11 Year Olds scheme, alongside Natural England's latest offering for teachers 'The Language of Landscape' which features lesson ideas, inventive games and tips on how to incorporate map learning into the school curriculum. The leaflets were produced in conjunction with the Geographical Association.
Phil Hope and Sue Buckenham distributed the booklets and maps at Friday 23 October at the Corby Business Academy.
Phil Hope said:
"I am pleased that Ordnance Survey and Natural England are continuing
to provide 11 year olds with Free Maps of their local environment and
an 'Easy Peasy' guide to map reading. I'm sure it and their lessons on
map reading will give them the confidence to begin to explore the beautiful
country side we are so fortunate to have on our door step."
In addition to complimenting teaching about geography and the environment, the initiative is designed to encourage children and their families to get out and about and explore their local area.
Sue Buckenham commented:
"Maps are a great way for children to learn about the natural environment.
Not only can they open up a new world by showing hidden gems in a local
area, but they give children the chance to explore what's there –
whether it's a national park or a wildlife site."
As well as free leaflets and maps, pupils are also being given the chance to enter a competition run by OS, with the opportunity to win an all expenses paid day out with the Field Studies Council in Exmoor National Park. The 12 winners that can correctly complete the answers to five questions will have the chance to put their map-reading skills into practice and enjoy the many activities planned for the day.
To download Natural England's 'The Language of Landscape' brochure please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk.
To take advantage of the scheme, teachers must place their order by
30 November 2009 on the Ordnance Survey free maps website: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.
23/10/09
Phil Hope signs up to Climate Pledge
Phil Hope MP is today adding his name to the campaign to try to cut the country's carbon emissions.
The campaign 10:10 has been devised by the people who made the climate change film the "Age of Stupid"; a powerful call to arms for all those who want to save the planet.
10:10 gives individuals, schools, businesses and local authorities the chance to do their bit to reduce the UK's carbon emissions by working out how they can cut the amount of CO2 they produce by 10% in 2010.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I'm signing up to the 10:10 campaign because it gives me a chance
to really show I can make a difference on a personal level to tackling
climate change. People in Corby and East Northamptonshire are already
making an effort but signing up means that effort is visible. Everyone
in who signs up can be part of a big national effort – all of us
pulling together to prevent global warming.
"It's also a chance to send a message to all those politicians meeting
in Copenhagen at the end of the year to agree a deal on how the world
can stop runaway climate change. Britain's Climate Change Secretary Ed
Miliband will be representing the UK and the more UK citizens make their
voice heard the better he can argue for an ambitious deal. China and the
United States need to know that we in Britain really care. Each one of
us who signs up is making a commitment personally – world leaders
in turn must work as hard as possible for a deal that will leave the planet
safe for our children and grandchildren."
23/10/09
Extended Scrappage Scheme goes live
Phil Hope welcomes the extension to the Scrappage Scheme which goes live
on October 22nd.
From then, the new terms of the Government's scrappage scheme come into
force providing an extra boost to the car industry and consumers.
In September it was announced that an extra £100 million was proposed for the Government's scrappage scheme bringing the total budget to £400 million and covering up to 400,000 vehicles in total.
Having listened to industry, changes have been made that will bring even more benefits to consumers.
Van owners looking to trade in their vehicles will now be able to scrap their 8-year-old van instead of the previous 10-year requirement.
The age qualification for car owners now extends the benefits to cars registered on or before 29 Feb 2000 (V registration).
Phil Hope MP said:
"The scrappage scheme has proved to be a great success bolstering
the car industry and securing jobs. I welcome the £100 million extension
launched today which makes the scheme more accessible to even more consumers
and would encourage individuals and businesses who are looking to buy
a new vehicle to make the most of the opportunity."
The scheme will come to an end in February 2010 or when the funding runs
out, whichever is sooner.
22/10/09
New out of hours GP service
Phil Hope is delighted with the news that a consortium of Northamptonshire doctors has launched an out of hour's service to provide urgent medical care at the evenings and weekends.
If patients need urgent medical advice or care outside normal GP surgery hours they can call the new out of hours telephone number which is 03336 664 664. All the calls will be handled by experienced staff who will be able to recommend the best course of action. If it is appropriate the advisor will organise a referral to hospital or a face to face consultation with a doctor.
If you would like more information about the service, visit www.oohnorthants.org
Phil Hope said
"I welcome this new out of hours service as it will be a first point
of contact for people who need advise outside of normal GP hours."
21/10/09
Phil Hope welcomes the launch of the National Crime Mapping Website
A new interactive national map giving the public access to local statistics and details on neighbourhood policing in their area was launched today.
The online map will allow residents to view figures for all crime as well as burglary, robbery, violence, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour in their area at the touch of a button.
Phil Hope said:
"I welcome this further step to ensure that local people are at the
heart of the fight against crime. Neighbourhood policing with Safer Community
teams and PCSOs have been instrumental in reducing the level of crime
in Corby and East Northamptonshire in partnership with local communities.
This new website will give people the information to hold the police to
account and help create an even more responsive service."
For the first time people can:
- Compare one police area with another,
- Compare figures over a three-month period against the same period for the previous year and
- See annual crime rates.
The public will also be able to see details of their neighbourhood police team, local policing priorities and information about forthcoming local events such as crime prevention meetings and local surgeries.
The Crime Map builds on the Policing Pledge, which sets out what the public can expect from their local force and how they can get involved in policing.
It is the latest in a series of innovations over the last few years that puts the public at the heart of the fight against crime and disorder and supports the Government's Building Britain's Future strategy.
Other recent measures include more neighbourhood policing and collaboration
between the police, local councils, health bodies and schools to deliver
improved services. Visit the national
Crime Map here.
20/10/09
Phil Hope welcomes 'Excellence' at Kettering General Hospital
Kettering General Hospital Foundation Trust has achieved an Excellent rating for use of resources and a Good rating for quality of services in the Care Quality Commission's 2009 Annual Health Check.
This is an improvement from good to excellent for the for the hospital's use of resources compared to 2008 but a reduction in rating from excellent to good for quality of service. This reduction relates to a single part of the health check, but does not reflect on the many improvements that are currently underway.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I welcome the findings of the Care Quality Commission's 2009 Annual
Health Check on Kettering General and want to congratulate the whole team
for their excellent work. It was disappointing that one part of check
affected the rating for quality of service. However, I know that this
will inspire the staff to work even harder to achieve an 'excellent' all
round rating. As a visitor myself to the hospital I can't help but be
aware of and appreciate the vast improvements that have been made in recent
years."
Kettering General Hospital's Chief Executive, Dr Mark Newbold, said:
"These are very pleasing results indeed which reflect how much we
have improved as a hospital in recent years.
"We are pleased to have improved our rating on use of resources from good to excellent, which means that we have a good control of our finances.
"This has been very important for the hospital. For the last four years we have made a surplus while at the same time investing in improvements at the hospital such as our £18m Treatment Centre, £4.7m Cardiac Centre, our £1.5m new short-stay medical ward (Clifford Ward) and more recently our £4.7m improvements for the Harrowden medical ward floor and our £500,000 improvements to the Medical Assessment Unit.
"People who have visited the hospital, or been a patient here recently, will have seen significant improvements in the hospital's services thanks to all this work – which we have managed to do because we have made a surplus."The reason we have slipped from excellent to good in the quality of services category is because in order to get excellent you have to pass every single part of the Annual Health Check process at the time it is being assessed.
"On April 3, 2009, we had a condition attached to our initial registration
with the Care Quality Commission because visits by their inspectors had
found an issue with how we document cleaning routines in the hospital.
"We immediately addressed the issue raised and on May 14 the CQC
lifted the condition. We also received an unannounced visit by the commission
on August 26 and passed all 16 measures assessed relating to hygiene.
"We came very close to achieving the coveted 'double excellent' rating and we will now continue to work hard at improving the way we deliver care and services.
"At our Annual General Meeting on September 7 we announced the launch of our Improving Healthcare Together programme which is a concerted effort to improve the experience of care at the hospital at all levels.
"Our front-line staff are being given the power to make the changes
to care which patients are recommending to us and we feel that this will
help us to further substantially improve our quality of care over the
next year."
20/10/09
Phil Hope talks politics to the Kingswood School
A visit to the Kingswood School was recently on Phil Hope MP's agenda to speak to the year 12 'AS' level politics group about his responsibilities as an MP and Minister.
Phil talked to the students about his political career. Then students had time to put their own questions to him about the political system and Corby's future.
Phil Hope said:
"I was really pleased to visit the students at Kingswood School who
showed a real passion for politics. Being able to fuel their interest
was a pleasure. I was delighted with the class' knowledge and understanding
of the UK's political system and their eagerness to learn more."
"Their questions showed an in depth understanding and a refreshing
enthusiasm for the future of the political system in the UK."
16/10/09
Phil Hope celebrates 1293 homes made warmer in Corby
Phil Hope is celebrating the work of the Warm Front Scheme in tackling
fuel poverty in Corby and is urging more local residents to come forward
and get help with measures that could cut their energy bills by anything
up to £600 a year.
Phil Hope said:
"Solutions which tackle climate change are vital, but they must also
address social issues such as fuel poverty at the same time.
"The Warm Front scheme aims to help people with energy efficiency and is vital in helping increasing numbers of people who are finding energy bills a heavy burden."
Warm Front works by providing contributions of up to £2,700 towards insulation and gas heating measures and £4,000 for oil for the elderly, disabled and low income families.
Green support services company eaga reported that during the period 1 June 2000 to 30 November 2008, there have been record take up figures with 1293 households in Corby having benefited from the scheme.
These households benefited from a range of energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, new heating systems and draught proofing.
To date £2,033,804.69 has been invested by Warm Front in the Corby. Many of those who have benefited from the Scheme are reporting average households savings of anything between £300 and £600 a year.
Rising fuel prices and the need to protect the environment from dangerous CO2 levels are making the work of Warm Front Scheme increasingly important.
As well as benefiting from energy efficiency measures, households contacting eaga are also receiving a free benefit entitlement and to date 101 homes in the Corby constituency have increased their average weekly income by £ 27.53.
To qualify for Warm Front residents must either own their own home or
live in privately rented accommodation and should be in receipt of a qualifying
benefit. To find out more about the Scheme and see if they qualify Phil
Hope is urging households to contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6014.
20/10/09
Exeter Children Centre Officially re-opened
Phil Hope was delighted to recently re-open the new Children's Centre
at Exeter Primary School.
Local residents, health and social care professional and members of staff where all invited to take a look at the new children's centre. Which will offer parents with children under five sessions such as baby massage, a breakfast club, groups for parents and children who have just recently moved to England and stay and play sessions.
All the services in the children centre are free of charge. If you would like more information please telephone 01536 204765.
Phil Hope said
"I was delighted to reopen the Children's Centre at Exeter Primary
School. The renovated centre provides a great atmosphere for parents and
their children.
"The services that Children Centres provide are vital for both the
parent and their child. They offer support and advice and these centre
are fast becoming the heart of many communities."
20/10/09
School results improvements
Phil Hope has welcomed this year's GCSE results which show a rise in the number of young people across Northamptonshire getting good grades.
GCSE results show that in Northamptonshire:
a 5.8 percentage points rise (to 65.3 %) in the number of pupils getting
five or more GCSEs at A*-C grade. This is a big increase of 20.8 percentage
points from just 44.5 % 1998.
a 3.2 percentage points rise (to 48.6%) in the number of pupils getting five or more GCSEs at A*-C grade, including in the vital subjects of English and maths. This is a big increase of 14.8 percentage points from just 33.5% in 1998.
Phil Hope MP said:
"Congratulations to young people, teachers and parents across Northamptonshire.
"This year's GCSE results show a good increase over the last year
and a real transformation in school standards across Northamptonshire
since 1997, now 65.3% of students get 5 or more GCSEs at A* - C Grade.
"Our school leavers guarantee means that every 16 and 17 year old
who got their GCSE results in the summer can now stay on in education
or training. With extra funding announced in the Budget we're guaranteeing
a suitable place in school, college, training or an apprenticeship for
all young people.
"The Government will continue to increase investment in schools
each year. I want every child, and not just a few, to get a good education
with extra help for those who need it most. And I want every young person
to have a choice of good qualifications, whether their strengths are practical,
academic or both."
15/10/09
Phil Hope Celebrates 'National Bookstart Day'
Phil Hope visited Danesholme Library on Friday the 9th of October to mark
National Bookstart Day, celebrating Bookstart, the national programme
run by the charity Booktrust, which gives a gift of free books to all
babies, toddlers and preschool children in the UK.
Bookstart aims to give every child a love of books and the important benefits
of sharing stories, songs and rhymes with their parents, friends and carers.
This year's celebration is 'My Favourite Rhyme' all about rhymes, sharing your favourites and learning new ones.
Phil Hope said:
"I want to mark National Bookstart Day because a love of books can
still inspire people of all ages even in these times of advancing technology.
Booktrust is doing wonderful work encouraging young children to read.
We need to support that work by encouraging our children to use our free
libraries like this one in Danesholme, where anyone can come and borrow
and enjoy books."
A new survey has revealed that the UK is falling out of love with nursery rhymes, with parents claiming that nursery rhymes are simply too old-fashioned to interest their children.
Only 36% of parents surveyed regularly use nursery rhymes with their children, while almost a quarter admit that they have never sung a nursery rhyme with their child.
More than 20% of young parents claimed not to use them because they were not considered educational.
Over 2,500 people participated in the survey for National Bookstart Day,
which takes place this Friday. National Bookstart Day celebrates the Bookstart
programme, which gives three packs of free books to every child in the
UK and encourages sharing books and rhymes with children from as young
an age as possible.
The theme of this year's National Bookstart Day was My Favourite Rhyme.
The nation's favourite nursery rhyme is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
The top ten across the UK are:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Incey Wincey Spider
Round and Round the Garden
Baa Baa Black Sheep
The Grand Old Duke of York
If You're Happy and You Know It
Humpty Dumpty
This Little Piggy
Ring a Ring a Roses
I'm a Little Teapot
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was the favourite amongst all the
regions in the UK, apart from the north east which chose Incey Wincey
Spider.
08/10/09
Phil Hope launched the National Skills Academy for Social Care
Up to 1.5 million adult social care workers currently working in England will be able to improve their skills as the National Skills Academy for Social Care was launched today by Phil Hope Minister for Care and Skills Minister Kevin Brennan.
Backed by over £6m of Government funding, the National Skills Academy (NSA) for Social Care will also train some of the estimated future 1 million highly skilled care workers needed to care for our ageing population. It will equip the workforce with the skills they need for the jobs of the future and will raise the status of careers in social care.
Phil Hope MP said:
"The National Skills Academy for Social Care is a unique and exciting
development for the care sector. We need to ensure that we have a workforce
in place that is well equipped to deliver high quality services driven
by the people who use them. The employer-led Skills Academy will be the
driving force to ensure this.
"The Skills Academy will also play a key role in implementing the Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy which we launched earlier this year. I want to boost the status of social care so that the sector can attract and retain the best and brightest candidates."
Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said:
"Now, more than ever, we need to develop training that empowers a
new generation to realise their ambitions, and to deliver the very best
patient care. And we need employers to be involved at every step. A new
National Skills Academy for Social Care will help build a world-beating
workforce that will improve standards and help shape rewarding careers:
not just among new recruits but within the existing workforce."
The Skills Academy will create a powerful partnership which allows employers
to shape the training needed in the sector. It will direct learning support
and training practice for 35,000 employers, with particular emphasis on
small and medium-sized organisations.
The Skills Academy aims to inspire those currently working in social care,
and help them to develop, alongside attracting more people into a rewarding
career in social care. It is the first public sector National Skills Academy
and the 13th to join the network as an active of Skills Academy.
Supported by the Department of Health, the Skills Academy has already
introduced a National Management Trainee Scheme to attract some of the
executives of the future into the adult social care workforce. This scheme,
with a pilot of 20 graduates is the first of its kind for social care.
The one-year course is hosted by 20 employers across England and is designed
for current graduates from a range of disciplines.
The NSA also plans to increase take-up of apprenticeships at both foundation
and advanced levels for young people and adults and to drive up numbers
of adults qualified to at least NVQ level 2 and level 3.
13/10/09
'Velvet Gloves' for over 50s
Phil Hope celebrated the launch of the Autumn Centre Velvet Glove Project on Friday the 2nd of October with over 50s who will benefit from this great new project. Six months funding for a Prevention & Early Intervention Project will give the centre the services of a Health Care Assistant who helps older people live active, healthy and independently in their own homes.
Phil Hope also marked UK Older People's Day which is now in its third year and coincides with the UN International Day for Older People. Events on the day celebrate the role that older people play in our society, and promoted a more positive view of later life.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am pleased that the Autumn Centre is launching the Velvet Glove
Project. It is a great pilot designed to promote well being by focusing
on support and monitoring to ensure early detection of health problems.
It will be a great addition to the services already on offer at the centre,
which I hope will give enable more people to socialise at the centre.
"UK Older People's Day is about changing every ones attitudes towards
'older people', and to create a more positive view of later life. I have
visited the Autumn Centre lots of times and the people I have meet there
have always been full of fun portraying a really up beat image."
30/09/09
School gets eco-makeover
Phil Hope is delighted that Corby is getting a state of the art 'eco school' on the site of the former Beanfield secondary School.
The new Maplefields School will replace the two existing sites in Corby and Kettering offering places for 110 pupils ages 5 through to 18 and 65 staff. The school will have three different elements within two buildings, with a primary school, a secondary school and diploma centre providing vocational and sports facilities.
The new school building will be designed to limit its environmental impact,
new technologies have been incorporated into the design including rain
water harvesting, high levels of thermal insulation, natural ventilation,
green sedum roofs, solar thermal panels and a bio-fuel boiler which will
support an under floor heating system.
Construction of the project is expected to start in February 2010.
Phil Hope said:
"The new Maplefields School is at the cutting edge of eco-technology.
The design creates an atmosphere for good learning whilst also minimising
the schools impact on the environment.
"This unique building represents the unique school it houses. It
offers specialist education and teaching ensuring all our children get
the best possible start in life."
26/09/09
Building at Irthlingborough Outpatients
Phil Hope is delighted that the building of the new Irthlingborough outpatient's facility could start within a matter of weeks.
The new clinic will be built near the Rushden & Diamonds football ground and will serve 40,000 people a year from across East Northamptonshire. This is great news as it will mean more patients will get treated closer to home and it will also reduce pressure at Kettering General Hospital.
Phil Hope fought a hard campaign to bring the outpatient's clinic to Irthlingborough as it met all the criteria set out by Kettering General Hospital. He said:
"I am delighted to see that the Irthlingborough outpatient clinic is on course to deliver the high quality services the people of East Northamptonshire need and deserve.
"I will be meeting the Chief Executive of Kettering General Hospital
Mark Newbold this week and will be seeking assurances that this facility
will be delivered within the timescale and to the high standard required.
I look forward to the sod cutting ceremony which will ensure everyone
in East Northamptonshire has access to first rate health care."
25/09/09
New National Helpline for Vulnerable Workers: 0800 917 2368
The new Pay and Work Rights helpline is part of a wider campaign to raise awareness of workplace rights introduced by the Government. It will provide a unified point of contact for both employers and workers.
Phil Hope MP said:
"This Government has an extraordinary record on promoting, championing
and legislating for workplace rights and I'm proud to have played a part
in that in Parliament. This new hotline makes it easier than ever for
vulnerable workers and employers to ask questions about the rules we have
brought in and to report bad or illegal practice whenever it occurs"
Business Minister, Pat McFadden said:
"This Government has done a lot to improve rights at work but it's
also essential to make sure these rights are properly enforced. A simple
system for reporting abuses and giving advice and information to employers
and workers is a critical part of that.
"By consolidating the current complex system of different helplines for different issues into one single number we are making it easier for workers to report abuses and for Government to respond. We want to transfer the burden of navigating the system from the worker to the Government. This is an important step and we are determined that the recession does not become an excuse to deny people their basic rights at work."
The hotline number is 0800 917 2368 and comes on line today.
24/09/09
£710,000 boost for Patient Privacy and Dignity
Phil Hope has welcomed news that Kettering General Hospital Trust has
received £710,000 from the Government's Privacy and Dignity Fund
to improve accommodation in its medical assessment unit and make improvements
to information, signs and modesty arrangements.
The Trust is committed to providing patients with same sex sleeping areas,
bathrooms and toilet facilities because protecting patients' privacy and
dignity is an essential part of delivering high quality care.
Phil Hope said:
"We are at our most vulnerable when we are unwell and in hospital;
and to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed doesn't help anyone's recovery.
So the Government has made a investment of £100 million to help
hospitals make adjustments to eliminate same sex accommodation.
"I am really pleased that Kettering General Hospital Trust's existing
£20 million ward improvement programme has been given this huge
£710,000 boost to help it provide the best possible care for its
patients.
The National Inpatient Survey last year showed that 99% of The Trust's
patients said they were treated with dignity and respect, however some
of the facilities there are still less than ideal. One of the main areas
of concern is the Middleton Assessment Unit where medical patients are
first assessed before being admitted to a hospital ward. The new investment
will enable the unit to be remodelled to create small three to four bed
bays with single sex toilets and showers.
The Trust's Director of Nursing and Quality Liz Libiszewski said:
"Providing same sex accommodation shows that we treat all patients
with respect making their time in hospital as comfortable as possible.
We are delighted to have been successful in securing some of the national
investment to improve same sex accommodation arrangements in the NHS."
24/09/09
Ashfield House – One Year On
Phil Hope MP visited Ashfield House Residential Care Home in Raunds to
mark the anniversary of its opening. While Mr Hope was there he toured
the home and its grounds.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I was delighted to be asked back to Ashfield House to meet the residents
and see how it has developed since its opening this time last year. The
welcoming atmosphere shows that all the effort that has been put into
making the Ashfield House a real home from home has paid off. There is
now a sensory garden which includes a green house and raised beds where
the residents can enjoy growing their own vegetables.
"Neighbours are regularly invited to enjoy social gathering and
outings with the residents which I think is a great way to make sure that
they remain valued members of the local community."
22/09/09
Phil joins in childrens's centre celebrations
Phil Hope visited Exeter School Children's Centre on Friday the 18th of
September as part of National Sure Start Children's Centres Week celebration.
The week of activities across the country was designed to promote the
universal services on offer for families with children under 5.
Phil Hope said:
"I'm pleased to be visiting the New Exeter Children's Centre and
celebrating Sure Start Children's Centres Week with the young children,
their families and the staff there. This week is about promoting the success
of Children's Centres and the services they offer. Studies have already
shown children behave better and are more independent if they live in
areas with Children's Centres; helping them to do well when they start
school.
"I am really proud that there are six great children's centres in Corby and East Northamptonshire now, and when ever I visit them parents tell me how much they enjoy and value the real help they get. So I want to thank all the Sure Start staff and volunteers in all the Children's Centres who have helped to make them such a success."
To find the names and locations of local Children's Centres visit the
Sure
Start website
23/09/09
Phil Hope attends Learning Skills Partnership Conference
Phil Hope MP recently attended the first ever Learning Skills Partnership conference in Corby where he met local head teachers and deputy heads.
The conference is designed to inspire leadership and help build further on the aspirations of our children and young adults by encouraging partnerships between local schools.
Phil Hope was invited to deliver a short speech to the delegates were he thanked them for their hard work and effort which has lead to continued improvement of schools in Corby.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I was delighted to be given the opportunity to meet and talk to
the senior leaders of our local schools. We have seen our schools go from
strength to strength thanks to strong leadership, the hard work of both
teachers and pupils and continued investment.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the head
teachers of Corby who have led the way with their innovate approach to
partnership working which ensures every child is collectively supported
by all the schools."
20/09/09
Phil Hope Launches Family Handbook
Phil Hope MP launched his family handbook at Irthlingborough Children's
Centre to celebrate National Children's Centre Week.
The event at Irthlingborough Children's Centre was planned to highlight
the success of Children's Centres and to raise awareness of the support
services they offer. There are six great children's centre in Corby and
East Northamptonshire now and two more are planned for Thrapston and Oundle.
Phil Hope wants to make sure that more families visit the centres to give
their children the best start in life.
Sure Start Children's Centre Week is being celebrated across the country between Monday the 14th of September and Friday the 18th of September. There are now more than 3,000 Children's Centres in England providing support to almost 2.4 million children and their families. The centres provide a 'one-stop shop' where families with children from 0-5 years can access a range of services including information and advice on health, training and education, parenting and family support and childcare.
Phil Hope said
"Raising a family is one of the most rewarding things you can do."
At the event Phil launched his new 'Family Booklet' which he has written to tell people about the many sources of support there are available to them.
"If you would like to receive your free copy of my Family Handbook please get in contact with my constituency office or download it here " (pdf 592k)
The New Kingswood School
Phil Hope toured the site of The New Kingswood School earlier this week.
The progress on the £25 million construction project meant that
he was able to get inside the ambitious new building and walk around the
fantastic new sports facilities.
Phil Hope said:
"I am really pleased that The Kingswood School project is taking
shape so quickly; I was able to have an insight into how the fantastic
New School will look. And I saw the great new sports facilities which
will benefit the whole local community
"The New School is a just reward for the students and staff after all their hard work and commitment over the past few years. It is great that they will soon be able to settle into a state of the art school they can all call their own.
"I am looking forward to seeing the finished project next year.
It will have a huge positive impact on the young people inspiring them
to bigger and better things."
11/09/09
Building Britain's Housing - 70 New Council Houses for Corby!
Phil Hope welcomed news today of a £7 million government investment in new council houses for Corby.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am absolutely delighted that Corby has been successful in securing
more than £7 million to invest in 70 new council homes. This hasn't
happened by chance, it is part of the Government's £1.5 billion
Housing Pledge announced in June and I'm really pleased that the people
of Corby will benefit from this funding.
"The regeneration of areas in the Kingwood Estate, Danesholme and Arran Way will soon be under way continuing the transformation of our town, and this investment will give a much needed boost to the construction industry. I would like to thank Corby Borough Council for the huge effort they have made to win this funding."
Housing Minister John Healey has given the green light for work to begin building over 2,000 new council homes that will help create over 5,000 jobs in the construction industry. Work will begin on the first sites before the end of the year.
Despite the recession this is the biggest council house building programme for almost two decades. 47 councils, covering every region of England, will receive a share of £127m Government funding to help build these homes. With matched funding, the total investment will be over £250m.
80% of the new council homes given the go ahead today will be built to standards well above that required by building regulations, helping to cut CO2 emissions and reduce energy bills for the families that live in them.
All of the schemes put forward were subject to tough testing. They had to represent value for money, help meet specific local housing needs and be able to begin construction before March 2010. Crucially only bids for the construction of new council homes for rent were eligible.
Today's major cash injection is part of the Prime Minister's £1.5bn Housing Pledge announced in Building Britain's Future in June. This commitment to housing will help build the homes the country needs, get people into construction jobs and help the country through the recession. The funding comes on top of the 'Kickstart' cash announced by John Healey in July to get building work on hundreds of stalled housing developments back on track.
It also follows action taken by John Healey to both dismantle the current
council housing finance system and give local authorities greater leeway
to manage their allocations and waiting lists. Together, these moves will
allow councils more freedom to better meet housing needs in their communities.
08/09/09
Extra Help for Corby Home Owners
Phil Hope is backing a new national campaign which could help more people in Corby and East Northamptonshire avoid having their home repossessed.
John Healey MP Housing Minister today launched a new national campaign to help struggling homeowners take control of their finances and make the most of the support available for them to avoid repossessions and stay in their homes.
A series of press, online and billboard advertisements will highlight the measures the Government has put in place at every stage for homeowners to avoid repossession.
Phil Hope said:
"I know that some of my constituents could face losing their home without extra help. Worry about paying the mortgage can be one of the most frightening experiences for people. Thankfully there is a lot of help out there and this campaign is about ensuring people in Corby and East Northamptonshire are aware of that. The worst thing people can do is bury their heads in the sand.
"Over 300,000 people so far have received help and advice in paying their mortgage since April 2008 which is fantastic news.
"The campaign will help homeowners regain control of their situation by offering practical advice through the new website, trained advisors at the National Debtline, and other organisations.
The campaign website www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp is be specifically tailored to the target audience, and providing:
An action plan of simple steps tailored to individual circumstances
Facts to dispel the myths around repossession, for example as 'I'm better off handing in the keys' and 'there's no point going to Court'
Real life stories, including households who have been helped by Government schemes, debt advice and lender forbearance
Information on who can help, including links to partner organisations and helplines
Information on government assistance schemes and how to access
In time, more specific tailored assistance including local information through postcode entry.The steps that have been taken to ensure help is available at every stage of the repossession process include:
ACTION ON ADVICE: The Government is investing £130m in providing free face-to-face debt advice services between 2006 and 2011, and over the past year more than 100,000 families have received information and advice about their mortgages from councils and Citizens Advice Bureaux.
ACTION ON LENDERS: The Government has taken action so homeowners are treated fairly with tolerance and understanding from lenders for those in mortgage arrears – 116,000 struggling households are now benefiting from special arrangements agreed with their lender.
ACTION IN THE COURTS: Lenders must prove they have exhausted every possible option before applying for a repossession order. The Government has continued to put funding into Court Desks offering free, on-the-day legal advice and representation for those threatened with repossession. The Government recently doubled the extra funding to support this service. There is now universal access to this service for people attending repossession hearings at county courts in England. Even on the day of a repossession hearing, around four in five repossessions can still be stopped if the households attend court and access free advice.
ACTION TO PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT: Through special Government schemes like Support for Mortgage Interest and Homeowners Mortgage Support over 200,000 families are now getting help with their mortgage interest payments – with another 88,000 expected to benefit over the next two years. For the most vulnerable households facing the immediate threat of repossession, there is the safety net of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
John Healey MP Housing Minister said:
"When homeowners are under pressure and feel their finances are spiralling
out of control, the worst thing they can do is bury their heads in the
sand. I want them to know that sensible, impartial advice is available
online or over the phone so they are able to arm themselves with the facts
and take control."
"In most cases where people seek help they are able to keep their home, so we have made sure a range of support is available to them – whether free debt advice or help with interest payments, a request for lenders to show greater tolerance and understanding to those in arrears, on-the-day legal advice for those facing court hearings or, for the most vulnerable households, the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
On targeting the campaign in the 'Hotspot' areas, John Healey said:
"The action we've taken means we've seen recent drops in the numbers
of repossessions, but there's no room for complacency. The message of
today's campaign is clear: it's your home – let's keep it that way.
The adverts will appear across the country, and particularly in those
22 most at risk, to reassure people that they are not alone, and that
help is out there at every step of the way."
08/09/09
Phil Hope signs up to Climate Pledge
Phil Hope is adding his name to the campaign to try to cut the country's carbon emissions.
The campaign 10:10 has been devised by the people who made the climate change film The Age of Stupid; a powerful call to arms for all those who want to save the planet.
10:10 gives individuals, schools, businesses and local authorities the chance to do their bit to reduce the UK's carbon emissions by working out how they can cut the amount of CO2 they produce by 10% in 2010.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I'm signing up to the 10:10 campaign because it gives me a chance
to really show I can make a difference on a personal level to tackling
climate change. People in Corby and East Northamptonshire are already
making an effort but signing up means that effort is visible. Everyone
in Corby and East Northamptonshire who signs up can be part of a big national
effort – all of us pulling together to prevent global warming.
"It's also a chance to send a message to all those politicians
meeting in Copenhagen at the end of the year to agree a deal on how the
world can stop runaway climate change. Britain's Climate Change Secretary
Ed Miliband will be representing the UK and the more UK citizens make
their voice heard the better he can argue for an ambitious deal. China
and the United States need to know that we in Britain really care. Each
one of us who signs up is making a commitment personally – world
leaders in turn must work as hard as possible for deal that will leave
the planet safe for our children and grandchildren."
02/09/09
Phil Hope MP welcomes green light for Tresham
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has now given approval to Tresham Institute to begin their new building in Corby.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that the new Corby campus for Tresham Institute has
been given the final go ahead. Corby is one of only thirteen colleges
chosen in England to be able to go ahead with their ambitious plans and
I'm really looking forward to seeing the new state of the art campus take
shape. The building project will have a really positive impact on the
local economy, bringing in much needed jobs when we need them most.
"We have seen huge investment in our Primary and Secondary Schools in Corby; this is the next step in paving the way for our younger generations to having the best possible opportunities for further education and training in their home town."
Over the past 10 years just under £2 billion has been invested
directly into the renewal and refurbishment of the Further Education estate
-700 projects – at nearly 330 colleges across England – have
been funded. The 2009 Budget announced an additional £300 million
of capital investment in further education as part of a fiscal stimulus
package which has enabled a number of projects to be funded this year.
04/09/09
