Phil Hope MP

News

Phil Hope says "I support more money to train young people"

Phil supports government plans to ensure that young people who don't go to university are guaranteed support to continue their education and training.
All 19-25 year olds who do not have at least the equivalent of 2 A levels (level 3 qualifications), will be entitled to free training worth around £7,000 to fund training to this level. This will benefit around 100,000 young people nationally.
And, in a further boost to skills and local businesses in Corby and East Northamptonshire, young people, including those who have A levels, will be entitled to an apprenticeship credit. This is a voucher for training that they can use with potential employers who could offer them an apprenticeship.
Phil said:
"This is great news for Corby and East Northamptonshire I fully support the government putting in place support for all young people who want to get on in life – as an apprentice, training in work, or at university."

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:
"Our aim is to give everyone the opportunity to make the most of their talents and secure their own prosperity through improving their chances to get and keep the jobs of the future. The steps we have announced today are a key part of our plans."
27/06/08

Phil Hope welcomes £807,000 in small grants to Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Community Foundation has won a Government competition to distribute funding to grassroots initiatives in the area - and small community groups and projects in the county are now set to benefit from a cash injection of nearly £1.7million.
This new pot of funding, a three year programme called Grassroots Grants, will be made up of £807,000 in small grants. The rest will come in form of endowment match funding – whereby each £1 donated by local businesses and philanthropists will be matched by the Government Office for the Third Sector.
This money is part of a £130 million nationwide drive by the Government to support thousands of groups and projects across the country, working to improve their local communities. Phil said:
"This is fantastic news for Northamptonshire. I want to encourage small local community groups to use this funding to make a real difference in their local areas. £807,000 will go straight to grassroots projects in the next three years. People who want to make a charitable donation will see their gift almost double in value under the endowment matched challenge part of the scheme."
This week's win means that Northamptonshire Community Foundation will distribute £807,000 directly to grassroots groups over the next three years, starting this September. In partnership with Northamptonshire ACRE, who will be distributing a slice of this funding to rural areas in the county, the Foundation will be using its expertise and knowledge of the local area to identify those small local charitable organisations, best able to use the money to make a real difference.
Under the endowment match challenge part of the scheme, local people and businesses are being offered the opportunity to more than double the value of their charitable donations if they do their giving through the Grassroots Grants fund, which is being set up by Northamptonshire Community Foundation. The return/yield from the fund will then be used to ensure that further grants are available particularly once the current round of funding runs out in March 2011.
To find out more about Grassroots Grants and the endowment match challenge call Northamptonshire Community Foundation on (01604) 230033 or visit the website at www.ncf.uk.com
08/07/08

Phil Hope MP is Listening in Irthlingborough with the Safer Community Team.

Phil Hope MP says:
"Overall crime in Northamptonshire fell last year by 6.5 per cent but in some areas such as Corby it fell, 13 per cent; whilst other areas like East Northamptonshire experienced a small increase. That's why I believe we need to continue to take the tough action necessary to tackle crime. I believe that the decent, law-abiding majority have a fundamental right to feel safe in their homes and on their streets.
"We already have a Safer Community Team in East Northamptonshire headed by Sergeant Ali Rae which has been working hard to tackle issues in your neighbourhood that are affecting your quality of life. I want to give him and his team every support to build towards the successes seen in Corby.
"My job as your MP is to make sure that I listen to your experiences; tell the council, police, ministers and government agencies about them and ask them what they are going to do to help.
"I will be holding a listening panel in Irthlingborough on Friday the 4th of July in the College Street Day Centre from 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm where you can come and meet me and representatives of the Safer Community Team and tell us about your experiences.
"I will continue to work hard to keep you and your family safe but to make sure I am telling the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and other Ministers your priorities I need to hear your views - so please join me at the Listening Panel."

If you can't make it to my meeting please write to me at my constituency office, Chisholm House, Queens Square, Corby NN17 1PD, email at hopep@parlaiment.uk or telephone me on 01536 443325.
26/06/08

Ban Mosquito Devices and put more PCSOs on the Beat

85% of adults and young people in Corby say that Mosquito Devices should be banned or regulated. The best ways to deal with anti-social behaviour are more PCSOs and more things for young people to do and more places to go.
These are the findings of a survey of a hundred people by Phil Hope who says:
"There is clearly strong concern locally about the unregulated use of these Mosquito devises that emit a painful high pitched noise that only children and young people can hear. 6 out of 10 people want them banned completely either permanently or temporarily until the effects on children's health is better understood.
"My survey also showed that people locally prefer using different approaches to tackling anti-social behaviour. Given a choice of 10 ways of tackling crime the top 3 that people identified were; more PCSOs, more places for young people to go and more things for young people to do. Mosquito devices in public places came bottom of the list.
"I am writing to the Home Office and the Children's Commissioner to tell them what Corby people think and to ask them to conduct further research into the health effects of these devises and to explore whether they should be regulated or banned completely."
24/06/08

Phil Hope visits Stanwick Lakes

Phil Hope with Alyson Allfree of the Rockingham Forest Trust at Stanwick Lakes
Phil Hope MP visited Stanwick Lakes last Friday to view the progress beginning made in the construction of their new visitors centre and to meet members enjoying an 'Animal Magic' event with their children.
Phil Hope MP said:
"Stanwick Lakes is a great local resource with more people enjoying their leisure time there all the time. I was really impressed by the innovative design of the visitors centre; it and will lead the way in Northamptonshire bringing us our first carbon neutral building.
"I would urge local people to take a trip there to see for themselves, young or old there is something for everyone, beautiful walks, extensive play facilities for children and amazing wildlife."
The new Visitors Centre is set to be one of the first carbon neutral buildings in Northamptonshire; it will provide a full range of visitor facilities including café and shop, as well as a valuable community resource. The innovative design of the building incorporates the latest green technology, such as solar power, rain water harvesting, a ground source heat pump and a wind turbine, which will enable the building to meet its own energy needs.
In addition to the café and shop, there will be educational indoor play facilities, function rooms for hire, interpretation and exhibition space, and visitor toilets. It is expected that the building will be completed by Easter 2009.
The park is becoming increasingly popular; there is a membership scheme which costs £25 per year to join allowing free parking and entry to special members' events at the Lakes.
Stanwick Lakes in managed by Rockingham Forest Trust is an environmental charity on behalf of East Northamptonshire Council, one of the project's key funders, other funders include North Northamptonshire Development Company (through the Department for Communities and Local Government), East Midlands Development Agency and River Nene Regional Park.
20/06/08

'Staying Put Pilot' scheme announced by Children's Minister Kevin Brennan.

Northamptonshire will be one of ten areas benefiting from a £5 million government programme to trial 'Staying Put' which will allow young people to be given the chance to stay on in their foster families beyond the age of 18. Young people in care will be able to stay in their stable family placement only moving to independent living when they feel properly ready, this will allow them to make the transition to adulthood in a more gradual way, just like other young adults who rely on their families for this type of support.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted that one of the 'Staying Put Pilots' is going to be in Northamptonshire, it will mean that our vulnerable young people will be some of the first to benefit from the extra support; they won't have to leave the protection of their families as soon as they reach 18 but will be able to spreading their wings when they are ready.
"The average age for some one to leave home in the UK is 24, yet young people in care have been expected to have the maturity to live by themselves when they are only 18 which just isn't fair. This is a really important step forward which will lead the way for the rest of the country."
The Staying Put Pilots will help develop a better understanding of the possible practical and financial barriers that could arise, where foster carers provide support to young adults from a care background. These could involve such issues as legal insurance and the tax status of these carers.
The chosen local authorities represent a geographic and demographic spread across England and will be able to provide valuable lessons that will be disseminated as good practice. The successful authorities are: Bristol; Cheshire; Dorset; Lincolnshire; Merton; Northamptonshire; North Tyneside; North Yorkshire; Warwickshire and York.
Alongside these pilots, the Government has already announced the £6 million Right2BCared4 pilots, which give young people up to the age of 18 a greater say over when they move to independence.
20/06/08

Launch of website to celebrate 60 years of the NHS in Northamptonshire

Happy 60th Birthday NHS A NEW website has been launched to celebrate 60 years of the NHS in Northamptonshire and they want to hear from you.
The new site – www.northants60.nhs.uk - is an opportunity for patients, public, staff and ex-NHS employees to share their memories, photographs, and any NHS related events they have planned to celebrate this important landmark diamond anniversary. There is also links to national resources about the NHS at 60 including a timeline history of the NHS and 'Class of 1948' feature.
Saturday, 5th July 2008 marks the official 60th anniversary, but celebrations will be taking place throughout the year.
In 1948, for the first time, prevention, diagnosis and treatment were brought together under one umbrella organisation to create one of the most comprehensive health services in the world, the NHS. The NHS has shown the world the way to healthcare, not as a privilege to be paid for, but as a fundamental human right.
This is your website, so the more contributions we get, the better. The website will evolve as and when we get contributions for it – we are particularly interested in archive photographs taken in any Northamptonshire NHS settings.
Phil Hope has already contributed to the site. Mr Hope said: "The NHS saved my life last year. I was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph system and during 2007 received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy at my local hospitals in Northamptonshire. I am very pleased to say that I am in full remission, with hair and energy levels both fully restored! The wider support and care I received from the nurses, doctors and volunteers was outstanding."
Diane Fenton, Deputy Head of Primary Care Contracts at the PCT, started working for the NHS in Northamptonshire in 1973. Diane said: "I've seen a lot of changes over the years and have a lot of happy memories of the various staff I've worked with and patients I've met.
"The 60th anniversary of the NHS would be a great opportunity for people to share their memories and photos with the PCT, and celebrate all the good work that has gone on here."
Please send your memories and photographs either by email or by post to NHS 60, Communications, Northamptonshire Teaching PCT, Bevan House, Kettering Parkway South, Venture Park, Kettering, NN15 6XR.
30/06/08

Phil has burning message for local youngsters

Phil with SunSmart campaign mascot
Phil Hope issued a 'red alert' warning to local youngsters after learning more about sun safety from experts at Cancer Research UK.
The Corby and East Northamptonshire MP attended a special 'Molewatch Clinic' at Westminster last week where he was given a stark warning about the risk that sunburn poses to young people.
Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign mascot, a giant mole, handed out information about skin cancer to MPs urging them to get the message out to their constituents that sunburn can double the risk of the most dangerous form of skin cancer. *
It is vital to be aware of any changes on your skin - says the charity. And it also advises anyone who notices a change in the size, colour or shape of an existing mole to have it checked out by a GP – especially if they are fair skinned and/or have lots of moles.

Phil Hope MP said:
"I was shocked to learn that malignant melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – is now the most common cancer in young adults aged between 15 and 34.
"It's so important for young adults and parents to take steps to protect their own skin and that of their children by covering up, spending some time in the shade and using sunscreen.
"Attending Cancer Research UK's Molewatch Clinic really highlighted for me how important it is to enjoy the sun safely and to avoid burning. Even minor sunburn causes permanent damage beneath the skin."
He added: "Anyone with concerns about a particular mole, freckle or patch of skin that has changed over a period of weeks or months should make sure they speak to their GP without delay."

Caroline Cerny, Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign manager, explained: "There are more skin cancer deaths in the UK than in Australia, even though Australia has more cases of the disease. In many cases people get sunburnt when they are just out and about in the sun and not deliberately sunbathing. It's so easy to get 'caught out'."
"Rates of malignant melanoma have significantly increased in the last 25 years. But the majority of skin cancers could be prevented by being SunSmart, so it's very important to know how to enjoy the sun safely."
Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign encourages people to know their skin type and use the UV index to find out when they need to protect themselves.
It offers guidelines on how to be sensible in the sun:
- S pend time in the shade between 11 and 3
- M ake sure you never burn
- A im to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
- R emember to take extra care with children
- T hen use factor 15+ sunscreen
Also report mole changes or unusual skin growths promptly to your doctor.
For information on skin cancer and the Cancer Research UK SunSmart campaign visit: www.sunsmart.org.uk
16/06/08

Phil Hope visits Corby Furniture Turnaround Project to view their warehouse and work shops

Phil Hope at Furniture Turnaround
The Corby Furniture Turnaround Project exists to develop and promote the social welfare and health of people in the local area.
The Project in Corby has provided a service to the community for the last 10 years, in the last 12 months they have delivered 100 tonnes of essential items to people's homes. This equates to 20 households benefiting per week. Their ethos is to protect the environment by reducing fly tipping and land fill whilst helping families to avoid debt by making reused quality furniture available at affordable prices.
Not only do they provide refurbished furniture items, they now test and supply electrical goods such as washing machines, refrigerators and cookers together with starter packs of bedding, kitchen equipment and soft furnishings to help those establishing a home for the first time.
The Project depends on the help of volunteers for it's success, in return for their work volunteers are given work based skills and training which leads to qualifications and employment; 55 people have gone on to full time employment in warehousing and other related jobs. Phil Hope said:
"I'd like to thank Furniture Turnaround not only for their kind hospitality but for their exemplary work in supporting the Corby community with their creative recycling project. The project sets an example to us all on how to incorporate many important values and initiatives into one working unit.
"They provide invaluable support for people establishing new homes, give volunteers the opportunity to learn skills enabling them to take up new jobs and look after our environment all at the same time, I have to congratulate them on their success.
"I would encourage everyone setting up a new home or thinking of investing in some new furniture to visit their warehouse."
16/06/08

Phil welcomes the announcement of a new 'Carers Strategy' during Carers Week.

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health, has launched a new multi-million pound strategy to support, help and improve the lives of Britain's army of carers.
The new strategy has been signed up to by 7 government departments. It is underpinned by £255 million to implement some immediate steps together with a long-term plan to address some of the more complex issues. The strategy will deliver more breaks for adult carers; pilots to see how annual health checks for carers might be provided and flexible and accessible training for carers.
Phil Hope said:
"I welcome this new 'Carers Strategy' Carers are Britain's unsung heroes. Dedicated carers around the country and here in Corby and East Northamptonshire play a vital role in supporting elderly and disabled relatives and friends – but they need support themselves. Carers Week, held in June every year, is an opportunity to thank them for the hard work they do and highlight their cause.
The most important part of this announcement is the big investment in bringing breaks to carers. No matter how much you love someone, caring around the clock can be exhausting. A break, where someone else takes over caring for a while and gives carers time off, can make a huge difference. "The strategy will deliver:

more breaks for adult carers;
pilots to see how we might provide annual health checks for carers with additional training for GPs on how to better recognise the health pressures caring can bring;
training for key professionals to support carers;
more flexible and accessible skills training for carers;
better support and protection for children and young people to prevent inappropriate caring;
a review of the flexible working definition of a carer; and
a good practice guide for employers.

It will be supported by the additional investment of £255 million providing:

£150 million for breaks for carers over the next two years;
up to £38 million to support carers to enter/re-enter the job market; and
over £6 m to provide support for young carers.

This money will be allocated to PCTs, who will be required to work with their local authority partners to publish joint plans for the provision of breaks after a local consultation with relevant parties, including the third sector and carers themselves. This additional funding gives a clear indication of the governments commitment to ensuring that carers are able to have a life outside caring.
11/06/08

Bill Rammell visits Corby

Left to right: Damon Haldane, Corus Apprentice, Phil, Mark James and Bill Rammell
Bill Rammell Minister of State (Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education)Department of Innovation, University and Skills visited Corby on Friday 13th June.
Phil Hope took Bill Rammell MP to visit to local employers Corus this Friday. They met Mark James, Learning & Development Manager for Corus and Mark Silverman Principle of Tresham College to see first hand what training is offered at Corus in conjunction with Tresham College. Bringing a university to North Northamptonshire would facilitate the college's and employer's ambitions to develop higher levels of education in the area.
Phil Hope said:
"I invited the Universities Minister, Bill Rammell to Corby to show him the tremendous progress we have made in the growth and regeneration of the town. I particularly want him to see how our campaign for a university to serve North Northamptonshire will help to raise local young people's educational aspirations and upskill the existing workforce."
Bill Rammell said:
"I was looking forward to visiting Corby to see first hand the transformation in the town being lead by Phil Hope. I wanted to hear how local businesses in Corby are already investing in higher level skills and to discuss how plans for a university to serve the whole of North Northamptonshire might benefit local companies and help ensure a sustainable economic future for the area."
14/06/08

Phil Hope says "Help Save the Planet"

Phil is celebrating the work the Warm Front scheme does in Corby and East Northants to help cut domestic carbon emissions and save money on energy bills.
Warm Front, which combats fuel poverty by installing central heating and carbon-saving insulation work into the homes of vulnerable people, has so far assisted 980 households in Corby and the surrounding area - a total spend of £1,440,335.
Phil Hope MP said:
"Warm Front not only helps keep your home warmer and healthier , but the measures it provides can cut your carbon emissions and help tackle climate change. All this, and you may also save money on your energy bills!"
Energy efficiency improvements through Warm Front can typically cut the annual carbon emissions from an average home by up to a tonne. Loft or cavity wall insulation can save an average household up to £300 a year.
The scheme manager, eaga plc, has reported that 311 households will make carbon and financial savings from having had their home insulated. They also reported that 504 households in Phil's constituency have benefited from a brand new central heating system or repair to their current central heating system from 1 June 2005 to 29 Mar 2008.
Householders applying for the Warm Front scheme also have the opportunity to undergo a comprehensive check to see if they are in receipt of all the benefits they are entitled to. Benefit Entitlement Checks (BEC) have been operating as part of Warm Front since June 2003, with the average weekly increase per client in Corby being found as £26.80
In terms of vulnerable groups of people who have been helped by Warm Front grants, eaga has reported that 67 households with children under the age of four, 401 households on Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and 586 households over the age of 60 in Corby have benefited from improvements to their homes.
To qualify, householders need to own their own home or rent from a private landlord, and they also need to be in receipt of an income or disability related benefit. Local residents can contact the Warm Front team on 0800 316 6014 to apply for a grant.
28/05/08

Phil Hope MP launches campaign for fairness & respect for agency workers

Agency pledges
Left to right
Harish Patel from Unite the Union, Paul Jackson from RS Components, John Wilson from RS Components, Phil Hope MP, Andy Hogarth MD (National Company) of Staff Line Recruitment

Phil Hope launched a 'Fairness and Respect' pledge to promote fair treatment for agency workers in Corby at RS Components, Birchington Road, Corby.
Phil Hope MP said:
"In launching this pledge for 'Fairness & Respect', I am proud that Corby is leading the way in creating fairness for temporary workers and flexibility for employers. This is vital to ensure that we have a sustainable economy, a higher skilled workforce and a stronger more cohesive community.
"The physical transformation of our town is being matched by an investment in the skills and social capital of the community. This innovative approach has widespread support among local employment agencies, employers, trade unions and voluntary organisations in Corby.
"The Corby pledge is attracting wider regional and national interest as a means of ensuring fairness and flexibility in the labour market. It will help to ensure that Corby continues to be successful in an increasingly competitive global economy."
Temporary working is a well known in Corby. Phil Hope MP is working hard to ensure this strengthens the local economy by seeking to improve working conditions for all agency workers and maintains flexibility in the labour market.
Phil is urging all recruitment agencies in Corby to sign a ten-point good-practice pledge (pdf 64k) to treat their temporary workers with fairness and respect. Local employers are also being encouraged to sign a similar pledge stating that they will only engage with recruitment agencies that meet these minimum standards.
The pledge has been formulated by Phil in consultation with local employers, recruitment agencies, trade unions and voluntary organisations.
13 recruitment agencies and 14 key local employers in Corby have so far committed to signing the 'Fairness and Respect' pledge. The launch event was attended by a number of recruitment agencies and employers who signed the pledge, and some who used the event to find out more information about the pledge. Phil Hope MP, RS Components, Staffline Recruitment and Unite the Union gave presentations at the event.
John Wilson, Site Controller of RS Components said:

"As the major employer in Corby RS always aims to ensure that all our employees are treated with fairness and respect. This means we also have to understand the changing nature and requirements of the community we work within.
Working with the Staffline Agency we were the first employer to stipulate the key elements of the Agency Workers Fairness pledge in our new contract with them, and they were happy to comply with this.
We are delighted that other employers are also signing up to the pledge which will all help to make Corby a great place to work".
23/05/08

Business Alliance Group launched

Business Alliance Group
From left to right: Vanessa Bradley of Barclaycard, Jon Thorpe of ACS Office Solutions, Gerald Couldrake of Howes Percival, Dr Frank Burdett from The University of Northampton, Phil Hope MP, Ray Starkey of Northampton College, Lisa Donald of Macmillan, Keith Panter of Moore Stephens, Richard Arnold, president of the Northamptonshire Chamber board and Peter Bush of The University of Northampton.

Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce launched its new exclusive Business Alliance Group at a lunchtime event attended by Phil Hope.
The event, at the Chamber offices in Moulton Park, started with a light buffet, giving members of the Business Alliance Group and the Chamber board time to network.
The buffet was followed with welcome speeches from Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Chamber, and the Chamber President, Richard Arnold.
Phil Hope then gave a keynote speech and participated in a question and answer session with members of the Business Alliance Group. The members were pleased to get the chance to ask the MP questions that were relevant to them and their businesses.
The inaugural members of the Business Alliance Group were then presented with engraved Waterman pens as a memento of the occasion.

Phil is presented with a pen
Phil Hope MP was presented with a specially engraved Waterman pen by Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Chamber

At the event, Phil Hope MP said: "As MP for Corby I am keen to support the development and growth of businesses in Northamptonshire. I hope that the new Northamptonshire Chamber Business Alliance Group will play a positive role in shaping the future of business in the county to create more secure and higher value employment opportunities, promote corporate social responsibility and be an effective voice in the county."
Paul Griffiths added: "It is great news that we have now officially launched the Business Alliance Group which we believe will go from strength to strength over the coming year.
"The Group is designed to be a powerful recognition for an exclusive, influential group of companies, and brings together large and well-established businesses from within the county who receive exclusive benefits via their membership of the group.
"The shared objectives of the group encompass top level senior networking, helping to shape the future of business in Northamptonshire, more effective engagement with the broader business community, corporate social responsibility, influencing policy on key business issues in the county via the Chamber's lobbying and representation activities, increased profile for group members and forging stronger links with the Chamber, the largest and most influential business networking organisation in the county."
The Business Alliance Group membership includes the following influential and leading businesses in the county; Barclaycard, Corus Tubes, Carlsberg UK, ACS Office Solutions, Moore Stephens, Howes Percival, Northampton College, Macmillan Cancer Support and the University of Northampton.
21/05/08

Phil Hope celebrates a major personal victory for the protection for agency workers.

Phil Hope who has been campaigning for 'fairness and respect' for agency workers for over ten years in Corby welcomed the announcement of an agreement between the TUC and CBI with the government's backing to provide equal treatment for workers after twelve weeks employment.
This huge step forward follows earlier improvements made by the government for agency workers including the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, the right to rest periods, one day off a week and four weeks statutory paid holiday.

Phil Hope said:
"I have been campaigning for fairness and respect for agency workers in Corby for over ten years and have already achieved important changes to the law. Today's announcement builds significantly on the campaigns we have done so far to get rid of unscrupulous agencies who exploit vulnerable workers.
This new agreement between the TUC and the CBI with the government's backing will provide fairness for agency workers and maintain flexibility for employers. I want to see this new set of rules agreed by the European Union and coming into statutory effect in the UK as soon as possible.
This announcement gives a great boost to my own local campaign for fairness and respect for agency workers in Corby that will be launched on May 30th at RS Components and which has the support of the agencies themselves, local employers and the trade unions. "

The CBI and TUC have reached agreement on how fairer treatment for agency workers in the UK should be promoted, while not removing the important flexibility that agency work can offer both employers and workers.
New rules mean agency workers will receive equal treatment for agency workers after 12 weeks employment.
The agreement reached today will give increased protection to agency workers and guard against unfair wage undercutting without putting jobs at risk or cutting off a valuable route into employment.
The government will now seek agreement with other European member states that secures these key points for the UK.
20/05/8

Phil Hope MP urges Local Groups to apply for 'myplace' funding

Phil Hope MP has written to and is calling on local organisations to apply for recently announced government funding called 'myplace'. A £190 million investment plans to deliver new and exciting places for young people to go, to take part in a wide range of activities after school and at weekends, such as music, sport, dance and drama.
The BIG Lottery Fund has been appointed to administer the scheme and award grants of between £1m and £5m. However, this is funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families – not the Lottery.
myplace opened for applications on 6 May with the first investment decisions expected to be made by the end of October 2008. The deadline for fast track applications is 29 July 2008 and the deadline for the standard route is 30 September 2008. Full details of the proposed funding rounds and assessment criteria can be found at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Phil Hope MP said:
"I want to urge all local groups who want to set-up new places for young people to go, to apply for 'myplace' funding. Young people are asking all the time for new places to go and more exciting and interesting things to do, this is a fantastic opportunity that can't be missed, grants of up to £5m are up for grabs'.
"This funding is part of the Governments ten year Youth Strategy to give young people new and improved places to go in all areas of the country.
"I recently met the Raunds Youth Action Group and spoke to young people who were asking for this sort of support, young people have a crucial part to play in this process and funding will only be allocated where young people are taking part in the planning and development and future running of projects themselves".
'myplace' will help deliver Labour's ambition – set out in the ten Year Youth Strategy and re-affirmed in Labour's Children's Plan – for new and improved places for young people to go in all areas of the country.
The £190 million will be channelled through the Big Lottery Fund and invested in ambitious projects – all of which must be driven by the active participation of young people.
Beverley Hughes Minister for Children, Young People and Families said:
"All across the country young people are calling for more great places to go where they have new and interesting things to do, that offer a real alternative to the 'street corner' culture.
"We've put the money in place now local authorities must act and work with young people to make the most of this fantastic opportunity. That is why today's announcement is so important not only for young people but for everyone in the community.
"myplace will award grants of up to £5m and I would urge local partners across the public, third and private sectors to start preparations now to take full advantage of this opportunity."

How 'myplace' will work

Myplace will fund projects across the country. Local partners will be expected to work together to identify and develop high quality proposals that will lead to:

more young people, parents and communities feeling that young people have attractive and safe places to go in their leisure time where they can get involved in a wide range of exciting activities;
more young people, particularly the most disadvantaged, participating in positive leisure time activities that support their personal and social development;
more young people having access to information, advice and support services; and
stronger working between local authorities and third, private and public sector partners to plan, deliver and operate financially sustainable facilities with and for young people.

Young people have a crucial part to play in this process and funding will only be allocated where there is evidence of real participation from young people in the development, design and future running of projects.
myplace opened for applications on 6 May with the first investment decisions expected to be made by the end of October 2008.

All bids will need to demonstrate genuine cross-sector partnership that maximises leadership from within the community while ensuring the strategic involvement of local authorities and encouraging support and backing from the private sector.
Bids may be led by a local authority or other public body from within the children's trust, a third sector organisation, or a private sector organisation operating on a non-profit basis. All bids must be endorsed by the top-tier local authority.
Successful bids led by third sector organisations will be awarded a £50,000 revenue grant to support development work to ensure the project's long term sustainability.
The first round of funding will include a fast track for projects that are already well developed which will announce final investment decisions by the end of October 2008.
The recent Youth Taskforce Action Plan announced a further £22.5 million through the Youth Capital Fund to improve places for young people to go in neighbourhoods where anti-social behaviour is a particular problem
20/05/08

Phil Hope and DHL Comet Celebrate Adult Learners' Week

OPening of Learning Centre Phil Hope officially opened DHL Comet's new Learning Centre at their offices Euro-Hub. Phil joined Phil Pratt, DHL Comet's site General Manager to celebrate the opening of the new centre with representatives of Unite the Union and Tresham College follows their commitment to a 'Learning Agreement'.
The learning centre is open 24 hours a day to the 120 DHL Comet colleagues on site giving them the chance to catch up on skills they may have missed out on in the past. Providing initially basic literacy, numeracy and computing skills allowing them to develop themselves for the future.
Phil said:
"Opening a valuable training facility like this new learning centre at DHL Comet is a great way to celebrate 'Adult Learners' Week'. I want to encourage all the people working on site to make full use of the facility to improve and develop their skills.
Sound training initiatives like this one, not only prove the commitment of the employer, but improves the overall quality of the workforce, leading to higher productivity and improved staff morale." Phil Pratt said:
"I welcome this initiative and want to give it my full support".
Later in the week staff from Tresham College will be on site to give DHL Comet staff training to celebrate National Learning at Work Day. They will be working throughout Wednesday and through the night to Thursday, to make sure that all the colleagues even those on night shift have the opportunity to join in.
Every year, Adult Learners' Week helps inspire thousands of people to see what learning could do for them, and gives employers like DHL Comet the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of their employees whilst helping you to reach their own business objectives. Adult Learning develops skills and increases knowledge; research also shows that learning is good for your health and mind. It's a great way to maintain a healthy and motivated workforce. Adult Learning at work also contributes to increased productivity and lower staff turnover rates.
19/05/08

Phil Hope welcomes new funding of £116,000 for Northamptonshire to Improve Stroke Services

£77 million committed to fund improvements in acute and community stroke services across the country in the 'Stroke Strategy' is now ready to be distributed to Strategic Health Authorities and Local Authorities.
Northamptonshire is set to benefit from £116,000 ring-fenced grant to develop innovative new approaches to delivering stroke services.
The funding has been allocated to local authorities from the NHS because the government recognise the important role that community based organisations and social care staff can play in assisting those people who have had a stroke.
Phil Hope said:
"Stroke is one of the biggest killers and can have a devastating and lasting effect on those who survive. I welcome this announcement of extra funding for Northamptonshire Social Services to support people living with disabilities as a result of stroke.
"I have met lots of local people who have found it hard to cope with the effects of stroke once they are out of hospital and back at home. I know that this grant will improve the services in Northamptonshire for people who can feel frightened and alone".

Stroke is the third biggest killer in England, with 50,000 people dying from it each year. It also has a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of those who do survive, with a third left with long-term disability.
Guidelines set out in the Stroke Strategy could mean, up to 6,800 deaths and cases of disability could be avoided; and a further 1,600 strokes could be averted through preventative work.

Social Care Investment

Stroke is the largest single cause of severe disability in England. Survivors often say that the full impact of their condition only hits them once they leave hospital. For some, this can feel like a time of abandonment, when it is hard to know how to access help.
This is why much of this extra investment will go towards better long-term support for the 300,000 people living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of stroke.
Every local authority will receive a ring-fenced grant worth an average of £100,000. This money could fund:
Stroke Care Coordinators, especially where local authorities do not currently have a specialist, social care focussed, approach to supporting people and their carers affected by stroke. Such a role would provide a person-centred approach to delivery of services.
New counselling services to help survivors come to terms with the cognitive effects of stroke or go towards vocational rehabilitation schemes to support survivors with disabilities who wish to return to work.

Acute Care Investment

Treating stroke as an emergency will save lives. The challenge now for the NHS is to accelerate its response to stroke. Some people will benefit from clot-busting drugs, but only if they get into hospital quickly, are seen by a specialist and scanned within three hours of feeling unwell.
We know that if 10 percent of acute strokes were treated with clot-busting drugs, up to 1,000 people a year would regain independence rather than die or face long-term dependency.
Every Strategic Health Authority will receive £2.4 million over the next three years to invest in improvements to acute services across the country. We want the NHS to support areas of poor performance and share best practice across the service. This money could be used to:

Quicken the response to stroke, which could include reorganising emergency response, stroke teams and radiology units to ensure rapid access to scans, thrombolysis and early multi-disciplinary assessment;

Improve access to rehabilitation services, which could include setting up an early supported discharge scheme or moving rehabilitation into a community setting.

Health Minister Ann Keen said:
"Stroke survivors often say that the full impact of their condition only hits them once they leave hospital. For some, this can feel like a time of abandonment, when it is hard to know how to access help.
"That is why extra investment in social services is so important. We know that long-term support needs to be better coordinated and local authorities have a critical role to play alongside the NHS and the voluntary sector in improving services for the thousands of people living with disabilities as a result of stroke.
"Only by working together will we deliver the level of after-stroke care survivors and their carers deserve."
08/05/08

Phil Hope opens 'Manor Children's Centre'

Phil opens Manor Children's Centre Phil Hope MP opened the new Manor Children's Centre which offers health and family support services for all families with children under five in the Raunds area.
Phil Hope said:
"I am honoured to open 'The Manor Children's Centre' it is a great facility which will provide support for families with young children in Raunds. The
Centre has been open part time since January and is already proving popular and helping lots of children and their families.
" Centres like this are proving to be the best way for us to help families early on. Research has shown that Children's Centres can help parents give their children the best start in life, improving their behaviour and laying the foundations for their future success".
The Manor Children's Centre joins a growing network of Children's Centres around Northamptonshire. By 2010, the government aims to establish a Children's Centre in every community, offering access to integrated early years activities, childcare and family services.
02/05/08

Phil Hope welcomes MEND Programme to Corby

Mend logo A programme aimed at helping overweight children manage their weight is coming to Corby. The MEND Programme (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!) is part of a national initiative offering free healthy lifestyle courses for overweight 7 to 13 year olds and their families in more than 250 locations across the UK. This is the first time that it has been available to families in Corby.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I wholeheartedly welcome this project to Corby it's an opportunity to make sure that the younger generation start to change their lifestyles early, by eating better and enjoying exercise and sport. This isn't just about losing weight but about meeting new friends and having some fun along the way.
"We are increasingly trying to encourage everyone to use preventative methods of Health care and this is a great example of that drive towards improving children's and families wellbeing which will change their lives and benefit them for years to come."

Dawn Wintle MEND Programme Manager at Northamptonshire Teaching PCT says, "The MEND Programme can really change families' lives. We offer a friendly relaxed atmosphere to encourage children to give new things a go and show parents how they can be supportive and involve the whole family in making healthier choices and following an active lifestyle. Children become healthier and fitter while their self-esteem and confidence increase greatly. We very much hope families will take up the chance to improve their health with this fantastic free course."

Places on the MEND Programme are available on a first come, first served basis. Families interested in participating should contact Dawn on 01604 615229 or by email dawn.wintle@northants.nhs.uk or visit www.mendprogramme.org and click on 'Join a MEND Programme'. Please note a parent or carer must accompany each child to every session.
02/05/08

Phil Hope MP says text UNI to 60060

Phil Hope and Mathey Reay Phil Hope MP and Matthew Reay Member of the Youth Parliament (MYP) are calling on local people to support their campaign for a university in Corby by texting UNI and their name and address to 60060 (standard network charges apply).
Phil Hope MP said:
"I want the government to know the strength and depth of support locally for our campaign to build a university campus in Corby to serve North Northamptonshire. Everyone can now do so from their mobile phone by texting UNI and their name and address to our hotline number 60060 – its as simple as that.
"We need to convince the government that the people of Corby and the wider area have the ambition and aspiration for a better future for themselves, their children and the places in which they work. This is the next chapter in Corby's amazing journey to success and prosperity for all."
"Don't delay, text UNI today." Matthew Reay MYP said:
"As Corby's Member of the Youth Parliament I am proud to be working with Phil Hope MP to bring a university to our town. I urge all young people in Corby to text Phil Hope to show their support.
"This campaign is about giving young people the best possible opportunity to reach their full potential and get on the ladder for a better paid job."