Welcome to the Tamworth Conservative Association Website

Pincher calls for changes to Exceptional Hardship Scheme

Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, last week called upon Transport Secretary Justine Greening to offer compensation to anyone suffering planning blight as a result of HS2.  His intervention came in the House of Commons after Ms. Greening announced that she will press ahead with plans to build the new rail line.  She was question by seventy four Members of Parliament about the proposals with many expressing reservations about the scheme.

Mr. Pincher said:

“My right hon. Friend [Justine Greening] will be aware that many people believe the present exceptional hardship scheme to be inconsistent and unfair. Can she confirm that her proposed refreshed hardship scheme will be consistent and will ensure that anybody affected by blight who wishes to move will be properly compensated? Those people should not be penalised for living in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Pincher demands State Pension Debate in Commons

Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, last week used Business Questions to ask Commons Leader Sir George Young for a debate on the state pension in the House of Commons.

Mr. Pincher said:

“There has been a great deal of debate recently about public sector pensions, but may we have a debate about the state pension, so that we can discuss the actions that the Government are taking to improve the lot of state pensioners and ensure that they never again suffer the indignity of the miserly 75p rise they got from Labour?”

Sir George Young responded:

“We would welcome such a debate. This year, pensioners will see the biggest cash rise they have ever seen, and under our triple lock the state pension will always be increased, year on year, in line with average earnings, prices or 2.5%, whichever is the highest. This year’s increase of more than £5 a week contrasts, as my hon. Friend has just reminded us, with the 75p that the Labour Government gave pensioners in 1999.”

Christopher Pincher co-authors foreward in new e-book scrutinising the ECHR

click here to download the e-book, Human Rights, Making Them Work For the People of  the UK by Robert Broadhurst.

MP Statement in response to DfT plans to move forward with HS2

The Department for Transport has announced today plans to press forward with its proposal for a new high speed rail (HS2) link between London and the West Midlands.  The high speed rail concept has cross party support with the last Labour government tabling the original proposals and claiming credit for the route.

I am disappointed with the detail of the announcement made today because, despite HS2’s own admission that considerable attention was given to communities around Hints, Weeford and Drayton Bassett during the consultation process, no meaningful change is proposed to mitigate the impact of the line around Tamworth.  The detailed documentation still falls short of many of my direct questions about the need for local mitigations.  We need to ensure that the next stage of review sees the best mitigations are included.  Moreover, I want to see much more detail on the compensation arrangements the Department will put in place to redress the problem of planning blight.  I am relieved that they at least recognise there is a wider problem than those residents and businesses that have property immediately on the route, but I want to know more about how the proposed “refreshed hardship scheme” will work.  It cannot be right that people are financially penalised for simply living in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I will continue to represent my constituents’ concerns in parliament and will fight for the best possible outcome for them in terms of mitigation and compensation.  And I will continue to question the business case which underpins the entire HS2 proposal.

I have regularly corresponded with many constituents and advocacy groups concerned about these plans and the impact they will have on our community. I do not believe the business case presented by HS2 stacks up and feel that other less intrusive alternatives must still be explored.  Should any reader like to be added to my HS2 mailing list, please email me directly at christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk or write to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

I welcome constituents’ views on HS2 and will continue to raise these concerns with ministers. Due to the volume of letters I am currently receiving on this topic, an immediate response may not be possible so do please be patient.

Please be aware that I endeavour to respond to correspondence within 10 working days and letters are addressed in the order that they are received.

Should you wish to contact me about HS2, please either email Christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk or post a letter to my Westminster office at the following address:

Christopher Pincher MP

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

For more detail regarding what I have done in Parliament to represent constituent’s views on HS2, please visit our dedicated HS2 page, here.

Christopher Pincher meets Tamworth Cadets and Reservists in Westminster

Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, met members of his constituency at a Parliamentary Reception held by the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association which took place late last year at the House of Commons.

The event was hosted by Gisela Stuart MP and provided a briefing about the Reserve Forces (the Territorial Army, Royal Naval Reserves and RAF Reserve) in the West Midlands and the vital support that they provide to the Armed Forces – and within their local communities.

Mr. Pincher commented:

“I was pleased to meet many reservists from our area and to hear about their roles and responsibilities in the Reserves.    I support the Coalition Government’s proposals to place more emphasis on the Reserves after many years of government neglect.    Reservists provide an essential link between military and civilian life and strengthen our Military Covenant.  I support local residents who join local reserve forces and encourage employers to take advantage of their unique skill sets – one of my staff members has a military background is looking to join up as a regular this year.”

The reception also highlighted the value of the Cadet movement as a youth organisation.

There are 3,000 reservists, 2,000 Cadet Adult Staff and 12,000 Young Cadets in the West Midlands alone, accommodated in 35 Reserve Centres and 200 Cadet Centres throughout the region.

Christopher Pincher MP Urges Calls to the Home Heat Helpline

New figures reveal that in Tamworth 5,500 homes are entitled to some form of assistance with their fuel bills. That help is worth an average of £250 per household and a free helpline is available for more information.

Lending his support to the Home heat Helpline campaign, Christopher Pincher MP said:

“A staggering 14% of homes in Tamworth are entitled to some form of support. Anyone who is concerned about staying warm should call the Home Heat Helpline and seek advice. I would also ask people to look out for neighbours, friends or relatives who may be in difficulty and make sure that they are aware of the Home Heat Helpline.”

The number for the Home Heat Helpline is 0800 33 66 99 or you can visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk. It is a free service that provides independent advice to people on low incomes on how to get help with their gas and electricity bills as well as other help such as grants for insulation or a new boiler.

As well as supporting the campaign locally, Mr Pincher also heard from Dragon’s Den star Hilary Devey, who is backing the campaign to raise awareness of the Helpline and spoke of her experience of struggling to keep her home warm before she became a successful businesswoman.

Christine McGourty from the Home Heat Helpline also advises people to think about what they can do around the home to reduce their energy consumption:

“As well as calling the Home Heat Helpline to find out what financial assistance is available there are some other simple steps people can take. For example:

•             turn radiators down in rooms which you only use occasionally

•             switch your lights off when you’re not using them

•             turn appliances like TVs and phone chargers off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby when they’re not being used

•             replace normal light bulbs with energy efficient ones

•             regularly defrost your freezer to make sure it’s operating at full efficiency

•             draw curtains over windows at night to provide insulation for the room

•             move furniture away from radiators and heaters to allow heat to circulate around the room

•             open internal doors of any rooms which get more sun than others and let the warm air travel around your home”

Home Heat Helpline: 0800 33 66 99 or www.homeheathelpline.org.uk