Monday, February 6th, 2012
Christopher Pincher, Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, is taking part in the second annual Parliamentary live music competition, “Rock the House”, and invites under-18s, solo artists, bands and live music venues in the Tamworth constituency to write and nominate themselves.
The competition was founded by Mike Weatherley MP for Hove in support of the UK live music sector to raise the profile of intellectual property rights issues and counts rock legends Alice Cooper and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as Patrons.
Musicians and live music venues within the Tamworth area can find all forms and information on the competition at www.rockthehouse2012.com and can send in their nominations to Mr. Pincher at christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk read more
Monday, February 6th, 2012
Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, has welcomed the news of a 10-year deal between Royal Mail and the Post Office, securing the future of local services without resorting to the failed closure programme which dominated Labour’s time in government.
The deal follows the Government’s other measures to protect Post Office services including additional funding, new local and national contracts, a successful piloting scheme to transform many local post offices and improvements in the services offered.
Commenting, Christopher Pincher said:
‘In opposition Conservatives campaigned tirelessly to overturn Labour’s cuts to our Post Offices, which saw them close over 6,500 in a decade – including three in our constituency. I was bitterly disappointed when the Borough Road, Hopwas and Stonnall offices closed. I do not want to see any more go. The Government’s announcement means the future of the Post Office is secured guaranteeing this valuable service for millions of people.’
Monday, February 6th, 2012
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Haunton, Clifton Campville & Tamworth has joined 105 other MPs from the four largest political parties represented in the House of Commons in writing to the Prime Minister urging a reduction in the subsidy handed out to onshore wind projects.
The joint letter requests that amendments be made to the National Planning Policy Framework to help protect the rural landscape and heritage sites across the country.
It also asks for the Planning Inspectorate to be instructed that these factors, as well as the views of local residents, must be given more weight in their decision making to counter-balance recent verdicts which have favoured regional, national and European renewable energy targets.
Mr. Pincher said:
“I am delighted to be part of this campaign. Not only is onshore wind production inefficient and intermittent, I am concerned that it also adds to the energy bills to every home and business in my constituency.”
“I think the amount of money available in subsidy for onshore wind should be reduced and this saving spread across other renewable energy types and also spent on local energy efficiency measures.”
“It is also important that the new planning regime the Government is introducing ensures that local people’s views are taken fully into account and that the system recognises the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage assets we have. Turbines that will tower of Clifton Campville parish church and be visible from Nuneaton are not acceptable.
Monday, February 6th, 2012
Tamworth’s Member of Parliament, Christopher Pincher, is supporting the launch of “Chance to be Chancellor 2012” and is calling on schools and young people in Tamworth to take up in the challenge to learn about, and share their opinions on, Budget 2012. Run by the Citizenship Foundation, in partnership with Aviva, Chance to be Chancellor is open to all 14-18 year olds across Britain.
Mr. Pincher said:
“I think it is very important that young people have the opportunity to learn more about taxation and spending policies and the chance to have their say. They will also be able to discover how the decisions they make as Chancellor affect them and their families.”
The challenge is running until the 20th February, participants can enter into a national competition to win great prizes and visit HM Treasury in London. Last year 3000 young people across the country got involved and published their views on the first ever Youth Budget.
To find out more and get involved Herald readers should visit:
www.chancetobechancellor.org.uk
Monday, January 16th, 2012
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.” read more
Monday, January 16th, 2012
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.” read more
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
click here to download the e-book, Human Rights, Making Them Work For the People of the UK by Robert Broadhurst.
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
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.
Monday, January 9th, 2012
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.
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
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
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