UK Unemployment at Lowest Since Before the Recession

UK unemployment fell by 154,000 in the three months to the end of August to 1.97 million, the first time it has been below two million since 2008, official figures show.

The drop took the unemployment rate to 6%, its lowest level since late 2008 and the employment rate is now 73%, close to its all-time high of 73.2%, the Office for National Statistics said.

Over the year, the number of unemployed people fell by 538,000, the largest annual fall since records began.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in September fell by 18,600 to 951,900; the drop marks the 23rd consecutive monthly reduction. In total, there are now a record 30.76 million people in work.

Youth unemployment – covering 16-to-24-year-olds – fell by 88,000 over the quarter to 733,000, giving a jobless rate among the age group of 16%.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said, “Today’s record figures show that the government’s long-term economic plan to help businesses create jobs and get people working again is proving successful.”

Conservative MP Secures Good Hope Public Meeting for Tamworth

Tamworth’s Conservative MP, Christopher Pincher, has secured a public consultation meeting for local residents concerned at changes to services at Good Hope hospital.

The meeting will take place on Friday 24th October at the Holiday Inn Express, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, B79 7ND.

Mr Pincher wrote to Dr Mark Newbold, CEO of the Heart of England Trust, asking him to hold at least one of their consultation meetings closer to Tamworth so local residents can more easily attend to have their say. Mr Pincher believes that any changes to improve the expertise of services at Good Hope and other Birmingham hospitals must not adversely impact users from Tamworth.

Mr Pincher said, “I am pleased that has listened to local people and has agreed to hold further consultation meetings and listen to Tamworth residents. Indeed, he has already written to The Herald giving notice of the event so that more people know about the session to be held in Tamworth.

“I will submit my own feedback on the Trust’s proposals so they are left in no doubt about what I want to see for my constituents. I look forward to the time of the meeting being finalised and advertised widely as soon as possible.”

The timing of the meeting is being finalised and the event will be properly advertised as soon as possible.

copy of the letter to Christopher Pincher MP from Dr Newbold

Pincher Welcomes Conservative Conference Pledges to “Secure A Better Future”

Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, has welcomed the tax announcements made by David Cameron at the Conservative Party Conference held in Birmingham.

The Prime Minister revealed that a Conservative government will increase the lower rate threshold before paying tax from £10,000 to £12,500 in the next parliament. That will lift a million lower paid workers out of tax leaving them with much more money in their pockets. And the announcement that the higher 40p band will see its threshold increased to £50,000 will see middle earners saving over £1,000 each year.

Mr Pincher said, “I went to Birmingham calling for more help for tax payers and pensioners and so I am very pleased with the Prime Minister’s promise. His announcement will help a good many families and single workers in Tamworth. It will help boost our town’s economy and help cement our place as the best place in the Midlands to live and to work.

“I am also really pleased that George Osborne has pledged to slash the “death tax” on people’s pensions. Currently, a large chunk of personal pensions are lost to the taxman when the pensioner dies. The Chancellor’s decision to cut the rate from 55% to just 20% means that pensioners will be able to pass on much more of their wealth in their pension pots rather than their heirs having to hand it over to the Revenue. I think pensioners in Tamworth who have worked hard will be pleased with this news.

“The Conservative conference also made clear that it is the only party that will continue to reform welfare so it always pays to work, fix the economy so we can invest in the NHS, deal firmly with immigration by addressing the problem of free movement of people from the European Union and give us a referendum on our membership of the EU itself.

“I think this shows we are the only Party with a long term economic plan to fix our economy so that it delivers, long term, for families, for individuals and for community groups up and down our country and here in Tamworth.”

The Conservative Conference was also said to have contributed £15million to the Midlands economy as businesses, exhibitors and delegates from all over the country flocked to Birmingham to hear plans from David Cameron, George Osborne, Theresa May, Nicky Morgan and Boris Johnson. The Conference has also seen an immediate boost to Conservative fortunes with opinion polls showing them in the lead over Labour.

Local MP Urges Council to Heed Residents’ Concerns about Priory Park Application

Mr Pincher writing his opposition to the go kart application

Christopher Pincher MP has raised his “clear concerns” about an application made to North Warwickshire Borough Council to extend the karting track at Priory Park because of concerns about its future use and the impact this may have on residents in Acorn Ridge.

The noise from the karting track, which sits just over the border in Warwickshire, has historically been a significant nuisance for residents and increasing the capacity of the track will further exacerbate this problem.

A number of Tamworth constituents have also raised concerns about the size of the sound barriers that have been installed, which are not the 5m tall barriers described in the applicant’s submission (they are materially lower) and make little impact on the levels of noise.

Mr Pincher said, “I have raised my objections about this site before and have done so again. I have written to North Warwickshire in the clearest terms.

“I am concerned that given the location of the Chiltern loop and the roads off it, which is in Tamworth and known as Acorn Ridge, residents are not being given sufficient say about decisions that may be taken by North Warwickshire but which have a direct and negative impact on them. They may not live in North Warwickshire but my constituents are directly affected by decisions made by councillors that they do not elect over the border.

“As well as objecting to North Warwickshire Borough Council, I have also written to Planning Minister, Brandon Lewis MP, to clarify what support can be given to Tamworth Borough Council to represent residents in planning matters which are not within its jurisdiction, but which directly affect its own council tax payers.”

Stonydelph Conservative Cllr Stephen Doyle, who went along the North Warwickshire Planning Committee meeting on Monday night to speak up for local residents, said, “I believe NWBC Planning Committee must listen to local residents in Acorn Ridge who are concerned about the impact this application will have. It is not right to make any decision without making sure their lives are not unfairly affected. I will keep up the pressure on their behalf.”

Local Conservative Leaves Borough Council Cabinet to Join County Council Cabinet

Cllr Michael Greatorex

A change has been made to Tamworth’s Borough Council’s Cabinet following the promotion of one of the committee members to Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet.

Cllr Michael Greatorex, who held the portfolio for Public Housing and Vulnerable People, will take the role of a support cabinet member with Staffordshire County Council.

Cllr Greatorex represents the Mercian ward in Tamworth and is also Staffordshire County Councillor for Watling South Division (Dosthill, Two Gates and Wilnecote). He will continue to hold his position on Tamworth’s Planning Committee and all other duties associated with being a Tamworth councillor.

Announcing the change, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, Cllr Daniel Cook, said the portfolio for Housing and Vulnerable People will be split between the remaining five Cabinet members for an interim period, which would also result in a financial saving.

The role Cllr Greatorex has accepted at Staffordshire County Council is the Support Member for Wellbeing, Prevention and Public Health, which will see him working under Cabinet member Cllr Alan White.

Cllr Cook said; “Cllr Greatorex has proved a huge asset to Tamworth Borough Council, both as a Cabinet member and ward councillor. He has worked on projects including the regeneration of Kerria and Tinkers Green, changes to housing legislation and the scheme, which has seen garages, redeveloped into affordable homes.

“Unfortunately a councillor cannot hold a Cabinet position on both a county and district council, and Cllr Greatorex has taken the difficult decision to accept the new challenge offered to him at Stafford.

“We will still be working closely with Michael – both in his county capacity and also as a borough councillor for Tamworth. I would like to thank him for all his hard work during the last few years on Cabinet and wish him every success in his new role.”

Cllr Greatorex said; “I am sad to be leaving my cabinet role on Tamworth Borough Council. I have found the work to be both stimulating and rewarding. I shall miss the support and encouragement, which the Leader of the Council, my cabinet colleagues and all the officers of Tamworth Borough Council have given me.

“The new challenge for me on the County Council’s cabinet is an exciting one and gives me the opportunity to help shape policies to support county residents, including those of Tamworth where I have happily lived for 29 years and will continue to live.”

The full Cabinet and responsibilities are as follows:

• Cllr Daniel Cook. Leader. Portfolio: Performance, financial planning, strategy and reputation
• Cllr Rob Pritchard: Deputy Leader. Portfolio: Operations & Assets
• Cllr Steve Claymore: Portfolio: Economy & Education
• Cllr Stephen Doyle: Portfolio: Community Development & Voluntary Sector
• Cllr Michelle Thurgood: Portfolio: Environment & Waste Management

Matthew Ellis’ Ice Bucket Challenge

Tamworth’s 3rd Annual Jobs Fair – Saturday 13th September

Tamworth’s MP Celebrates Further Local Employment Success

Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, welcomed figures released this week, which forecast the British economy will grow faster than any other western country.

Data published last week by independent International Monetary Fund (IMF) show that the British economy will grow by 3.2% this year and 2.7% next year – faster than another other developed country. This is on top of the 0.8% growth already seen from April through to June this year.

Responding to these figures Mr Pincher said, “I welcome the news that the British economy is growing and is projected to carry on growing faster than any other developed nation and evidence shows that our long-term economic plan is working. Private sector jobs continue to be created, business confidence is higher than at any point since Labour’s crash and more and more business are coming to Tamworth at Ventura and the town centre.

“BMW, Pizza Express, Nandos are just three big names coming to town bringing new jobs with them. There are now more jobs in Tamworth than at any point in the past decade with unemployment currently at just 1.5% of the working age population. Tamworth is a working town and we must not let anything jeopardise this fragile recovery for there is still much to do to secure the government’s long-term economic plan.

“We must make Tamworth the place in the Midlands to set up or expand a business. Until we do, the job is not yet done.”

Nationally unemployment is now down to 6.5%. Tamworth is in the top 17% of constituencies with the highest rate of employment. Last month also saw a record jump in the number of people finding work since records began in 1971, beating last month’s previous record.

Conservative Controlled Council Gives Cash Help to Voluntary Groups

Voluntary groups and organisations across Tamworth have received a cash boost of almost £4,000 from Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council.

Eight groups have each been awarded grants of between £460 and £500 from two funds – the Voluntary and Community Grants scheme and the Arts Grants scheme.  The grants are given to help organisations develop and provide services for the residents of Tamworth.

The latest grants are:

• £500 for Tamworth Amateur Radio towards the purchase of a generator and to help train young people taking their Foundation Licence
• £500 for the MS Society towards tai chi classes for people with MS, to help with balance, mobility and mental wellbeing
• £500 for the Polish Community of Tamworth – towards equipment for a Saturday school at Sacred Heart Centre in Glascote to provide supplementary education for children with Polish roots.  The new group will also give Polish parents the chance to meet together, support each other and take part in workshops and courses
• £500 for Tamworth Twinning Association towards the cost of hiring a venue for a concert by Tamworth Voices and the choir from Tamworth’s French twin town of Vaujours, as well as for the cost of promotional materials
• £500 for U3A towards the purchase of a keyboard for the choir group to enable them to increase the number of performances they can offer
• £500 for Wilnecote Wildlife Conservation Group towards equipment and tools to be used for the maintenance of the southern part of the Kettlebrook Linear Nature Reserve, to make the area more attractive and accessible and to encourage wildlife
• £500 for Sacred Heart Senior Citizens Club towards a social outing for the group’s 30 members
• £460 for Museufy towards a portable photographic exhibition of William McGregor’s Ancient Egyptian collection.  The exhibition will be put in show at Costa Coffee in George Street – where the mummies are reputed to be buried – and Tamworth Library.

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Chairman of the Cabinet Grants Committee, said, “Tamworth Borough Council is keen to support as many local voluntary organisations, sports clubs and community groups as possible.  The groups are carrying out projects to make Tamworth a better place, help local residents or just give people something to do.  If your community groups, arts group, heritage group or sports club is running a project, please get in touch – we might be able to support you too.”

Grants are available to community groups and voluntary organisations, which run in the borough to allow them to develop and continue to provide their vital services.  To apply for a grant, please contact Karen Clancy at Tamworth Borough Council on 01827 709709.

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