Thursday, December 5th, 2013
Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died aged 95 at 20:50, local time, tonight Thursday 5th December 2013.
Mr Cameron said, “A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time.”
The Prime Minister also said that the flag above Number 10 Downing Street is currently flying at half-mast as a mark of respect.
Mr Mandela led South Africa’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison. He had been receiving intense home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital.
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
During today’s Autumn Statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, announced the Conservative led coalition Government will freeze fuel duty until May 2015.
Mr Osborne had first floated the idea of helping motorists with petrol and diesel costs in September. Fuel duty will remain at 57.95 pence per litre, where it has been since March 2011.
The move comes after it was announced the tax disc, which shows motorists have paid vehicle excise duty, is to be replaced by an electronic system. The new system, expected to come into effect in October 2014, will allow people to pay the charge by monthly direct debit.
Mr Osborne said the move on fuel would “help those who drive a car”.
He said, “I said earlier this autumn that if we could find the money, I’d like to go on freezing duty. Today I can report that because we have taken difficult decisions to control the public finances, I can deliver on that promise.”
He also claimed the coalition government, which came into office in 2010, had reduced the cost of a tank full of fuel by £11 through a series of restrictions on the levy. The duty will now be frozen for the life of the current Parliament, until May 2015.
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
Yesterday in the House of Commons, Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher called on the Deputy Prime Minister to work with his colleagues in government to ensure that HS2 provides decent information and decent compensation to everyone affected as quickly as possible.
Mr Pincher said, “As you will know more than many, Mr Speaker, over the past three years, the leadership of HS2 has shown a lamentable failure to provide clear and consistent information to residents and businesses affected by phase 1 of its proposals. Today in my constituency, it is holding a roadshow to tell my constituents about phase 2 of its proposals.
“Will my right hon. Friend work with his colleagues in government to ensure that HS2 provides decent information and decent compensation to everyone affected as quickly as possible?
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, replied, “I know that the hon. Gentleman has strong views on this matter, not least because of how HS2 might affect his constituency, and of course I agree that not only should full compensation be available, as it will be, but that the right level of information should be provided.
“The phase 2 route consultation, which started in October, is due to end in January, and as part of that process, 36 information events will be held near the phase 2 route, including the one he alluded to in his constituency. Those are opportunities for people to make their views known.
“As he knows, however, I am a staunch supporter of HS2. It is an important part of the wider revamping and modernisation of our national infrastructure, about which the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will be speaking shortly.”
Click here to have your say in the HS2 phase 2 route consultation
Thursday, December 5th, 2013
Graham Houghton, Penny Evans, Cllr Ben Adams and members of the Tamworth Pantomime Company
This week members of the Tamworth Pantomime Company joined together with Conservative County Councillor Ben Adams to spread some Christmas cheer.
Mercian residents Graham Houghton and Penny Evans have been working in partnership with Cllr Adams to help 320 children to enjoy a night at this year’s Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington at the Tamworth Assembly Rooms.
Cllr Adams agreed to match £1000 raised by residents, shopkeepers and businesses based in Leyfields and around Tamworth to ensure a record number of children enjoyed the special show.
Ben said, “I was delighted to use some of my local community fund to help buy tickets for a record number of local children to enjoy a great night out at this year’s festive pantomime. Graham, Penny and all the volunteers and supporters of the Mercian Residents Fund do a fantastic job raising money for local causes. I have helped out for four years in a row now and together we have bought more tickets every year. This not only helps more children to enjoy the experience but it also helps to support the pantomime which is a great success.”
The Mercian residents also help local people by organising local Christmas parties and putting Christmas hampers together for the elderly.
Graham Houghton said, “We come to the pantomime every year, and we love to support the actors who put their time and effort in for half the year free of charge to put on a great show for Tamworth. We all really look forward to the pantomime trip, and with not a spare seat in the house when we turn up, we are hoping to lift the roof off the Assembly Rooms!”
Tamworth Pantomime Company spokesman Alex Farrell said, “We are always overwhelmed with the support we get from the group every year. Graham and the team do so much for the young people in and around the Leyfields, and they help bring the magic of pantomime to young people who may not ordinarily get the chance to experience it. We are forever grateful for them and the work they do, and special thanks must go to Cllr Adams for his generosity in helping the group achieve their goal.”
Dick Whittington runs at the Tamworth Assembly Rooms from 18-23 December and 2 – 5 January. Tickets are still available from the Tourist Information Centre on 01827 70618 or through www.TamworthAssemblyRooms.co.uk.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
Labour left Britain with the biggest budget deficit in our peacetime history, but the Conservatives are taking the difficult decisions necessary to clear up Labour’s mess and secure the economy for the future.
Our long-term economic plan is helping hardworking people by:
- Cutting the deficit – keeping mortgage rates low for you and your family
- Creating jobs – with 1.1 million more people in work than under Labour
- Supporting Britain’s businesses – with 400,000 more businesses than in 2010
Labour haven’t learned from their mistakes and would bring the country to its knees with more spending, more borrowing and more tax.
Only the Conservatives will take the difficult decisions necessary to secure the economy for the future – and in Thursday’s Autumn Statement, George Osborne will set out the latest stage of our plans to help hardworking people.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
Yesterday in the House of Commons, Christopher Pincher MP asked what changes the Home Office plan to make to the deportation appeals system.
The Minister for Immigration, Mark Harper MP, said, “We are making changes in the Immigration Bill to reduce the number of appeal rights and to ensure that those convicted of criminal offences will, in most cases, be able to be deported first and their appeal to take place from overseas.”
Christopher Pincher continued, “I am grateful to the Minister for tightening up the previous Government’s deportation regulations so that the scandalous waste of time it took to deport Hamza and Qatada can never happen again. Can he confirm that the proposals he has tabled are unlikely to be struck down by the European Court of Human Rights? If they might be, is he prepared to take action against the European convention on human rights first?”
Mr Harper replied, “We have looked very carefully at this, and we are confident that the measures in the Immigration Bill, including the changes that clause 14 makes to article 8 to put it on a proper statutory basis, are robust. The Home Secretary has made it clear that at the election we will have to deal with the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the convention.
“Indeed, that has been reinforced by comments from Lord Sumption, who pointed out that the Court is now engaged in judicial law-making, which is in constitutional terms remarkable, taking many contentious issues that should be questions for political debate and turning them into questions of law to be resolved by a tribunal. I could not agree with him more.”
Monday, December 2nd, 2013
We’ve come a long way since 2010. When Labour left office, Britain had a record budget deficit, a welfare system that didn’t reward work and unemployment had increased by nearly half a million.
But today, Britain is moving in the right direction. That’s because the Conservatives have a long-term plan to help hardworking people.
Our plan has brought the deficit down and employment up. We’re also helping you and your family by:
- Cutting income tax for 25 million people – which has already saved the typical taxpayer £590 a year
- Helping businesses create an extra 1.4 million private sector jobs
- Keeping mortgage rates low – just a one per cent rise would increase the average family’s mortgage by £1,000
- Fixing the welfare system by rewarding work – so that nobody on benefits is better off than the average family in work
- Cutting net immigration by nearly a third – taking pressure off schools and hospitals
- Improving education and creating 1.5 million new apprenticeships
But there’s still much to be done.
Help us finish the job by joining Team 2015, our volunteer network committed to winning a Conservative majority at the next election.
This week, I’m on a trade visit to China, helping Britain to compete and get ahead in the global race.
And on Thursday, George Osborne will deliver the Autumn Statement, which will continue our long-term plan for hardworking people.
For now, please join Team 2015 – and help us win the next election.
Thanks,
David Cameron
Sunday, December 1st, 2013
For the 8th Christmas in a row, shoppers and visitors to Tamworth’s town centre will be able to park for free on Saturday December 21st.
Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council has yet again agreed to waive fees in all council-owned car parks on December 21, in a bid to encourage people to support the town’ small independent traders and local businesses.
Cllr Robert Pritchard, Tamworth Borough Council Deputy Leader, said, “We are always keen to support small local businesses, so we are again offering free parking on all council car parks to all shoppers. We hope Tamworth residents will come out in force to support our town centre at this important time of year.”
Friday, November 29th, 2013
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, has called for local schools to get their pupils talking and learning about money, as part of a charity’s new campaign to help improve the financial capability of young people.
Mr Pincher has written to every primary and secondary school in Tamworth encouraging them to support the Personal Finance Education Group charities (PFEG) Get Money Smart posters and teaching materials for children aged up to seven, 11, 14 and 16 which are designed to encourage classroom discussions about things children can do to learn more about money and personal finance. Ideas for different ages include checking your change, estimating the cost of a weekly shop, comparing mobile phone tariffs and planning and budgeting for a trip.
Mr Pincher said, “I absolutely support this campaign to encourage pupils in Tamworth to gain the vital skills and knowledge they will need to manage their personal finances throughout their lives. I believe that financial prudence, understanding the financial decisions people face in their everyday lives is crucially important.
“Getting pupils talking about money at an early age is important which is why the Government has ensured that financial education will be taught in secondary schools as part of the National Curriculum from September 2014. This will help to give pupils in Tamworth the best possible start in life.”
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of PFEG said, “We are thrilled to have the support of Christopher Pincher for this free new scheme for primary and secondary schools in Tamworth. I hope all local schools will seize the opportunity to use their Get Money Smart posters to bring money to life in the classroom.
“This is a crucial topic that every young person should learn. Getting pupils talking about money and the financial decisions they will face in the future is a great way to start.”
The campaign has been made possible through a personal donation to PFEG from MoneySavingExpert.com’s Martin Lewis, which has enabled the charity to send free copies of the Get Money Smart posters and teaching resources to primary and secondary schools in the Tamworth area and across the country.
Thursday, November 21st, 2013
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, supports action to help reduce household energy bills immediately by rolling back green levies, making it easier for people to switch suppliers and putting people on the lowest tariffs.
As a Member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, Mr. Pincher said in the House of Commons that Labour Party proposals to freeze energy prices for 20 months amount to nothing more than “political charlatanism” that will result in higher prices, damage energy investment and freeze out competition.
Mr. Pincher said, “I support the action Conservatives are taking to reduce energy bills for hardworking people. We are simplifying energy tariffs and ensuring that everyone is on the cheapest possible tariff that could save people up to £158 and challenging the industry to allow 24 hour switching.
“Making switching suppliers easier could save the consumer £200. The Prime Minister is committed to rolling back green levies that add £112 each year to the average annual bill and place a burden on businesses and households. These measures will help bring bills down now.
“Under Labour gas bills more than doubled, electricity bills went up by more than 50%, the number of available energy tariffs rose to more than 400, and Labour created the ‘Big Six’ oligopoly. Fixing prices will only mean that energy companies will hike their prices in anticipation of that fix. That means that people will be paying artificially high prices, particularly if the wholesale price falls during the period of the freeze.”
Conservatives say that freezing energy prices is a political con trick. It means that hard-pressed consumers will be saddled with permanently high bills. What is needed is a cut in bills and that is what the government’s Energy Bill legislation currently being debated in the House of Lords is designed to achieve.
Conservatives have criticized Labour for saying one thing about freezing prices whilst at the same time pushing a “decarbonisation target” amendment to the Energy Bill that would add a further £125 to many bills.
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Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died aged 95 at 20:50, local time, tonight Thursday 5th December 2013.
