Christopher Pincher Calls for Action to Improve Literacy and Numeracy in Tamworth

Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, has called for action to improve levels of literacy and numeracy across Tamworth in a debate in the House of Commons last week.

The debate led by Conservative MP Caroline Dineage called on the House of Commons to recognise that with one in six adults is functionally illiterate, the UK’s skills gap is preventing the country from fully realising its economic development and is holding back so many adults who are unable to achieve their full potential.  Whilst the record of the last Labour government is poor on this issue, Ms Dineage said that it is not just the responsibility of government; a solution must come from across society.

During the debate Mr Pincher said, “Whilst I am pleased to say that unemployment is falling in my constituency and is now lower than at any time since before the recession. The biggest barrier to entry to employment for people in my constituency is illiteracy and innumeracy.

“All too many of my constituents who write or e-mail me are older people. My office gets lots of phone calls from younger people with housing, immigration or tax issues, but when my office says, “Can you send us an e-mail or write to us to provide more detail so that we can fully understand your problem”, all too many respond by saying,

“Actually, we would rather not e-mail and rather not write because we are not comfortable about doing that.” How can we hope to help our constituents when they cannot communicate effectively with us about their problems and concerns?”

Mr Pincher praised the efforts of DIGIT—the dyslexia information group in Tamworth which provides support to local adult learners by providing them with reading buddies. He also commended the adult and community learning fund and recognised the importance of academisation in improving standards across local schools.  Despite this, Mr Pincher said more must be done so our children leave school with the skills to communicate effectively.

“We must improve the teaching and knowledge of dyslexia in schools and ensure that efforts to combat dyslexia are vertically integrated so that our secondary schools know as early as possible which kids face challenges so that they can help the primary schools to help those children, and the children can go to secondary school with a higher reading age and improve their chances of obtaining better GCSEs.”

Mr Pincher drew particular attention to the good GCSE results posted by Rawlett School and the dyslexia support provided by Wilnecote high school.

Kudos Is Tamworth’s Winner in Parliament’s Tiffin Cup

Christopher Pincher handing over the Tiffin Cup white apron award to Kudos

Kudos restaurant in Fazeley came close to scooping up a prestigious food award last week when it was declared runner up in Parliament’s Tiffin Cup competition.

The challenge to find Britain’s best south Asian restaurant was the brain child of three Members of Parliament, Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East, Martin Horwood, the Lib Dem representing Cheltenham and Conservative Michael Fabricant, MP for neighbouring Lichfield.

Tamworth’s MP Christopher Pincher presented the runner up award (a chef’s white apron) to Kudos staff at the weekend.  He said, “Kudos has a modern take on quintessential south Asian cuisine.  The decor is sleek, the ambience is sharp and the food is excellent.  When I asked local people to vote on which restaurant they thought should be entered for the competition Kudos won hands down.

“I am really pleased that they did so well.  I hope that next year one of our local restaurants can carry off the main prize and show Parliament and the rest of the country that we have some superb restaurants in our part of the world.”

Shortlisted restaurants are visited by the three founding MPs and other mystery diners who then rate the establishment on food and drink, decor and design, friendliness and price.  The winner is picked from a final shortlist of which Kudos was one.

Government to Cut National Insurance Payments for Businesses

Ministers will today launch in the Commons plans to hand a £2,000 national insurance cut to businesses and begin consultations on cutting slow payment of invoices.

David Cameron will mark the introduction of the National Insurance Contributions Bill with a tour of small businesses in the east of England, insisting the Government is keen to do everything it can help to help firms succeed.  The tax cut is due to be in place by April next year and the Government said 90% of the benefit would be felt by firms with fewer than 50 employees.

A consultation on ways to end late payment is also being launched, Mr Cameron said, because the problem can have a “devastating effect” on small and medium sized firms.  The Prime Minister said the Employment Allowance would save 1.25 million businesses £2,000 per year – and mean 450,000 of them will have their national insurance bills eliminated entirely.

He said, “An ambitious and thriving small business sector is vital for steering the economic recovery in the right direction and helping us to succeed in the global race.  We are determined to do everything we can to ensure that our small firms can be successful and prosperous and people can fulfil their aspirations.

“Last week, we helped people get on the housing ladder and own shares. This week, we’re helping small businesses start and expand. This Government is 100% backing people who work hard and want to get on in life a nd we’re going to finish the job we started.”

The consultation on late payment will review whether the Prompt Payment Code can be strengthened, consider whether new legislation or penalties are needed, and look at what can be done to increase transparency.

Mr Cameron added, “It’s not right that suppliers are not getting paid on time for the work they do and the services they provide and I know that late payment can have devastating effects on our small and medium sized businesses.  I am determined to make Britain the best place to start, grow and do business and to back people who want to work hard and get on.”

Jaguar Land Rover, National Express and John Lewis to Attend MP’s Jobs Fair

Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, has welcomed the excellent news that three further national companies, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), National Express and John Lewis, will be attending Tamworth’s second Jobs Fair where they hope to find enthusiastic new employees and apprentices.

Mr Pincher said, “This is excellent and exciting news that major national companies such as JLR want to come to Tamworth to look for their next round of apprentices.  We have some really skilled graduates from our schools, sixth form and college and this jobs fair is about ensuring that these talents are not wasted.

“The event is free for anyone to attend and is not restricted to any particular age group or skills set and I encourage as many people to attend as possible and match up jobs with job seekers.”

The fair takes place in South Staffordshire College, Croft Street campus between 10am and 2pm on Saturday 12th October.  No registration is necessary.

To find out more or register for a display at the job fair please contact Mr Pincher’s office on 01827 312778 or e-mail christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk

Christopher Pincher Welcomes Investment at Upper Gungate

Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, has welcomed news from the Department for Transport that Upper Gungate will receive an additional £1.37m investment to ease congestion as part of the Government’s ‘Pinch Point’ funding programme.

Mr Pincher said, “This is good news for Tamworth and especially people that live near the Leys who get caught in traffic heading into or out of town on a daily basis.  I know this is a big problem for local residents and people who have to travel up the A513 and this funding will go some way to alleviating this congestion.

“I will continue to press for more investment in our town which lies at the heart of England’s transport network.”

This is the second ‘pinch point’ funding Tamworth has received from the Department for Transport.  The first was funding for alterations to M42 Junction 10 roundabout.

Tamworth’s MP Hosts Jobs Fair for Residents

Staffordshire’s Conservative PCC Plans Review of Public Buildings

Hundreds of public buildings in Staffordshire could be closed to save money, the county’s Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

Tax Breaks for Married Couples

Plans for married couples to get tax breaks worth up to £200 a year have been announced by the Prime Minister.

David Cameron has said four million couples would benefit from a £1,000 transferable tax allowance from 2015.

Conservative Controlled Councils Receive Shared Business Service Award

Conservative controlled Tamworth Borough Council and Lichfield District Council’s Economic Development Shared Service has been presented a top award by the Federation of Small Businesses.

The two Staffordshire local authorities are celebrating after winning the ‘Best All-Round Small Business Friendliness’ award for their Economic Development Shared Service at the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Staffordshire and West Midlands Region Awards on Friday 20 September 2013.

Tamworth’s MP Welcomes Latest Crime Statistics

Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, welcomed the latest Office of National Statistics records which show a dramatic reduction in the number of crimes committed in Tamworth.

The number of burglaries is down by 23%, arson down 44%m sexual offences down 18%, whilst the number of vehicle thefts is down 35% in the 12 months from September 2012 to September 2013.