Gordon Birtwistle & Burnley Liberal Democrats

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Business leaders have backed the £1bn Youth Contract, announced by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg in November, which aims to ensure that all jobless young people are earning or learning again before long-term damage is done.

In Burnley and Padiham, 875 18 to 24-year-olds are currently in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance and would stand to benefit from the Youth Contract.

Britain’s four biggest employer organisations, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), have formally backed the Youth Contract and will also urge their members to back the initiative.

Starting next April, the Youth Contract will provide at least 410,000 new work places for 18 to 24 year olds into work over the next three years. This includes 160,000 wage subsidies and 250,000 new work experience placements.

A new programme to will help 16 and 17 year olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEETs). This will help the most disengaged of these 26,000 in the North West get back to school or college, onto an apprenticeship or into a job with training.

In addition, there will be at least 20,000 more incentive payments to encourage employers to take on young apprentices in England.

Commenting, Gordon Birtwistle MP said:

“Youth unemployment is an economic waste and a slow-burn social disaster. If young people are out of work, the consequences of that will be felt for decades afterwards. We need to ensure young people do not have a false start.

“That is why it is excellent news that Britain’s four biggest employer organisations are backing the scheme. I look forward to working with local employers to make sure the Youth Contract is a success so that we won’t lose the skills and talent of our young people – right when we need them most.

“As a Liberal Democrat, I am proud that the Coalition Government is working with business to do the right thing to prevent another lost generation.”

Commenting further, Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said:

“Supporting people into work is my priority for 2012 and helping young people get proper lasting jobs is especially important.

“The Youth Contract will make sure every unemployed young person starts earning or learning again before long term damage is done.

“But government can’t do this alone, we need businesses to play their part too. That’s why the support of the Confederation of British
Industry, British Chambers of Commerce, British Retail Consortium and Federation of Small Businesses is such good news.”

In Burnley and Padiham, 870 learners took on an apprenticeship in 2010/11, an increase of 73%.

Apprenticeships give people the skills and experience needed to succeed on the job market and create the skills necessary in the workforce for sustainable growth.

Liberal Democrats have long called for a significant increase in apprenticeships and Lib Dem Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has made this a priority.

To support more employers, especially small businesses, to take on apprentices, the Coalition Government this week announced a number of measures, including:

1. Offering employers with up to 50 employees an incentive payment of £1,500 to take on apprentices aged 16-24. This will encourage small employers to take on up to 20,000 apprentices.
2. Streamlining processes so that it takes just a month for an employer to advertise for an apprentice.
3. Ensuring that the National Apprenticeship Service better supports the needs of small employers – through more effectively targeted advice and guidance and helping training providers work more effectively with local SMEs.

Commenting, Burnley and Padiham MP Gordon Birtwistle said:

“Apprenticeships make companies more productive and give young people the experience and skills they need.

“Liberal Democrats are determined to tackle youth unemployment and get our economy back on track. Apprenticeships are a huge part of that.

“Apprenticeships are beneficial to all involved and the record rise in learners taking them up is great news for Burnley and the economy as a whole.

“Small businesses form the backbone of our economy and the announcements by Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, Vince Cable, are very welcome. They show the Coalition Government is determined to do the right thing and create sustainable growth, driven by our local employers.”

Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, Vince Cable said:

“The apprenticeships programme is a success story, with record numbers of learners starting an apprenticeship this year. But I have listened to employers, and will go further to ensure that investment is targeted where impact is greatest, delivering the specific skills businesses need to drive growth.

“Apprenticeships are proven to boost the life chances of young people, and are a sound investment in our future competitiveness. So when times are tough, it’s right that we provide additional support to help the smallest firms meet training costs.

“We’ll cut no corners on quality. Apprenticeships will remain the gold standard for excellence in vocational training – but where red tape serves no purpose, we’ll strip it away.”

Liberal Democrat Children and Families Minister, Sarah Teather has announced the extra money each school will receive through the Pupil Premium this year – more than originally expected.

In Burnley, schools will get a total of over £1.5m to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The original plans for an extra £430 per pupil have been boosted by £100m, meaning that that every school in Burnley will now get nearly £500 for every child on Free School Meals.

News of the extra money comes after Sarah Teather recently announced that the total Pupil Premium funding for next year will rise to £1.25bn, double the amount in 2011-12.

Thanks to Liberal Democrats, it will rise again each year until 2014-15 when it will be worth £2.5bn.

Commenting, Gordon Birtwistle MP said:

“It is a shocking fact that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are three times less likely to achieve five good GSCEs than their more well-off classmates.

“Education is the best way to end the underachievement of disadvantaged pupils through supporting children comprehensively from early years straight through to secondary school.

“That is why Liberal Democrats have ensured that in Burnley, schools will receive over £1.5m as part of the Pupil Premium.

“This is more than expected and will make an even bigger difference for our children. I look forward to working with schools and teachers to make the Pupil Premium the success our children deserve it to be.”

Commenting further, Sarah Teather said:

“The Pupil Premium will benefit poorer pupils, providing extra money directly for those pupils who need it the most.

“This extra funding will help tackle inequality and enable schools to provide the extra support their pupils need to reach their full potential.”

Gordon Birtwistle MP has welcomed the new influx of funding for schools in Burnley and Padiham following the implementation of the ‘Pupil Premium’ policy. The Pupil Premium provides each school with an additional £430 for each pupil the school takes in who is on free school meals. This adds up to total funding of over £1.3m for schools across the Borough area.

Headteachers will have the power to spend this money as they see fit in order to improve the education of pupils in their school. This additional money goes straight into the schools budget and headteachers will be free to spend it in the best interests of children. Headteachers may wish to reduce class sizes, offer extra one-to-one tuition or provide for after school support.

“Within the Liberal Democrat election manifesto we pledged to invest £2.5 billion into a pupil premium to boost education opportunities for every child. We are now delivering on this promise in government. Labour left behind many schools that were failing our children – especially those from less well off families in Burnley.”

“Thanks to our actions in implementing the Pupil Premium, there is an extra £10.7m coming into Lancashire this year alone and over £1.3m coming into Burnley and Padiham schools. This figure will increase further still next year, giving a much needed boost to our schools and our children.”

Gordon Birtwistle will be holding his weekly drop-in advice surgery this week on Friday 7^th October at Burnley Sainsburys between 4 and 5pm – no appointment needed.

Furthermore, most Saturday mornings, (weather permitting), Gordon holds an open advice stall in Burnley town centre between 10.30-12.30 outside Marks and Spencer – come along if you’d like to raise any issues with your MP.

Commenting, Gordon said:

‘It’s so important that local people are able to speak with me about issues of concern. This is the most important part of my job – come along if there are any issues that you would like to raise with me.’

Alternative appointments are also available by contacting Gordon’s office on 01282 704430. Gordon’s constituency office at 23 St James Row, Burnley, BB11 1EY is also open for callers to drop in for advice and assistance from a caseworker every weekday between 11am and 3pm.

Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference recognised the Government’s efforts in implementing Professor Harrington’s recommendations on the reform of the Work Capability Assessments and calls on the Government to continue this process to ensure those who need it continue to be supported.

Commenting, Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Party Committee on Work and Pensions, Jenny Willott said:

With the Government planning a host of changes to benefits for disabled people, it is vital that we ensure that people have confidence in the assessment system. Conference has recognised some of the good work that this Government has already done in reforming the Work Capability Assessment by implementing the independent review of Professor Harrington, but there is clearly more still to be done.

“Whilst the Government is having to cut back public spending in order to clear up the economic mess left behind by Labour, it is really important that we continue to provide as much support as possible for sick and disabled people. As this motion shows, the Liberal Democrats are committed to making sure this happens.

Burnley and Padiham MP stated: “It is of the utmost importance that the government continues to press for the Harrington Review is implemented in full. People who need the support of benefits need to have support at all times. The less stressful these assessments can made for genuine claimants the better.”

The full text of the motion, as passed: Read the rest of this entry »

Gordon Birtwistle, Member of Parliament for Burnley and Padiham, is fighting hard to ensure that you pay no more than what is fair for your gas and electricity. This is following the actions of yet more energy companies posting price hikes averaging a 19% increase a year after many reported record profits.

Having written to industry regulator Ofgem demanding action, they have responded with assurances that the issue is being pursued with demands that energy providers provide clearer and simpler price tariffs which are transparent and understandable to consumers. Further action is also being taken to break the stranglehold of the ‘Big Six’ companies which currently dominate the market and clear the way for further competition to help keep prices down.

Gordon has further supported plans which will keep energy bills affordable for local families, calling for social tariffs to be implemented to help provide those on lower incomes the energy they need to heat their homes. Gordon has also strongly stated his support for the British Gas initiative to provide more efficient boilers and free insulation to the homes of their customers to keep bills and energy usage down. As a part of this he has written to the other major energy providers demanding they introduce similar schemes to help residents of Burnley and Padiham.

Commenting, Gordon Birtwistle said: “As the weather is starting to turn colder as we head back towards winter, it is important that both the government and Ofgem as regulator continue to work closely together to ensure that energy companies put people before profit. These companies have a moral obligation to protect the wellbeing of their customers.”

“I recently had a meeting with British Gas at which they explained the steps they have been taking to help their customers save money and reduce their energy bills. I have since written to the other major energy suppliers asking them to follow their lead. It is indefensible for these companies to not help their customers in difficult times such as these, whilst posting record price hikes alongside record profits.”

“I am doing everything in my power to work with the government and the industry regulator to get the best deal for the people of Burnley and Padiham.”

Burnley Borough Council Leader Charlie Briggs today announced his concerns regarding the proposals put forward by the Boundary Commission for England. These proposals would see the existing Burnley parliamentary constituency split into two halves with the northern half of Burnley attached to Pendle and Colne while the southern half would be added on to Accrington.

The changes which have been put forward have raised concerns across East Lancashire that communities across the region will be badly affected if these proposals go through in their current state. With local authorities being forced to deal with more MPs and MPs having to divide their time over more local councils, the concerns are that local residents across Burnley and the rest of East Lancashire will ultimately end up with a much poorer deal.

Commenting, Councillor Charlie Briggs said: “I am meeting the leaders and chief executives of other local authorities in East Lancashire with the aim of leading a cross-party approach to the Boundary Commission for England. I believe it is vital that we work together to prevent our communities from being broken up.”

Gordon Birtwistle took time out for a special Strawberry Tea party in the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 June.
Arranged by Breast Cancer Care, the event was a chance for Gordon to find out more about the charity’s work supporting people affected by breast cancer and the issues that are important to the 50,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year.
And as well as sampling a superb selection of mouth-watering strawberry treats, Gordon

Gordon Birtwistle and Samia al Qadhi at the Strawberry Tea

also had the chance to meet some of the charity’s volunteers, who are instrumental in delivering its free support services in communities across the UK.
Commenting on the event, Gordon said: “I know that there will be countless families across my constituency who have been affected by breast cancer, either personally or through the experience of a friend, family member or work colleague.
The Strawberry Tea was a great way to find out more about the impact breast cancer can have on the lives of people affected and to learn about the free support services Breast Cancer Care provide. By hosting your own Strawberry Tea event this summer you can help Breast Cancer Care to continue to be there for anyone affected by this disease.”
Samia al Qadhi (pictured with Gordon), Breast Cancer Care’s Chief Executive, urged anyone interested in supporting the charity to host their own Strawberry Tea.
“Getting together with your favourite people and throwing a Strawberry Tea for Breast Cancer Care is both an easy and fun way to support us,” she said.
“Your party can be as simple or as lavish as you want it to be, and a donation from your guests will help us make a real difference to the lives of people affected by breast cancer.”
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To find out more about Breast Cancer Care’s Strawberry Tea this summer, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk/strawberry or call 0870 164 9422.

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle has spoken out against the government’splanned Localism Bill that could allow the deregulation of allotments.
Mr Birtwistle who himself owns an allotment feels passionately on the issue as he believes that allotments are not only valuable to communities but also assist in providing a better quality of life for owners. Gordon claimed those that own allotments should not have to fear their councils ; “I can reassure my constituents in Burnley that they will not face this threat”.
The proposal that has been initiated by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles MP could see councils taking land off the public in order to sell the area in question for purposes such as housing. Gordon is keen to see power remain with land owners and contacted Mr Pickles directly in order to express his concerns that will undoubtedly be shared by many.
“Allotments provide those who possess them with a way of life; it is wrong that the government and local councils could potentially assume responsibility for this land. I will campaign on this issue to ensure that the prospect does not become reality.
“I have personally spoken with Eric Pickles about this and he has reassured me that there will be no changes to, or repeal of the Allotment Law, under the new Localism Bill. I will be keeping an eye on the Bill and vow to try and stop any potential amendments which would lead to uncertainty about our beloved gardening spaces. If this issue arises in future I will definitely be challenging the secretary of state on it.

“I have also spoken to Charlie Briggs, leader of the council who has assured me that whilst under Liberal Democrat control the council will actually be looking to increase the number of allotments and allotments in Burnley would stay protected.”