Gordon Birtwistle & Burnley Liberal Democrats

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As well as a substantial increase in the personal allowance which will benefit almost 30,000 people in Burnley, there were a number of announcements in the budgets which will be beneficial for Burnley.

The Government has announced that the Growing Places Fund will increase by £270 million to provide additional funding for the infrastructure needed to unlock developments that will lead to jobs and growth. The Lancashire LEP will receive £6.3 million with the total Growing Places Fund allocation for the North West increasing to £95 million.

The Government will support Network Rail to invest a further £130m in the Northern Hub rail scheme, to improve the connectivity and capacity on key routes to and from Manchester. Local MP Gordon Birtwistle commented “I am pleased to see how much infrastructure investment has been dedicated to the North West.

“With the Todmorden curve rail link to Manchester being re-opened next year this will have a positive impact on Burnley, improving high speed connectivity across the North West for my constituents”

The Burnley MP also spoke of the announcements in the budget affecting housing.  Birtwistle said “I was pleased to see the shortlist of sites to receive £420 million of funding through the Get Britain Building Fund on 19 March – supporting firms in need of development finance and delivering over 12,000 new homes. We are now going further, and will provide an additional £150 million over the next two years – delivering over 3,000 more homes that the country urgently needs.

“Under the ‘Get Britain Building” scheme, the Government will invest over £103 million in the North West, delivering over 2,500 homes. This will also support over 5,000 jobs in construction and related sectors locally.”

Today, as part of the Budget, the Income Tax threshold will be raised further, ensuring that no one pays any income tax on the first £9,200 they earn.

In Burnley that means 2,610 people will be lifted out of paying Income Tax all together with many more people receiving a £220 tax cut. This is on top of tax cuts of £200 last year and a further £130 next month.

Gordon Birtwistle MP commented:

 ”The Chancellor has done the right thing in listening to Liberal Democrat calls for the Income Tax threshold to be raised further.  As a Liberal Democrat, I want to see a fairer tax system where help is provided for those who need it most and where the richest pay their fair share.”

“Raising the Income Tax threshold to £9,200 will help average working people in Burnley who have been struggling with bills and higher cost of living. Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, people working full time earning the minimum wage will have seen their income tax bill cut in half”

When the Coalition came to power in 2010 the Personal Tax Allowance was £6,475. Increasing it to £10,000 will mean £700 back in the pockets of working people, or approximately £60 a month.

The Budget includes a number of measures to make the rich pay their fair share. These include a Tycoon Tax to cap tax breaks the wealthy can use; raising the rate of stamp duty to 7% for being who buy £2m mansions; and closing loopholes that allow people to buy houses in company names to avoid Stamp Duty when the property is sold

Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander said:

“Liberal Democrats have been clear in our priorities for the Budget. We wanted to see a Budget for the millions, not the millionaires.

“The Coalition Government inherited an unfair tax system from Labour, who in their 13 years hit ordinary working families hardest by abolishing the 10p tax rate while letting tycoons get away with shameless tax avoidance.

“Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are doing the right thing to clear up the mess Labour left behind, making sure the wealthiest pay their fair share by clamping down on tax avoidance, introducing a ‘tycoon tax’ and putting an end to stamp duty dodging by the super rich.

“Raising the Income Tax threshold is a key Liberal Democrat commitment that the Coalition Government is implementing. The announcement in the Budget will mean almost 2m people will be taken out of paying Income Tax all together in the UK and give nearly 25m people a £220 tax cut.”

Record numbers of houses across Burnley & Padiham are benefitting from free loft and cavity insultation.

The figures, published by the Energy Saving Trust, show that in Burnley,  5,586 homes have received free loft or cavity wall insulation since 2008. 
 
These figures are fantastic news, and show how going green can save people money. Under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) energy companies are obliged to help households in England and Wales reduce their use of electricity and gas to lower their carbon emissions.
 
Suppliers are required to concentrate at least 40% of their activity on vulnerable and low-income households. Thanks to this requirement on energy companies to insulate houses without cost to the homeowner, many households will have lower bills and can keep their houses warmer.
 
The Green Deal will continue this work from the Autumn, thanks to the Liberal Democrats. The Green Deal, a Liberal Democrat manifesto committment, will mean every home and business in Burnley is properly insulated over the coming years.  This welcome investment by the Coalition Government is the right thing for the environment, household budgets and the economy - lower energy bills for everyone; green jobs; and a lasting green legacy.

See the Energy Saving Trust website for more info on the CERT figures:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Professional-resources/Existing-Housing/Homes-Energy-Efficiency-Database/CERT-reports-from-HEED
 

MPs from all parties have pledged to promote industry apprenticeships through a new parliamentary group established yesterday (28 February) and chaired by Burnley MP  Gordon Birtwistle.

The new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Apprenticeships has been brought together by EAL, the specialist awarding organisation for industry qualifications, and IMI Awards, the awarding organisation for the retail motor industry. 

It is the only parliamentary group dedicated to apprenticeships, and will focus its attention on the changing needs and support needed by employers and apprentices across the engineering, manufacturing, building services and automotive sectors.

Over the next twelve months, the APPG will bring parliamentarians, employers and training providers together with EAL and IMI Awards to discuss how to promote apprenticeship training to employers, and how the current model can meet changing demands in traditional sectors as well as emerging needs in new parts of industry.

At the group’s first meeting at the House of Commons this morning, Gordon Birtwistle said:

“For the UK economy to succeed we need to increase the skills of our workforce and apprenticeships should play a central role in this.  

“As someone who started their career as an engineering apprentice, I know the value of the vocational training offered by high quality apprenticeships.  But too often they are seen as a route only for those who have failed academically and are unable to go to university.  I want to see these perceptions change and for apprenticeships to be widely recognised as a route into highly skilled occupations.

“We have a great range of apprenticeships in Burnley offered by top companies and taken up by talented young people. I want to make sure that we get the best people possible undertaking apprenticeships so that we can create a dynamic work force for the future.

“I look forward to working with the group to engage with employers, awarding organisations, training providers and the Government to raise the profile of high quality employer-led apprenticeships, to overcome barriers that employers face and help more learners take up apprenticeship opportunities.”

Ann Watson, Managing Director of EAL, said:

“Apprenticeships are rightfully respected by many industry employers, because they combine the practical and theoretical learning that is so important for young people and adults to succeed in the workplace. 

“The challenge ahead for businesses across all sectors is to learn from and build on this track record, so that we can continue to meet employers’ changing needs and bridge skills gaps in areas that are vital for the recovery, stability and future growth of the economy.

“The APPG will encourage a discussion that is informed by experiences from industry, to improve access to high quality provision and give businesses the necessary support to meet their skills needs.”

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle today paid a visit to sites in the local area which have been boosted by Big Lottery Fund awards; an initiative that provides between £300 and £10,000 to organisations ranging from small local groups to major national charities.

Big Lottery Fund grants aim to improve local communities and the lives of people most in need and the local MP unreservedly praised the scheme after visiting two of the projects in Burnley.

Commenting on the scheme, Gordon said “I was really impressed by the local schemes I saw today. The money from the Big Lottery Fund is clearly making a positive impact in our community.

“I really would like to thank the lottery for the money they are investing in these projects in Burnley and I hope to visit even more successful new schemes in the coming years.” 

The first visit of the day to the ACERS Centre (Alternative and Complementary Education and Residential Service) on Swindon Road saw Gordon making chilli with some of the children who benefit from this fantastic service.

The school is part of the School Food Trust’s Let’s Get Cooking programme, which – supported by a £20m grant from the Big Lottery Fund – has created the country’s largest network of healthy cooking clubs based in schools and reached around 1.7 million people so far. Research shows that 58 per cent of club members say they eat more healthily as a result of learning to cook with Let’s Get Cooking, and almost all (92 per cent) use their new cooking skills again at home.

Dawn Leonard, from Let’s Get Cooking in the North West, said: “Learning to cook is essential for all children and really does improve their diets, which is why the work of Let’s Get Cooking clubs like this one is so powerful. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating – and I know the pupils are keen to show off the tasty, healthy dishes that they can now make from scratch.”

Gordon Birtwistle added “I was amazed by how well this project was run and enjoyed seeing firsthand how the children benefit from cooking at the programme.  Schemes like this really give something back to the community and the work they do with the young children here is really valued by all involved. The children I met today were great and I’m really looking forward to eating the chilli we made together for dinner tonight. ”

Gordon then went onto the Burnley based Pennine Lancashire Community Farm which offers residents and community groups opportunities to grow and learn about fruit, vegetables and plants.

Commenting Gordon Birtwistle MP said “as a keen gardener with my own allotment I really enjoyed visiting this project and seeing how the community comes together to learn about and grow vegetables and plants.

James Horsford, Project Manager explains “It’s not just an allotment it’s a place where people can come to be with nature and learn different skills in a safe environment. We have regular groups who come down every week, from people with learning disabilities, substance abuse users, people with mental health problems, young offenders, to local school children and unemployed young people.”

Gordon is on Twitter! Follow him for latest news on Burnley Lib Dems and his work in Westminster and the constituency.

www.twitter.com/GBirtwistle_MP

Today Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg will announce  £9,215,141 to get young people in Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), earning or learning again.

As part of Nick Clegg’s Youth Contract, the Coalition Government will, for the first time, target funding through tailored support on a payment-by-results system to 16 and 17-year-olds with no GCSEs at A* – C who are at the highest risk of long-term disengagement.

Commenting, Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle said:

“Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are doing the right thing and supporting young people in Lancashire who have had difficulty finding a job or training when they’ve left school.

“Today’s announcement will ensure they receive personal, targeted support from experts to help them develop the confidence and skills that the need to stay in education or find a job.

“Youth unemployment is a slow burn social disaster so it’s right that although money is tight, the Coalition Government is prioritising investment in the Youth Contract to get young people earning or learning.”

Commenting further, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg said:

“Sitting at home with nothing to do when you’re so young can knock the stuffing out of you for years. It is a tragedy for the young people involved and a ticking time bomb for the economy and our society as a whole. This problem isn’t new, but in the current economic climate we urgently need to step up efforts to ensure some of our most troubled teenagers have the skills, confidence and opportunities to succeed.

“Many of them will have complex problems: truancy, teenage pregnancy, a lack of GCSEs and health problems. So helping them onto their feet will not be without challenges and Government cannot do this alone. But we all have a duty to reach out to the young people who can be hardest to reach. That’s why today I am calling on charities and other organisations at the coal face to work with Government to help tens of thousands of lost teenagers onto a brighter path.”

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle has welcomed plans for £9m of funding for Burnley Urgent Care Centre but has expressed concern that the Labour party in Burnley and Pendle continue to act against the best interest of the town where the hospital is concerned.

Commenting, the Burnley MP said “the local Labour party have no right to comment on the hospital, as it was under their watch that such vital services were relocated to Blackburn.  Neither Kitty Usher nor Gordon Prentice raised any arguments with the Labour Government at the time to fight for the hospital services to remain in Burnley. I am surprised that Azhar Ali has so much to say about the A&E now, as when he was chairman of Burnley NHS trust he had very little to say on the reduction in services at our beloved hospital.

“I have fought tooth and nail for the hospital, I will continue to do so and I will not apologise for the dogged determination with which I campaign for local hospital services. It is the Labour party who need to apologise for letting our hospital services go and for doing nothing since to secure any improvements to local health care.

He added, “for me the issue is not about what the unit is called be it A&E, urgent care centre or something else. Instead the issue is about the amount, and quality of services on offer at the hospital.  With this investment Burnley will be able to treat far more people and discussions are taking place on the extent of services which will be available in the new centre. 

“In the past year we have seen the return of 50% of ambulances to Burnley. I am confident that with investment in the hospital and continued pressure on a local and national level, that we can see even more ambulances, and services, returning to Burnley General.

“I would like to commend the Trust for displaying such cost-effectiveness in a time of austerity by bidding for only £9m when the initial estimate was between £10-12m; this means that up to £3m is able to be spent elsewhere in the country to improve vital services. Dues also need to be paid to the government for securing this funding for the hospital in response to my campaigning on the issue. This is money which otherwise would not have been available from the trusts capital allowance for another five years.”

From L-R: MD Kevin Schofield, Brian Barker, Joseph Fryer, Mick Chapman, Damien Dutton, Gordon Birtwistle, Kathleen Birtwistle, Gerry Gilroy.

Gordon Birtwistle, MP for Burnley and Padiham, visited fantastic local firm Futaba Tenneco  to meet their new apprentices and hand over the prize in his ’100 apprentices in 100 days’ campaign.

Futaba-Tenneco UK Ltd have reaped the benefits of their young and adult apprenticeship schemes by winning the 100 Apprentices in 100 Days competition, sponsored by local MP Gordon Birtwistle. Gordon presented the award to Young Apprentice Joseph Fryer in a small ceremony at the Burnley firm’s plant. The prize is a meal for two in the House of Commons and a guided tour conducted by Gordon.

Gordon launched the campaign and challenged local firms to take on an apprentice at the North West Manufacturing Conference at Burnley College earlier last year. Within 100 days, participating organisations had taken on a total of 103 apprentices, with many others indicating that they plan to in the next year. All participating companies were entered into a prize draw and Futaba Tenneco were the lucky winners.

FTUK MD Kevin Schofield said:

“We are pleased to accept this award. – we are fully committed to training and developing all our employees, but sometimes it is nice to receive recognition for it.”

Commenting, Gordon said:

“It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm with which local companies have leapt up to meet the challenge I laid before them at the Conference. Burnley has so many opportunities for those with the skills to take them up and apprenticeships are a great way for young people to gain those skills – first hand and on the job.”

“It is crucial that we continue to encourage more apprenticeships, not only for today but to help build the skills Burnley needs for the future. Recent figures show a fantastic increase in apprenticeships in Burnley and Padiham last year– and we need to continue building on this success.

New figures reveal that in Burnley 890 people benefitted from an apprenticeship last year, an increase of 76%

 This news comes as the Coalition Government has launched the National Apprenticeships Week, which will seek to build on last year’s success with events in schools and businesses.

Commenting, Gordon Birtwistle said:

“This dramatic growth in apprentices is welcome news for young people in Burnley. Apprenticeships equip our young people with the skills needed to get jobs and build prosperous careers.

“Our apprentices are putting businesses on stronger ground to be successful and create jobs and growth in our area. I am thrilled that so many companies in Burley are investing in our young people.

“As a Liberal Democrat, I believe that the Coalition Government is doing the right thing by giving employers even further encouragement to train young people and create opportunities for apprentices.

“They are essential in our efforts to rebalance the economy away from financial speculators in the City of London, as we clear up Labour’s economic mess.”

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

“National Apprenticeships Week is the time to celebrate the countless achievements of learners and employers, and to call on more firms to hire an apprentice and enjoy the competitive advantage they can bring to a business.

“I am very proud of the fact that at a time of financial constraint this Coalition Government has prioritised investment in apprenticeships. This has led to the creation of record numbers of apprenticeships combined with tough new standards to drive up quality.

“Apprenticeships are at the centre of the Coalition’s skills policy because we know that they work. Not only do they provide individuals with the skills they need for prosperous and rewarding careers, they also boost businesses’ profits and drive growth in the wider economy.

“We are providing extra help to enable small employers to hire their first apprentices. We will also continue to develop new advanced and higher-level apprenticeships to deliver the world-class skills individuals and firms need to get ahead.”