News Archive
March 2005
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News Archive |
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March 2005 |
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1 March 2005 |
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Tony Wright Meets M6
Toll Chief to Plan Landmark Sculpture |
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Tony Wright, accompanied by
Fred Pritchard and others, has met Tom Fanning, Managing Director of Midlands
Expressway Ltd, to discuss plans for a landmark sculpture on the M6 Toll. Tony Wright chairs the
CHAPS group (Chase Art in Public Spaces) which is leading the drive to get
public art projects across the district and recently installed the mining
memorial at Queen’s Square island in the centre of Cannock. Tony Wright said: “We had an extremely positive meeting. Tom
Fanning for MEL was very enthusiastic about our plans for something really
dramatic on the Toll Road that would make a real impact on the profile of the
district for all those travelling through the area. There was huge public enthusiasm throughout the
region for our plan when we first floated it, but now we want to start taking
steps that will bring it to fruition as soon as possible. This week’s meeting was the first of these steps and we can now begin to move the project ahead.” |
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7
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright Wants More
Honours For Local People |
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Tony Wright MP is pressing
for more fairness in the way that honours are distributed, and does not believe
that areas like Cannock Chase are getting their fair share of awards under the
present system. The Commons Select
Committee he chairs recently proposed radical changes to the honours system, and
the Government has now announced some changes to the system to make it more
open. This will include making a report every year to Tony Wright’s committee
about how the system is operating. Commenting, Tony Wright
said: “I am glad that the
Government is making the honours system more open and less secretive, but I want
to see much greater fairness in the way that honours are distributed. At the
moment there are not even any figures kept on how different local areas fare
when it comes to awards, and I am pressing that there should be. I am pretty sure that
some areas get more than their fair share and some like Cannock Chase get far
fewer than they should and deserve. I am determined to see this put right. The honours system enables us to recognise all those people who give outstanding service to the community and I want to see such people in Cannock Chase get their fair share of honours.”
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7
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright Reminder Call to Local Heroes on Funding Scheme |
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This
year is the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and
the Government is planning a range of commemorative events and activities under
the banner Thanks For Our Future. However,
Tony Wright wants to remind local veterans about a scheme called Heroes
Return, which uses funding from the Big Lottery to enable veterans, widows
and carers to visit the scenes of their wartime experiences overseas.
Applications have to be submitted by 31st March. Tony
Wright said: “I do not want local
veterans of the Second World War to miss the chance to visit the places overseas
where they served. The Heroes Return scheme gives grants to veterans,
wives and widows, and to their carers, to meet travel costs for visits during
this year but applications have to be in by the end of this month. The Fund can
be contacted on 0845 4 10 20 30 I have already heard of local veterans who are planning trips this year to he places they served, including one who is going to where he was when the war ended, but there may be others would like to do the same and would find this Fund provides a means of doing so.” |
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8
March 2005 |
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“Over £5 in ‘05” says Tony Wright MP as Labour Plans
to Increase Minimum Wage |
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Tony
Wright MP has welcomed Labour’s plans for the minimum wage to rise to over £5
and hour in 2005 for workers in Cannock Chase. The
minimum wage will rise to £5.05 and in October 2006 it will rise to £5.35. Tony Wright said: “Despite setting out our commitment to a minimum wage
over a century ago this is the first Labour government to deliver a National
Minimum Wage. In 1997 we were told we couldn’t do it, that it was dangerous or
would lead to mass unemployment. Six years on from its introduction we have
delivered year on year a pay rise from some of the lowest paid workers in
Britain. Combined with tax credits
and our benefit reforms, we are ensuring that having a job pays a living wage
for hard working families. Labour is on the side of working people. We believe raising employment levels and standards will increase opportunities and living standards for all. Our continued commitment to economic stability will ensure more people can find work and employment will remain high. |
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8
March 2005 |
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MP
Welcomes Big Funding Increase for Fairtrade |
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Chase MP Tony Wright has welcomed the Government
announcement, to mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight that it will give £750,000
to the Fairtrade Foundation over the next three years to help bring more
Fairtrade products onto the market. This is an increase of 150 per cent on the previous
contribution of £300,000, and brings the total support to the Fairtrade
Foundation to over one million pounds over six years. Tony Wright said: “The Labour Government has been a
major supporter of the Fairtrade Foundation over many years.
Today, our support has helped sales of Fairtrade achieve growth year on
year, reaching a value of £140 million in the UK.
By buying Fairtrade certified products
such as coffee, tea, fruit and chocolate shoppers in Britain are helping farmers
and other producers to earn a decent living and obtain good healthcare and
education. It’s making a real
contribution towards helping poor people to help themselves out of poverty.”
In recent years there has been greater
public awareness of Fairtrade and consumer demand has opened the door to
mainstream commercial interest. However,
Fairtrade is now at a crossroads - great opportunities lie ahead but the
Fairtrade Foundation needs external funding to realise these.
With help from the Government, the Foundation would like to:
With Government support:
Before
2002, new products were introduced at the rate of one product every 18-24
months. In the 12 months to May
2004, 27 new product standards were approved.
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The number of Fairtrade
labelled products has grown dramatically - In 2002, there were 100
Fairtrade labelled products. There
are now over 800 products.
In 2002 the sales figures for
Fairtrade labelled products in the UK was just over £60 million.
Today the Fairtrade Foundation will announce 2004’s estimated retail
sales figures to be in excess of £140 million, a 51% increase on 2003.
In 2002 there were 360 producer groups registered. There are now over 433 producer groups spreading benefits of trading under Fairtrade terms to 5 million people – farmers, workers and their families. |
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8
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright Demands
Crackdown on Shopping Parade Yobs |
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Tony Wright MP is calling
on police to take action against the yobs who abuse, harass and intimidate
people on local shopping parades. He particularly singles out the situation at
Heath Hayes, where groups of youths, some unruly, congregate outside the shops
in Hednesford Rd. He is asking the police to introduce dispersal orders for such
areas under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act. Tony Wright said: “The behaviour I regularly witness from yobs
outside the shops and library in Heath Hayes is not something that decent people
should have to tolerate when they are shopping, using the library, going for a
drink or getting a takeaway. One Friday evening recently I called the police
myself because I was outraged by what I saw there, and I know that some other
local shopping parades suffer similar problems. That is why I have asked the police to take
concerted action, including the use of dispersal orders, and they have agreed to
consider my request. People have a right to go about their business on the streets without being subjected to this kind of yobbery and it is time for us to show that we are not prepared to tolerate it any longer.” |
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14
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright and Local
Ex-Miners’ Group to Lobby Minister |
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Tony Wright MP and members
of the Cannock Chase Retired Miners and Officials Pensions and Health Claims
Association are to meet DTI Minister Nigel Griffiths MP in London later this
month to keep up the pressure on a range of issues affecting the welfare of
ex-pitmen and their families. These include health claims and pensions. Plans for the meeting were
discussed when Tony Wright met the ex-miners’ group a few days ago. Last year,
Tony Wright took the group to meet the Minister in London, and a follow-up
meeting was promised then, which has now been arranged. Tony Wright said: “Our first meeting with the Minister was very
useful in identifying a range of issues affecting the welfare of former miners
and their families, and we now want to review progress that has been made and
tackle some outstanding issuers. We all recognise that the Labour Government has done a lot to honour the debt we owe to those who worked in the pits, but the task is not done and that is why it is important to keep up the pressure.” |
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15
March |
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MP
BACKS MODERN
SCHOOLS, STRONG DISCIPLINE AND EDUCATION FOR POST 16’s |
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Tony
Wright MP has welcomed Labour’s plans for a truly comprehensive education for
pupils in Cannock Chase. Tony
Wright MP said: “To
get the future that Cannock Chase deserves, we need to make sure our children
succeed in school. We need to raise standards, increase the number of teachers
and make sure that every child gets the personal attention they need to do the
very best they can. To
give every child the chance to excel, this Government has invested in new
classrooms, more teachers and changed the way schools work so that every pupil
gets more attention. Thanks to this investment and the hard work of local
teachers, governors and classroom assistants, standards are rising here in
Cannock Chase. If
Labour wins a third term in government, Labour will ensure modern schools for
all with every child taught in the best environment, with up to date books,
equipment and information technology. We will place a premium on discipline, with proper respect for the teacher and no child’s education disrupted by tolerating bad behaviour in the classroom. We will ensure every 16 year old is guaranteed a place in the sixth form, in training or an apprenticeship. |
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15March
2005 |
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Tony Wright Welcomes
Centro Backing for Chase Line Upgrade |
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Tony Wright has been told
by Centro that it is backing his campaign for a major upgrade of the Chase Line
rail service serving Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley. With Staffordshire County
Council it is promoting a major project that would provide a “total route
upgrade” that would · Enhance the track and signalling on the route to allow daytime service frequency to be doubled from hourly to half-hourly · Extend platform lengths to allow peak trains to run with more carriages · Rebuild the facilities at the stations to significantly enhance the passenger environment, including improved security and information · Provide booking offices at the two busiest stations on the route at Cannock and Hednesford. As long as we keep a Labour Government in power, we now have a real chance to get support for the compete modernisation of this line that is vital to Cannock Chase.” |
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18
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright Welcomes
Assurances from Minister on Itinerant Sites |
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Following a recent meeting with Minister Yvette Cooper MP in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Tony Wright has welcomed the new action to crack down on unauthorised traveller sites Tony Wright said: “I am glad that the Government has introduced new
Temporary Stop Notices from this month to enable immediate action to be taken
against illegal encampments. We need to combine this tougher enforcement with
new site provision so these people cannot say they have nowhere to go. It is simply not acceptable for itinerants to take
over any land they like, including Green Belt, in defiance of the planning laws
that everybody else has to live by. Over the years we have had too many examples
locally of the mayhem that the illegal encampments can cause, and it is time for
it to stop. This means tougher enforcement, linked t the availability of proper
sites where they can go. We should also consider making it a criminal offence to
breach planning laws. |
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21 March 2005 |
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Chase MP Hails
“Brown’s Brilliant Budget for Families and Pensioners” |
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Tony Wright MP has
described Gordon Brown’s Budget as “brilliant news for families and
pensioners in Cannock Chase”. Speaking after hearing the
Chancellor deliver his Budget, Tony Wright said: “Gordon Brown is the most successful Chancellor
of the Exchequer in modern history. He has presided over the longest period of
sustained economic growth in this country since records began in 1701, in
contrast to the Tory years of sky-high inflation and interest rates and three
million people unemployed. This is why he can afford to give the extra help to
families and pensioners in his Budget, as well as the new investment in schools
and skills. I particularly welcome the council tax refund of £200
that every pensioner household will get. Together with the Winter Fuel Allowance
this means that pensioners will receive £400 and those over 80 will get a total
of £500 this year. From next year all pensioners will also get free bus travel,
and they will no longer lose any pension or benefit if they go into hospital. Already thousands of families in Cannock Chase
benefit from Labour’s Child Tax Credit and this will be increased in line with
earnings for the next three years. This is a family tax cut that does most for
low and middle income families. Then there is the doubling of the point at which stamp duty is paid from £60,000 to £120,000 which will help those buying houses, particularly first-time buyers. On top of all this, there is to be a massive
rebuilding and renovation programme for the country’s primary schools, and a
big investment in skills. At a time when the Tories are again threatening to cut public services if they get elected, this Budget should remind everyone why we need to keep a Labour Government.”
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21
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright asks for
better consultation with local residents on Heath Hayes skatepark proposal |
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Tony Wright MP has been
approached by local residents in Heath Hayes who are concerned about the
proposal for a skatepark off Meadow Way. He has written to Cannock Chase Council
to express his own concerns about the consultation on the plan. This week he said: “In principle people recognise that a skatepark
can help to meet the leisure needs of many young people, but its location is
crucial. There are real issues about this proposed location, and residents feel
that it is simply being imposed on them. It would be much better if it was
agreed that a skatepark in Heath Hayes was a good idea and then work out which
was the most suitable location for it. It clearly needs to be somewhere where local residents will not be adversely affected by it, and it also needs to be properly supervised. If it is simply plonked down somewhere unsuitable then this is asking for trouble, and residents are right to be concerned about this. That is why I am asking for better consultation before any decision is taken. |
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21
March 2005 |
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MP Slams “Spiteful”
Charges Hike |
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Tony Wright MP is asking
Cannock Chase Council to reconsider its decision to increase the room hire costs
for an Over-60s group by over 100%. The Over-60s group meets at
Cannock Sports Stadium and has been operating for over 30 years. They may now be
forced to disband as the charge for the room in which they meet has more than
doubled, from £30 to £64. Mr Ken Tyler of St
Aidan’s Rd, Cannock told the MP of his anger at this price hike and has asked
to MP to lobby the council on behalf of club members. Tony Wright said: “Ken
and the other members of the club are horrified to
have received notice that the charge for the hire of the room is set to increase
from £30 for a 2-hour session to an hourly rate of £32, an increase of some
105%. It is simply not possible for the club to meet these costs. This
is a spiteful price hike and one which is also counter-productive. One way or
the other the council will lose this income as the club will either have to
disband or move elsewhere. I
would ask the Tory/Lib Dem alliance which controls Cannock Chase Council to
urgently reconsider their decision, and not try to balance their books at the
expense of the Over-60s Club and others like it.” |
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21
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright MP:
“Springvale is Special” – Tribute to School Facing Closure |
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Tony Wright MP this week
spoke of his personal affection and involvement with Springvale Primary School
that faces closure. Tony Wright had made his own representations to the LEA
about the special character of Springvale and expressed disappointment that this
had not counted for more when the future of the school was decided. He said: “I have always had a close relationship with
Springvale, perhaps because it is just across the road from my office. When I
became MP in 1992 the first school party to visit met in the House of Commons
was from Springvale, and I still remember the wonder and excitement among the
children, most of whom had never been to London before. Those children are now
adults, but some of them still remind me about that day. I have visited the school many times over the years
and have always been impressed with its special character, and the affection and
support felt for it. The fact that it is a small school, and a historic one,
makes it feel special and its proposed closure is a real sadness. The campaign to defend it has shown the regard in which it is held. I am just sorry that in the event this was not enough, but I hope that the spirit of Springvale will live on.” |
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22
March 2005 |
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“More controls on
‘phone masts needed” – Tony Wright MP |
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Tony Wright is calling for
better controls on the siting of mobile ‘phone masts, following concerns
expressed to him by residents about the issue and representations he has made to
the ‘phone companies about particular locations. Speaking about the issue
this week, he said: “I have become increasingly concerned about the
lack of effective planning control in relation to these masts. They are
sprouting up like weeds all over the place, and there is not even an obligation
on all the different companies to join together to use a single mast which would
surely be more sensible. I know that it is not possible for people to have mobile phones unless they also have masts, but I really do think it is time to look again at the planning side of this to ensure that masts can only be put up in suitable locations which are acceptable to local residents and that they are shared by different companies.” |
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22
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright Gets Award
for “Outstanding” Service to Constituents |
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Tony Wright MP has received
an Outstanding MP award from the organisation that represents policy-holders in
the Equitable Life scandal. The award has been made by
the Equitable action group, EMAG. The group’s secretary,
Paul Braithwaite, says in a letter to Tony Wright that the award is for “your personal contribution to speaking up for
policy-holders in the Equitable Life scandal. The prospects today for Equitable
policy-holders simply would not have been achieved without your personal
interest and participation and EMAG wishes to thank you for democracy working
effectively. It does you great credit as evidence of
demonstrably serving your grass roots constituents.” Tony Wright said: “I am honoured to get this award from the group
that has been campaigning long and hard on behalf of all those policy-holders in
Equitable Life who have lost out so badly and unjustly. I think the award probably reflects my role in
making representations to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, as chairman of the Public
Administration Select Committee in the Commons, to reopen an inquiry into the
Equitable Life case. This inquiry is now underway and I hope it will
have a positive outcome for all those Equitable Life policy-holders who have
been hit hard.” |
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29
March 2005 |
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Tony Wright Welcomes
Plan to Crack Down on Claims Management Firms – Especially those that have
Ripped-Off Ex-Miners |
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Tony Wright MP has welcomed the announcement by the Government that it is to regulate claim management companies. The activities of these companies in ex-coalfield areas have been particularly criticised. “Along with other MPs from ex-coalfield areas, I
have been concerned for some time about the sharp practices of these claim
management companies, sometimes hand in hand with solicitors, to lead ex-miners
and their families down the garden path in relation to health claims and to rip
them off in terms of taking a cut from claims hat are settled. The Government has already forced the Law Society to take action against those solicitors who have ripped ex-miners off, and I am pleased that it has now accepted that there is a need to regulate these claim management companies that are completely unregulated at present.” |
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