MP's News Bulletin

Welcome ...

Welcome to this my thirty-sixth electronic news bulletin.

Remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.

You can forward the bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.

Best wishes,

Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich


I have recently...

* Met with representatives from the Association of Train Operating Companies
* Met with senior representatives of Royal Mail Group
* Met with the Executive Cabinet of Cheshire East Council with North West Members of Parliament
* Attended the launch of the Sunbeds Bill for the protection of under 18's
* Attended a Conservative Friends of Poland reception
* Spoken in Parliament on the Children, Schools and Families Bill, second reading
* Sat on the Children, Schools & Families Select Committee, in Parliament
* Sat on the Joint Committee on Human Rights in Parliament

...This weekend I will be attending Crewe Bangladesh Welfare Association reception with Shadow Minister, Baroness Warsi.


Crewe Hosts VIP Birthday Bangladesh Bash

Crewe Town Blog

Traditional Bangladesh dancing, food and hospitality will welcome around 300 guests to the Victoria Centre on West Street in Crewe, between 11am and 6pm.

The colourful event will celebrate the achievements of the Crewe Bangladesh Welfare Association (CBWA) during its first year in existence.

The VIP list includes:

• Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi (Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action)
• MP for Crewe and Nantwich, Ed Timpson
• Rt Hon Sajjad Karim MEP
• Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Margaret Simon.

Councillor Margaret Simon, Mayor of Cheshire East, who will be giving a speech at the event, said: “The achievements of the Bangladeshi community in Crewe is a wonderful example of successful cultural integration.

“The association has helped the Bangladesh community to tap into the many resources that Cheshire East Council has to offer, such as adult learning in areas like ICT, which ultimately leads to better job prospects and a more active participation in the wider community.”

Claire Wilson, Community Development Manager at Cheshire East Council, commented: “One of the biggest challenges within the community is getting women involved in events and activities. We hope that by engaging with the group they will have improved job opportunities and develop other new interests and activities.

“Children and Young People are also a priority in terms of the Bangladesh community and positive engagement will ensure that we build future cohesive communities. ”

Councillor Brian Silvester, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I spoke at the launch of the Welfare Association last year and I am delighted that it has become an annual event. The Association does a lot of good work locally and the Council continues to work closely with them

“The Bangladeshi people are incredibly hospitable with so much warmth and energy to offer.”

© 2010 CreweTownBlog

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Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson welcomes Conservative pledge to create a supermarket Ombudsman

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has welcomed a pledge to create a supermarket ombudsman to curb abuses of power by the major food retailers.

The Tories say they would create the ombudsman as a dedicated unit in the Office of Fair Trading.

This is particularly important for Nantwich dairy farmers who can struggle to get a fair price for their milk.

Mr Timpson said: “Supermarkets deliver real benefits but some aspects of the way they treat their suppliers can harm consumers as well as producers.

“We have a new code of practice which outlaws unacceptable practices such as retrospective discounting, but this isn’t worth the paper it is written on without effective enforcement.

“While the Government dithers the Conservatives are clear: we will introduce an ombudsman to curb abuses of power which undermine our local dairy farmers and act against the long-term interest of consumers.

© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd


MP calls for more ambulance scrutiny

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

MP EDWARD Timpson aims to introduce a Bill in parliament to make it easier for people to scrutinise the performance times of their local ambulance service.

Current rules mean response times are only published by region and can mask the true picture.

The guidelines mean poor response times in rural areas, such as Audlem, are averaged out by better response times in urban areas.

Services are currently required to respond to 75% of the most urgent ‘Category A’ calls within eight minutes.

In November North West Ambulance fell just short of this target, managing to respond to 73% of Category A calls within eight minutes, but in some areas the figure was much lower. In Nantwich the service achieved just 53%.

Mr Timpson gave notice to introduce a Bill as part of the ongoing campaign to restore blue light abilities to Nantwich First Responders.

Speaking afterwards Mr Timpson said: “Ambulances in the rural areas of Crewe and Nantwich are responding much more slowly to emergency calls than those in urban areas.”

He added: “Significant improvements could be made in Nantwich if the town’s trained First Responders were allowed to drive under blue lights.”

© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd


Words from Westminster

Edward Timpson, Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

My Party has consistently fought to protect the NHS from Labour’s cuts and reorganisations.

We understand the pressures the NHS faces and are committed to protecting health spending in real terms.

But when you’re more likely to die of cancer in Britain than in most countries in Europe – and when the number of managers in the NHS is rising three times as fast as the number of nurses – the question isn’t whether the NHS should change, it’s how.

Our plan is based on decentralisation, accountability and transparency. By publishing the information about the results the healthcare providers are achieving, we’ll make sure there’s no hiding place.

This is why I’m introducing a Bill to make our ambulance service report its local response times for Crewe and Nantwich. They’re not good enough, but many people don’t know this.

When the patients have the information to make an informed choice, then hospitals and GPs that don’t provide good care will have to raise their game.

© Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.


Boys from Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts in Crewe get Parliamentary visit

Crewe & Nantwich Chronicle

TWO youngsters from the nationally renowned Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts in Crewe were given the treat of a lifetime when they visited the Houses of Parliament.

Ryan Moore, 11, and Christopher Brown, 14, both from Crewe, were invited to London by Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward TImpson.

Mr Timpson took two hours out of his very busy schedule to show the boys round the historic building, arrange refreshments by the Thames and explain the way Parliament works.

The youngsters, who were accompanied by Jane Whetnall and Kate Shackleton from the Macon Way centre for disabled children, were “incredibly impressed” with the effort made by the local MP on their behalf.

Kate said: “I cannot thank Mr Timpson enough for his valuable time and the effort he put in.

“He was very relaxed with the youngsters and explained things really simply and pitched things exactly at the right level of understanding.

“He was incredibly generous with his time. ”

© Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited.


Charity licensing blow

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

Churches, village halls, charity shops and sports clubs across Crewe and Nantwich face a new £20 million tax from Gordon Brown’s Government, says local MP Edward Timpson.

"In the small print of new regulations, the Government is abolishing charities’ and voluntary groups’ long-standing exemption from music licensing rules– hitting them with unexpected new bills just for holding events with recorded music or for playing a radio," says Mr Timpson.

Voluntary groups do not have to pay for a performance rights licence to play recorded music.

"This exemption is now being abolished by the Government. This will affect church worship, charity discos, tea dances, youth clubs, dancing groups, sports clubs and even charity shops," says the MP.

The levy will come into effect in April if ratified by Parliament, though the Conservatives have said they will strongly oppose the measures.

"The Government admits that the new levies will cost voluntary groups £20 million a year," says Mr Timpson.

“This is another assault on the fabric of British community life. Having effectively shut down post offices and local pubs across Crewe and Nantwich, Whitehall bureaucrats now have our village halls, scout huts, charity shops and churches in their sights."

© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd


Road closure warning during Nantwich Holly Holy Day

Nantwichnews

Drivers in and around Nantwich are urged to be patient when the annual “Battle of Nantwich” Holly Holy Day arrives in town.

Police will put diversions in place during the event on Saturday January 23.

Members of the Sealed Knot Society will parade through the town, before re-enacting the civil war Battle of Nantwich on Mill Island.

After the battle they will form up again and march back to Malbank School.

Derek Griffiths, events planning officer with Cheshire Police, said there will be some closures in place during marches.

Drivers are urged to plan journeys and cooperate with directions from officers on the day.

During the parade at 1pm, Welsh Row, from Malbank School to Waterlode, Oatmarket, from Waterlode to Beam Street, Beam Street, from Oatmarket to Manor Road and Waterlode, from Mill Street to Oatmarket, will be closed.

During the battle between 2pm and 3pm footbridges and footpaths on Mill Island will be closed except for the footbridge from Waterlode.

Local MP Edward Timpson is Patron of the Holly Holy Day Society and has urged residents and traders to get behind the event, which this year is free.

He said: “Some local businesses have already supported the event through sponsorship, advertising or practical assistance, and we are hoping that local shops will add to the festive spirit by dressing up their staff or through window displays.

“The event should bring in lots of visitors, which will be a big help to our shops at this time of year.”

Click here for original article

© 2010 Nantwichnews


MPs speak out against Government proposals for home education

The Home Education Campaign News

The Government delayed the official response to the public consultation on registration and monitoring of home educated children until the Second Reading of the Children Schools and Families Bill.

The official response is somewhat perfunctory and does not make a persuasive case for change.

The following MPs spoke on home education in the Second Reading debate: Denis McShane, Rotherham
Jim Cunningham, Coventry South
Graham Stuart, Beverley and Holderness
Mark Field, Cities of London and Westminster
David Chaytor, Bury North
Kate Hoey, Vauxhall
Barry Sheerman, Huddersfield
Edward Timpson, Crewe and Nantwich
Tom Levitt, High Peak
Michael Gove, Surrey Heath
David Laws, Yeovil
Annette Brooke, mid Dorset and North Poole
Andrew Turner, Isle of Wight
Elfyn Llywd, Meirionydd Nant Conwy
Andrew Miller, Ellesmere Port and Neston
Sandra Gidley, Romsey
Brian Jenkins, Tamworth
Nick Gibb, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton

Over 200 MPs voted against the Government Bill.

Minister Diana Johnson who has responsibility for home education did not speak in the debate.

The Bill will now pass to Committee stage which will conclude on February 4th before the Bill is returned to the House of Commons for the Third Reading.

© 2010 Freedomforchildrentogrow


MP Welcomes Supermarket Pledge

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has welcomed a pledge to create a supermarket ombudsman to curb abuses of power by the major food retailers.

He said a future Conservative government will create a supermarket ombudsman as a dedicated unit in the Office of Fair Trading.

Mr Timpson said the issue is particularly important for Crewe and Nantwich dairy farmers who can struggle to get a fair price for their milk.

He said: “Supermarkets deliver real benefits but some aspects of the way they treat their suppliers can harm consumers as well as producers. "We have a new code of practice which outlaws unacceptable practices such as retrospective discounting, but this isn’t worth the paper it is written on without effective enforcement.

“While the Government dithers the Conservatives are clear: we will introduce an Ombudsman to curb abuses of power which undermine our local dairy farmers and act against the long-term interest of consumers. “As the Competition Commission has made clear, failure to do so could result in reduced investment by suppliers, lower product quality, and less product choice, with potentially higher prices in the long run for Crewe and Nantwich consumers. "It is time to act.”

© 2001-2009 Newsquest Media Group


Bangladeshi Birthday Bash

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

LOCAL dignatories will be supporting the Bangladeshi community in Crewe on Sunday, during what promises to be a feast of delights.

Traditional Bangladesh dancing, food and hospitality will welcome around 300 guests to the Victoria Centre on West Street between 11am and 6pm.

The colourful event will celebrate the achievements of the Crewe Bangladesh Welfare Association (CBWA) during its first year in existence.

Amongst the VIP guests will be Baroness Warsi, Edward Timpson MP, Sajjad Karim MEP and Cheshire East Mayor Margaret Simon.

Clr Simon said: "The achievements of the Bangladeshi community in Crewe is a wonderful example of successful cultural integration.

“The association has helped the Bangladesh community to tap into the many resources that Cheshire East Council has to offer, such as adult learning in areas like ICT, which ultimately leads to better job prospects and a more active participation in the wider community.”

Claire Wilson, community development manager at Cheshire East Council, said: “One of the biggest challenges within the community is getting women involved in events and activities. "We hope that by engaging with the group they will have improved job opportunities and develop other new interests and activities.

“Children and Young People are also a priority in terms of the Bangladesh community and positive engagement will ensure that we build future cohesive communities. ”

Brian Silvester, deputy leader of the council, added: “I spoke at the launch of the Welfare Association last year and I am delighted that it has become an annual event.

"The Association does a lot of good work locally and the council continues to work closely with them.

“The Bangladeshi people are incredibly hospitable with so much warmth and energy to offer.”

Crewe is home to around 500 Bangladeshi people who settled here 50 years ago and are now third generation.

The community has its own Mosque in Walthall Street and is currently in the process of obtaining new premises in Electricity Street.

Members of the Polish, Iraq, Turkish and ethnic Black community have also been invited.

© 2001-2009 Newsquest Media Group


Fuel poverty alarm

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson last week turned up the heat on the Government when he demanded to know what plans are in place to tackle fuel poverty.

Recently released figures show that fuel poverty is at its highest level since 1998 with 13.3% of households in Crewe and Nantwich living in fuel poverty. During the 2007-08 winter there were 50 ‘excess winter deaths’ attributed to the cold.

Mr Timpson highlighted the alarming figures in the commons saying: “Just over one in eight households in my constituency live in fuel poverty.

“In attempting to tackle that growing problem, energy suppliers have committed collective social assistance spending of about £150m in 2010-11. But what commitment have they made beyond 2011?”

Responding, a minister for the Department for Energy and Climate Change said: “We do indeed intend to put the voluntary agreement for social price support on a statutory basis, and we propose to double the amount of support under that scheme.”

© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd


MP Backs Holly Holy Day

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is urging the South Cheshire community to support the Holly Holy Day Winter Fayre in Nantwich on Saturday January 23.

Mr Timpson is the patron of the Holly Holy Day Society which stages the annual commemoration of the 1644 Battle of Nantwich.

The event was a victory for the forces of Parliament which ended the Royalist siege of the town after a miserable Christmas with precious little food or other supplies available.

The colourful event which culminates in a re-enactment of the battle on Mill Island is organised by the society and supported by Sealed Knot and Crewe and Nantwich Rotary.

There is a programme of events and entertainments in the town for the whole family from Saturday morning onwards, including a dedicated area for children.

In view of economic conditions, the organisers have made the event free this year.

Three years ago the event nearly folded due to lack of funding and practical support.

Since then, people have rallied round and organisers expect this year’s event to be the biggest Holly Holy Day yet.

Mr Timpson said: “Holly Holy Day in Nantwich is a tradition that has been enjoyed by many generations of local people now.

“Some local businesses have already supported the event through sponsorship, advertising or practical assistance, and we are hoping that local shops will add to the festive spirit by dressing up their staff or through window displays.

"The event should bring in lots of visitors, which will be a big help to our shops at this time of year.

“I would encourage everyone in South Cheshire to try and attend the event to show their support and to help it continue into the future – as well as giving themselves a great day out!”

© 2001-2009 Newsquest Media Group


MP Demands Fuel Poverty Plans

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has turned up the heat on the Government as he demanded to know what future plans were in place to tackle fuel poverty.

Recent figures show that ‘fuel poverty’ is at its highest level since 1998 with 13% of households in Crewe and Nantwich living in that condition.

They further revealed that that during the 2007-2008 winter there were 50 ‘excess winter deaths’ attributed to the cold.

Speaking in the house of Commons Mr Timpson said: "Just over one in eight households in Crewe and Nantwich are living in fuel poverty.

"In attempting to tackle that growing problem, energy suppliers have committed collective social assistance spending of about £150 million in 2010-11, but what commitment have they made beyond 2011?”

Responding, a minister for the Department for Energy and Climate Change said: "The answer to his question lies yet again in the deliberations of the committee that is considering the Energy Bill, about which we have heard so much today.

"We do indeed intend to put the voluntary agreement for social price support on a statutory basis, and we propose to double the amount of support under that scheme."

Afterwards Mr Timpson commented: "I was shocked by the figures revealing the extent of fuel poverty in Crewe and Nantwich, a problem which is even more acute as we are experiencing one of the harshest winters in living memory.

"Conditions here in Crewe and Nantwich are some of the worst in the country and people need to know that the Government is doing as much as possible to help them pay fuel bills both now and in the future."

© 2001-2009 Newsquest Media Group


Nantwich dairy firms could benefit from Tory Ombudsman plan

Nantwichnews

A supermarket Ombudsman will benefit Nantwich dairy farmers and consumers, the town’s MP Edward Timpson claims.

The Conservatives have pledged to create the Ombudsman position in a bid to curb what it sees as abuses of power by major food retailers.

The Ombudsman would be a dedicated unit in the Office of Fair Trading.

Crewe and Nantwich dairy farmers, such as Hatherton-based Joseph Heler, face a constant battle to achieve a good price for their products.

Mr Timpson said: “Supermarkets deliver real benefits but some aspects of the way they treat their suppliers can harm consumers as well as producers.

“We have a new code which outlaws unacceptable practices such as retrospective discounting, but this isn’t worth the paper it is written on without effective enforcement.

“The Conservatives are clear: we will introduce an Ombudsman to curb abuses of power which undermine our local dairy farmers and act against the long-term interest of consumers.

“Failure to do so could result in reduced investment by suppliers, lower product quality, and less product choice, with potentially higher prices in the long run for Crewe and Nantwich consumers. It is time to act.”

© 2010 Nantwichnews


5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

* By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
* On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
* By phone: 01270 501 725
* By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
* In person: Click here to see surgery times