Friday 8, November 2013
Welcome
Welcome to this, my 143rd news bulletin.
One topic that a lot of constituents write to me about is the Government’s plan to cap the amount of benefits that a workless household can receive at £26,000. The vast majority are very supportive.
I realise too that some people are concerned about the policy, but I believe that the cap has been set at the right level.
The system we inherited from the last Government is not only unaffordable, but it has trapped some people in Crewe and Nantwich in poverty.
Too many people were better off out of work and on benefits, than if they entered the world of work, and this created a culture of entitlement and welfare dependency.
It’s simply not fair that benefit claimants can receive higher incomes than families who are in work. In some cases this is more than double the average household income, and in extreme circumstances, up to £104,000. That's why we've brought in a cap on benefits, so that no family can get more on benefits than the average family does by going out to work.
Importantly the benefit cap will not affect the disabled or those who are in work and receive working tax credits.
However, there has to be a limit on the amount of money benefit claimants can receive, and I believe that the current the limit is currently set at a fair rate of £26,000, which, it is worth noting, is the equivalent to someone earning £35,000 before tax.
This is a salary that many working families would be happy to receive, and underlines the point that hard working people should not pay their taxes in order to support people who refuse to work.
The good news is that our local economy has improved dramatically, and there are now fewer than 2,000 people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Crewe and Nantwich - something we haven't seen since January 2009.
This figure dropped a staggering 14.4% in the last year to October.
Youth unemployment has also dropped 17.6% in the last year, and has outstripped the overall rate of unemployment reduction locally.
So with unemployment in the constituency dropping almost a quarter since Labour left office, and a strong policy on welfare, I believe we are getting our local economy back on track for the success it deserves.
Best wishes,
Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich
Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me, or if there is anything I can do to assist you.
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Locally I have...
- Visited Gateway Peugeot in Crewe, where the staff are "Getting sudsey for Pudsey" and organising a car wash event this weekend, in support of Children in Need. The fundraisers there have already making great strides towards their target, having already raised more than £1,000 for this vital national charity.
- Addressed the Age UK Cheshire AGM at Richmond Village retirement home in Nantwich, where I was pleased to answer questions from local people about what the Government is doing to 'rural-proof' policies and to tackle the problems that older people face in more rural areas, compared with more major towns and cities.
- Presented awards and certificates to staff at the Crystal Legal Services Ltd Awards Ceremony at Crewe Hall, with the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Cheshire East.
- Hosted two of my regular advice surgeries, to speak face-to-face with local people about local and national issues. To book an appointment to speak to me about any concern, please get in touch using the contact details below.
- Attended Acton Amateur Operatic Society's brilliant production of 'Me & My Girl'.
- Met with representatives of Hough and Chorlton Parish Council, to discuss their response to the Government's consultation on the route of the planned High Speed 2 rail line.
- Attended a special Sunday service at West St Christian Fellowship, focusing on fostering and adoption.
...and this weekend I will be joining local people, civic representatives and members of the armed forces in both Crewe and Nantwich, as we come together on Remembrance Sunday.
Westminster Report
Read my most recent Crewe & Nantwich Talk
The latest edition of my Westminster Report has been delivered across Crewe and Nantwich. Click here or on the image to read a copy.
Photo News
I was pleased to launch this year's Children in Need fundraising drive at Gateway Peugeot in Crewe.
Peugeot is nationally an official partner of the charity, and this year the company is running "the UK's largest car wash" to raise money.
You can see all of my photos by visiting my website.
Community News
Local MP Edward Timpson celebrates local charity champions
The Crewe News: In the run-up to this year’s Trustees’ Week, Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, is thanking local charity trustees for their dedicated work in running local charities, and highlighting the benefits of becoming a charity trustee.
There are hundreds of charities in South Cheshire, covering a wide range of activities and services, but all depend on the trustees that oversee their work, most of whom are volunteers.
Trustees’ Week raises awareness of the work they do, and also highlights how people can benefit themselves by becoming trustees, through gaining valuable experience and skills.
Edward said: “We have some fantastic local charities doing really important work and their trustees are integral to this success. I am patron of several, including Leighton Hospital’s One in Eleven Appeal, Supported Community Business, and Home-Start Central Cheshire.
"As we approach Trustees’ Week I want to pay tribute to the tireless work they undertake to help others and keep the charity sector in constituency so vibrant and strong.
"I would also encourage as many people as possible to consider becoming a trustee. Being a charity trustee is a great way of learning new skills and gaining valuable experience, and could lead to new opportunities and employment. Estimates suggest that almost half of charities have at least one vacancy on their board so there’s an organisation for you, whatever your age or background.”
Trustees’ Week runs from 4-10 November 2013.
To learn more about Trustees’ Week and trusteeship, visit www.trusteesweek.org.uk and follow @trusteesweek on Twitter.
The website includes case studies, recruitment resources, details of local events being held during Trustees’ Week and links to trustee matching services for those who want to become a trustee.
Do you have community news to share? Are you involved in any projects that could be of help or interest to local people in Crewe and Nantwich? E-mail me and your news could be here too!
Nantwich MP Edward Timpson backs St Luke’s Hospice campaign
Nantwich News: Crewe & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has backed the St Luke’s Hospice 25th anniversary campaign to raise vital funds.
The Cheshire hospice has launched a “Regular Giving Campaign” to encourage more donors to come forward. Mr Timpson is calling on the hospice’s supporters to help secure long-term patient care.
The campaign is inviting locals to donate as little as £2 a month through its new “Regular Giving” plan.
He said: “Over the last 25 years, the hospice has been indebted to its wonderful and dedicated network of supporters.
“Thanks to your ongoing support the hospice has touched the lives of thousands of families, and I’ve seen for myself the incredible care they provide to people from across Mid and South Cheshire.”
St Luke’s head of community fundraising Diane Eeley added: “Regular Giving enables us to sustain our future with more confidence and reach more local people and their families and friends.
“It is also a great, easy and effective way of helping your local hospice maintain its free services to local people.”
£2 a month enables the hospice to provide two meals for a patient during respite breaks at St Luke’s or visiting the day hospice.
More than £6,500 a day is needed for St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice to open its doors. Most of that money is found through supporters and fundraisers.
If you can help call St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice on 01606 555887, visit www.stlukes-hospice.co.uk/ways-to-support-us/regular-giving/ or e-mail regulargiving@stlukes-hospice.co.uk.
MP's Primary Pride
Hard work of staff and pupils leads to total transformation and glowing Ofsted report
Crewe Chronicle: Children's Minister Edward Timpson praised the ‘exceptional achievement’ of Wistaston Green Primary School, saying he was proud to have the school in the Crewe and Nantwich constituency.
“An outstanding education is probably the best start in life we can give our children. For Wistaston Green Primary to deliver that so soon after being in special measures is truly exceptional and a testament to all the staff, governors, parents and pupils who have taken on the challenge with real relish and determination,” said the Crewe and Nantwich MP.
“Headteacher Linda Davies and her leadership team must also take huge credit for the hard work they have done. “I'm proud that we have Wistaston Green Primary in our constituency.”
This is an extract from a longer article celebrating Wistaston Green Primary's achievements. Read the full article at the Crewe Chronicle website.
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
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