Friday, 9 January 2015
Welcome
Welcome to this, my 157th news bulletin.
As your local MP I receive hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls each week on a whole variety of subjects.
As we go into a general election year, I wanted to write about the silent majority. There are about 40,000 households in Crewe and Nantwich, and although I’ve helped with over 16,000 individual cases, that still means I’ve not heard from many more.
I believe strongly that, though this coalition has been a new kind of government for us all to get our heads around, we’ve been standing up for the interests of that silent majority, and I want to set out some of the changes that have been made since the 2010 General Election.
From the moment they took office, ministers began introducing measures to protect living standards – ranging from increasing personal tax allowances to freezing council tax (now frozen for the 5th year running); from the biggest cash rise in pensions ever to protecting universal benefits for pensioners such as free bus passes and TV licences.
The welfare state is being protected with greater spending on the NHS, but the money is being spent more effectively, with a cap on benefits to ensure people cannot earn more through state benefits than by working, and a programme to tackle youth unemployment – now down locally by 66% since May 2010.
The Government has brought in tougher new rules to reduce immigration. Ministers are standing up for our interests in Europe. For the first time, if the European Union introduces a new treaty that will impact the UK, the law states there will have to be a UK referendum on the proposals.
Most importantly for me, Crewe and Nantwich have been – and will continue to be – huge beneficiaries of these policy areas. They are creating jobs and attracting business, and they are the policy successes of which, locally, I am most proud. The opportunity has been hugely rewarding, as has watching the local unemployment figures fall: a 35% drop in the last year alone.
I can assure you that both the Government and I will continue to stand up for the silent majority in Crewe and Nantwich as long as you allow us to. It has been an immense privilege and challenge and one that I strongly wish to continue to dedicate myself to.
Edward Timpson MP
Member of Parliament for Crewe and Nantwich and Minister of the Year
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.
Locally, I have...
- Cut the ribbon at the official opening of Gym Juniors, a new local business providing a fitness centre for children, which encourages young people to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Visited the Nantwich Rotary Club Chirstmas float (pictured, right), on its annual tour of the town, raising money for local charities.
- Met with Chief Executive John Weir, of the Cheshire Neighbours Credit Union, to discuss the credit union's plans to strengthen and extend its services, which benefit both savers and borrowers across Cheshire, including many people who would not otherwise have access to a current account or a responsible loan.
- Presented prizes and commendations to the winner and top-placing entries to my Christmas card competition. Congratulations to winner Freya Goodwin, whose design I used on all of the Christmas cards that I send in my role as a Member of Parliament - including to the Prime Minister!
- Held the latest of my regular constituency advice surgeries at my office in Crewe. My next surgery will be in Nantwich on Friday, 23 January, and there are appointments available. Call my office if you would like to book a slot to speak to me about any issue or concern.
Westminster Report
The latest edition of my Westminster Report has been delivered across Crewe and Nantwich, with the latest news on jobs, apprenticeships and HS2, as well as the positive trends towards less crime and more adoption in our area.
You can click here or on the image to read a copy online.
Photo News: Christmas card competition winner
Congratulations to Freya Goodwin from Leighton Academy, winner of the competition to design my 2014 Christmas card. This year's theme was "A cracker of a Christmas in Crewe and Nantwich", and I would like to thank Freya for her winning design, and all those who sent in such creative entries.
Cheshire East gets £10.4 million to tackle pothole problem
Nantwich News: More than £10 million of extra funding will help tackle pothole-ridden roads across Nantwich and Crewe. Cheshire East Council has received it as part of a £54.5 million Government allocation to improve roads over the next six years to 2020/21.
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has welcomed the announcement of £10.45 million of new funding for potholes.
Cheshire East has been forced to increase its own spending in recent years as the borough's roads have been plagued with potholes and rising complaints and compensation claims from motorists.
Mr Timpson said: "We all know that potholes and poorly-maintained roads are a menace, particularly around the Christmas and new year period.
"So this is great news for everybody who relies on the roads in Crewe and Nantwich.
"£10.45million of funding – part of a £54.5million package for maintenance over the next six years – will go a long way to dealing with the problems we face on our roads.
"Investing in Britain's roads and infrastructure is a key part of our long-term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain – and it's only possible because we've taken the difficult decisions to cut ineffective spending elsewhere.
"By fixing our roads the government is backing local businesses, and making life that bit easier for the hardworking people in Crewe and Nantwich who use them to get around."
Overall, £976 million a year will be invested in roads maintenance in England – enough to fix around 18 million potholes across the country.
Ex Malbank School pupil’s Gym Juniors business is big Nantwich hit
Nantwich News: A new children's group in Nantwich aimed at 'physical play' for youngsters, is proving a big hit.
Gym Juniors was launched at units in Stuart House, Arnold Street, off Barony Road, and was officially opened by Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson.
Brains behind the project is Richard Adams, who said the idea was to link Gym Juniors to his other business, running Studio 121 Personal Training.
"Gym Juniors is Studio 121's 'little brother' really," added former Malbank School student Richard.
"It's been designed to give children of all ages a venue where they can enjoy exercise regardless of their ability.
"We aim to provide a class timetable that offers something for everyone. But if your child wants less structured time for physical play then we can accommodate that too with our soft play times."
The 36-year-old worked in a website development and marketing company before he retrained and became a Personal Trainer.
"After working in gyms as a fitness instructor and personal trainer I decided the only way I could make a sustainable living out of the industry and affect the most amount of people was to go self employed. I decided operating from a studio was the best system.
"I started in a very small premises on Welsh Row by myself for two years and when I had outgrown that I took on a much bigger place where I had the capacity to recruit another trainer.
"Three years later we had the opportunity to expand again which brought us to Arnold Street. We now operate with four personal trainers!"
Richard's wife Emma also helps run the business.
"We always wanted to expand and having young children ourselves made us aware of the lack of opportunities for children to participate in exercise or activities outside of the school and club setting," he added. "We felt there was a clear gap in the market for a children's fitness centre that offered a wide range of classes from one location."
Among the different age group classes are "Little Explorers" (aged 2-3) and "Little Sports Stars" (aged 4-7).
There are also regular baby yoga sessions, as well as "Junior Boxing Skills" classes for ages 6 to 11. There is a traversing climbing wall which is used in some exercise classes and in birthday parties it hosts.
For details on classes and to book for parties, visit the club's Facebook page.
5 ways to contact Edward Timpson
- By e-mail: timpsone@parliament.uk
- On the web: www.edwardtimpson.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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