I look forward to the further consideration and developments of the Commission’s recommendations over the next couple of months, in advance of the Government’s expected white paper on adult care. This is an issue that must be tackled, and one I will continue to work on with ministers as the white paper is drawn up.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Speaking at the Age UK Partner’s conference
I was delighted to earlier today speak at the Age UK Partner’s conference, which saw the publication of a number of crucial recommendations for improving care for older people, made by the Commission on Improving Dignity in Care for Older People :
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Congratulations to the Rural Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Partnership
I am delighted that the Rural Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Partnership, chaired by Bert Biscoe, has been invited to take part in the Government's Rural and Farming Network:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2012/01/04/rural-and-farming-networks/
It is vitally important that Ministers are made aware of the issues that are of importance to rural communities, issues too often neglected by the last government.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2012/01/04/rural-and-farming-networks/
It is vitally important that Ministers are made aware of the issues that are of importance to rural communities, issues too often neglected by the last government.
Surviving and Thriving in 2012
I am delighted to support Community Alive Falmouth (CAF)in their ‘Surviving and Thriving in 2012’ campaign, a six week programme of activities highlighting issues around poverty, wealth and fairness.
CAF is an informal network of local community organisations committed to supporting each other and celebrating the rich diverse community we have here.
Many of the organisations have offered time and inspiration to assist the message that though we are in ‘difficult times’, we can together offer information and support to reduce the need for money and increase social wealth. Falmouth Library foyer has been the host for 5 weeks information displays and Friday afternoon ‘drop-ins’.
I have attached CAF’s programme for recent and upcoming events below for those of you interested in attending:
The Programme:
From Poverty and Homeless Action Week: 28th Jan to 5th Feb to Fairtrade Fortnight Feb 27th to March 11th
25th Jan: The programme started with a Fal Energy Partnership at The Poly; an evening of information on how we can we can become energy independent and wealthy here in our part of Cornwall
30th Jan to 5th March: 5 weeks exhibition and ‘drop-ins’ in the Falmouth Library foyer. Each week has a specific theme with information about the current situation locally and globally and solutions already available here. The themes being: Fuel, Food, Finances, Friendship and Fairness.
‘Friday Drop-ins’.
Members of the Community Alive team have been attending the display on Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00pm with local ‘specialists’ to explain how their organisations play their part in the community and what they have to offer to help the area thrive and assist cash strapped residents. Debt advice, energy advice, links to positive projects, and ‘Seed Swap’.
Feb 27th to March 11th
Fairtrade Falmouth events for Fairtrade Fortnight:
Sat 25th Feb:The Moor. ‘Mad Hatters Fairtrade Teaparty’ 10:00 –3:00pm
Tues 28 Feb: All Saints Church, Coffee Morning 10:00 -12:00noon
Fri 2nd March: Falmouth Council Chambers Fairtrade Tasters 2:00 to 4:00pm
Sat 11th March: Methodist Chapel: Fairtrade Tasting Party 10am -12noon
Sat 11th March: Foyer Phoenix Cinema: Wine&Chocolate Tasting 3pm - 8pm
5th March
The high point of the 6 weeks is to be a Free Feast for 5th March as part of the St Piran Day activities. This will be a Free Food Sharing Celebration at the Falmouth Methodist foyer after the St Piran Dance on The Moor. The CAF will provide basic food – hevva and saffron cake with other food from local residents, especially favourite and cultural recipes. Falmouth is a diverse community and we wish to show this through food and sharing the wealth of our extended community. Recipes from the event will be collated, a blog developed and in time a book produced. Clothing suggested: black and white and gold!
Monday, 27 February 2012
Local Work Experience Success
On the eve of the Employment Minister’s visit to Truro and Falmouth tomorrow, I thought I would share you with some encouraging statistics on Work Experience that I have received from Jobcentre Plus in Devon and Cornwall.
Work Experience has been a huge success in West Cornwall. Since the programme was fully rolled out in May 2011, Jobcentre Plus has achieved 350 Work Experience job starts with 42% of these resulting in employment (62% with the host employer and 38% with an alternative employer). Jobcentre Plus have a number of local and national employers that support the programme, some using it as a tool to run alongside recruitment plans.Jobcentre Plus itself have achieved 100% job outcomes for those participating in work experience with themselves. They currently have 2 young people who they are working with to develop competencies for our future recruitment plans. For others they have arranged fulltime jobs and apprenticeships with employers that would simply not have happened without this work experience..
I feel that the Work Experience programme opens doors for young people and provides them with an opportunity to develop transferable skills and a real taste of employment. Local employers are continually impressed with those undertaking this activity on a voluntary basis, and I believe that gaining this sort of work experience can only be a good thing in enhancing a jobseeker’s long term and sustainable employment chances.
Progress on restoring bus transport for Penair students
I am pleased that First and Cornwall Council have responded to the representations made by George Eustice and I, that called for an urgent resolution to the unacceptable situation whereby a large number of Penair students were left without bus transport to their school:
Pensions, Apprenticeships, Small Business and more...
This week in Parliament I welcomed the Government’s increase of the state pension. For a large part of my adult life I have campaigned for a fairer and better deal for older people and their families. Like most people I was disgusted by the last Labour government’s treatment of pensioners, best illustrated by the 75p rise in the state pension. This week I honoured my manifesto pledge to improve the state pension with a 5.2% rise. This is the largest cash increase in the history of the state pension. Other important benefits to support people with disabilities and to assist those looking for a job were also increased by 5.2%.It is very important to me that the most vulnerable people in our society are protected from the very difficult financial situation we inherited.
I also joined Business Questions to support the point made by the Institute of Directors (IoD) that we should stop talking down the economy. Confidence in our economy is vital to our recovery and sustainable growth. A report for the IoD last week warned of the dangers of the constant ‘gloom and doom’ about the economy and stated that it was at odds with how most businesses now feel about the future.
The Federation of Small Businesses also published the results of ‘Voice of Small Business’ Member Survey 2012. The survey was conducted in November 2011 and had more than 11,000 responses and follows on from the previous Member Survey as the most extensive research into the small business sector during the downturn. The Member
Survey looks at the views of small businesses on an array of issues. 54.2% of small businesses in Cornwall are looking to grow over the next 12 months. Nationally businesses in the computer and related areas, engineering and manufacturing sectors expect an increase in full-time staff in the next 12 months.
These survey findings are borne out by the response from local businesses to my campaign to recruit 100 new apprentices in 100 days launched last week. Thank you to the companies who contacted me and those who are meeting with Cathie Kessell, the Cornwall co-ordinator for the National Apprenticeship Scheme. If you would like to know how you and your business can benefit from apprenticeships please contact Cathie 01752 754122
Finally, I am pleased to have been selected to join the Science and Technology Select Committee which is an important Parliamentary body responsibility for scrutinizing government policy in these areas. There are a range of important institutions in my constituency from the Peninsula Medical School and the School of Dentistry to the Environment and Sustainability Institute, located at Tremough along with University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter, whose work is helpful in informing Government policy. I am also a board member of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, which commissions independent academic research to support the work of Parliament.
I look forward to this new parliamentary role, and to continuing to play my full part in ensuring that the best possible evidence is used when making policy.
Rotary Club leads fight to end Polio!
As a member of the Falmouth Rotary Club, I am a passionate supporter of the End Polio Campaign, which has been led by Rotary all over the world for quite some time now. I was pleased to meet Bill Gates in Parliament last year to promote the campaign, and think the BBC article and video linked to below really sums up what an enormous impact this campaign is having on underprivileged areas of the world:
For more information our local Rotary district and the important work they do, please see:
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