Charlotte MacKenzie

Posts Tagged ‘economy’

, , ,

Labour’s Charlotte MacKenzie welcomes budget

In news on March 28, 2010 at 11:11 pm

Charlotte MacKenzie, Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, today welcomed the Chancellor’s budget statement.

Charlotte MacKenzie said: “This Budget secures the recovery – rather than putting it at risk.

“It builds a future based on growth and jobs – rather than leaving people to a decade of austerity.

“It sets out a clear plan to halve the deficit while protecting frontline services. The Conservatives refuse to match our pledge and continue to conceal their plan.

“We will make these choices in a fair way – standing up for the many, not the few.

“I particularly welcome the help for first time buyers which means nine out of ten people buying a home for the first time won’t pay any stamp duty.”

Charlotte MacKenzie challenged local Conservatives to come clean about their party’s plans: “The Tories must say how they would meet the challenge that we have set in this Budget.

“How much would the Tories cut from spending in 2010/11? They won’t say.

“How quickly would the Tories halve the deficit? They won’t say.

“By how much would the Tories reduce the structural deficit? They won’t say.

“We’ve set out our plan. It is time for Tory candidate Sarah Newton to come clean.”

, , , ,

Labour supports pubs at the heart of Cornwall’s communities

In news on March 20, 2010 at 4:02 pm

Pubs minister John Healey MP today announced 12 business support measures to help community pubs.

Charlotte MacKenzie, Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, said:
“Cornwall’s pubs can be the heart of their local community, and the steps announced today are designed to help keep them open. A fund of £3.3 Million pounds is being provided to support community ownership of up to 50 pubs through the Plunkett Foundation. And the demolition of pubs is to be controlled to allow for community intervention.”

The Campaign for Real Ale CAMRA has lent it’s support to the Labour Government’s action, saying:
“This is a great day for people who care about the future of our community pubs. This inspired action plan could offer a lifeline to thousands of pubs and help communities stave off pub closures which threaten their quality of life and community well-being. I am delighted that John Healey has listened to CAMRA’s calls to help stop pubs being demolished unnecessarily, to ban the anti-competitive practice of placing restrictive covenants on pubs to stop their future use as pubs, and for the industry to self-reform the beer tie to allow pub tenants a free of tie option and to take a guest ale.”

, ,

“Be the boss” – new business start-up scheme will help Cornwall’s veterans

In news on March 20, 2010 at 3:57 pm

Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, Charlotte MacKenzie, has welcomed a new scheme to provide ex-service personnel with loans and grants to help them start up their own business.

The Labour Government has announced the “Be the Boss” enterprise scheme which will be delivered by the Royal British Legion throughout the UK.

Charlotte MacKenzie said:

“Veterans in Cornwall who have bravely served their country deserve help to get a business going. This scheme will take business ideas off the drawing board and made into reality.

“I would urge veterans who might be thinking of setting up a business to get in touch with the Royal British Legion to see what support they can access.

“I know from visiting Truro Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the Royal British Legion money and benefits advice service that additional support can make all the difference to ex-service personnel in Cornwall.”

Business Minister Lord Drayson said:

“In my time at Defence, I’ve been inspired by the talent, capability and can-do attitude of the armed forces. Those are exactly the qualities you need in business too, but ex-service personnel are under-represented when it comes to start ups and self-employment.

“This scheme puts that right, helping former servicemen and women to be their own boss and go on contributing to our society.”

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:

“So many members of the Armed Forces have the skills and discipline to make a success of their own business. This scheme will provide them with the tools – and confidence – to develop sound business plans, as well as funding start-up costs. It is another example of our commitment to the men and women who have served our country.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors
· The “Be the Boss” scheme will be delivered by the Royal British Legion and will be open to registrations of interest from April 1 2010 throughout the UK.

· All those leaving the Services since the commencement of operations in Afghanistan (October 2001), as well as reservists who have seen active service since that date, will be eligible for this scheme.

· Ex-service personnel, who have been discharged since 7 October 2001, will be able to apply for a loan of up to £30,000 and grants of up to £7,500 through the scheme.

· For further information or to register for support please visit www.civvystreet.org , email betheboss@civvystreet.org or contact the ‘Be the Boss’ dedicated free phone helpline 0800 678 5787.

, , ,

Digital Cornwall

In Uncategorized on June 16, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Labour prospective MP says let’s put Cornwall on the Digital Britain map
 
Commenting on the Digital Britain report launch this afternoon, Charlotte MacKenzie said:
 
“Digital industries are one of the keys to growing Cornwall’s sustainable economy. There is an expanding community of high-skilled IT and media workers growing this business sector while enjoying the fabulous quality of life that Cornwall offers for one and all.
 
“Act Now used European funding to strengthen Cornwall’s infrastructure, but this industry does not stand still. I welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every home and community in Cornwall has reliable, high-speed access to the internet.
 
“There also needs to be investment through the EU convergence programme in digital businesses as well as renewables.
 
“New media are part of the long term answer to cuts in regional TV programmes including local news. I hope we will see the development of more community video and radio content from Cornwall online, as these have the potential to give local people and communities a stronger voice.”

, , ,

Falmouth docks dredging needs positive backing

In Uncategorized on June 8, 2009 at 11:25 pm

Today’s announcement of the South West RDA budget for 2009-11 does not include funding to progress the planned dredging of Falmouth docks.

Labour’s parliamentary spokesperson for Falmouth Charlotte MacKenzie contacted the RDA to find out more.

Charlotte MacKenzie said:
“I welcome the fact that investment over the next two years has been confirmed for strategic investment frameworks for Falmouth, Penryn, and Truro, including the planned Environment and Sustainability Institute at Tremough. And that there is a commitment to look at economic opportunities for Falmouth in marine renewables linked to the Wave Hub.

“But people in Falmouth need to know whether the proposed docks dredging and cruise terminal development is being put on hold for two years because of the financial pressures facing the RDA, or whether a strategic decision has been taken not to back the project. I asked the RDA for an answer to this question. It is clear that they are now looking more broadly at how to regenerate Falmouth’s economy.

“Most people in Falmouth see the future of this development as critical to the town’s future success. I will be contacting newly elected Cornwall councillors and others to ensure it continues to get the positive backing it deserves.”

, , , ,

Cash boost for schools in Cornwall will help local economy

In Uncategorized on March 3, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Charlotte MacKenzie has welcomed news that schools across Cornwall will get extra funding this year. As part of the Government’s efforts to support local businesses and jobs through the recession, millions of pounds of spending on school buildings and repairs are being brought forward from 2010/11 to 2009/10.

Every school in Cornwall will benefit with £3,889,148 of funding brought forward from next year to this year – a total of £13,612,017 of spending this year. The funding will go direct to headteachers and schools can choose how to spend the money as they see fit, from building new classrooms or science laboratories to fitting out new gyms or ICT facilities.

In addition, the Government has allowed Cornwall County Council to bring forward £3,000,000 for larger school building projects co-ordinated by the local authority – making a total of £16,066,374 of spending this year. This week’s announcements mean a total of £29,678,391 will be spent on school buildings and repairs in Cornwall from April £6,889,148 of it brought forward from the following year.

Charlotte MacKenzie, Labour‘s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, said: “It’s vital that we support the economy at this difficult time, so I’m delighted that every school in our area will benefit from this injection of extra funding this year.

“This is all part of the Government’s efforts to put extra money into the economy this year to help the country through the recession. So I hope local schools will get on and spend the money – not just to improve facilities for pupils but to support small businesses and jobs in our area too.

“But I urge the Lib Dems on Cornwall County Council to look again at their response to the Government’s offer to bring forward spending on school building projects co-ordinated by the Council. It’s a shame that they’ve only decided to bring forward 15.8% of the total available to them to support jobs and businesses in our area.

“It’s also disappointing that the Tories oppose our plan to bring forward spending on school buildings. Just at the time when we should be supporting the economy the Tories say they would actually cut spending, including billions of pounds from our school rebuilding programme. This would be bad news for local schools and bad news for local businesses.”

For more information please contact Charlotte MacKenzie 01872 261675.

, , ,

Help for homeowners

In Uncategorized on December 8, 2008 at 4:55 pm

Many people who have mortgages in Carrick are concerned at the fall in house prices and the cost of mortgages.

Charlotte MacKenzie, the Labour candidate who wants to be MP for Truro and Falmouth, said:

“I would urge people to seek advice if like many they are finding it difficult to pay bills, worried about the fall in house prices, and facing reduced hours or possible job loss.

“Everybody knows that with incomes being lower and house prices previously soaring in Cornwall many families stretched their budget to afford to buy a home.

“It is really important the Government helps people keep the homes they have worked hard for and provides the support that is needed to weather this difficult period. That’s why I support the new Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme which will enable households that experience a temporary loss of income as a result of the economic downturn to defer a proportion of the interest payments on their mortgage for up to two years.”

The Government will guarantee the deferred interests payments in return for banks’ participation in the scheme. The scheme was announced last week and is now being developed in detail, with a view to it being available to customers early in the New Year.

The country’s eight largest banks have already pledged that they will work with the Government to develop the scheme. The 8 largest lenders cover 70% of the mortgage market – HBOS, Nationwide, Abbey, Lloyds TSB, Northern Rock, Barclays, RBS, HSBC – have all agreed to support the new scheme.

Other help is also available to those in difficulty with mortgage payments:

1. The National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS) to produce a consumer leaflet Worried about your mortgage? Get advice now.

2. The new mortgage pre-action protocol, introduced by the Civil Justice Council, came into effect last week. The new protocol makes clear that repossessions should be a last resort. Lenders must discuss and try to agree with borrowers alternatives to repossession. The Government has also expanded court advice services available to help those facing repossession.

3. A new mortgage rescue scheme targeted to help up to 6,000 households avoid the trauma of repossession over the next two years. Depending on their specific circumstances, eligible home owners will be offered either a shared equity option, enabling the household’s monthly mortgage payments to be reduced, or the option of Government mortgage to rent with the household remaining in the property as a tenant paying subsidised rent.

4. New support measures to help vulnerable homeowners meet their mortgage interest payments. The DWP announced it would be reforming Income Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) by shortening the waiting period before SMI is paid from 39 weeks to 13 weeks for new working age claims. This will take effect from 5 January 2009. The capital limit for new working age claims will also increase to £175,000 from January 2009.

, , , ,

Great news for Cornwall

In Uncategorized on November 25, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth today welcomed the Chancellor’s pre-budget report as “great news for people in Cornwall”.

Speaking after the Chancellor’s announcements, Charlotte MacKenzie said: “This statement is great news for people in Cornwall. Reducing VAT will help everyone shop more cheaply – it is good news for local retailers and small businesses, and will encourage UK holiday-makers. I’m delighted that the Chancellor is providing more help for over-60s through the decision to increase pensions, pension credit, and the winter fuel allowance. It is good news for families that child benefit and tax credits are increasing, and there will be additional support for people facing job losses or mortgage arrears. With 3000 families on the local housing register, I particularly welcome the fact that investment in social and low cost housing is being brought forward. We cannot put tackling climate change on hold and I am also pleased that £535 Million investment in low carbon developments is being brought forward and an additional £100 Million is being allocated to support home insulation and energy efficiency.

“We are facing a difficult period economically and Labour will do all that we can for jobs and to support those on lower incomes. The Chancellor demonstrated that Labour is providing the economic leadership the country needs to weather the international downturn and turbulence in financial markets. The Tories are divided on how to respond – their candidate here supports tax cuts while their leadership wants Labour to slow down our efforts to stimulate the economy – everybody can see the Tories just lack the experience or capability to form a government.”