Charlotte MacKenzie

Posts Tagged ‘economy’

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.”