Charlotte MacKenzie

Posts Tagged ‘news’

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Labour offers Cornwall Council new homes deal

In news on March 28, 2010 at 11:14 pm

Charlotte MacKenzie today welcomed Labour’s shake up of funding for
council homes.

Housing Minister John Healey MP announced Labour will give Councils
new freedoms to fund and run their local housing stock. Cornwall
Council already has some Labour Government funding to build new
Council homes. The new system will release at least 10 per cent more
money to build new council homes.

Tenants – like those in Carrick Housing – whose homes have been
upgraded through the decent homes programme will have guaranteed
future funding to maintain high standards backed by a new national
regulator, the Tenant Services Authority.

Charlotte MacKenzie said:

“These proposals are exactly what Cornwall Council needs to make the
most of its existing housing stock and to invest in more new homes to
meet local housing need. I hope Cornwall Council will respond
positively to the opportunity to start working in this way from next
year, it will help speed up delivery of new homes for local people in
housing need; and keep the revenue from Council housing stock in
Cornwall.”

Sarah Webb, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing said:
“We are delighted at the Government’s clear commitment to new council
house building and are also very pleased that our work to help shape a
new self-financing future for councils has been taken on board.”

The plans mean dismantling the old ’Housing Revenue Account’ system
which has long been criticised by local government. Established
initially in the 1930s, the HRA system was reinforced by Margaret
Thatcher in the 1980s as a way of discouraging authorities from
building new council housing.

Under the new system, councils will keep all rent collected as well as
all receipts from sales of housing or land. Not a single penny will go
elsewhere. Councils will have to accept a share of an additional £3.65
billion debt, but none would take on debt that was not sustainable in
the long term.

The consultation document, Council Housing: A real future seeks the
views of councils on implementing the new system. Responses are
required by 6 July 2010. More information and the consultation
document can be found at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/decenthomes/councilhousingfinance/

The new system would be implemented voluntarily where Councils agree
from 2011-12, and addresses concerns raised by local government about
the current HRA system. The need to reform the HRA has cross-party
support.

However, other housing plans under consideration by the Tories could
make council tenancies less secure.

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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.”

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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.”

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Labour welcomes jobs news

In news on March 20, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Labour’s prospective MP Charlotte MacKenzie today welcomed news that unemployment is starting to fall.

The figures published today for February 2010 show that, in Truro and Falmouth constituency, unemployment continues to be below the UK average.

Charlotte MacKenzie said:

“It is great news that jobs figures nationally are on the upturn. Despite the recent recession, the number of people working in Carrick continues to be encouraging, because unemployment is below the UK average. As local people remember, this is the opposite of the jobs position when Labour was elected in 1997.

“There is always a significant seasonal element to employment in Cornwall. The local figures show that the number of people looking for work has not increased this month. We are not yet seeing a local fall in the number of people seeking work, but normally there is an upturn here after Easter because of seasonal working.

“The jobs success story in Cornwall has been the 90 per cent decrease in youth unemployment from 1997 levels thanks to Labour’s new deal. Labour’s jobs action during the recession focuses on preventing a return to long-term youth unemployment. I support that action because it is working, and I will continue to watch local figures closely to ensure there is no return to high levels of long-term unemployment for young people in Cornwall.”

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper, said: 

“The fall in unemployment for the third month in a row is very welcome, but we should remain cautious. We’re not out of the woods yet and we are still determined to do more to support jobs and help the unemployed this year. 
 
“The figures show the investment in jobs, education and training places is making a real difference. Half a million fewer people are out of work than anticipated at the time of last year’s budget – saving over £10bn as a result. 
 
“However, now is not the time to cut back on support for jobs as the Tories propose. We know things will be difficult for some time, and unemployment in the eighties and nineties rose for years after the recessions finished. That is why we plan to increase help to get people back into jobs this year, not cut it back, so we can support the jobs of the future.” 

Minster for Employment Jim Knight, said:

“While it’s good news that the number of young people claiming unemployment benefit has fallen for the fourth month in a row, there is no let up in our investment to ensure every young jobseeker gets the chance to find work and make a future for themselves. 
 
“I am delighted to announce a further 7,000 Future Jobs Fund jobs for young people as part of Government’s unprecedented guarantee that 18-24 year olds who are unemployed for six months will get a job, a work placement or a training opportunity. We are determined to give them the chance to develop skills and get that all important foot on the career ladder.”

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Good for Cornwall’s businesses, pensioners, and families

In news on December 9, 2009 at 5:44 pm

Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth today welcomed the Chancellor’s pre-budget report as good for Cornwall’s businesses, pensioners, and families.

Charlotte MacKenzie said:

“The pre-budget report will help businesses in Cornwall in three ways. Firstly, by continuing the direct support to businesses and measures such as empty property rates relief. Secondly, by confirming that unlike the Tories Labour will not freeze public sector pay - spending by public sector workers is important for Cornwall’s retail and tourist industries and housing market. Thirdly, real investment in digital and low carbon businesses will provide an additional boost to sectors which are also being backed for development through convergence funding 

“Pensioners will benefit from the 2.5 per cent pension increase next April and continuation of measures such as the winter fuel allowance (which most people have just received for this year) and free travel for over-60s.

“Families – and particularly those on lower incomes – will benefit from measures announced today including child and disability benefit increases, free school meals for more children, help for people to keep their homes, lower rent increases for tenants (announced by Housing Minister John Healey MP), and support to help 18-24 year olds into jobs and education.”

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Fairer water bills for Cornwall

In news on December 9, 2009 at 5:05 pm

Charlotte MacKenzie today welcomed the findings of the Walker review on water charging, published on 8 December. A final decision on the Walker review’s proposals rests with the Government.

Charlotte said: “There are two things I particularly welcome in Anna Walker’s final report. Firstly, practical proposals to help more people on lower incomes pay less for water. Secondly, recognition that South West water costs are disproportionately high, and practical measures to address infrastructure requirements – for example through a one-off national contribution – so that the burden does not fall unfairly on people here.

“I called for these issues to be addressed fully and fairly at both stages of the review. I also raised these concerns with water Minister Huw Irranca Davies MP when I met him in September. I’m very pleased that Anna Walker has come forward with practical options to address both these issues.”

Photo: Charlotte MacKenzie with water Minister Huw Irranca Davies MP.

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Great news for cancer services at RCHT

In news on December 1, 2009 at 8:34 pm

Patients groups in Cornwall have been calling for investment in specialist cancer services and centres of excellence to come to the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust. The future of breast cancer services at St Michaels Hospital in Hayle was confirmed some time ago.

Now an independent panel has recommended that the specialist centre for gynaecological cancers whould be based at Treliske. These plans will be subject to consultation.

Welcoming the news, Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth said:

“The specialist centre will bring in additional investment to ensure the future continuing excellence of gynaecological cancer services. I’m delighted that the independent panel has recommended that these should be based at RCHT in Truro. This means that patients in Cornwall being treated for gynaecological cancers will be able to get the best possible care close to home. It’s a real vote of confidence in the cancer services provided by RCHT. I hope that everyone who wants to see this come to fruition will support these proposals through the consultation.”

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Cornwall Council better off with Labour

In news on November 26, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Cornwall Council’s three year funding settlement was announced today. In 2010/11 the Council will receive an additional £9.278 Million, an increase of 4.5 per cent on funding for 2009/10. This is also the first time that local authorities have received a settlement for three years rather than one.

Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth Charlotte MacKenzie said:
“Cornwall’s frontline services must benefit from this additional funding from Labour in Government. The funding announcement shows that scare-mongers predicting cuts in Council funding couldn’t have got it more wrong. I will be watching closely to see that this money is passed on to frontline services, which is where it helps people most. The Council says it will be able to make further savings as a result of the unitary reorganisation, so this 4.5 per cent boost in funding should mean council tax increases next April can be kept reasonable.”

There is more information here.

Photo: Charlotte MacKenzie with Communities and Local Government Secretary of State John Denham MP.

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Welcome to our news website

In news on November 9, 2009 at 8:04 pm

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Charlotte MacKenzie says:

“Welcome to Truro and Falmouth Labour Party’s news website. We hope you will like it, and find it easy to find what you are looking for. We will be updating this site regularly with local news.”

We will publish our press releases and other news stories on this website. You can also visit Charlotte MacKenzie’s website to find out more about what we are doing to help people, and to change things for the better in Falmouth and Truro. You can read more of Charlotte’s views and opinions on a wide range of issues here.

For more information contact Charlotte MacKenzie:

T 01872 261675, M 07932 501293.

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Charlotte will vote cruelty free

In news on September 2, 2009 at 2:42 pm

Charlotte MacKenzie, Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, has pledged her support for Vote Cruelty Free, a new non-partisan coalition of animal protection organisations working to put animals on the political agenda.

The alliance has sent its manifesto to all candidates announced for the next General Election and asked them to show their support for the issues raised.

Charlotte MacKenzie said, “I will be voting cruelty free. This MPs’ pledge covers a huge range of issues which matter to people in Falmouth and Truro who care about animal protection and welfare. You are welcome to contact me on 01872 267675 or via my website about specific animal protection issues. I challenge fellow candidates of other Parties to join me in signing this pledge to vote cruelty free, and in particular to confirm they would not support Tory plans to reverse the hunting ban.”

A Vote Cruelty Free spokesperson said, “Animal protection is an issue close to the UK public’s heart but this is often not reflected in current political debate. It is fantastic that Charlotte MacKenzie has shown she believes in animal protection issues as much as her potential future constituents in Truro and Falmouth; we are calling on all candidates to follow her lead by pledging their support for Vote Cruelty Free.”

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Vote Cruelty Free comprises the BUAV, Compassion in World Farming, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), League Against Cruel Sports and Respect for Animals. It covers a broad range of animal welfare issues including wild and marine animals, animal experimentation, cruel sports, the fur trade and farming.

Vote Cruelty Free is urging all candidates to pledge their support for the initiative. Voters can track candidates who have signed up by visiting the website.

ENDS

For more information please contact Carla Owen on 020 7619 6965 or email media@votecrueltyfree.org

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