From: Aidan Burley MP [email protected] Subject: News Bulletin from Aidan Burley MP #84 Date: 10 July 2014 10:56 To: [email protected] In this edition: Aidan Burley MP’s Diary Aidan in Parliament: Aidan Burley asks what Home Office does to "reintegrate those who have strayed [into extremism] back into their communities" Photo news: Grand Opening of Eurofit AutoCentre, Cannock MP urges holiday makers not to travel uninsured Photo news: Gorsemoor Primary School Year 6 pupils visit Aidan at Westminster Conservtives helping hardworking people to find a home in Cannock Chase Photo news: Freedom of the District granted to the Mercian Regiment and Staffordshire Regimental Association Burley encourages people in Cannock Chase to save money on household energy bills More jobs means more security for people who want to work hard and get on in Cannock Chase Aidan welcomes new cash for potholes in Cannock Chase Aidan in Parliament: Aidan speaks in Finance Bill Debate Photo news: Parliamentary Boat Race MP welcomes savings boost in Cannock Chase Aidan in the papers: Town has designs on outlet village Aidan in the papers: Queen’s Speech hailed by MP Burley How to contact Aidan Burley MP Issue 84 - Thursday 10th July 2014 Since the last edition, Aidan has: Officially opened a new state of the art Eurofit Autocentre workshop on Longford Road in Bridgtown. Chaired the sixth Chase Line Stakeholder Meeting to discuss the main issues affecting the Chase Line rail service. Among issues discussed included updates on electrification, the linespeed upgrade and car parking at Rugeley Trent Valley station. Spoken with Andrew Donald, Chief Officer of Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group to push the case for an improved Minor Injuries Unit at Cannock Hospital. Welcomed news that APC Overnight is to create 140 new permanent jobs at its Headquarters in Cannock. Attended the Freedom March in Cannock to celebrate the Honour of the award of Freedom of the District, which was granted to both the Mercian Regiment and Staffordshire Regimental Association for their services associated with the District. Welcome students from Gorsemoor Primary School in Cannock to Parliament. Met with Giles Membrey, Managing Director of Rioja Developments to get an update on the proposed designer outlet village at Mill Green in Cannock. You can find out more about the development at www.millgreenoutletvillage.co.uk . Spoken in the Finance Bill debate in the House of Commons about accelerated payment of tax and avoidance cases. Attended 3 Delegated Legislation Committee’s to discuss issues including the draft Copyright and Rights in Performances (Personal Copies for Private Use) Regulations 2014 and the draft Copyright and Rights in Performances (Quotation and Parody) Regulations 2014. Questioned the Secretary of State for Education on what steps he is taking to improve access to swimming lessons for schoolchildren.* Questioned the Minister for the Cabinet Office on the proportion of women in Cannock Chase in work in each of the last five years.* Questioned the Secretary of State for Justice on what steps he is taking to address any growth of a compensation culture in the UK.* Questioned the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how much is spent on housing benefit in Cannock Chase and Staffordshire.* Took part in the eighth Parliamentary Boat Race between the House of Commons and House of Lords. Questioned the Home Secretary on reintegrating those who have strayed into extremism back into their communities. *You can view the answers to Aidan’s questions to Ministers here . Aidan in Parliament: Aidan Burley asks what Home Office does to "reintegrate those who have strayed [into extremism] back into their communities" Monday 9th June 2014 Click on the image above to watch Aidan's question to the Home Secretary. The full exchange was as follows: Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase, Conservative): Integration is not just about preventing young people from engaging in extremism; it is also about reintegrating them into their communities when they have been radicalised. What steps is my right hon. Friend’s Department taking to reintegrate people who have strayed in that way? Theresa May (The Secretary of State for the Home Department; Maidenhead, Conservative): Within the Prevent strategy is the important Channel strand which works with people who are perhaps at risk of being radicalised—who are particularly vulnerable—to help ensure that they do not move down that path of radicalisation. Of course we also work with the National Offender Management Service on dealing with people who have been prosecuted and imprisoned under the terrorism legislation when they return to their communities. Photo news: Grand Opening of Eurofit AutoCentre, Cannock Aidan Burley MP officially opening the new Eurofit AutoCentre in Cannock. MP urges holiday makers not to travel uninsured Aidan today warned his constituents about the dangers of travelling uninsured as research from ABTA – The Travel Association revealed that 14% of people in the West Midlands travel abroad uninsured. In support of a campaign by ABTA – The Travel Association and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Aidan is urging holidaymakers in Cannock Chase to be prepared for their travels abroad and ensure they are properly covered. Travelling abroad uninsured can cost thousands if a trip goes wrong, yet according to new research by ABTA – the Travel Association eight out of ten (80%) of people from the West Midlands who travel uninsured don't think it is necessary to take out insurance when they travel overseas, often leaving their families to pick up the pieces. 11% of people also think that a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) acts as a full insurance policy when abroad. However, an EHIC only provides access to state medical care in the European Economic Area and does not cover other costs such as bringing the individual back to the UK. Worryingly 1 in 10 of people surveyed wrongly presumed that all of their treatment costs would be covered by the UK Government if they had an accident or fell ill while abroad. In reality it is the holidaymaker or their family who will pick up the bill if they are not covered, and this can range from £500 to treat a sprained ankle in a popular holiday resort like Corfu, £15-20,000 for a scheduled flight, stretcher and medical escort from Australia and £40,000 to treat a broken leg in the USA. Serious injuries can also lead to bills of thousands of pounds which can rapidly escalate to very substantial sums – and this is before the added cost of relatives flying out and staying in-destination to accompany a loved one. Commenting Aidan said: "We all look forward to our summer holiday. However, medical costs arising from uninsured accidents abroad can be very significant indeed. In addition to the worry over a sick or injured relative, it is often families who are presented with the bills, and the added stress of covering these. It is very important to make sure that when you do travel overseas, you are covered if something goes wrong. It is just not worth taking the risk. Travel insurance really is a travel essential, which is why I am very happy to support this campaign and would urge all my constituents to take out travel insurance if they are planning to travel abroad this summer." ABTA has an advice section on travel insurance for consumers. Visit www.abta.com/travelinsurance for full details. Photo news: Gorsemoor Primary School Year 6 pupils visit Aidan at Westminster Aidan Burley MP with year 6 pupils from Gorsemoor Primary School during their recent trip to the House of Commons. Conservtives helping hardworking people to find a home in Cannock Chase Chase MP Aidan Burley has welcomed figures showing that the Conservatives are delivering new affordable homes and helping hardworking people to get on the housing ladder in Cannock Chase. In Cannock Chase, 410 new affordable homes have been delivered since 2010 and 102 people have been able to buy their own home thanks to Help to Buy, giving more families the opportunity to move into a good quality, affordable home and plan for their future. Nearly 200,000 new affordable homes have now been delivered across the country since 2010 while Help to Buy has enabled over 27,000 people to buy their own home and, thanks to the Conservative’s long-term economic plan, Britain is now building more homes than at any time since 2007. Commenting Aidan said: “Labour cut the number of social homes to rent and their Great Recession led to a collapse in house building meaning thousands of families could not find a home they could afford. “That’s why the Conservatives, as part of our long-term economic plan, took action to get Britain building again and launched Help to Buy so more people could get on the housing ladder. Thanks to these policies, over 400 new affordable homes have now been delivered and 102 people have been able to buy their own home in Cannock Chase. “Our long-term economic plan is helping people to find a good quality, affordable home where they can raise a family, contribute to their communities and enjoy greater financial security.” Photo news: Freedom of the District granted to the Mercian Regiment and Staffordshire Regimental Association Aidan Burley MP with two officers from the Mercian Regiment at the celebrations to mark the Freedom of the District being granted to both the Mercian Regiment and Staffordshire Regimental Association. Burley encourages people in Cannock Chase to save money on household energy bills Aidan is encouraging constituents in Cannock Chase to take up energy efficiency improvements on their home with the Green Deal to save money on their energy bills. Households carrying out energy efficiency improvements on their home can now get more money back to offset the cost of having the work done. The new Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) has already issued £16.5 million in the first three weeks and, with summer here, now is the perfect time to have measures installed before the winter. Under the new incentive scheme, domestic energy customers can get: · up to £1000 for installing two measures from an approved list; · and/or up to £6000 for installing solid wall insulation; · and up to £100 refunded for their Green Deal Assessment. The scheme also entitles those who have bought a property in the 12 months prior to application to qualify for up to an additional £500 if they carry out energy efficiency improvements. The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund also applies to private or social landlords, who can benefit if they undertake to improve the property and are paying the costs themselves. Commenting Aidan said: "I am very pleased that people across England and Wales are now able to get up to £7,600 back through the new Green Deal Home Improvement Fund so they can take control of their bills and have warmer, greener homes. "The average annual bill saving from installing major measures such as solid wall insulation in a three-bed semi-detached house is £270, while savings from other measures, such as upgrading a boiler, can knock around £100 off a customer's bill in Cannock Chase. "I would strongly encourage people to call the Energy Saving Advice Service (ESAS) on 0300 123 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/greendeal to find out how much they can save." In December the Government announced a £540 million three year energy efficiency package to make Britain's homes and public buildings more energy efficient. More jobs means more security for people who want to work hard and get on in Cannock Chase Chase MP Aidan Burley has welcomed new figures showing that the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in Cannock Chase has fallen by 722 over the last year, with employment up overall in the West Midlands by 81,000 since 2010. Since the election the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Cannock Chase has fallen by 1,273. Commenting Aidan said: “I welcome the fact that there are now 722 fewer people on JSA in Cannock Chase than this time last year. That’s 722 people with a more secure, brighter future ahead of them. “With the economy now recovering from the Great Recession, and businesses across Staffordshire creating jobs, it’s clear the Conservatives’ long-term economic plan is working. We need to keep working through the plan, which is delivering growth and jobs, so that more people in Cannock Chase who want to work hard and get on can have the security of a regular pay packet they can bring home to their families.” Aidan welcomes new cash for potholes in Cannock Chase Aidan has welcomed the announcement of £4,578,155 of new funding in Staffordshire to tackle potholes. In total, £6,709,440 of additional funding for Staffordshire has been announced for this year, on top of the annual roads maintenance budget. Over three million potholes will be filled in across England with funding from the £168 million Pothole Fund, announced in the 2014 Budget. This is part of more than £24 billion which will be spent on England's roads between 2010 and 2021 – the biggest investment in our roads since the 1970s. Commenting Aidan said: "This is great news for everybody who uses the roads in Cannock Chase. "£4,578,155 of new funding will go a long way to dealing with the menace of potholes and ridding them from our roads. "Investing in Britain's roads and infrastructure is a key part of the Conservatives' long-term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain – and this is just one part of that. By fixing Britain's roads the Conservatives are supporting local businesses, and making life that bit easier for the hardworking people in Cannock Chase who rely on them to get around." Aidan in Parliament: Aidan speaks in Finance Bill Debate Wednesday 2nd July 2014 Click on the image above to watch Aidan's speech and the Minister's response. The full exchange was as follows: Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase, Conservative): I have a couple of questions for the Minister about the accelerated payment of tax and avoidance cases. I have written to him about this and received a letter from him, and also met him subsequently. Others have mentioned this issue, which has caused a lot of concern, especially within the accounting community. Many of my constituents who are accountants and who run businesses have written to me and met me to voice their concern about what they believe is retrospective legislation, with no right of independent appeal. I hope the Minister will be able to reassure my constituents and those of other Members. The first question is about the oft-quoted 80% success rate in tax avoidance cases tried at court. The Minister has quoted that statistic, and HMRC has quoted similar figures, but we have yet to discover the source of that statistic, nor do we have a list of the cases on which it is based. Many of those who have contacted me feel that the figure is unsubstantiated. Will the Minister tell us the source of that 80% success rate statistic? Secondly, there is a strong view that this law is being implemented retrospectively, with no right of independent appeal. I know the Minister has said it is not retrospective legislation, but he knows that that opinion is not shared by the accountancy profession, the legal profession, the CBI or even the Treasury Select Committee. Will he comment on that? It is predicted that the legislation will result in some 150,000 redundancies, and the loss of future tax revenues from companies going to the wall, including some in my constituency, is estimated to be £50 billion, all to collect a mere £4 billion in unpaid revenues over the next five years. That seems to me to be a very bad bang for your buck. Does the Minister believe it is worth such loss and unemployment? David Gauke (The Exchequer Secretary; South West Hertfordshire, Conservative): To answer the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase about the follower notices, there is no appeal against the requirement to pay the accelerated payment. That would simply substitute one dispute over the substance of the scheme for another. HMRC is not making a decision about whether the avoidance scheme works, which would have full rights of appeal, and the rules do not change that situation; rather, the requirement imposed on the taxpayer relates solely to the timing of the payment. If payment of the tax is a problem because the taxpayer cannot afford the full amount immediately, HMRC will use its normal approaches, including appropriate payment arrangements. The source for the HMRC success rate of 80% is the list of tribunal and court decisions. Those decisions are all published and people can read for themselves HMRC’s continued success in these cases. Photo news: Parliamentary Boat Race Aidan Burley MP taking part in the eighth Parliamentary Boat Race on 12 June. Aidan Burley MP with fellow members of the House of Commons Boat Race team. MP welcomes savings boost in Cannock Chase Aidan has welcomed radical changes to savings which have come into force. From 1 July 2014, millions of savers across the country are able to save three times as much money in their ISAs. As part of the New ISA, the cash limit has gone up from £5,760 in 2013- 14 to £15,000 in 2014-15. The overall New ISA limit is £15,000 – and this full amount can be held in either a cash ISA, a stocks and shares ISA, or any combination of the two. The New ISA will give savers complete flexibility over how to save and invest – allowing the transfer of savings previously held in a stocks and shares ISA to a cash ISA without losing the tax-advantage. Over 23 million adults have ISAs, and over 5 million people reach their cash limit every year. In the West Midlands, 1,948,000 people have an ISA. 513,000 people in the West Midlands have already reached the ISA limit and could benefit immediately from the increased limit. At the same time, the annual subscription limits for Child Trust Funds (CTFs) and Junior ISAs will be increased to £4,000 to let families save more for their children in a tax-advantaged way. Commenting Aidan said: "These changes are about supporting savers at every stage – whether that's saving for a home, saving for your family or saving for retirement." Aidan in the papers: Town has designs on outlet village Laura Blyth, Express & Star Friday 13th June 2014 A multi-million pound designer outlet village, with more than 100 shops, restaurants and a cinema could be built in Cannock, under new plans unveiled today. The development would create 800 jobs and has being labelled a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the town. A total of 130 shops – expected to include big High Street names such as Superdry, Paul Smith and Ralph Lauren – would form the development, which has been ear- marked for land off Lichfield Road next to Mill Green Nature Reserve. The plans also feature a handful of restaurants, a cinema and a 2,000- space car park. Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson said today: "This is fantastic news for Cannock. We have worked really hard on this over the past 18 months. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the town. It should complement what we already have in the town centre and it's bringing between 600 and 800 jobs as well." Biggest Meanwhile, economic development chief Councillor Gordon Alcott said: "I've been dealing with this now for the past two years. "There is now light at the end of the tunnel. This will be the biggest thing Cannock has had for a good number of years. "It will also create around 1,000 construction jobs as well. It will be a massive boost to the economy as it will attract people from all over into Cannock and also into the town centre." The district council-owned piece of land has stood empty for the past 25 years. Bosses behind the proposed 307,000sq ft development say it would rival the likes of Bicester Village in Oxford and Cheshire Oaks. Rioja Developments and Development Securities PLC are working together on the project. Giles Membrey, managing director of Rioja Developments, said it was an 'exciting' opportunity for the town and shoppers. He added: "We are keen to consult key stakeholders and the local community in the coming weeks before we submit a planning application late in 2014. If approved, the development could be open for trade by spring 2017." Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley said: "This is very good news for inward investment in Cannock Chase. "It will bring huge numbers of jobs to the area and most importantly will attract visitors to Cannock for shopping. "With them they will bring money into our area, which will lead to more businesses being attracted to set up in Cannock, in turn creating more jobs. "It's really significant news in terms of the local economy, and very very positive news in- deed." Councillor Adamson added: "We've held very productive discussions with Development Securities and Rioja Developments with regards to delivering a designer outlet village at Mill Green. "The council-owned site has enormous potential due to its strategic location and our hopes are that the development can create a new, unique retail destination for the region – providing a substantial economic boost to the area and putting Cannock Chase firmly on the map. "We hope that extending the range of shop- ping to include designer outlet stores will complement our existing town centres to the benefit of all. We'll now be working with the developers on a consultation programme and look forward to sharing the plans with the local community." Details of a public exhibition on the plans will be announced soon before a full planning application is submitted to the council. The Cheshire Oaks park in Ellesmere Port attracts thousands of visitors from across the country every day and has become famed for its designer goods – and it is hoped the development in Cannock could be just as successful. Developers say there are 'excellent public transport links' that will 'provide access from all parts of the region'. Mr Membrey said: "Our own market research and site searches clearly show that Mill Green is the best location in the West Midlands for our proposed scheme." It is the latest jobs boost for the district after Amazon announced plans to double the capacity of its base in Rugeley. Aidan in the papers: Queen’s Speech hailed by MP Burley The Chronicle Thursday 12th June 2014 Cannock Chase MP Aidan Burley has hailed the Queen’s Speech as ‘the next big step in this Government’s long-term economic plan to secure a better and brighter future for Britain’. The speech included plans for giant ‘pooled’ pension schemes with the potential to boost chances of a better retirement income. Mr Burley said: “The proposed changes to our pensions system will give local people in Cannock Chase who work hard and do the right thing more security in their retirement. “The current tax rules stifle innovation in the retirement income market, leaving pension savers with very little choice over how to spend or invest their defined contribution savings. “The changes proposed in the Pensions Tax Bill will create a much more competitive and dynamic retirement income market. “Businesses across Cannock Chase will also benefit from the introduction of the new Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill which is specifically de- signed to address many of the key concerns they have around prompt payment, access to finance and procurement.” 5 ways to contact Aidan Burley MP: By Phone: 01543 502 447 By email: [email protected] By post: Aidan Burley MP 6 High Green Court, Newhall Street Cannock, WS11 1GR In person: Click here for details of how to book an appointment at Aidan Burley MP’s regular help and advice surgeries. www.aidanburleymp.org More news from Aidan Burley MP, coming soon… Please forward this email on to anyone you think may be interested. 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