1
From: Greg Hands M.P. [email protected] Subject: News Bulletin from Greg Hands M.P. #422 Date: 22 December 2014 15:44 To: [email protected] In this edition: Greg Hands M.P.’s Diary Website of the week: Hammersmith & Fulham CCG Photo news: All Saints, Fulham Community Christmas Carol Service Greg Hands welcomes seven day GP access for Hammersmith and Fulham patients Who do you know who lives abroad? - This is the perfect excuse to drop them a line Photo news: Team Greenhalgh launch New National Statistics show a Major Moment in the British economic recovery Greg Hands calls on residents to sign petition for new free school in Hammersmith Photo news: German Agriculture Minister Greg Hands welcomes new Government funding to combat homelessness in Kensington and Chelsea Week in Westminster and Constituency Look Ahead - 19th December How to contact Greg Hands MP Issue 422 - Monday 22nd December 2014 The Chapel at Brompton Cemetery in the snow. Photo by Greg Hands. Since the last edition, Greg: Welcomed news of innovative weekend GP services in Hammersmith & Fulham. For more, see below. Attended the launch of the campaign to see Stephen Greenhalgh elected as the next Conservative Mayor of London, to succeed Boris Johnson in 2016. For photo, see below. Read a lesson at the Community Carol Service of All Saints Church, Fulham. For photo, see below. Welcomed new jobs figures showing both UK and local employment at record highs, and unemployment falling below the 2 million figure, a significant moment in the UK economic recovery. Attended a charity Christmas concert, also at All Saints Church, in aid of brain tumour research at new equipment at Charing Cross Hospital. Attended as a Guest of Honour the Party Conference of the Bavarian CSU in Nuremberg. Greg met senior politicians, and heard the speeches of Angela Merkel and Horst Seehoefer, as part of the Conservative Party’s continuing outreach to its sister parties in Germany. For photo, see below. Made the main tribute speech at the retirement dinner of the former Chief Whip, Rt Hon George Young MP, held at the Carlton Club, London. 7 other former Chief Whips were in attendance. Attended the Annual Business Lunch of the Conservative Friends of Israel, with guest speaker, the Prime Minister. Carried out his duties in some busy weeks as the Conservative Party and the Government’s Deputy Chief Whip. Held a regular, weekly, advice surgery for local Chelsea and Fulham residents, at Fulham Library, on Fulham Road, close to Parsons Green tube. Greg’s surgeries are generally weekly, on Monday mornings, at either Fulham Library, or Peter Jones, Sloane Square, Chelsea. To make an appointment, email [email protected] or telephone 020 7219 5448. Website of the week: www.hammersmithfulhamccg.nhs.uk The website of the Hammersmith & Fulham CCG (or Clinical Commissioning Group), which runs GP services in the Borough, and which this week launched a new, innovative, weekend GP service at selected local GP surgeries. Photo news: All Saints, Fulham Community Christmas Carol Service Greg Hands MP reading a lesson at the All Saints, Fulham Community Christmas Carol Service. Greg Hands welcomes seven day GP access for Hammersmith and Fulham patients Patients in Hammersmith and Fulham will now be able to access GP services 7 days a week, thanks to a new service launched by NHS Hammersmith and Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The weekend opening service provides an alternative to A&E for people who need access to care at the weekend. Patients can see a GP, and it is hoped that this will help free up A&E departments for those with life threatening illnesses or injuries. Five practices across the borough are offering the walk-in service on Saturdays and Sundays, and patients can see a GP without an appointment. They do not have to be registered with the practice, and using the service will not affect their registration with their own GP. The practices that offer the service are: Brook Green Medical Centre Bute Gardens, London, W6 7EG Cassidy Medical Centre 651a Fulham Road, London, SW6 5PX Palace Surgery 510 Fulham Palace Road, London, SW6 6JD Dr Jefferies and Partners, The Medical Centre 292 Munster Road, London, SW6 6BQ Parkview Practice (Dr Canisius and Dr Hasan) Cranston Court, 56 Bloemfontein Road, London W12 7FG The practices are open between 9am and 4pm and patients wanting to book an appointment should call 03000 333 666. The service has been introduced as part of NHS Hammersmith and Fulham CCG’s Out of Hospital Strategy, which aims to bring care closer to home and into a local, more familiar environment for the benefit of the patients. Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, said: “People need be able to see their GP at a time that suits them and their family. When you or your loved ones need it, the NHS should be there for you. I’m therefore pleased at these new services launched by NHS Hammersmith and Fulham CCG. “Furthermore, I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment that the next Conservative government will ensure everyone has access to a GP seven days a week by 2020. In addition, Health Ministers have also promised to support thousands more GP practices to stay open longer, giving millions of patients better access to their doctor. “All of this is only possible because the Government has taken difficult decisions to reduce inefficient and ineffective spending elsewhere as part of a long-term economic plan. In my view you can't fund the NHS if you don't have a healthy, growing economy.” Dr Susan McGoldrick, vice-chair of Hammersmith and Fulham CCG said: “Statistics show that many patients attend A&E when their GP practice is closed, even if they don’t have a life-threatening illness. These more minor illnesses can be treated by a pharmacist or GP. We are opening GP practices at weekends for all residents to use so they can see a GP on Saturday and Sunday by booking an appointment or simply going to the walk-in service offered by these practices. The clear message is that there are alternative services available, so please don’t go to an A&E unless you really need to.” Who do you know who lives abroad? – This is the perfect excuse to drop them a line Greg Hands MP is asking residents to ensure friends and family living overseas are registered to vote in the coming UK General Election, and beyond. There are 5 million British expats, of whom around 3 million are entitled to vote, but very few of them are currently registered to do so. That’s an average of 4,600 voters per constituency. Overseas voters vote in the constituency of their last UK address. Voters can now register and order a postal vote online. Chelsea and Fulham MP, Greg Hands is supporting the Prime Minister’s new “THINK OF THREE” Campaign to encourage Britons living overseas to register to vote. Of the 5 million British people living abroad, virtually none are registered to vote - despite the fact it's now really simple to do online. In fact, it only takes 5 minutes to sign up for a postal vote. Greg said “Today I'm asking you to think of three people you know who live abroad and encourage them to vote by forwarding them this email - or directing them to the website: www.overseasvote2015.com “The next election is the most important in a generation - and it's vital that everyone who can vote gets behind our plan to secure a better future for Britain. In an election with so much at stake, overseas voters could be the difference between a Conservative Government committed to reducing the deficit, cutting taxes and building a stronger, healthier economy - or a return to higher taxes, higher borrowing, and less control over welfare with Labour.” Please share this link - www.overseasvote2015.com - with three (or more) people you know living abroad. Together, we can secure a better future for Britain. This is the perfect excuse to drop your friends living abroad a line as well as wishing them a Happy Christmas. Please forward them this email today. Photo news: Team Greenhalgh launch Greg Hands MP at the launch of Stephen Greenghalgh's bid to win the Conservative nomination to become the next Mayor of London. To sign up to Team Greenhalgh visit www.stephengreenhalgh.com . New National Statistics show a Major Moment in the British economic recovery New figures from the Office for National Statistics show there are now 1.75 million more people in work than at the last election, and wages are rising above inflation, signifying a major moment in the British economic recovery. Since 2010, the Government has been backing businesses with better infrastructure and lower jobs taxes, and have capped welfare so the economy delivers for people who want to work hard and play by the rules. The ONS figures show there are now 1.75 million more people in work than at the last election and that wages are rising above inflation. Private sector employment has risen by 637,000 in the past year and it is particularly pleasing that full time jobs accounted for 95 per cent of the rise in employment over this period. Overall, there are now 30.8 million people in work, a record high, with a record number of women also in work. Each one of those jobs is another family who can now have more peace of mind about their future. Private sector regular pay also rose by 2%, compared with inflation of 1.3%, with strong wage growth in the manufacturing and business services industries according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Greg Hands said “This is a major moment in the British economic recovery with a record number of people in work and wages rising above inflation. It’s a clear sign our long-term economic plan is working, building a stronger, healthier economy. "Specifically in my constituency of Chelsea and Fulham, I am delighted that these latest figures showed a reduction in unemployment with 348 fewer jobseekers claimants since last year, a fall of nearly 24% compared to 2013.” Greg added: “We know there is more to do and that families are still feeling the impact of Labour’s Great Recession. This is why we need to stick with our long-term economic plan that is helping deliver economic security for hardworking taxpayers across our country. “Labour left nearly half a million more people without a job, and Ed Miliband predicted that our economic plan would ‘lead to the disappearance of a million jobs’. But there are now more than 1.75 million more people in work. This shows Ed Miliband is just not up to the job and Labour don’t have a plan for Britain’s future. They would put all the progress we have made at risk with their call for more spending and more borrowing.” Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: “These remarkable figures show that our long term economic plan to create a better more prosperous future for Britain is working. Behind them are countless stories of individual hard-work and determination, with more people than ever before feeling financially secure. Greg Hands calls on residents to sign petition for new free school in Hammersmith Greg Hands MP is calling on residents to get behind plans for the Livingstone School, Hammersmith, a computer skills based secondary free school for 11-18 year olds. The proposal has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Education and parents are being urged to register their support now. In particular, the school need to prove there is a demand from parents of current Year 5 and Year 4 pupils – those pupils moving to secondary school in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Residents who support the idea of a new free school can sign the petition at www.livingstoneschoolhammersmith.com . If successful, the new secondary school, based in Hammersmith, would open with its first intake of 120 Year 7 pupils in September 2016. Ian Livingstone CBE, co-founder of the new school, founder of Games Workshop and former boss of video game publisher Eidos – famous for the Tomb Raider series - is determined the school will equip pupils with skills they can use in the real world, including risk-taking, problem-solving and entrepreneurship. All of the school’s students, regardless of background or ability, will gain the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy a productive and rewarding future. With innovation, creativity, and enterprise at its heart, the school’s curriculum will focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and maths. Ian Livingstone’s Next Gen review was instrumental in the Government’s decision to include computing on the national curriculum, and the new school will encourage the use of computing skills within all core subject areas. Mr Livingstone said: “A curriculum that delivers an education for the digital world is key, bringing the arts and sciences together to encourage innovation and creativity. Science, technology, engineering and maths are vital but art, music, drama and design make an important contribution in promoting diverse thinking, self-expression and self-determination. Children as great problem-solvers and great communicators will have life skills for the jobs of the future. That is our goal.” Greg Hands said “Free schools offer excellent value for money. Every parent and every child should have the chance to apply to a good local school in their area. That is what the Free Schools and the Academies Programmes are all about - giving more parents the choice of a decent local state school, with high standards, firm discipline and dedicated staff. “The Livingstone School promises to combine excellent quality education in traditional subjects with the benefit of Mr Livingstone’s unique insight into our modern world of commination, technology and business.” With Hammersmith and Fulham benefiting from several free schools in the borough the, Livingstone School Hammersmith hopes to provide parents with additional choice and to ease the pressure and struggle many parents face when making secondary education applications. Please visit the Livingstone School Hammersmith website to register your support - www.livingstoneschoolhammersmith.com . Photo news: German Agriculture Minister Greg Hands MP with German Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt MdB at this year's CSU Party Conference in Nuremberg. Greg Hands welcomes new Government funding to combat homelessness in Kensington and Chelsea Local MP Greg Hands is celebrating the announcement of a successful Help for Single Homeless Fund project in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Help for Single Homeless Fund has a clear aim to encourage groups of local authorities to work with local partners (e.g. public health, probation services and voluntary sector organisations) to improve services for single homeless people. The programme aims to help a wide range of single homeless people such as rough sleepers and ex-offenders, and we are sure the Council’s project will make a significant contribution. The Royal Borough has been awarded £93,750 for 2014-15 working in partnership with the London Boroughs of Ealing, Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow from the new £8 million Help for Single Homeless Fund. The local project will involve the organisation Homelessness Prevention and Engagement Service (HoPE) who will take referrals from Housing Options, A&E departments, GP surgeries, and Probation of people at risk of rough sleeping. They will run a ‘staging post service’ providing beds for ex-rough sleepers as well as Tenant Training helping formerly homeless people to find accommodation in in the rental sector, informing them about tenant and landlord responsibilities, and teaching skills like rent management and budgeting. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has also been provisionally awarded £156,250 in 2015-16, subject to HM Treasury approval. Greg Hands said “I am delighted that this new funding will provide much needed help and a fresh start to many homeless people in my constituency. In what is a relatively affluent area of London, homelessness is a problem that is sometimes overlooked, but it is not something we can ignore. I hope these new local projects are effective in helping people turn their lives around. It’s also a great example of how cooperative working between councils in both parts of my constituency and beyond can work in everyone’s best interest.” The local project is part of wider Government funding of £23million to help the homeless announced last week by Department for Communities and Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins MP. 1600 of the most vulnerable homeless young people in the country will be helped to get their lives back on track with the £15 million Fair Chance Fund, while the £8 million Help for Single Homeless Fund will support around 22,000 single homeless people. The Single Homeless Fund is about better help for individuals with complex needs. It’s not just about housing – it’s about a more integrated approach with better collaboration between agencies. £8 million has been made available to support around 22,000 people of whom 6,000 will be newly homeless. Over 12,000 of them will be people with 1 or more support needs and around 3,500 will be people with multiple support needs and a history of rough sleeping. Announcing the 34 winning bids, Homelessness Minister Kris Hopkins said: “This is a vital initiative which will help individuals who are some of the hardest to reach, and who often have complex needs, not just simply a roof over their head. These projects will offer precisely the sort of support that many single homeless people need to help turn their lives around and give them a long term solution that supports their needs.” Week in Westminster and Constituency Look Ahead – 19 th December 1 – 19 December 2014: This week in Westminster Council tax freeze I am delighted the Government has announced it will help councils to freeze council tax for a fifth year in a row as part of next year’s spending settlement for local councils. I believe every bit of the public sector needs to do their bit to pay off Labour’s deficit, including local government which accounts for a quarter of all public spending. However, I am pleased the Government has been able to take action to help keep council tax down and again is offering extra money to all councils who want to do the right thing and freeze their council tax bills next year. Primary school test results Positive Key Stage 2 primary test results were published this week, with the encouraging news that attainment is rising in every subject, while disadvantaged pupils continue to close the gap. Specifically, the results for more than half a million 11-year-olds show the percentage achieving the expected level in reading, writing and maths has risen by three percentage points to 79 per cent while the proportion achieving the more challenging Level is also up – from 63 per cent to 67 per cent. Supporting our armed forces personnel The Armed Forces Covenant annual report was been presented to Parliament earlier this week showing that in 2014, over £100 million has been awarded to projects and schemes that benefit personnel, veterans and armed forces families. I welcome this Governments commitment to ensuring that serving and former members of the armed forces, and their families, are not disadvantaged by their service and that they are given special consideration in some cases. Among the successes this year is the announcement that from 1 April 2015, widows, widowers and surviving civil partners will retain their pensions for life if they remarry, which I know has been a long-running and important issue for many individuals. Details of all the key successes from 2014 and the full report can be found here . Upcoming Events in the Fulham part of the Constituency (for a full list of local events, check out local website ‘Those Who Noes Fulham’ - www.thosewhonosefulham.com ) CHELSEA FC HOME GAME Friday, December 26, 2014 15:00 - 17:00 Stamford Bridge, Fulham Rd, London, SW6 1HS Chelsea v West Ham United Kick off at 3pm Please visit Chelsea FC website for more information about the match and tickets - Visit website >> FULHAM FC HOME GAME Monday, December 29, 2014 20:00 - 22:00 Craven Cottage, Stevenage Rd, London, SW6 6HH Fulham v Brighton and Hove Albion Game kicks off at 8pm. Please visit the Fulham FC website for more information about the match and tickets - Visit website >> FULHAM FC HOME GAME Saturday, January 3, 2015 15:00 - 17:00 Craven cottage, Stevenage Rd, London, SW6 6HH Fulham FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Game kicks off at 3pm Please visit Fulham FC website for more information and for tickets - Visit website >> CHELSEA FC HOME GAME Sunday, January 4, 2015 16:00 - 18:00 Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London, SW6 1HS Chelsea v Watford Kick off at 4pm Please visit Chelsea FC website for more information about the match and tickets - Visit website >> 5 ways to contact Greg Hands M.P.: By Phone: 020 7219 5448 By email: [email protected] By post: Greg Hands M.P. House of Commons London SW1A 0AA In person: Click here for details of how to book an appointment at Greg Hands M.P.’s weekly surgery www.greghands.com More news from Greg Hands M.P., coming soon… Please forward this email on to anyone you think may be interested. If you have had this email forwarded to you and would like to be added to the mailing list, please send an email to: [email protected] with “JOIN” in the subject heading. To unsubscribe from this list, please return an e-mail to [email protected] with "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject heading. Greg Hands M.P. – a strong voice for Chelsea & Fulham Published & Promoted by Jonathan Fraser-Howells on behalf of Greg Hands M.P., both of 1a Chelsea Manor Street, London SW3 5RP
