The Liberal Democrats today confirmed their commitment to scrapping student tuition fees.
Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg has announced that scrapping tuition fees would remain one of the party’s most important policies.
Today he set out a timetable to scrap fees, including those for part-time courses, over the six years following the General Election.
He said: “This is good news for students and for everyone who wants a fairer Britain.
“Students want to be treated like grown ups. They know money doesn’t grow on trees and that big spending commitments like this are only affordable over time.
“We’ve developed a plan to phase out tuition fees over the course of the next six years, to ensure this vital policy is affordable even during this time of economic crisis.
“You should decide whether going to university makes sense for you and you shouldn’t have to make the decision based on your bank balance.
“Labour and the Conservatives refuse to address the issue of fees and there is a real danger that both of them would lift the cap on fees which could mean even more debt for students when they leave university.”
View a copy of the letter Nick Clegg sent out to party members today here.
Friday, 18 December 2009
£1M WILL SEE 22 PLAY AREAS UPGRADED: SUTHERLAND PARK IN THE EAST MARSH WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO BENEFIT
Today the Grimsby Telegraph reported that twenty play areas across North East Lincolnshire are set for a major refurbishment.
It is a question of waiting until you "see-saw" what will be appearing in your local area, and on this occasion nearly all parts of the borough will benefit.
A £1-million pound Government grant will see 22 of the region's outdoor areas upgraded, enhanced and improved over the next two years.
The grant is part of the Government's Playbuilder scheme and will see the renovation and replacement of existing equipment or the building of completely new play areas.
Project manager for North East Lincolnshire Council Barbara Walker said: "The Government see good quality play as an essential way of enriching young people's lives.
"To that end, we have come up with some fantastically innovative ideas for play and creativity in our local area.
"These play areas are well-used by children and parents and will provide an excellent social focus for the community.
"These sites will be placed at the heart of our communities and will fulfil the needs of residents and their children."
Councillor Steve Hocknell, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and healthier communities said: “The contractors are currently on site to install the first new play facility in Grimsby.
“We have consulted with young people on what play equipment they would like to see in their parks and all of the designs have been developed with their ideas in mind.
“We are keen to ensure children, young people and their families understand these are their play areas and therefore it is important they have an input in what they will feature.”
One of the first open spaces to benefit from Playbuilder Scheme is Sutherland Park, which is due to receive a £50,000 makeover.
Above is an artist’s impression of the new pay equipment which will be installed at Sutherland Park.
JO SWINSON SLAMS UNFAIR TAX RISES
Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire, Jo Swinson has criticised the Government for raising tax revenue from lower paid workers while failing to tackle bankers' bonuses.
In the House of Commons this week, Jo asked Chancellor Alistair Darling to justify raising National Insurance (NI) contributions for ordinary workers, while levying only an easily-avoidable 10% tax on bankers' bonuses.
In his pre-budget report last week, the Chancellor announced that employees' NI contributions would rise by 0.5%, in addition to the 0.5% announced in April. A 1% increase in NI contributions for employees means that by 2011/12 people earning over £7,000 will pay 32% tax on their income.
Meanwhile, the report shows that the new tax on bankers' bonuses is expected to raise just £500 million from the £5 billion that will be paid in bonuses this year - a total of just 10%. The Liberal Democrats described it as a "gift wrapped invitation to tax avoidance."
Commenting, Jo Swinson said: "The Labour Government has long claimed that it puts fairness at the heart of its policies, but there is nothing fair about Alistair Darling's plans for raising tax revenue. This latest rise in National Insurance contributions will come as bad news to everyone, but most of all to people on lower incomes.
"Meanwhile, the tax on bankers' bonuses is nothing but an empty gesture, as it is very clear that there are many ways in which it can easily be avoided. The tax system is already deeply unfair, and this pre-budget report shows that it is heading further in the wrong direction."
The text of Jo's question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer appears below:
Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): Will the Chancellor explain how it is fair that after the national insurance rise, people on low incomes will be paying 32 per cent. tax on their income, while he is letting bankers off the hook with a tax that will be easy to avoid, is full of holes and will raise just 10 per cent. of the £5 billion expected to be paid in bank bonuses this year?
Mr. Darling: In relation to the bank payroll tax, we are trying to change the behaviour of some banks that still want to pay out very large sums in bonuses when we believe that the money would be better applied to building up their capital position. Of course, from next April, people earning more than £150,000 a year-that will include many recipients of these bonuses-will pay tax at the top rate of 50p. In addition, the hon. Lady asked about national insurance. I made the position clear last week. In particular, I made the point that people earning less than £20,000 would not be paying more as a result of the measures that I introduced.
In the House of Commons this week, Jo asked Chancellor Alistair Darling to justify raising National Insurance (NI) contributions for ordinary workers, while levying only an easily-avoidable 10% tax on bankers' bonuses.
In his pre-budget report last week, the Chancellor announced that employees' NI contributions would rise by 0.5%, in addition to the 0.5% announced in April. A 1% increase in NI contributions for employees means that by 2011/12 people earning over £7,000 will pay 32% tax on their income.
Meanwhile, the report shows that the new tax on bankers' bonuses is expected to raise just £500 million from the £5 billion that will be paid in bonuses this year - a total of just 10%. The Liberal Democrats described it as a "gift wrapped invitation to tax avoidance."
Commenting, Jo Swinson said: "The Labour Government has long claimed that it puts fairness at the heart of its policies, but there is nothing fair about Alistair Darling's plans for raising tax revenue. This latest rise in National Insurance contributions will come as bad news to everyone, but most of all to people on lower incomes.
"Meanwhile, the tax on bankers' bonuses is nothing but an empty gesture, as it is very clear that there are many ways in which it can easily be avoided. The tax system is already deeply unfair, and this pre-budget report shows that it is heading further in the wrong direction."
The text of Jo's question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer appears below:
Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): Will the Chancellor explain how it is fair that after the national insurance rise, people on low incomes will be paying 32 per cent. tax on their income, while he is letting bankers off the hook with a tax that will be easy to avoid, is full of holes and will raise just 10 per cent. of the £5 billion expected to be paid in bank bonuses this year?
Mr. Darling: In relation to the bank payroll tax, we are trying to change the behaviour of some banks that still want to pay out very large sums in bonuses when we believe that the money would be better applied to building up their capital position. Of course, from next April, people earning more than £150,000 a year-that will include many recipients of these bonuses-will pay tax at the top rate of 50p. In addition, the hon. Lady asked about national insurance. I made the position clear last week. In particular, I made the point that people earning less than £20,000 would not be paying more as a result of the measures that I introduced.
IT’S A SCANDAL THAT EACH NIGHT THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN ARE HAVING TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES ON STREETS WITHOUT A LOVING HOME TO GO SAYS NICK CLEGG
The leading charity for the welfare of street children, Railway Children is today launching a hard-hitting campaign designed to highlight the plight of thousands of children surviving on Britain’s streets without care.
Using London’s streets as a backdrop, the “Nine Beds” campaign will run over the Christmas period, starting with nine nativity cribs being placed in high profile locations across the capital.
The nine cribs represent the fact that there are just nine beds available nationwide, for the estimated 100,000 children who end up living rough each year, 30,000 of which are 12 or younger.
London commuters will encounter abandoned nativity cribs at major locations including Trafalgar Square and Liverpool Street.
Railway Children will use the campaign to call for Government to create a network of emergency safe houses for children exposed to violence, crime, drug abuse, gang culture and sexual exploitation on the streets.
Advertising carrying the message: “This Christmas thousands of children will sleep on the streets because they are too afraid to go home” will support the Nine Beds campaign during the Christmas period.
Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said of the campaign: “It is a scandal that each night thousands of children are having to fend for themselves on the streets without a loving home to go to.
“There are many reasons why children feel they can’t go home, they may have suffered from physical violence, intimidation or have serious emotional and mental health problems.
“Central government, local authorities and the charities who already do so much good work in this area must all redouble our efforts and work together to remove this moral stain on our society.”
The Nine Beds initiative follows the recent publication by Railway Children of a major investigation into the lives of the UK’s street children. The “Off the Radar” study involved researchers following the lives of more than a hundred children exposed to street life across the country, over a three year period.
To survive, street children are forced into situations involving drugs and sexual exploitation. The majority of children interviewed for the report did not seek help from support agencies as they believed their lives were normal.
Terina Keene, Chief Executive of Railway Children, said: “The nativity scene epitomizes the innocence of childhood and at the same time the threat of a life detached from the safety that most children in the UK take for granted.
“This campaign highlights the fact that this Christmas thousands of children in Britain are left to survive a life of violence and crime because our support services are failing to reach them.”
Using London’s streets as a backdrop, the “Nine Beds” campaign will run over the Christmas period, starting with nine nativity cribs being placed in high profile locations across the capital.
The nine cribs represent the fact that there are just nine beds available nationwide, for the estimated 100,000 children who end up living rough each year, 30,000 of which are 12 or younger.
London commuters will encounter abandoned nativity cribs at major locations including Trafalgar Square and Liverpool Street.
Railway Children will use the campaign to call for Government to create a network of emergency safe houses for children exposed to violence, crime, drug abuse, gang culture and sexual exploitation on the streets.
Advertising carrying the message: “This Christmas thousands of children will sleep on the streets because they are too afraid to go home” will support the Nine Beds campaign during the Christmas period.
Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said of the campaign: “It is a scandal that each night thousands of children are having to fend for themselves on the streets without a loving home to go to.
“There are many reasons why children feel they can’t go home, they may have suffered from physical violence, intimidation or have serious emotional and mental health problems.
“Central government, local authorities and the charities who already do so much good work in this area must all redouble our efforts and work together to remove this moral stain on our society.”
The Nine Beds initiative follows the recent publication by Railway Children of a major investigation into the lives of the UK’s street children. The “Off the Radar” study involved researchers following the lives of more than a hundred children exposed to street life across the country, over a three year period.
To survive, street children are forced into situations involving drugs and sexual exploitation. The majority of children interviewed for the report did not seek help from support agencies as they believed their lives were normal.
Terina Keene, Chief Executive of Railway Children, said: “The nativity scene epitomizes the innocence of childhood and at the same time the threat of a life detached from the safety that most children in the UK take for granted.
“This campaign highlights the fact that this Christmas thousands of children in Britain are left to survive a life of violence and crime because our support services are failing to reach them.”
Thursday, 10 December 2009
RESIDENTS HAVE HAD THEIR SAY; DURING THE ‘BIG CONVERSATION’ ON THE DEVELOPMENT BRIEF FOR GUILDFORD STREET
Residents were to today given the chance to shape of a multi-million pound regeneration of an area of Grimsby’s East Marsh; a consultation event was held at the Grimsby Neighbourhood Centre as part of the Community Engagement Week.
Local residents were asked to express their views on three options which have now been put forward for the future of Guildford Street.
As reported, 100 homes will be demolished as part of the £7.9-million revamp of one of Grimsby’s most deprived areas.
The redevelopment of Guildford Street is part of a 10-year plan to regenerate the area.
Members of North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet have now supported a draft development plan for the council-owned site, listing the three options.
Councillor Geoff Lowis, portfolio holder for regeneration and strategic housing, said: “We want our residents to be involved throughout each stage of the Guildford Street development and we are pleased that they have been giving feedback on this latest phase.”
All three options for Guildford Street propose demolition of 100 homes to be replaced with between 70 to 80 new ones.
Option One: Maintains the existing alignment of the street and includes a pedestrian access from Castle Street and amenity areas.
Option Two: Would see four and a half blocks of houses divided by pedestrian zones.
Option Three: Is similar and provides space to expand the SureStart community facility on the western side of Guildford Street.
Councillor Steve Beasant. (East Marsh Ward) who attended the event, said: “It is great that we are moving forward with this project; early in the New Year things should really begin to develop. However, there is still a long way to go, but hopefully in a few years time this area will be radically transformed.”
Thursday, 3 December 2009
GUILDFORD STREET DEVELOPMENT BRIEF IS THE BEGINNING OF A FRESH START FOR THE EAST MARSH
A draft Development Brief has been prepared that considers the potential to redevelop the section of Guildford Street between Wellington Street and Cope Street. Following this consultation exercise, the Council intends to adopt the Brief as a Supplementary Planning Document that will form part of the North East Lincolnshire Local Development Framework. The Adopted Brief will then provide a basis for assessing future planning applications for the Guildford Street site. The Brief will not provide a prescriptive solution for the site’s redevelopment; it will set out a series of design principles which should be followed when more detailed proposals are being prepared.
This consultation invites comments on the content of the draft Brief. The preparation of the draft Brief has been informed by consultation, but the design principles and potential options have not been subject to public ocnsultation previously. This is your opportunity to shape the future development of the site by commenting on the draft Brief.
Consultation
Copies of the draft Brief are available for inspection at the following locations, during their normal opening hours:
- The Customer Access Reception, Civic Offices, Knoll Street, Cleethorpes
- The Customer Access Reception, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby
- Grant Thorold Library, Durban Road, Grimsby
- Renaissance Shop, 33 Victoria Street, Grimsby
The Council will be holding a drop-in event where you can come along and see the draft Brief
The event will take place at:
The Grimsby Neighbourhood Centre, Weelsby Street, Grimsby on Thursday 10th December 2009 from 12 Noon to 7pm
The draft Brief can also be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Guildford Street Draft Development Brief (5820KB PDF file) (You will need Adobe Acrobat Viewer to view this document; this can be downloaded from the Downloads page.) You can also comment on the document via the online Consultation Portal. To find out more about the Consultation Portal click on the following link: Getting Involved To go directly to the Consultation Portal click on the following link:
Comments can also be sent to:
Donna Riley, Project Manager, Fresh Start East Marsh, St James House, St James Square, Grimsby, DN31 1EP, or via email to donna.riley@nelincs.gov.uk
All comments should be received by the Council by 5pm on Monday 18th January 2010.
DON’T BE FOOLED BY AN OFFER THAT LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Residents are being warned of a home-working scam after a North East Lincolnshire woman received an offer of work which sounded too good to be true.
In a letter received through the post, Cleethorpes resident Anne Elvin was offered payment of £550 for filling just 500 envelopes with leaflets, or £480 for producing 60 pages of copy typing.
With such high rates for relatively little work, the offer seemed an attractive one – but Mrs Elvin became suspicious when she read she was required to pay the company an up-front fee of £30 to register. Consequently she reported the matter to local Trading Standards officers.
Mrs Elvin said: “I’ve heard about things like this before, things which promise high returns for work at home.
“You have to send £30 for the initial stationary, and that’s what they do.
“I looked this company up on the internet, and it appears that there are quite a few people who had sent in the money and received nothing in return.
“In these times of the recession when people are desperate for money, people need to be aware of the risks. There must be lots of people who can’t afford that £30.”
The company offering such services has appeared in the national press alongside numerous complaints from people who had paid their registration fee and received no work or payment afterwards.
Councillor Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for safer communities and public protection, said: “Mrs Elvin was right to be cautious about this work offer.
“This firm demanded money in exchange of a promise of work, and as it turns out there have been complaints about them across the country.
“It is important that people like Mrs Elvin contact us about such scams; this allows us to make other people aware.”
Andy Foster, trading standards manager at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “If you are approached by someone offering a lucrative income – but only after you pay them an up-front fee – you should be very cautious.
“Companies quite simply don’t make money by paying over the odds for basic services such as copy typing, and it is easy to see how some scams really make their money – by duping innocent people who are simply looking for an honest income.
“Anyone who is suspicious of an offer of work such as this should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.”
In a letter received through the post, Cleethorpes resident Anne Elvin was offered payment of £550 for filling just 500 envelopes with leaflets, or £480 for producing 60 pages of copy typing.
With such high rates for relatively little work, the offer seemed an attractive one – but Mrs Elvin became suspicious when she read she was required to pay the company an up-front fee of £30 to register. Consequently she reported the matter to local Trading Standards officers.
Mrs Elvin said: “I’ve heard about things like this before, things which promise high returns for work at home.
“You have to send £30 for the initial stationary, and that’s what they do.
“I looked this company up on the internet, and it appears that there are quite a few people who had sent in the money and received nothing in return.
“In these times of the recession when people are desperate for money, people need to be aware of the risks. There must be lots of people who can’t afford that £30.”
The company offering such services has appeared in the national press alongside numerous complaints from people who had paid their registration fee and received no work or payment afterwards.
Councillor Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for safer communities and public protection, said: “Mrs Elvin was right to be cautious about this work offer.
“This firm demanded money in exchange of a promise of work, and as it turns out there have been complaints about them across the country.
“It is important that people like Mrs Elvin contact us about such scams; this allows us to make other people aware.”
Andy Foster, trading standards manager at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “If you are approached by someone offering a lucrative income – but only after you pay them an up-front fee – you should be very cautious.
“Companies quite simply don’t make money by paying over the odds for basic services such as copy typing, and it is easy to see how some scams really make their money – by duping innocent people who are simply looking for an honest income.
“Anyone who is suspicious of an offer of work such as this should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.”
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