News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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07/07/2009 - Leigh based cable manufacturer wins top quality accolade

A Leigh cable manufacturer has achieved one of the UK’s top quality accreditations. Brand-Rex Speciality Cabling Solutions is one of only four organisations in the North to achieve the Continuity Marque of Excellence, which recognises businesses that attain very high standards in all areas of their operation.

The award was presented by Leigh MP Andy Burnham. It is the culmination of an eight-year programme of continuous improvement by the company, which employs around 110 people at its premises in West Bridgewater Street, Leigh and is a leading manufacturer of high performance electrical cables for the aerospace, automotive, rail and industrial sectors.

The Marques of Excellence scheme was launched two years ago by North of England Excellence and consists of three levels, of which the Continuity Marque is the highest.

Brand-Rex also won the Groundwork Award for Corporate Social Responsibility in the 2008 North of England Excellence Awards. Brand-Rex's Leigh Site holds accreditation for both the ISO TS 16949 Automotive and AS9100 Aerospace Quality Management System standards.

Brand-Rex quality manager John Bachegalup said, “Since most of our clients are in industries where safety is critical, quality standards are very important to Brand-Rex and give added assurance that our products and processes are of the highest of standards."

"The Marques of Excellence scheme has provided Brand-Rex with a vehicle that has driven continuous improvement within our business and helped us to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase market share.”

Andy Burnham MP said, “I am very pleased to acknowledge the high standards that Brand-Rex has demonstrated in achieving the Continuity Marque of Excellence. In today’s challenging economic climate no business can afford to stand still and Brand-Rex’s commitment to continuous improvement is to be applauded.”

Dave Rusk of the awarding body North of England Excellence said, “Brand-Rex has carved out a very strong niche within the cable industry. It has been very persistent in its pursuit of improvements and its efforts have helped it to achieve phenomenal growth even in the face of a recession."

“Some companies shy away from improvement programmes during a downturn but it’s precisely at times like this when these initiatives are most needed.”

Companies who seek accreditation to the Marques of Excellence scheme are assessed using the scoring system in the internationally recognised EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) Excellence Model.

North of England Excellence

North of England Excellence is a not for profit, member-based organisation which aims to encourage organisations in the North to aspire to world-class standards. It helps organisations to add value and improve their bottom line by adopting the principles underpinning the renowned EFQM Excellence Model, recognised as the most powerful business management tool in Europe. It offers seminars, training and other support and runs the annual North of England Business Excellence Awards. It also acts as an accreditation body for the Marques of Excellence standard and Investors in Excellence. For further information see www.northofenglandexcellence.co.uk.

06/07/2009 - Fighting climate change in Leigh

Andy Burnham MP calls for Britain to lead the way at UN climate change summit

On 26 June the Labour Government published “The Road to Copenhagen”, Britain’s pitch for what the deal should include at UN climate change summit in Copenhagen in December. This makes clear that, Britain will be on the side arguing for action.

Andy Burnham MP said, “This is make or break time for our climate and our future. With less than six months to go before crunch negotiations in Copenhagen, it’s clear that there is no ‘plan B’."

"Climate change is something we all need to be concerned with. People across the Leigh area have got in touch with me on this issue. Worried about what kind of planet we are going to leave for the next generation."

"But if we do act, instead of these changes and what they mean for our homes and countryside, we could have a more stable climate and new jobs in Britain. Instead of it being treated like a government secret, the Road to Copenhagen document will be sent to schools, libraries, citizens advice centres and other places across Leigh.”

For further information visit www.ActOnCopenhagen.gov.uk

30/06/2009 - Building Leigh’s future

The Government has published a plan for Building Britain’s Future. It is a radical vision for a fairer, stronger and more prosperous society. Public service entitlements will for the first time be guaranteed to parents, patients and communities. New measures will also drive economic growth and create jobs.

Andy Burnham MP said, "People in Leigh want to know what the plan is for the Britain that lies ahead."

"We need to think of ways to involve communities in the fight against crime, further improve patient and parent power, fight unemployment and get our economy best placed for the new industries that are round the corner."

"What I particularly support is guaranteeing what parents, patients and communities should get from their public services. This is about giving people more power and choice."

"Today's plan sets out the way forward."

As a first step, the Government is making a number of commitments to the British people.

Every young person who has been out of work for a year will have to take a job, training or work experience place.

Patients will get enforceable entitlements to the highest standards of health care.

Parents will be guaranteed an education individually tailored to their child, including a personal tutor for every pupil and 1-1 tuition for all those who need it.

Local people will be given more power to keep their neighbourhoods safe, including the right to hold the police to account at monthly beat meetings, to have a say on CCTV and a vote on how offenders pay back the community.

An extra £1.5bn will be invested in 20,000 affordable homes over the next two years – This housing investment package will also create an estimated 45,000 additional jobs in the construction and related industries.

A new, more active industrial policy to drive growth and create the high value jobs of the future with investment in low carbon technologies, digital, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

In the coming months the Government will build on this plan by setting out more details in key areas, including: transport, infrastructure, financial services, social care, climate change and energy, life sciences and constitutional reform.