News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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23/03/2009 - Andy Backs Midnight League

Leigh MP Andy Burnham has thrown his support behind a scheme designed to give young people something constructive to do on a Friday night.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport laced up his boots on Friday and took his spot as striker in a special police team as part of a football competition designed to offer a diversionary activity for young people in Wigan and Leigh.

More than 250 teenagers have been taking part in regular Friday night sessions of the borough’s Game On Midnight Leagues since they began in January.

Introduced for the first time last year the competition, which culminates in April, provides an opportunity for 12 to 16-year-olds to play five-a-side football every Friday night at either Robin Park Arena, Wigan or Lowton Community Sports College.

Although the MP and the police team failed to score in their four games against teams from Shakerley, Lowton and Westleigh they were left in no doubt about the value of the scheme.

Andy said, “Schemes like this are fantastic in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour. Even if they’re not playing, young people are coming along to support and watch their friends so they are all together in a safe controlled environment.”

“I feel that anti-social behaviour peaked about four to five years ago. We have been slowly bringing it down ever since. There are still going to be little hotspots but we are understanding more and more.

“Back then we didn’t have the tools to do the job but now a mixture of fixed penalties, ASBOs and more activities like this one have to be the answer.”

Although the games are actually played between 8pm and 9.30pm the programme derives its name from Midnight Basketball – an American initiative introduced to curb inner-city crime by giving youngsters an opportunity to become involved in constructive pursuits.

Organiser Craig Anthony from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Sports Development Unit said, “This is only the second year we’ve run this competition but we have more than 250 people registered with 200 young people turning up regularly. We think it’s making a real difference getting children off the streets of Wigan and Leigh and into a constructive, safe environment.”

Funded by The Coalfields Regeneration Trust and The Football Foundation, Game On works in former mining communities across the North West, East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East to provide football opportunities where there is a general lack of activity.

Whilst aiming to increase the amount of young people playing football in coalfield communities, Game On also aims to use the power of football to develop young people’s awareness of key social issues which affect them and their communities, such as anti-social behaviour, respect and health and well-being.

And the scheme has certainly been well received from the police’s point of view.

PC David Holt of the Leigh Neighbourhood Policing Team said, "It’s been fantastic. They’ve all come over and had a chat and made us feel welcome."

“We are building roads for the future and the number of young people here tonight shows they’d much rather be doing something worthwhile than hanging around on street corners.”

17/03/2009 - Preserving standards will be cornerstone of UK media services

Culture Secretary and Leigh MP Andy Burnham announced today how he intends to proceed on some key broadcasting policies set out under the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive.

The Government has called for the video-on-demand industry to work together to help form a co-regulatory body that will maintain standards of content. The Government also intends to maintain the current rules preventing product placement in programmes made for British television. The plans put forward today are part of the UK’s obligation to implement the EU Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive, and follow a three month consultation.

Andy Burnham said, “My priority has always been to make sure we maintain levels of trust between audiences and broadcasters, and protect the standards of broadcasting for which Britain is known worldwide."

“I have listened carefully to the arguments on both sides around product placement, and concluded that it should not be permitted in programmes made for this country. There is a lack of evidence of economic benefits, along with very serious concerns about blurring the boundaries between advertising and editorial."

“Britain is known around the world for the high quality of its broadcasting output. We need to continue to preserve editorial integrity as technology advances."

“I am well aware that a number of commercial broadcasters are facing difficult economic times and I will continue to work with the industry to explore ways we can support them, but my preference is to consider all other avenues before allowing product placement.”

Under the Directive the UK and other member states have until December this year to implement the compulsory elements which are expected to lead to new legislation. The three areas in which work now has to go forward are:

1.Introducing a system for regulating video-on-demand services in the UK;
2.Controls over the content of non-EU satellite channels which are uplinked from a ground station in the UK; and
3.Product placement in television and video-on-demand services.

For the first time common standards are being brought in for video-on-demand services across the EU. A co-regulatory body led and funded by the industry will take on responsibility for regulating programme content on video-on-demand services in the UK. Under the new rules, all UK providers of VOD services will need to notify the co-regulator that they are providing a service and Ofcom will be given ‘backstop’ powers to deal with serious or repeated breaches of standards.

Satellite television channels from outside the EU which are uplinked from the UK will be required to have a broadcasting licence issued by Ofcom. Providers of uplink services will be required to stop uplinking a channel if they are informed by Ofcom the channel does not have a licence, or that it is in breach of its licence conditions.

Product placement is currently banned on any UK made programmes. Under the AVMS Directive all EU member states must prohibit product placement but can decide to allow certain exemptions. Today the Government has announced that the current position will remain unchanged. Product placement will continue to be banned in programmes made by and for UK television broadcasters. It will continue to be allowed in video-on-demand programmes, and in films and television programmes acquired from outside the UK, subject to the limitations and safeguards imposed by the Directive.

The Government has said it will review the position on television product placement in 2011/12, taking into account the conclusions reached by Ofcom on the quantity and the distribution of television advertising, changes in viewing habits and any new evidence about the impact and potential benefits of product placement.

The Government will continue to work with all those involved to establish the new arrangements.

16/03/2009 - Real help for new mums in Leigh

£190 cash boost for every new mum

From April 2009, mums will get tax-free payment from the Government to help if you're a mum-to-be who's at least 25 weeks pregnant. The payment is called 'Health in Pregnancy Grant'.

Andy Burnham MP is today urging mums-to-be in the Leigh area to claim their £190.

Andy said, "Having a baby is an exciting time for mums and their families. Whether it's your first time or you're having another child there is loads of planning to do and things to get sorted. And from getting a pushchair to stocking up on nappies, there are bills to pay."

“To get the grant you'll need to get a claim form from your midwife or doctor. Make sure your midwife or doctor fills in their part of the form and signs it before giving it back to you. You will then need to send your form back within 31 days of your midwife or doctor signing the form.”

1. Who can get Health in Pregnancy Grant?

You can get the grant if all of the following apply:

• you are 25 weeks pregnant or more your expected date of delivery is on or after 6 April 2009 you have been given health advice from a midwife or doctor

• you may not get the grant if you are subject to immigration control or you are not present, ordinarily resident or have a right to reside in the UK

2. How much do you get?

The grant will be a one-off payment of £190 for each pregnancy. It will not affect your tax credits or any other benefits. Everyone will get the same amount – you will not be asked about your income.

3.You can get a free text message or email reminder to help you remember to claim if you are not 25 weeks pregnant yet. This can be accessed at the following link;

www.campaigns.direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be/alerts.jsp