News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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29/01/2008 - Formal recognition for wartime women who worked on the land.

The Government will recognise the efforts of thousands of women who worked on the Home Front to provide food and timber during World War II it has been announced.

The Government will acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps by presenting their surviving members with a specially designed badge commemorating their service and acknowledging the debt that the country owes to them.

The Women's Land Army, colloquially known as the Land Girls, worked on farms to feed the nation, as the male workers went to war. At its peak in 1943 there were some 80,000 women working on the land, and it was continued after the war, finally being disbanded in 1950.

With their uniform of green ties and jumpers and brown felt slouch hats, they worked from dawn to dusk each day, milking cows, digging ditches, sowing seeds and harvesting crops. They supplied the nation with food, supporting the war effort and avoiding food shortages.

The Women's Timber Corps, also known as the 'Lumber Jills' worked tirelessly in the forests to provide timber for the war effort felling trees, sawing timber and sharpening saws.

Andy Burnham MP is calling on local Land Girls to contact his office in order for their efforts to be recognised by the award of the badge. A simple application form will be available in the early part of this year.

Andy said, "The Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps made a vital contribution to this country during the second world war. Supplying the nation with food and timber during the dark days of war was no easy task. These women worked tirelessly for the benefit of their nation. Their selfless service to the country deserves the recognition that this badge will represent."

“For further details and to register your interest please contact my office on 01942 248958.”

Applicants will be asked to supply evidence of their eligibility by submitting a simple application form. Badges will be awarded to surviving members as of 6 December 2007. Badges will not be made available to descendants of deceased members, except any who die after the 6 December 2007.

28/01/2008 - Andy welcomes funding for a national cycling revolution

Today Andy Burnham MP called on the local council to bid for a slice of the record £140million funding the Government is investing in cycling.

Andy said, "The government is working with local authorities, schools and parents to make a real difference to the way people travel, encourage healthier lifestyles and develop more sustainable communities."

"In the Leigh area we can help a generation rediscover their bikes and give children the skills they need to cycle safely and responsibly on our roads."

"Cycling provides an excellent means of exercise and also helps tackle road congestion and pollution."

"Authorities across the North West can now apply to become new Cycle Demonstration Towns and receive money to encourage people onto their bikes and offer local children the chance to be trained to cycle safely."

"I welcome the Government's massive increase in funding for cycling and, working with Cycle England, the commitment to encouraging more people onto their bikes, even more safe links for children to cycle to school and the creation of cycle parking spaces."

The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, announced the increased funding package on 21 January 2008.

The document A Sustainable Future for Cycling can be found at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cyclingfuture.pdf

10/01/2008 - A call for 'Heroes in the Community' to claim their Bevin Boys Badge

Andy Burnham is calling for the 'Heroes in our Community', who may be eligible, to come forward to claim the unique Bevin Boys badge. The badge is available to all surviving Bevin Boys and formally recognises the sacrifices made in the UK coalfields during and immediately after World War Two.

The Bevin Boys scheme was introduced in 1943 by then Minister for Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, in response to an increasing shortage of labour in the coal mining industry.

The scheme ran between 1943 and 1948 and involved recruiting men aged between 18 and 25 years to work in coal mines rather than serve in the armed forces. Some 48,000 men were either selected or volunteered under the scheme. Famous Bevin Boys included Sir Jimmy Savile, Lord Brian Rix and the late Eric Morecambe.

Of the 48,000 Bevin Boys some 43% were conscripted directly into the mines and are known more generally as "ballotees". The remaining 57% were those who opted for mine work in preference to joining the Armed Forces or those who were in the Armed Forces and volunteered to become miners. Only those who fall into these categories will be eligible for the Badge.

Andy said, "I am calling on all surviving Bevin Boys in the borough to come forward to claim this unique veterans badge as a tribute to their sacrifices during and after the Second World War. These heroes in our community helped to keep the coal fields running during the war and in the post-war reconstruction of Britain."

"It is with honour and gratitude that we recognise their tremendous work with the award of this special badge. It is important that we never forget the sacrifices that were made both at home and abroad during the war. If you are a Bevin Boy, or you know someone who is, please come forward to claim this fitting tribute by calling my office on 01942 248958."

All Bevin Boys, be they ballottees, optants or volunteers, are eligible to apply. Applications will also be accepted from widows of Bevin Boys who passed away on or after the 20 June 2007, the date when the announcement of the badge was made. This is provided a copy of the marriage and death certificate are attached to the application form.

The first badges will be issued in March next year, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the demobbing of the last Bevin Boy.