News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

Total records: 135  prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 next

28/07/2009 - MORE YOUNG PEOPLE IN LEIGH STAYING ON IN EDUCATION OR TRAINING

Record numbers of young people in Leigh are staying on in full-time education at 16, according to new figures highlighted by Andy Burnham MP.

81% of 16 and 17 year olds in the Leigh area are in full-time education compared to 74% in 1998.

The figures are likely to rise this year with the Labour Government guaranteeing every 16 and 17 year old in the Leigh area who wants to stay in learning a place in school, college, training or apprenticeship.

Andy Burnham MP said, "This is great news for Leigh and I want to see the number of young people in our area staying on in education, training or an apprenticeship rising even further in the years to come.

“Every young person should have the opportunity to get a good qualification and the skills they need to succeed whether their strengths are practical, academic or both. Some young people want to go straight into a working environment, which is why we’re expanding the number of apprenticeship and training places. Others prefer to study more academic qualifications such as A Levels whilst some will prefer the new Diplomas, which mix practical and theoretical learning in subjects like Engineering, manufacturing and IT.

“The current recession means it’s a more difficult time for young people to find work, but the government has introduced a new ‘September Guarantee’ for school leavers. Every 16 and 17 year old will have a place in school, college, training or an apprenticeship guaranteed and paid for by the government this September and next September."

24/07/2009 - New music store says, ‘Take it Away’

Andy Burnham MP today visited a Leigh success story - Heybook Music Store on Charles Street and discovered that the store is helping budding musicians purchase instruments thanks to an Arts Council England’s initiative.

‘Take it away’ encourages more people to get involved in learning and playing music.

Designed to make musical instruments more easily affordable for families and those on lower incomes, the scheme allows individuals to apply for a loan of up to £2,000 for the purchase of any kind of musical instrument, and pay it back in nine monthly instalments, completely interest free.

The scheme is run by the Arts Council's trading subsidiary company, ArtCo Trading Ltd, in conjunction with The Musical Instrument Finance Company (MIFCO) who are the credit provider.

Leigh based Heybrook Music, on Charles Street is promoting the scheme to help budding musicians purchase instruments using the affordable payment schedule offered ‘Take it away’.

Take it away is open to everyone (over the age of 18), but is primarily designed to help those who might otherwise be unable to afford an instrument appropriate for their needs.

The priorities are:

• to encourage children and young people to develop their interests and skills in music making
• to inspire new players of all ages to begin learning an instrument
• to enable those on lower incomes to acquire an instrument appropriate to their needs (or the needs of their children)
• to provide finance for professional musicians

Grahame Hill of Heybrook Music said, “We are pleased that we met the Arts Councils strict guidelines to be a member of this scheme. They ‘mystery shopped’ us to make sure we offered such things as tuition, repairs, new and used instruments and that we had a high level of expertise in our chosen field. So far we have been able to offer instruments to musicians, students and other people who normally struggle to get credit; which is exactly what the scheme was set up to do.”

Andy Burnham MP said, “’Take it away’ is open to everyone, but I am particularly keen to support young and aspiring music makers to develop their interests and talents and realise their ambitions in the music industry."

“Heybrook Music is to be congratulated and I am delighted to learn that as a new business here in Leigh they are doing well and I know that the dedication of Grahame and his staff will inspire more young people to pick up an instrument and get involved.”

Heybrook Music is situated at 8 Charles Street (off Bradshawgate) and they can be contacted on 01942 607148

More details of the scheme can be found on the web at; http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/takeitaway/index.php

21/07/2009 - ANDY BURNHAM MP URGES MINERS TO CLAIM UNDER NEW SCHEME

Andy Burnham MP today welcomed an announcement that from this week thousands of coal miners suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, sometimes referred to as “miners’ knee”, will be able claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).

Andy Burnham MP joined Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in urging claimants to go directly to Jobcentre Plus for help with their claims and to avoid paying for solicitors.

Andy Burnham MP said, “This is a very welcome step – I want to make sure that everyone eligible in the Leigh area knows how to claim and receives the money that they are entitled to.”

“It is only right that this help should be available to coal miners who have worked hard all their lives and are now suffering from this painful condition.

“It is also vital people understand they can claim direct through Jobcentre Plus and do not need to pay for the services of solicitors. This will ensure they get all the money they are entitled to.”

If anyone feels they may be eligible to make a claim and needs further advice, they can ring 0845 603 1358.