Stephen Metcalfe MP joins the Big Collection for Diabetes UK

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently joined Diabetes UK in the local Tesco store in Pitsea for their annual Big Collection week.

The Tesco Big Collection took place from 13-15 June in 300 Tesco stores across the UK and aimed to raise some £300,000 for the charity.

Diabetes UK work hard throughout the year to support people in the UK suffering with diabetes. As well providing someone for people to talk to, they hold training and awareness events, support groups and opportunities for children, young people and their families to meet other families living with the problem.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “It was fantastic to be able to support Diabetes UK in their Big Collection. Their work is invaluable and through meeting constituents with diabetes I have seen first-hand the positive impact they have.”

“I would like to thank the volunteers who were out collecting in Pitsea over the weekend and also thank all those who gave to the cause whilst out doing their shopping. Your generosity will make a real difference.” 

The local Diabetes UK support group meet at Basildon Hospital Education Centre at 7:30pm each second Tuesday of the month. For further information about the charity, please visit: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/

Stephen Metcalfe MP: Join our army of local lifesaving superheroes

Stephen Metcalfe MP has joined the Cancer charity, Anthony Nolan, to search for more local heroes in South Basildon and East Thurrock to join their bone marrow register in the fight against blood cancer.

The charity has revealed today that, in South Basildon and East Thurrock there are more than 574 selfless people willing to donate their stem cells, or bone marrow, to save the life of a stranger. More than 525,000 people are currently on the Anthony Nolan register and the average per constituency is 796.

Anthony Nolan, now in its 40^th anniversary year, was the world’s first bone marrow register. The blood cancer charity has been saving lives for four decades by matching remarkable people willing to donate their bone marrow to patients in desperate need of a transplant.

Two thirds of UK patients will not find a matching donor from within their families; instead they turn to Anthony Nolan to find them an unrelated donor. But the charity can currently only find a match for around half of those who to come to them in desperate need, and they still urgently need more people to come forward.

Local MP, Stephen Metcalfe, has joined the fight against blood cancer by sharing their support and championing the the register in their community.

Commenting, Mr Metcalfe said: “I have 574 heroes on the register here in South Basildon and East Thurrock but the challenge continues. I’m hunting for more crusaders to sign up today, so we can fight blood cancer together. It is something truly heroic to give a stranger a second chance at life. This is why I’m proud to champion this cause to my constituents.”

Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, says: “We are delighted that Mr Metcalfe has been inspired to encourage others to sign up as donors. Donating is an incredibly selfless thing to do and will give someone with blood cancer their best chance at survival. What many people don’t realise is that it is also surprisingly simple.”

To join the Anthony Nolan register you must be 16-30 and in good health. It involves filling out a simple online form and spitting into a tube. 

The charity needs heroes of all ages to champion the register at a local level and help us spread the word – from schools, communities and workplaces to your own friends and family. To find out how you can be a hero visit to www.anthonynolan.org/superhero

Stephen Metcalfe MP: Unemployment continues to fall in South Basildon and East Thurrock

Local MP Stephen Metcalfe has welcomed the news that unemployment has fallen again in South Basildon and East Thurrock.

There are now 869 fewer people in the local area claiming job seeker benefits than in May 2013. Since April 2014 alone, the figure has fallen by 137.

These local figures come in the wake of today’s announcement that 2 million private sector jobs have now been created since this Conservative government came into power in 2010.

The local MP commented: “Unemployment has consistently been falling in South Basildon and East Thurrock and this can only be good news for households in the local area. It means greater security for workers and is testament to the fact that business in Basildon and Thurrock is thriving and the area is reaping the benefits from our economic recovery.”  

“I want to see this momentum continue and have every confidence that if we stick to the Government’s long term economic plan we will continue to see fewer people out of work and more people with well-earned money in their pockets.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP litter picks for Love Where You Live Campaign

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently joined volunteers in Basildon to help them collect litter for Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign.

The campaign is running the length and breadth of the country throughout June and aims to clean up local public areas, tackle problems such as dog mess, and bring the community together behind a common cause.

Around 40 Volunteers joined forces for the litter pick in and around Basildon which was sponsored by McDonalds.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “Keep Britain Tidy is a fantastic charity making a real difference to communities throughout the UK. They understand that cleaner streets and community spaces make such a difference to the feel of a local area, and are the backbone of strong communities. Basildon is certainly not an exception to this.”

“Basildon is a fantastic place and I was delighted to see local people coming together and taking a real pride in where they live. I hope that all local residents will get behind the campaign and help to keep Basildon tidy not just in June, but on an ongoing basis.”

To see how you can get involved, or to organise a cleanup in your local park, community area, or other green space, have a look at the Love Where You Live website: http://www.lovewhereyoulive.org 

Mr Metcalfe added: “I would like to thank all of the volunteers who took part in the clean up and McDonalds for partnering the event. I hope there will be many more in the future!”

Stephen Metcalfe MP thanks staff for bringing Basildon Hospital out of special measures

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has said he is delighted that Basildon Hospital has been brought out of special measures and has thanked all staff who have worked so hard to bring the improvements.

It was announced today that the Hospital received a ‘Good’ rating after its latest inspection, bypassing the ‘Satisfactory’ rating in doing so.

Basildon Hospital was one of 14 Trusts places into special measures following a public inquiry into the Stafford Hospital scandal. The latest inspection shows just how far the hospital has come thanks to the hard work of staff, a new management team, and the oversight of the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt who has visited the hospital.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “This really is fantastic news for the staff and patients at Basildon Hospital. I have been working closely with the new management team and it is brilliant to see that the hard work and dedication of all staff has paid off.” 

“Together with the Government we have tackled the problems head on and as a result there are now more nurses on the wards, death rates are down, and there are more beds thanks to the opening of a new ward. I would like to congratulate all who have worked so hard to turn things around and I have no doubt that the Hospital will continue to head in the right direction.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP: Cheques are on their way to Visteon Pensioners

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has today received news from Ford that the Visteon pensioners should receive their pension settlements by the end of the month.

Almost every eligible pensioner has agreed to the terms of the deal which were agreed last month after Ford entered into binding and constructive talks with Unite on behalf the Visteon Pension Action Group to settle the claim.

Joined by colleagues from across the House, Mr Metcalfe tirelessly campaigned for Ford to honour their moral responsibilities to their former employees who suffered pension losses of up to 50% when Visteon UK collapsed in 2009 after being was spun off from Ford in 2000.

The All Party Parliamentary Group in support of Visteon pensioners, chaired by Mr Metcalfe, have held debates in the House of Commons on the matter, made representations to the Government, attended demonstrations, and have supported the Visteon Pension Action Group (VPAG) in the fight for their pensions.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “I am delighted to hear the Visteon pensioners will be receiving payments so soon after Ford agreed to settle the claim. This will be the end of a long fought campaign and I know that every pensioner involved in this campaign will be extremely pleased with the outcome.” 

“I would like to once again thank Ford for honouring their responsibilities. By righting this wrong, they have restored their proud reputation for looking after their workers and I look forward to working with them in the future as they continue to make an invaluable contribution to the national economy, and our local economy in Basildon.” 

Stephen Metcalfe MP comes together with local artist for exhibition opening

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, paid a visit to the Eastgate Shopping Centre yesterday for the opening of an art exhibition featuring the work of local artist Sue Barnfield.

The exhibition, ‘come together’, is named after the Beatles song and is particularly pertinent for the local artist having seen her life ‘come together’ through her art. Ms Barnfield has produced an almost entirely new body of work for the exhibition, bringing landscapes, portraits and more abstract pieces together under one roof.

As well as being a prolific painter, Sue also teaches at Lincewood Primary Schools in Langdon Hills, passing on her extensive knowledge and skills to the next generation of artists.

The local MP has always been supportive of the visual arts in South Basildon and East Thurrock and said he was delighted to have been invited to the opening of the unique exhibition.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “It was fantastic to be at the opening of this exhibition. It is a great use of the space in the shopping centre and gives the general public the chance to see some brilliant artwork by one of our very own local artists.” 

“I was incredibly impressed by the standard of the work and would like to congratulate Sue on creating such a diverse and imaginative exhibition. There really is something for everyone and I would encourage everyone in South Basildon and East Thurrock to come and take a look!”