Stephen Metcalfe MP encourages constituents to be ‘ElectricSafe’

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently attended a parliamentary drop-in session to show support for improving electrical safety in the home by raising awareness of the importance and benefits of using a competent, registered electrician to householders via ElectricSafe.

The importance of ensuring home electrics are safe should not be underestimated.  Around 3,340 people were admitted to hospital following an electric shock in the UK during 2010/11 and in 2011/12 there were 3,822 domestic electrical fires in Great Britain, resulting in 14 deaths. 

Mr Metcalfe commented: “Electrical safety in the home is an important and life threatening issue as shown by the above statistics. It’s important that the general public are aware of the simple steps they can take to reduce potential electrical risks in their home. The most important of these, and a precaution we can all take, is to hire a competent, registered electrician when requiring electrical work to be done in the home.”

“I fully support the efforts of organisations like ElectricSafe that exist to raise awareness and make it easy for the general public to find a competent, registered electrician in their local area. I would strongly encourage the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock to make use of their services.”

ElectricSafe is a single, recognisable, consumer facing register of competent, electricians from across England and Wales. All ElectricSafe electricians are regularly assessed to demonstrate their ongoing competence; they are required to meet strict qualification requirements, work to a high standard and operate a fair and efficient process for dealing with complaints.

The ElectricSafe register is free to join for all full scope electricians who are registered on a DCLG authorised electrical Competent Persons Scheme. It is designed to make finding, identifying and checking competent electricians locally easier than ever before. It strives to eliminate unnecessary jargon and complexity, bringing a simple message of electrical safety in the home to every household in England and Wales. 

For more information, visit www.electricsaferegister.co.uk. 

Stephen Metcalfe MP leads the Tree of Life Service at St Luke’s Hospice

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined the founder and patron of St Luke’s Hospice, Trudy Westmoore-Cox, in leading St Luke’s annual Tree of Life Service.

The service, now in its 17^th year, forms part of Help the Hospice’s ‘Light Up A Life’ campaign which aims to provide members of the public with an opportunity to dedicate a light in memory of a loved one.

Mayor Mo Larkin conducted the countdown to the switch-on of the Tree of Life which was followed by carols from local school choirs. The Thurrock Spectrum Brass Band provided the prelude to the event.

For many hospices, including St Luke’s, the Light Up A Life service is one the best loved and most meaningful events in the calendar.

The local MP commented: “I was delighted to play a small role in this extremely moving and beautiful service. It provided a moment of reflection amidst Christmas preparations for people to remember those who are no longer with us. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the fantastic work of St Luke’s which in itself has become a light in the community.”

“I would like to thank all those who took part in the event, particularly the local schools choirs who sang beautifully.”

St. Luke's Shops will display new dedication lists on the 15th November, 29th November, 13th December and 23rd December. Each list is subsequently updated. All dedications should be received no later than Friday 13th December to ensure the final list on December 23rd is correct. 

To make your dedication simply go to the Tribute and Legacy page under the Light Up A Life heading on St Luke’s website where you will be able to make a donation ensure that your loved one(s) will be remembered on the Light Up A Life tribute lists when they are produced:  www.stlukeshospice.com  

Stephen Metcalfe MP backs campaign to get children learning about money

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has called for local schools to get their pupils talking and learning about money, as part of a charity’s new campaign to help improve the financial capability of young people.

Every primary and secondary school in South Basildon and East Thurrock has been sent free Get Money Smart posters and teaching materials by national charity PFEG (Personal Finance Education Group), which wants to get children talking about money in the classroom.

The charity’s Get Money Smart posters are designed to encourage classroom discussions about things children can do to learn more about money and personal finance.  Ideas for different ages include checking your change, estimating the cost of a weekly shop, comparing mobile phone tariffs and planning and budgeting for a trip.

Schools in South Basildon and East Thurrock are being encouraged to hold discussions with their pupils over 4 things the posters suggest they can do to learn about money – with the 5th being left up to each class to decide.  Ideas for the 5th activity can then be shared with other classes across the country on Twitter using the #5thingstodo hashtag.

Stephen Metcalfe MP has thrown his weight behind the effort as a way of helping young people in the local area to gain the vital skills and knowledge they will need to manage their personal finances throughout their lives.  The move follows news that financial education will be taught in secondary schools as part of the National Curriculum from September 2014.

Stephen Metcalfe MP said: “This is a great resource that will help young people in South Basildon and East Thurrock take responsibility for their finances and think sensibly about money. It will also feed nicely into the new curriculum changes. I would encourage the schools to make the most of this opportunity.” 

Tracey Bleakley, chief executive of pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group), said: “We are thrilled to have the support of Stephen Metcalfe MP for this free new scheme for primary and secondary schools in South Basildon and East Thurrock.  I hope all local schools will seize the opportunity to use their Get Money Smart posters to bring money to life in the classroom.  This is a crucial topic that every young person should learn.  Getting pupils talking about money and the financial decisions they will face in the future is a great way to start.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP meets UK Space Camp Ambassadors

Last weekend Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, met with Basildon based, Space Camp Ambassadors to the UK, Ken and Jane Lewis from Gifted Tours, to discuss how the American Camp can be promoted in the local area.

Mr Metcalfe first encountered Space Camp on a Parliamentary visit to Alabama, where to his surprise he learned that the UK Ambassadors live in Basildon. The camp, based in Huntsville, also has links with local engineering firm Selex ES.

Founded in 1982 Space Camp promotes the study of STEM subjects through an exciting combination of hands-on activities and classroom instruction. Pupils from over 40 countries have participated in the camps which include a Space Academy and a Robotics Camp.

St Clere’s school in Thurrock have been sending young delegates for the last 12 years and Mr Metcalfe is keen to explore how this can be expanded further in South Basildon and East Thurrock.

He commented: “Space Camp is a fantastic facility that can’t fail in inspiring young people about the exciting possibilities of STEM subjects. I was delighted to learn that Ken and Jane lived in my constituency and I look forward to working with them to see how we can develop our involvement with the Camp in the future.”

“I have done a great deal of work promoting STEM subjects in local schools and this might present an exciting and innovative opportunity to inspire the much needed next generation of local engineers, mathematicians, and scientists.” 

For more information on Space Camp please see http://www.spacecamp.com/

Stephen Metcalfe MP supports fundraising efforts at Bulphan Church Christmas Bazaar

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock together with local Councillor Sue Little, entered the Christmas spirit once more this week at Bulphan Church’s Christmas Bazaar.

The annual Bazaar proved to be a great success with a good turnout. There was a lot on offer with refreshments to enjoy, tombola’s, cake stalls, crafts and card stalls with all proceeds providing vital funds for the church.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “I was delighted to join the community at Bulphan Church Christmas Bazaar. There is a fantastic community spirit in the local area and it was encapsulated here. I hope everyone there enjoyed the festivities as much as I did!”

“I would like to thank all those who had a part to play in bringing Christmas to the Bulphan and I hope that invaluable funds were raised to support the ongoing activities of the church.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP calls on all drivers to have regular eye tests

On 20 November Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined RSA Insurance Group in Parliament to support their ‘Fit to Drive’ road safety and eye health drop-in event.

Along with road safety charity ‘Brake’ and the Optical Confederation, the event saw MPs from all political parties tested to see whether they meet the UK’s minimum eye health standards.

Research shows that poor vision results in nearly 3,000 casualties in the UK each year. In addition to injury and loss of life, road crashes are costly for individuals, their families and the wider economy. The total cost of crashes due to poor driver vision is estimated to be £33m a year.

RSA and the Optical Confederation have published a new report, Healthy Eyes, Safer Roads, which shows how regular eye testing can keep all road users safer and sets out recommendations for policymakers to ensure more tests take place. Drivers who fall below the minimum standards are 15 per cent more likely to crash their vehicle – although in many cases they are unaware of their poor or deteriorating eye health.

During the event Stephen Metcalfe MP found out more about how this issue affects South Basildon and East Thurrock and had his eyes tested by a qualified optometrist. Mr Metcalfe also signed the Fit to Drive pledge – committing to having their eyes checked every two years, wearing glasses or lenses to drive if they need them and encouraging others to do the same. 

The local MP said:  “Drivers should take their responsibilities for their own and other people’s safety extremely seriously. An important part of this is making sure their eyesight meets the standards required and they wear their glasses or lenses every time they drive if they need them.”

“Thousands of crashes happen every year because of poor vision, at great cost to those involved and to the economy as a whole. I’m glad to say that I’m fit to drive but it’s vital everyone gets their eyes tested regularly to make sure they are safe too.”

Adrian Brown, CEO of RSA UK & Western Europe, added: "Regular testing helps maintain good eyesight and that means fewer crashes and safer roads. It's good to see local MPs getting this message out to their constituents and our ‘Fit to Drive’ campaign report sets out ways policymakers can make sure more eye tests happen.”

“We also want existing EU rules on driver eyesight to be properly implemented in the UK. We're currently lagging behind many other countries and that means our roads aren't as safe as they could be."

Stephen Metcalfe MP: If it seems too good to be true, it is too good to be true!

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is warning constituents of a new scam potentially dropping through letterboxes throughout the county.

Mr Metcalfe has himself received one of the letters which claims to be from a Chinese investment banker. The recipient is offered the chance to share in the unclaimed fortune of a deceased person who goes by the same surname.

The local MP is concerned that scams such as this, which are usually found online and in emails, are now making their way into people’s homes.

He commented: “I wanted to make my constituents aware of this new scam which uses personal information to prey on vulnerable people. Receiving this in the post is a lot more intrusive than the hundreds of email scams in circulation but it doesn’t make it more viable. I would advice my constituents to bin any such mail immediately and to ensure that they do not make contact with these predatory criminals.”

He added: “Remember the old adage - If it seems too good to be true, it is too good to be true!” 

Mr Metcalfe has informed the Post Office of the letters and they are now doing all they can to trace the perpetrators.