Stephen Metcalfe MP announces constituency winner of national school manufacturing competition

Stephen Metcalfe MP is proud to announce Samuel Partridge from Gable Hall School as the winning pupil from South Basildon and East Thurrock in the local round of a national school manufacturing competition.

The We Made It! competition invited 11 – 14 year olds throughout the UK to let their imagination run wild and design a brand new product or gadget.

The competition aims to give children the opportunity to see that manufacturing is about design and creativity as well as hands-on making of the products. From fashion and video game consoles to cars and airplanes, there are many varied industries with manufacturing at their heart and in which exciting career opportunities exist.

Samuel’s entry is one of 23 shortlisted ideas selected from over 520 entries. The 23 shortlisted are selected by local Members of Parliament. All 23 winners and Members of Parliament are invited to an exclusive awards reception in the Houses of Parliament in March next year.

The 23 winning entries went through to the next stage of the competition, the formal judging day, where a panel of manufacturing experts whittled down the shortlist to 7 national finalists, all of which get the chance to bring their designs to life by working with some of the UK’s Fab Lab’s, (digital fabrication laboratories) based all across the UK.

The local MP praised Samuel’s idea for a set of headphones that can convert into portable speakers. He said: “It was extremely difficult to pick a winner as there were some fantastic entries. I chose Samuel for the quality of his design and because he bettered a pre-existing product.”

“Whilst Samuel did not make the national final, he should be extremely proud of his achievement.  I would like to congratulate all those in South Basildon and East Thurrock who took part and I hope that the competition might have given young people an insight into the diverse and exciting range of careers available in the technology and engineering industries.” 

The national winner’s prototypes will be revealed for the first time at the awards ceremony in March. For further information about the competition please see: www.wemadeituk.co.uk.

Stephen Metcalfe MP hits the High Street in support of Small Business Saturday

Stephen Metcalfe MP supported Small Business Saturday last weekend by shopping locally and meeting local businessmen and women in South Basildon and East Thurrock.

Consumers took to the high street in Basildon and Thurrock and up and down the country as hundreds of businesses took part in the campaign, many offering flash sales and one off promotions to reinforce the benefits of shopping locally. Small Business Saturday aims to encourage everyone in the UK to support their local small businesses and high streets on Saturday 7^th December and beyond.

The local MP expressed his support by visiting a variety of local businesses including Prime Cut Butchers in Stanford-Le-Hope, Cranberries Gift Shop and Sprogs Company in Corringham Shopping Centre, and Hooper Properties in Pitsea.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “Small Business Saturday is a fantastic initiative that has renewed people’s interest in local shops. As I have seen for myself, there are some great local businesses in South Basildon and East Thurrock and I hope that they will feel the long lasting impact of Small Business Saturday.”

“Thank you to all those who took to the streets to support businesses in Basildon and Thurrock and I would encourage my constituents to continue to support them throughout the Christmas period and into 2014!”

Small Business Saturday came after a plethora of measures were announced by Government to support business in the UK:

£1,000 off business rate bills for all retail premises with a rateable value up to £50,000 for 2014/15 and 2015/16. This includes shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

A 2% cap on everyone’s business rate increases.

A new reoccupation relief, which will halve the rates bills of businesses taking over premises empty for over a year.

The doubling of Small Business Rate Relief is being extended to April 2015 and expanded. 

Mr Metcalfe added: “This Government is clearly on the side of small businesses and I look forward to seeing them grow and flourish in South Basildon and East Thurrock under these new measures.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP welcomes strong Autumn Statement

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has welcomed the strong and sensible Autumn Statement delivered today by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

In his annual statement to the House of Commons the Chancellor outlined the Government’s long term economic strategy for the coming years and reflected on progress that has already been made.

The local MP rose to the floor of the chamber to congratulate the Chancellor on his steadfast committed to keep Britain moving, stressing the Government’s moral responsibility to ensure that future generations are not burdened with the debt created by the previous Labour Government.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “The Autumn statement contained fantastic news for people in South Basildon and East Thurrock – the jobs tax on all young people under 21 abolished, real help for the high street, energy bills down, fuel duty frozen, and rail fare increases frozen.”

“For every South Basildon and East Thurrock motorist, petrol will now be 20p less than it would have been under the previous Government’s plans, saving us £11 every time we fill up our cars and £680 every year.”

“This is all welcome but we must not get complacent. As the Chancellor said the job is not done and we must keep the momentum going to keep Britain moving.”

The local MP, who has long been a champion of business in the local area, particularly welcomed the package of help for the high street and support for businesses. 44,000 business properties in Essex will benefit from:

• £1,000 off business rate bills for all retail premises with a rateable value up to £50,000 for 2014/15 and 2015/16. This includes shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
• A 2% cap on everyone’s business rate increases.
• A new reoccupation relief, which will halve the rates bills of businesses taking over premises empty for over a year.
• The doubling of Small Business Rate Relief is being extended to April 2015 and expanded. 

Mr Metcalfe added: "I wanted the Government to listen to calls from local businesses and they have.” 

“High street businesses are an important part of local life. We are backing local businesses all the way. With Small Business Saturday this weekend Conservatives are giving businesses in South Basildon and East Thurrock the help they need to grow and create jobs.” 

Stephen Metcalfe MP: We are one step closer to letting Britain decide

 Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has said that we are one small step closer to an EU referendum after the European Union (Referendum) Bill passed its final stage in the House Commons last week.

The Bill, which will now move to the House of Lords, would guarantee an in-out referendum in 2017 after the Government have tried to re-negotiate a fresh settlement with the EU that better serves Britain’s interests.

Labour abstained from voting in the Bill with Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP, stating that Labour do not think “committing now to an in/out referendum up to four years from now is in the national interest because the priority must be getting growth into the economy.”

Mr Metcalfe commented: “Unlike Labour, we are committed to letting the British people determine our future in Europe. This is a decision that affects us all and it is therefore vital that we all have a say.”

“I was delighted to see the Bill pass through the House of Commons and I am also pleased with progress that is already being made by this Government in Europe.”

Among other measures, the Government have already secured the first ever real terms cut in the EU’s long-term budget; ended UK participation in EU bailout mechanisms;  vetoed a new EU fiscal treaty; and introduced a ‘referendum lock’. The Lock means that no powers can pass from Britain to Brussels without the consent of the British people in a referendum. 

The local MP added: “I have every confidence that this Conservative Government will continue to champion British interests in Europe and I look forward to seeing this Bill enshrined into the law in the near future.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP: Metal theft clampdown is working

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has today welcomed new figures which reveal that the Government’s efforts to reduce metal theft are showing early signs of success.

Metal theft fell every quarter over the last year – and by 40 per cent overall in 2012–13. This coincides with tough new measures introduced by the Government to clamp down on the offence which causes distress and disruption to the public.

Last December the Government tightened the net around rogue sellers by:

• Banning all scrap metal dealers from trading in cash.
• Ending the practice of ‘no questions asked’ cash payments.
• Giving the police powers of entry to tackle illegal trading in metal yards.

On top of this, the Government established a National Metal Theft Taskforce to focus enforcement activity, and backed a new law introduced by Conservatives in Parliament which will:

• Require scrap metal dealers to be licensed.
• Allow councils to refuse or revoke licences if a dealer is deemed unsuitable.
• Give magistrates the power to issue rogue traders with fines of up to £5,000.

These powers under the Scrap Metal Act 2013 came into full effect on Sunday (1 December).

Mr Metcalfe commented: “Metal theft has a huge impact and costs the economy around £220 million a year.  This crime affects everyone – from the stealing of cables that delay your rail journey home to the shocking theft of war memorials.”

“That is why the Government has tightened the net around rogue sellers and funded a new taskforce to crack down on metal theft.  And from this weekend it will be illegal for people to trade in scrap metal without a licence.”

“We are on the side of people who play by the rules and are sending a strong message to rogue dealers – you will be caught.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP joins Foodbank collection at local Tesco

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined volunteers at the local Tesco store in Pitsea last weekend to help collect much needed supplies for Basildon Foodbank.

The MP and local volunteers encouraged shoppers to donate non-perishable food items such as long life milk, cereals, and tinned fruit and veg to help local people facing times of crisis. The collected food will then be distributed by Basildon Foodbank to those most in need.

Collections took place in Tesco stores nationwide from 29^th November to 1^st December and Tesco have pledged to ‘top-up’ food donations by 30%, making the public’s generosity go even further. Tesco has also pledged to provide longer term support to Trussell Trust Foodbanks and Fareshare.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “I was pleased to be a part of the collection team and play a small part in Basildon Foodbanks’ drive for donations in the run up to Christmas. They provide an invaluable service to those in need in the local area and are vital in the fight against food poverty.”

In 2012-2013 Foodbanks nationwide helped 346,992 people, 218,295 more than in 2011-12.  This increase is believed to be in part due to high global food prices;  referrals from Jobcentres; a rise in the number of distribution centres; and new powers given to Local Authorities to allocate funding in direct support of food voucher schemes and Foodbanks.

The local MP added: “I would like to thank the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock for their generous donations of food and my sincere gratitude goes to all the volunteers who work tirelessly at the Foodbank to collect, sort, and distribute food to those that need it.” 

Basildon Foodbank is always in need of volunteers and food donations. If you would like to get involved or want to find out more about the services they provide, please visit:  http://basildon.foodbank.org.uk/

Stephen Metcalfe MP joins STOPAIDS campaign

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined UK activists at a STOPAIDS parliamentary event to mark the 25^th World AIDS Day on 1^st December.

As well as encouraging the public to ‘Fact Up’ about HIV and Aids, Mr Metcalfe was demonstrating his support for the UK’s pledge of £1bn to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, ahead of the Global Fund replenishment conference in Washington D.C. next week.

The event coincided with the launch of the Department for International Development (DFID) review of its 2011 position paper Towards Zero Infections. Mr Metcalfe spoke with activists about how far we have come in tackling the AIDS epidemic, with 9.7 million people now accessing treatment, and AIDS-related deaths declining from a peak of 2.2 million in the mid-2000s to 1.6 million in 2012.

The local MP also heard how far we have to go, with 16 million people still not accessing anti-retroviral treatment and 1.6 million people dying of AIDS-related illnesses in 2012. Mr Metcalfe joined STOPAIDS in calling upon world leaders to follow the UK’S example and fully commit to the Global Fund.

He said “I fully support the UK’s pledge of £1bn to the Global Fund and encourage other world leaders to join us in committing to bring this disease under control. I urge our government to remain focused on overcoming the challenge AIDS continues to pose to our international community.”

This Sunday 1^st December marks the 25^th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a day when activists and people living with HIV from around the world come together in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. 

In light of World AIDS Day the local MP has called for the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock to ‘Fact UP’ and become more educated about the condition. The five facts are:

1. If diagnosed and treated in time. People living with HIV live a normal lifespan.
2. There is no job, which someone can’t do specifically because they have HIV
3. Treatment can mean that people living with HIV are no longer infectious.
4. Men and Women living with HIV can become parents of a HIV-free baby.
5. People living with HIV still face stigma and discrimination.

Stephen added: “For people living with HIV in the UK one of the biggest challenges is still stigma, which is often the result of ignorance about HIV and unnecessary fear. Stigma also stops some people from taking an HIV test.”

"This World AIDS Day I am joining forces with the National AIDS Trust's campaign to encourage more people in South Basildon and East Thurrock to better understand the condition.”

For further information, please visit: http://www.worldaidsday.org/