Stephen Metcalfe MP slams UKIP for Thames Estuary Airport support

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has criticised UKIP for trying to re-write history after they deleted their 2010 manifesto which expressed their commitment to building a major new Thames Estuary airport.

The manifesto, which has now gone missing from the UKIP website, stated their opposition to the expansion of Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick “in favour of a major new Hong Kong-style Thames Estuary airport with motorway connections and a high-speed rail service to London, the UK and the Continent.”

The manifesto also stressed their support for a high speed railway linking the south and the north – a position they now oppose since the announcement of HS2.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “As I have stressed on numerous occasions, the Thames Estuary is not the place for a new airport and the fact that UKIP support this idea just demonstrates that they do not understand the wider views of the people in South Basildon and East Thurrock.” 

“UKIP have shown that they are inconsistent and opportunistic this is just more evidence that they do not have a set of cohesive policies to deal with the challenges facing the country.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP urges Minister to help bring forward £500m investment in Thurrock

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, today called upon the Minister of State for Energy to help bring forward £500m worth of investment to Thurrock.

Global power generation firm, InterGen, are keen to build a new super efficient, gas fired power station in Coryton. Contracted by Siemens, the new station would bring half a billion pounds worth of investment into the local economy in Thurrock.

InterGen’s Chinese owners and the pension fund operators are however delaying the investment until InterGen has won a ‘contract to supply’ at the capacity auction which is due to take place in December.

The local MP called on the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP to meet with him and InterGen to try and bring this investment forward, to which the Minster agreed. 

Mr Metcalfe commented: “The sooner Thurrock can benefit from this £500m investment the better. The delay is an unnecessary one and I am delighted that the Minister will meet with me and other interested parties to discuss bringing this forward. I hope that InterGen will reconsider their current position and I look forward to seeing work start on this plant as soon as is feasibly possible.” 

Stephen Metcalfe MP disappointed at Government response to Lower Thames Crossing Debate

In yesterday’s debate on the lower Thames crossing led by Thurrock MP, Jackie Doyle-Price, Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, made a strong stand against Option C, stressing the damaging impact it would have on the local environment and community.

After congratulating Ms Doyle-Price on securing such an important debate, Mr Metcalfe emphasised the incredible environmental effect of Option C which would divide an established rural community and wreck one of the most significant remaining rural parts of South Essex. He also stated that Option C would not address or help to deliver the full economic potential of South Essex.

Both MPs called upon the Government to scrap the remaining Options and reconsider options D and E which did not form part of the consultation. Whilst the Minister acknowledged that a number of consultation respondents had suggested a similar approach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Robert Goodwill, stated that the Government will not reconsider previously rejected options.

Mr Goodwill continued to say that the Government are currently considering what further improvements may be needed on the M25, A282, and A13 to ensure that congestion is not pushed to other parts of the M25 when the bottleneck at the crossing is addressed.

Stephen Metcalfe MP commented: “I am disappointed by the Ministers response and maintain my staunch opposition to Option C and its variant. The consequences of this proposal to my constituents are extremely serious and it would not be the right decision for South Basildon and East Thurrock, for South Essex, or for the country as a whole.”

“I am therefore writing to the Minister to make a more comprehensive case for widening of the scope of the proposals to re-include options D and E. I believe the Government needs to look at potential crossings taking into account the wider opportunities for growth in the Thames corridor, not just the impact it would have on the current crossing. If that were to happen I am sure the outcome would be different.” 

“Jackie Doyle-Price MP and I will continue to make our views known to Government and we will not falter in ensuring that our concerns and the concerns of our constituents are heard.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP encourages schools to enter School Council awards

Stephen with last year's winners Lee Chapel Primary School

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has encouraged all local schools to enter the Speaker’s School Council Awards.

After the resounding success of Lee Chapel Primary School last year, Mr Metcalfe is keen for schools in South Basildon and East Thurrock to be represented in competition.

The awards, now in their fourth year, aim to recognise the hard work of school councils and the contribution that they make to the school community. Lee Chapel Primary School won the 7-11 age category last year with their TV news project which saw students come together to write, edit, and present a fortnightly news broadcast to the school.

Stephen Metcalfe MP commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the great work that takes place on our school councils as Lee Chapel Primary School demonstrated last year!”

The awards cover four age categories ranging from Infants (4-7) to young adults (16-19) with every entry receiving a prestigious certificate from the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. Winners will be invited to the Houses of Parliament to accept the winner’s trophy from the Speaker himself.

Mr Metcalfe added: “Council’s provide students with a voice and make a real difference to the life of the school. Whatever the size of your school project, the Speaker wants to hear about it and it would be brilliant to have council’s from Basildon and Thurrock represented again in the awards. I have written to all schools in my constituency and hope that they will get involved.” 

To find out more information and to enter your school in the Speaker’s School Council Awards, please visit http://speakersschoolcouncil.org/.

Stephen Metcalfe MP welcomes £millions of extra support for pupils in South Basildon and East Thurrock

Local MP, Stephen Metcalfe, has welcomed the news that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Basildon and East Thurrock have been allocated £4,853,000 for 2014/15 to help them achieve their full potential. This is good news for pupils and good news for their families.

The Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools so that they can support their disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers. The Government has increased Pupil Premium funding to £1.875 billion in 2013-14, with schools attracting £900 per disadvantaged child, with an additional payment of £53 for primary-aged pupils. In 2014-15, the funding will rise to £2.5 billion, with £1,300 for primary-aged pupils, £935 for secondary-aged pupils and £1,900 for all looked-after children, adopted children and children with guardians.

In total, pupils in South Basildon and East Thurrock will have received £12,443,000. Mr Metcalfe commented: “This is excellent news for disadvantaged pupils and their families in the local area and will give local schools the support they need to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can fulfil their potential.” 

“This is further confirmation that, despite the economic mess that we inherited from Labour, this Government has found the funds to give support to those who need it most need it.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP shows schools that business is good for young people

Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently welcomed representatives from three local schools to Parliament for a reception organised by the British Chambers of Commerce to show that ‘Business is Good for Young People’.

Held in association with the Industry and Parliament Trust, the reception on the House of Commons Terrace saw people from all over the country come together to celebrate business and discuss solutions to the barriers preventing some young people from finding employment.

South and Basildon and East were well represented with students and staff from Gable Hall School, Basildon Upper Academy, and South Essex College joining with industry leaders to learn more about the links between business and the Chambers of Commerce and young people.

They also had the opportunity to hear from Jo Swinson MP, Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Women and Equalities Minister in the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport, who delivered an inspiring keynote speech.

Mr Metcalfe commented: “I was delighted to be able invite every secondary school in South Basildon and East Thurrock to the event and extremely encouraged that the interest was so high. The reception was a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how important business is to young people, to schools, and in training and to discuss practical solutions to youth unemployment.” 

“I would like to thank all those who attended and hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. I would also like to thank the Essex Chamber of Commerce for their generous allocation of tickets.”

East Tilbury level crossings make BBC headlines

At a recent rail summit Stephen Metcalfe produced a report to highlight to stakeholders and the media the problems caused by the level crossings in East Tilbury. 

The BBC followed up on the story with a report which can be viewed by clicking here. 

Mr Metcalfe commented: "I would like to thank all those who responded to my survey on level crossings in East Tilbury and those who let me know their views by email or letter. I appreciate the strength of feeling that this issue engenders and I am committed to keeping the pressure on to find a solution."