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6 September 2013 16:43

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In this edition:
Greg Hands M.P.s Diary Website of the Week: The website of Greg Hands M.P. Greg Hands M.P. opens TNT Post Fulham Delivery Unit An income tax cut for 25m people Photo news: Little Masters Art Exhibition Super Sewer Water Bill Double Whammy Kensington & Chelsea investing in the voluntary sector Small Business friendly Hammersmith & Fulham wins award H&F and K&C in new initiative looks at ways of supporting children from troubled backgrounds Hands in the papers: Holiday's over for Miliband Hands in the papers: Constituency Matters column How to contact Greg Hands M.P.

Issue 379 Friday 6th September 2013

Since the last edition, Greg:

Attended the recall of Parliament, and voted in the House of Commons for taking steps in Syria to seek to prevent the Assad Governments use of chemical weapons, following Assads attack on his own people in Damascus with sarin gas that left more than 1,400 people dead, including at least 426 children. The motion was regrettably defeated. Visited as a guest of the Head Teacher and the Chairowman of Governors Sulivan Primary School in Fulham. The Council is currently consulting on merging the school with nearby New Kings Primary. To find out more, and to have your say, click here. Opened the new distribution centre for TNT Post in Michael Road, Fulham. TNBT is now doing regular daily deliveries throughout all parts of the Chelsea & Fulham constituency. For more information and photo, see below. Had a full schedule of activity as a Government Whip in and around the chamber of the House of Commons, including ministerial meetings and organising votes and standing committees. Conducted a number of surgeries over the summer for local Chelsea and Fulham residents at Fulham Methodist Church. Gregs surgeries are generally weekly, on Monday mornings, at either Fulham Methodist Church, Fulham Broadway, or Peter Jones, Sloane Square. To make an appointment, email mail@greghands.com or telephone 020 7219 5448.

Website of the Week:

www.greghands.com
The website of Greg Hands M.P., Government Treasury Whip and Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham.

Greg Hands M.P. opens TNT Post Fulham Delivery Unit

MP celebrates creation of 75 jobs

Greg Hands M.P. opening the new TNT Post UK delivery unit in Parsons Green. Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, has opened TNT Post UKs new delivery unit in The Old Gas Works, Parsons Green, and met with some of the 75 Posties who have been recently recruited following the companys expansion in to South West London. Operating as of June this year, Fulham joins five other new TNT Post delivery units in the South West London area, providing a new delivery service to local residents and businesses. Over 500 new jobs have been created since June, with many new Posties coming from long term unemployed backgrounds and recruited through the Work Programme, Remploy and local job centres. While at the Parsons Green delivery unit, Greg was able to see TNT Posts new technology in action. Increasing efficiency and unique to the TNT Post, every single letter delivered is scanned before being posted through the letterbox. TNT Post has created over 1000 jobs in the capital since beginning its mail delivery trial last year, and has made a concerted commitment to tackling youth and long-term unemployment. The company plans to extend its delivery service across the UK in the next five years, and aims to create 20,000 jobs. Following the visit, Greg Hands M.P. said: It is great to see my constituents happy at work with TNT Post and to hear the Posties share their stories, particularly those from long term unemployed backgrounds. It is important that new jobs are created for all sections of our community. Nick Wells, CEO TNT Post UK, commented: We are delighted that Greg Hands MP has taken the time to meet with his local constituents working at TNT Post in Parsons Green. It was great for our Posties to meet their local MP and show off the companys state-of-the-art tracking service for mail that we are using across the capital. At TNT Post, we pledge to continue to create many jobs for youths and long term unemployed.

An income tax cut for 25m people

We are helping hardworking people with the cost of living Weve cut income tax for 25 million people and lifted 2.4 million of the lowest earners out of income tax altogether Weve helped councils freeze council tax Mortgage rates are at a record low Weve frozen fuel duty, saving you 13p a litre on petrol Energy companies are being forced to put customers on the lowest tariff The basic state pension has been increased through the Triple Lock, which makes sure it always rises by whichever of these is the highest: inflation, earnings or 2.5% Same old Labour In government, Labour raised taxes on hardworking people and now their plans to borrow more would lead to hardworking families being squeezed. Under Labour, council tax doubled They raised the rate of fuel duty 12 times while in power They hit the poorest hardest by abolishing the 10p tax rate Now, they plan to borrow billions more pounds - which would cause mortgage rates to rocket

Photo news:

Little Masters Art Exhibition

Greg Hands M.P. with children from All Saints Primary School at the Little Masters Art Exhibition at Fulham Palace earlier this summer.

Super Sewer Water Bill Double Whammy

Millions of Thames Water customers face a double-whammy of oneoff surcharges and annual bill hikes to pay for the companys controversial super sewer, it was revealed today. Just days after the company flooded south London, causing 4million worth of damage, Thames Water announced that customers face a new surcharge of 29 on their bills next year to pay for cost overruns on the 4billion Thames tunnel. Company bosses said they need to rake in around 165million from the families and businesses it serves in London and the Thames Valley as land needed for the 15 mile long Thames Tunnel, or super sewer, is costing more than anticipated. Despite the fact that Thames Water admits that many of its customers are struggling to pay their bills, households will be asked to pay even more money next year if the proposals get the go-ahead from water regulator Ofwat. The one-off surcharge is on top of annual hikes of around 80-100 that the company is proposing between 2015 and 2020. Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council Leader, said: Thames Waters double-whammy of bill hikes at a time when household budgets are being squeezed like never before beggars belief. While most companies, and well run councils like ours, are trying to keep costs down Thames Water just seems to pile more misery onto water bill payers. The estimated cost of the Thames Tunnel has nearly tripled since it was first proposed and its colossal cost no longer justifies the fairly modest benefits especially when there are cheaper, greener, more modern, more socially acceptable and less disruptive alternatives. The financial and human cost of the super sewer is too much to bear and the Government and Ofwat must now block the scheme in the interests of 14million customers. The company says the rise is to cover the cost of preparing for the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. Thames Water is partway through a price control period, which runs from 2010 to 2015 and was agreed with Ofwat in 2009. However, the agreement allows firms to ask for a price increase if they encounter costs that were not expected or quantifiable at the time of the initial price-setting decision. "We knew there would be costs, but we didn't know how much they would be," admitted Richard Aylard, external affairs director at Thames Water. The revelation comes after it emerged that Thames Water did not pay a penny in corporation tax last year. It also got a 5million Treasury rebate in the financial year when it made 549million and hit customers with a 6.7 per cent increase in bills. The body that represents water customers in England and Wales also says the rise is not justified and would make things harder for people already struggling to pay their bills. "The magnitude of the increase is not warranted in these circumstances," said Sir Tony Redmond, from the Consumer Council for Water. "It is the only water company, of which we're aware, which is actually planning to make this proposal to Ofwat. Some of the costs that may well have been unanticipated during 2009 could have been managed during the course of the whole period rather than facing them now." H&F Council is warning that thousands of people on fixed incomes, including pensioners, will be driven into water poverty under the current Thames tunnel proposals and is calling for cheaper solutions that will maintain the river's status as one of the cleanest in Europe. In 2011 Lord Selbornes Thames Tunnel Commission recommended that green infrastructure solutions, also known as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), should be considered instead of the Thames Tunnel. But Thames Water ignored this advice, having spent 5.5million on studies to support the choice of a tunnel solution, and spent just 12,000 researching SuDS projects that would ease the pressure on the underground sewers by soaking up rainwater before it flows into the pipes and forces sewage into the Thames. Thames Water argues that the tunnel is the best solution to stop sewage being pumped into the Thames when it rains heavily. The Planning Inspectorate - a Government body that investigates large planning applications - has now started the process of examining Thames Waters planning application. A recommendation on whether to grant approval will be submitted to government ministers - who are expected to make the final decision in autumn 2014. If consent is granted, preparatory construction work is scheduled to start in 2015, with main tunnelling due to begin in 2016. Greg Hands M.P. added: "As a result of this latest shocking turn of events, Nick Botterill and I have contacted again to the Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, asking him to review the whole scheme. We await his response."

Kensington & Chelsea investing in the voluntary sector

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is opening its yearly funding opportunity to local voluntary and community groups, as part of its Corporate Services Grants programme. Over 2m is available to support priorities that demonstrate the Council's commitment to voluntary organisations and their role in improving life opportunities for residents. The new grants round for funding in 2014-15 follows a call for applications from voluntary groups for specific, innovative projects last month. The Council is looking for proposals that address its main priorities in the grants scheme which are: providing information and advice services to residents; support to smaller voluntary organisations and providing community engagement opportunities. In addition, the Council is advertising Adult Social Care and Carers' services grants which will support services that help older people to stay active and involved in their community. Carers' services grants are available for community-based support to informal unpaid adult carers, aged 18 and over, to continue in their caring role for an adult resident of the Royal Borough. Bids for the cash have to be in by noon on Friday 6 September 2013 and to succeed bidders will, amongst other things, need to be a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation, and be based in Kensington and Chelsea or have a demonstrable local connection. Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, Cabinet Member for Voluntary Organisations and Resident Engagement said: "I am very pleased that, despite great pressures on the Council's finances ,we are able to make 2m available to support the work of local voluntary and community groups. "The continuing efforts of those that work in the community and voluntary sector bring great benefit to many people of all backgrounds in the borough. I would encourage those that run these services to look carefully at our priorities and I look forward to the Council being able to provide important funding to assist them in the coming year." A drop-in session for organisations to discuss the funding and how apply has been organised for Wednesday 21 August, 11am to 4pm Kensington Town Hall, Committee Room 2. Organisations that wish attend are asked to email communityengagement@rbkc.gov.uk book a time to meet with officers. to at to to

For more information, including the criteria for the fund and how to apply, visit www.rbkc.gov.uk/communityfunding or call the Community Engagement Team on 020 7598 4633 or email communityengagement@rbkc.gov.uk.

Small Business friendly Hammersmith & Fulham wins award

Hammersmith & Fulham has won the highly commended award for being the best all round small business friendly borough in London. Describing Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) as offering amazing support to SMEs and high street businesses, the award was part of the inaugural 'Small Business Friendly Borough Awards' which are organised by The Federation of Small Businesses and London Councils. In an award ceremony on 5th September H&F was highly commended for its programme of activities based on consultation with local businesses. The councils package of small business friendly measures includes a monthly entrepreneurs event, a quarterly business e-newsletter (sign-up here) and an annual networking event. There are currently 19,000 businesses in the borough, employing 126,000 people. Of these, 7,500 businesses are working from home or self-employed with 3,500 new business start-ups within the borough. Doing more to help businesses thrive in the borough, bringing jobs and prosperity to H&F, is the aim of the councils Business Champion, Councillor Robert Iggulden. He said: Winning the highly commended award is a fantastic achievement that highlights the hard work we are putting in to encourage businesses to flourish, grow and invest here. With more than 19,000 businesses already based in Hammersmith & Fulham this council understands the importance of these wealth creators to our local economy, particularly as the vast bulk of businesses are SMEs and employ more than 75% of the boroughs workforce. Under its H&F Means Business programme the council has advised and supported more than 1,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) while there has been a 5% increase in the number of microbusinesses reported in 2012-13. High-street vacancy rates are down to 8.7% compared to a London average of 11%. Other small business friendly initiatives introduced by the council include: H&F Business Desk, which should be your first port of call if you are an entrepreneur looking to establish a business in the borough. Click here to find out more. H&F Enterprise Club, a monthly entrepreneurs event. Business Connects, a quarterly business-focused enewsletter. Sign up by emailing ehf@lbhf.gov.uk. How to do Business with the Council, a guide for SMEs wanting to supply the council. H&F Means Business, an annual networking and expo with 40+ business support providers. H&F Brilliant Business Awards, recognition for small businesses drawing publicity and sponsorship. The closing date for nominations for this year award is Monday 21 October. To vote for your favourite business click here: www.lbhf.gov.uk/businessawards. Greg Hands M.P. added: "I am pleased to see that both local Councils in the constituency - H&F and K&C - offer really good support and advice to local businesses. Well done to the Hammersmith & Fulham Council team!"

H&F and K&C in new initiative looks at ways of supporting children from troubled backgrounds
Three central London boroughs have been chosen to take part in a new initiative to find out the best ways of giving children from troubled backgrounds the social and emotional skills they need to thrive. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster City Council and Hammersmith & Fulham Council have been identified by the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) to join 19 places up and down the country to focus on how children and families can be supported before problems occur. Over the next 18 months councils will share knowledge with Police and Crime Commissioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups and Directors of Public Health to build up a picture of what intervention programmes have the most impact, thereby determining where money can most effectively be spent. Andrew Christie, Tri-borough Executive Director of Children's Services, said: "Our three boroughs are committed to giving our children the very best start in life and supporting families before problems arise is the best way of achieving this. "We know that early intervention is more cost-effective and most importantly improves the outcomes for children at risk." EIF CEO, Carey Oppenheim, said; "The EIF believes that addressing the root causes of social problems, rather than trying to fix their aftereffects, is better not only for individual children but for our society as a whole. Underpinned by robust evidence our mission is to change to a predominant culture from costly late reaction to effective early intervention. This first wave of 20 pioneering places will ground that mission in real life, giving us invaluable working examples of success."

Hands in the papers:

The Evening Standard Monday 12th August 2013

Holiday's over for Miliband

Labour frontbencher Chris Bryant was today forced to water down a speech on immigration after Tesco and Next strongly rejected criticism of their employment of foreign workers. The shadow immigration minister was accused of "backtracking" and getting his facts wrong over Eastern Europeans being recruited by the firms. He came under fire as Ed Miliband Enhanced Coverage LinkingEd Miliband -Search using:News, Most Recent 60 DaysBiographies Plus Newsreturned from holiday amid growing grumblings over Labour's performance during the summer. Tory MPs swiftly attacked the "shambles" over Mr Bryant's speech as he faced a string of questions. In extracts pre-released over the weekend, Mr Bryant had highlighted two cases of how the firms had recruited Eastern Europeans instead of local people. But after angry denials from the companies, he told the BBC this morning: "I fully accept that Next and Tesco often go the extra mile to try and recruit local workers." However, he insisted that he was standing by his general point that more needed to be done to help local workers find jobs. Mr Bryant admitted the briefing of his speech had wrongly identified a new Tesco distribution centre as being in Kent when it was in fact in Dagenham. He also amended a section claiming that staff at a distribution centre in Harlow were told they could only move to the new centre if they took a pay cut - which allegedly led to a large proportion of its workforce ending up being Eastern Europeans. Mr Bryant had also been set to claim that Next would "avoid" agency worker regulations by recruiting staff from Poland for its Elmsall warehouse in West Yorkshire. He pulled this allegation from his speech after the retailer denied it. Mr Bryant denied he had accused the companies of being "unscrupulous" employers, words he used to criticise other firms exploiting foreign workers. "The difficulty is, I would say, that the way we regulate our economy and the labour market in the UK has meant that sometimes there are negative sides to migration in terms of the labour market, in particular for those who are within spitting distance of the national minimum wage," he added, stressing there were nearly one million young unemployed people in the UK. Tory MP Greg Hands tweeted: "Complete shambles from @ChrisBryantMP this morning. Fact is Labour have opposed every one of our measures to cut immigration." However, Mr Bryant won support from Tory Harlow MP Robert Halfon over his criticism of Tesco's treatment of its local workers. With Labour seeing its poll lead being eroded, according to many surveys, Mr Miliband will be keen to get the party back on the front foot, with a reshuffle being mooted within weeks. Former whip Graham Stringer became the latest backbencher to voice concerns over the party and the "lack of activity" by the shadow cabinet. "The real worry is the almost deafening silence there has been from the shadow cabinet in a time of the year which is traditionally a ripe time for the Opposition to attack the Government," he told the BBC yesterday.

Hands in the papers:

Constituency Matters column

Greg Hands M.P., Hammersmith & Fulham Chronicle Friday 6th September 2013 Last month, the Governments new benefits cap came into effect in both Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea. As one of the Governments Treasury Ministers, you would expect me to be supportive of this, which I am, as a way of delivering fairness in our society: no family should receive more in benefits than the average family receives each year by working. The cap is set at 500 per week, or 26,000 for each year. Those receiving Disability Living Allowance are exempt, as are war widows and other categories. The Labour Party, both locally and nationally, has bitterly opposed this measure, but judging from my constituency surgery and from my Chelsea & Fulham constituents writing to me, most Chronicle readers strongly support the move. Indeed, I have had more people telling me that a maximum 500 per week in benefits is too generous, than those telling me the cap is too harsh. The benefits bill under the last Labour Government exploded, particularly in Housing Benefit, and particularly in London. Huge benefit payments and the prospect of losing them when re-entering the workforce have deterred many from taking a job, and that has been to the disbenefit of them, their families and the whole country. The Government has thankfully taken action. However, if you are affected by this change, local councils are on hand to help smooth the transition. You may well qualify for transitional payments from your Council. Meanwhile, if you are keen to find work contact Jobcentre Plus on 020 8210 8221, Work Programme or Work Choice Advisers. You can also get hope from the councils Work Zone recruitment facility on 020 8753 4695. These are important changes for local people. The policy is the right one, but equally those affected may need some help in making the change. Chelsea or Fulham residents can also make an appointment to see me at one of my weekly surgeries by phoning 020 7219 5448.

5 ways to contact Greg Hands M.P.:

By Phone: By email: By post: In person: 020 7219 5448 mail@greghands.com Greg Hands M.P. House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Click here for details of how to book an appointment at Greg Hands M.P.s weekly surgery

www.greghands.com

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