Conor McGinn MP gets First Class experience as he turns postie for the day in St Helens North
| Conor McGinn, MP for St Helens North, experienced the challenges involved in delivering the post when he joined local postie, Ryan Cunliffe, on his delivery round in St Helens North.Conor is one of a number of local Members of Parliament being invited to go out with postmen and women across the UK to see the lengths Royal Mail goes to deliver the post.
The purpose of the visits is to give Members of Parliament a unique insight into the challenges of delivering mail to every house and business in their constituency, six days a week. Stephen Norris, Delivery Office Manager at St Helens North, who briefed Conor before he set off on his walk said: “We’re delighted that Conor McGinn MP is taking the time to experience the everyday challenges faced by our delivery postmen and women. “The visit gave us the opportunity to show Conor how we are modernising and transforming the organisation. We are investing in new sorting and delivery equipment as we respond to the changing nature of the modern postbag. We are delivering more parcels and fewer letters than ever before and the tools for the job need to reflect that.” Commenting McGinn said: “Postmen and women not only deliver the mail, but play an important part in the local communities across the St Helens North. “I joined local postman Ryan, and it provided a real insight into the hard work posties do week in and week out. “They deliver a fantastic service, often in poor weather conditions, and I would like to thank Ryan and other postmen and women for the invaluable work they do.” Royal Mail is currently transforming its operation, which means every part of the process from collecting, transporting, sorting and delivering the mail is being improved to increase efficiency. |
Conor speaks out against tax credits in Parliament
Conor McGinn has criticised the governments proposed changes to tax credits in Parliament. He spoke of the impact the cuts would have on working families with children in his constituency.
The text of the intervention in full and link to Hansard can be found below.
Conor McGinn, MP for St Helens North: Does my hon. Friend agree that there is an inherent contradiction in the Government’s policy? The parents of a young family who came to see me in my constituency last week told me that they work hard, pay their way and are trying to do the right thing to set an example for their children. Should the Government not be supporting them, rather than punishing them?
Conor met SAMS to discuss work they undertake to help veterans
Conor met with Sam Thompson and Vicky Owen of SAMS, a community interest company established to offer support and guidance to those who have left the armed forces and their families.
At the meeting Conor discussed with the the work SAMS undertakes, including the recently launched veteran’s breakfast club. The breakfast club gives an opportunity for former forces personal to meet, chat and find out about the services and support on offer.
Sam and Vicky also spoke about how those leaving the services could be better supported, and the implementation of the review last year into the transition between military and civilian life.
Commenting Conor said:
‘It was good to meet representatives from SAMS and hear about the invaluable work they are doing.
“It is only right that we properly support those who have served our country. SAMS and other community groups are doing a great job and are running some excellent programmes.
“However, it is vital that the government also plays a leading role in supporting veterans across UK.”
Conor congratulates schools on shortlisting for the Educate Awards 2015
Conor McGinn has congratulated schools in St Helens North on being shortlisted for the Educate Awards 2015. The awards celebrate the achievements and best practice of schools and colleges within the Liverpool city region, Lancashire and Cheshire.
Out of hundreds of schools entered for this year’s awards six schools from St Helens North have been shortlisted, and Cowley International College has been nominated in three categories.
And on Friday, Conor visited one of the shortlisted schools, Rainford C of E Primary School to pay tribute to pupils and staff on their achievements.
Commenting Conor said:
“I’d like to congratulate all the schools nominated, but especially those in my constituency who I know do excellent work.
“It was great to meet Mrs Richardson and the pupils involved in the fantastic “Dragon’s Den” project, which has seen the school shortlisted for an award to recognise and encourage learning about business and finance.
“It’s great to see our schools being recognised in this way.
“From innovation in literacy, to sports, the arts and enterprise there is a lot of inspirational teaching and learning in our community, and its right that we take the time to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of pupils, teachers, staff and parents.”
The full shortlist can be found below.
Shortlisted Schools
Most Inspirational Primary School
Eldon Primary School
Halewood C of E Primary
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary
Barnton Community Primary
Leamington Community Primary
Most Inspirational Secondary School
Clare Mount Specialist Sport College
Wellfield High School
The Observatory School
Formby High School
Sir John Thursby Community College
Community Partnership Award
Bishop David Sheppard Primary School
Gateacre School
North Liverpool Academy
All Saints Catholic Primary
St Vincents School for Sensory Impairment
Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School
All Saints Catholic Primary School
Billinge St Aidens C of E Primary School
Childwall C of E Primary
St Cecilias Catholic Junior School
Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School
Archbishop Blanch C of E School
Cowley International College
St Margarets Academy
Rainford High Technology College
Eco School Project of the Year
Bishop David Sheppard Primary School
Liverpool Life Sciences
Cowley International College
St Francis Xaviers College
Communication Award
Calderstones School
Leamington Community School
St Margarets Academy
The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Whitefield Primary
Teacher of the Year
Beth Harris, Archbishop Temple School
Peter Fearon, Bebington High Sports College
Mr O’Keefe, The Belvedere Academy
Mr Maloney, Holly Lodge Girls’ College
Zoe Smith, Wellfield High School
Spirit of Enterprise Award
Birkdale High School
Liverpool Life Sciences
Rainford C of E Primary School
St Margarets Academy
Cowley International College
Innovative and Creative Literacy Award
Archbishop Blanch C of E School
Bishop David Sheppard Primary School
Gateacre School
The District CE Primary School
Whitefield Primary School
SEND Provision Award
Lakeside School
Rainford C of E Primary School
Springwood Heath Primary
The Observatory School
Whitefield Primary School
Science Project of the Year
Bishop David Sheppard Primary School
Gateacre School
Liverpool Life Sciences
Outstanding Arts in Primary School
Faith Primary School
Netherton Moss Primary
St Oswalds C of E Primary
Outstanding Arts in Secondary School
Archbishop Temple School
Holly Lodge Girls School
The Belvedere Academy
North Liverpool Academy
Career Aspiration Award
Archbishop Blanch C of E School
Bebington High Sports College
Calderstones School
ESLA
Notre Dame Catholic College
WOW Recognition Award
Faith Primary School
Gateacre School
Netherton Moss Primary School
New Park Primary School
The Observatory School
Leadership Team of the Year
Bishop David Sheppard Primary
Formby High School
Kilgarth School
Outstanding Teaching of Life Skills
Archbishop Temple School
Bebington High Sports College
Evelyn Community Primary
St Oswalds C of E Primary
Innovation in Education Award
Archbishop Blanch C of E School
Bebington High Sports College
Flakefleet Primary School
The Observatory School
Conor urges St Helens residents to make their voice heard and register to vote
Conor McGinn, Labour’s MP for St Helens North, responding to the news that changes in the electoral registration system mean around one million people will lose their votes, said:
“The Tories have rushed through changes to the electoral registration system, and now around one million people are set to lose their votes.
“There are major local elections here in St Helens next year. And soon we have a big choice to make about whether Britain stays in the EU. But if people aren’t on the electoral register, they will not be able to vote and have their say. They could even face an £80 fine and find it harder to get a credit card or a mobile phone contract.
“It is important that everyone in St Helens registers to vote. It’s quick and easy – you can register in just three minutes by going to gov.uk/register-to-vote.”
Conor calls on government to scrap planned changes to tax credits
Conor McGinn, Labour’s Treasury Whip, was on the frontbench today for a debate calling on the Government to reverse its decision to cut tax credits.
The Government plans to cut the income threshold for Working Tax Credits from £6,420 to £3,850 a year.
IFS analysis has also shown that the proposed ‘National Living Wage’ will only account for account for a quarter of the losses working families will face as a result.
Commenting Conor said:
“These changes will hit many working families hard and at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet. The cuts to tax credits amount to a ‘work penalty’ and will hit families on middle and lower incomes – more than 3 million working families will be on average £1,300 worse off next year.
“In the North West 417,800 families may suffer as a result and 5100 families will be affected in my constituency, St Helens North. This is simply unacceptable, we should not be making life harder for working families.
“This is yet another broken promise from David Cameron who promised not to cut tax credits before the General Election. Even a former Tory Minister is calling for the plans to be tweaked.
“Today I call on David Cameron and George Osborne to reverse their decision to cut tax credits. If this does not happen then the next Labour Government will reverse them.”
Conor says police and public will suffer from Merseyside force cuts
Conor McGinn MP responding to the news that Merseyside Police may be forced to scrap Police Community Support Officers in St Helens North and across the region, said:
“PCSOs provide an important public-facing policing role in communities in St Helens North. The officers I know are professional, dedicated and popular. They are a visible presence which reassures many people that the police are accessible and available.
“Merseyside Police has suffered unprecedented cuts under this Tory Government which has had a real impact on the frontline. As we have tragically seen just this week with the murder of PC David Phillips, police officers bravely and selflessly serve our communities. They are being badly let down by this Government. I will be meeting with both the Police Commissioner and the Chief Constable in Merseyside to offer my support to our police in these very difficult times and to seek assurances about the service that will be provided to keep people in St Helens North safe and secure.”
The story in St Helens Star can be found at the link below:
Conor presses for action after Haydock residents rally for decent broadband
Conor McGinn, spoke to over a 100 Haydock residents on Saturday about the poor internet access they receive.
Residents from Ashbury Drive and the surrounding area spoke to Conor about the problems they experience because of dire levels broadband speed.
Some of the issues raised included students struggling to complete coursework and difficulties experienced trying to work or run businesses from home.
The meeting preceded a debate in the House of Commons on Monday over ‘non spots’; those areas with slow or no broadband services.
Commenting Conor said:
“I’d like to thank all the residents who came to meet me and the large turnout shows the scale of the problem. It’s not just an issue for residents in this part of Haydock but in Windle, Parr and across the constituency.
“It is simply unacceptable that many of my constituents do not have access to decent quality broadband.
“Access to the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and problems with the roll-out are having an adverse effect on small businesses, students, and families in my constituency who struggle to cope with slow internet speeds.
“I want to see action taken so that everyone has access to good quality broadband, and I will press the issue with Ministers and BT Openreach so that we get a speedy resolution.”
The full story in the St Helens Star and Reporter can be found at the link below:
Conor watches St Helens FC on Non League Day
To mark Non League Day, Conor McGinn watched the football match between St Helens FC and Chadderton FC. Afterwards he met with the Man of the Match, Adam Lawrence.
Conor campaigns to keep St Helens Courthouse open
Conor’s response to the consultation in full can be found below.
Conor McGinn MP response to the Court Consultation
I welcome the opportunity to respond to the consultation. I do not agree with the planned closure of St Helens Magistrates’ Court and County Court. There are some serious reservations and concerns that need to be addressed, the closure of the court could have a detrimental impact on the town, its residents and access to justice. There are also some concerns about the transparency of the decision.
An immediate pertinent issue which is linked to the primary issue of access to justice, is access to transport. As a result of the court closure residents and other stakeholders will have to travel from St. Helens to Liverpool to attend Court. Travelling to Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates Court and Liverpool Civil & family Court in lieu of a court in St Helens will increase travel time and create additional expense for residents. Whilst the consultation document indicates that 95% of citizens will be able reach the specified courts within an hour by car, over half of those who will be travelling by public transport may face journeys of up to 2 hours. The journey times stipulated for direct rail and bus services between St Helens and Liverpool also fail to take into account the distance travelled by residents who live in outlying rural areas. Many appointments at court are often early in the morning and without access to adequate transport, attendance would simply be unfeasible for many people.
The cost of extra travel will also have an impact on vulnerable people’s ability to access justice. Many court users, whether they be victims, offenders, or witnesses are often vulnerable. As court users they are most likely to have limited financial resources, be in receipt of benefits, lack access to a motor vehicle, or in some cases have a disability. The increased transport cost combined with cuts to legal aid would mean that many vulnerable people would be unfairly denied access to justice, if the court were to close.
Whilst HM Courts and Tribunals service have acknowledged users “should not have to make excessively long or difficult journeys to attend hearings” and commented on the role new technology could play in place of physical attendance, currently there are not adequate provisions in place. The use of new technology to mitigate the negative effects of any potential court closure should be in place before, not after, the proposed closure.
The closure of the court would also have a detrimental economic impact on the town. The Court building located in the town centre currently employs 32 members of staff, and there are 13 solicitors’ firms based in the town that would be negatively impacted by the court closure. Many clients may choose to use alternative firms in Liverpool as a result. This in turn could have a knock on effect on other businesses that are reliant on the presence of the court, and could have unintended wide ranging economic implications and consequences for the town of St Helens and its residents.
The process of determining which courts would be subject to closure has also not been transparent. Ministers were written to on numerous occasions, with requests for comparative analysis and data on Sefton and Wirral courts, however, this information has not been provided. Nor has any clear framework of the criteria used to determine which courts should be closed, with a clear comparison and rationale.
In sum the closure of the court would denigrate the status of St Helens as a town. There are not only worries about the transparency of the process, rising costs court users will face and concerns about access to justice, but potentially serious economic ramifications.