News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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03/04/2008 - New play areas on the cards for the Leigh constituency

New play areas could soon be built across the borough thanks to new investment in the Government’s Children’s Plan.

Local MP Andy Burnham said that the Council could receive around £1 million from the Government to invest in dozens of new play areas. He is urging the local authority to bid for money in the next funding round.

Over the next three years every part of the country will receive funding for new play areas. It’s part of a £235 million investment being made by the Labour Government to transform children’s play areas and make sure public spaces are more child friendly.

Andy said the local community must help to decide where the money should be spent and wants to hear from local families about which play areas should be rebuilt or where there is a need for new play facilities. The funding could help to develop 20-30 play areas across the borough.

Andy said, "Good play areas are well used by children and parents alike and provide an excellent social focus for the community, but they don't exist everywhere. That's why we're launching this strategy, to give children a stimulating and safe environment where they can let off steam, mix with others and get active. The enjoyment children get from play can give them a life long love of being active and also build up a passion for sport.

"Of course it is important that children are kept safe but this does not mean we have to wrap them up in cotton wool. I want to get children outside where they can enjoy the many possibilities that play offers rather than spending all day in front of the computer. Play can help children explore their creative side while at the same time improve their fitness. New and improved play areas will give children fantastic opportunities to do just that."

27/03/2008 - Andy is swept away by Street Games Success

While the nation was gripped by Sport Relief fever recently, over a hundred young people from Hindley gave Andy a Street Games lesson.

Proving that there are great opportunities for young people to get active in the Wigan Borough, Andy joined Street Games ambassador and former Commonwealth 800m Champion Diane Modahl at a regular Friday night activity session at Hindley Sports Centre.

Organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Sport Development Unit, the session including football and dance, is just one of 20 regular community sport events organised by the Trust. In 2007, 12,422 young people took part in similar community sports activities in the borough.

The regular sessions include a variety of ‘Street Games’ including football, athletics, squash, handball and dance, and have been successfully supported through a £42,000 grant from the Football Foundation. The climax to the activities is the chance for young people from the Wigan Borough to take part in the North West Street Games at SportCity, Manchester in August. Around 120 young people represented Wigan at the 2007 event.

Up and down the country, Street Games delivers sport and dance to young people where they want it, at times when they want it and in a style they want. Street Games brings sport to young people from all backgrounds who would like the chance to have fun and get active.

Andy said, "It is vital that we provide our young people with as many opportunities to take part in activities that have great short and long term physical and social benefits. Street Games is an innovative, exciting concept and I’m glad to see it really coming to fruition and having such an impact in Hindley.”

Details of all the community sports sessions taking place across the borough are available at www.wbsc.org.uk or by contacting Wigan Sports Development on 01942 404982.

Photograph: The attached image shows Andy with Diane Modahl, Ambassador, Street Games, Rodney Hill, Chief Executive, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and Hindley youngsters.

26/03/2008 - Leigh's Pensioners to get fuel bills help

Andy Burnham has teamed up with Labour’s Pensions Secretary James Purnell to alert local pensioners to extra money announced in the recent Budget. On top of the Winter Fuel Payment, next winter local pensioners will now be eligible for an additional payment of £100 to over-80s households and £50 to over-60s households to help with fuel bills.

New figures reveal that in the Leigh Constituency this will mean 18,330 over 60s stand to get a total winter fuel payment for their household of at least £250 while 3,170 pensioners can claim £400 to help keep warm.

Andy said that everyone should be aware of their entitlement, “Labour has always been committed to provide dignity in retirement for pensioners. Hundreds of pensioners here in the Leigh area will benefit from extra cash to pay their heating bills this year. I want to make sure everyone gets the money they are due. If you received a winter fuel payment last year you should automatically receive one this year. But if you are in any doubt you should call 08459 15 15 15.”

James Purnell MP, Labour’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions joined Andy to highlight the bonus for local people. He said, “Before 1997 there was no Winter Fuel Allowance. Since then Labour’s winter fuel payment has seen over £14 billion awarded to pensioners. Next winter we are giving extra help to meet the cost of keeping warm. None of this would have been achieved without local Labour MPs like Andy,who have campaigned hard for pensioners.”

• You can get a claim form if you need one, by ringing the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (08545 601 5613 for text phone users), or you can get a copy from the DWP website www.dwp.gov.uk. Alternatively, if you are age 60 or over, you can get a copy from The Pension Service website www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel.

• If you got a Winter Fuel Payment last winter, you should automatically get a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter as long as your circumstances have not changed and you satisfy the conditions.

• All automatic Winter Fuel Payments should be made by Christmas. If you have not had a Winter Fuel Payment by then, you should call the office that pays your benefit or entitlement or call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline.

• If you are making a claim, you should return your claim form as soon as possible. We expect to make payments by Christmas for successful claims that we receive by the Friday of the September qualifying week. We cannot guarantee a payment by Christmas if your claim is received after this.

• If you make successful claim for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter and remain eligible, you should get your payment automatically in the future, as long as you let us know about any changes in your circumstances.