News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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22/02/2008 - Andy calls for local debate on fluoridation to improve dental health

The government has urged the NHS to consider fluoridating tap water for those areas with poor dental health to help prevent tooth decay and reduce health inequalities.

£42 million of extra funding will be made available over the next 3 years by the Government to those Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) who, following consultations, find that the local community is in favour of the introduction of fluoridation schemes to improve dental health.

Academic studies show that oral health is better in areas where tap water is already fluoridated and that the number of children with tooth decay decreases by 15%. In practice the benefits are even greater. For example, children in fluoridated Birmingham have half the cases of tooth decay than children in non-fluoridated Manchester.

To help Strategic Health Authorities assess the level of public support for local fluoridation schemes, the government is also issuing revised guidance to ensure local consultations are conducted in a fair and objective way, with benefits and risks being properly considered.

Andy said, "Fluoridation is scientifically supported, it is legal, and it is government policy, but only two or three areas currently have it and we need to go much further in areas like the Leigh area where dental health needs to be improved. It is an effective and relatively easy way to help address health inequalities - giving children from poorer backgrounds a dental health boost that can last a lifetime, reducing tooth decay and thereby cutting down on the amount of dental work they need in the future."

"But there are people who hold strong views on this subject, so it is important that any proposed schemes are fully and widely consulted on. The guidance published today will help local health bodies to ensure there is an opportunity for everyone to put forward their views. The extra funding announced means that, should local people decide to support fluoridation, SHAs have the resources to implement it."

Susie Sanderson, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Executive Board said, “Tooth decay is a significant problem in the UK. In socially deprived communities as many as one in three children under the age of five will have one or more extractions of decayed teeth."

“Research confirms that fluoridation helps to reduce tooth decay. The addition of fluoride into water supplies in certain areas could reduce the levels of tooth decay and give children a decent start in life."

“Fluoride should form part of an oral health strategy that considers all effective methods to improve health. This includes healthy eating advice, identifying sugar-free medicines, improving periodontal health, stop smoking guidance, accessing alcohol misuse, and prevention of erosion."

Fluoride has been added to Birmingham's tap water for over forty years. Its residents are among the 5.5 million UK citizens whose water fluoridation has been already funded by the NHS. A further half a million people live in areas in which fluoride occurs naturally in the water.

This new government funding will allow SHAs in areas of poor dental health to meet the capital cost of fluoridation schemes without depleting funds designated for other health needs and facilities.

All water contains some fluoride. About half a million people in this country receive water which is naturally fluoridated at, or about, the optimum level for dental health of one part of fluoride per million of water. A further 5.5 million people receive water where the fluoride content has been increased at the request of the NHS to a level of one part per million. No ill effects to overall health have been identified. Major schemes are in operation in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and also in Tyneside, with the cost borne by the health service rather than water customers.

22/02/2008 - Andy encourages over 60s to register for free bus pass

Andy today welcomed the campaign to encourage people aged 60 or over and eligible disabled in the North West to register for their new free bus pass. From 1st April 2008 the current bus concession covering free local off-peak bus travel within the local travel authority will be extended to anywhere in England.

Andy said, “People need to register for their pass to enjoy free travel. Being able to travel around the region on the bus for free is something that lots of people aged 60 or over and disabled have been able to enjoy. But this new entitlement will mean they can travel to neighbouring districts on the bus for free and will make it easier to get around when visiting family and friends, or on holiday in another part of the country."

“The new pass will also entitle local people to free local train travel in Greater Manchester. I would urge everyone who's eligible to register for their new pass – thanks to the government it's their entitlement."

People in the region are required to register for their new pass by 1st April 2008 to continue to take advantage of free local off-peak bus travel in their local travel authority and also enjoy the benefits of the national scheme.

In Greater Manchester, the national pass will be adopted by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE). Existing bus concessions in Cheshire will also be amended to take into account the national scheme.

For more general information about the national concession, log on to http://www.direct.gov.uk/buspass. To apply for a pass ring GMPTE Traveline on 0871 200 2233.

14/02/2008 - Young people to get five hours of culture a week - £135m funding boost announced

A new £25 million 'Find Your Talent' scheme, part of the Government's ambition to give young people in England the chance to experience high quality arts and culture, was announced today by Culture Secretary and Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

It will be accompanied by a £110 million investment in the successful 'Creative Partnerships' scheme which allows children and young people in schools to work with creative professionals such as artists, writers and actors.

The moves are part of the Government's drive to unlock the creative talent of all young people. Participating in cultural activities can have a huge impact on a child's development, in terms of developing their skills and appreciation, and helping them to learn. The Government wants every child to have the chance to develop their artistic and creative skills, and is also announcing the SHINE Festival to take place this summer.

The 'Find Your Talent' programme will be piloted in ten areas around the country. It will give young people the chance to discover and develop their talents with the intention, ultimately, to offer children five hours of arts and culture a week, in and outside of the school day. This will include the chance to:

* perform on stage and attend top quality performances, exhibitions at museums and galleries, and heritage sites;
* get hands-on experience of the creative industries including film making, radio and TV;
* learn a musical instrument, and take part in a musical performance in front of an audience;
* produce creative writing and appreciate authors and how they work;
* learn about - and practise - new media and digital art; and
* develop art and craft skills.

The 'Find Your Talent' project will be implemented by a new body, the Youth Culture Trust, which will also oversee the Creative Partnerships scheme, working with more than 2,000 schools each year. The Trust will receive £110 million over three years (from the Arts Council's CSR settlement), as well as £25 million to pilot 'Find Your Talent'.
Andy also announced a further £13 million over three years for an initiative that funds educational work with museums and galleries around the country.

Andy Burnham MP said, "All children have creative talents and we want to ensure that they have the opportunity to develop them. Theatre, film, music, museums and other art forms can be life-changing for young people, broadening their horizons and raising self-confidence and aspirations."

"There will be practical challenges in delivering this ambitious goal of course, and these pilots will give us the chance to see what those challenges are. But this is a fantastic opportunity for schools to build on what they already do."

"Many of us remember the first ever live music we heard or the first ever performance we saw. I want all young people to have the chance to both experience and take part in creative activities to help them learn and develop."