News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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09/11/2009 - MP pay's tribute to local veterans

Andy Burnham MP has paid tribute to local veterans who attended a Veterans’ Ceremony on the eve of remembrance weekend at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute on Friday, 6th November.

The ceremony is now in its fourth year and was attended by over 170 veterans. Sponsorship for the event was provided by Leigh Rotary Club with lunch provided by Waterfields.

Pupils from Gilded Hollins Primary School provided entertainment for attendees following lunch.

Andy also presented campaign medals to Leigh resident Miss Mary Yates (better known as Molly) who served in the RAF during WWII. Andy is pictured presenting Molly with the Defence medal, WWII medal and a Veterans' Lapel Badge.

Andy Burnham MP said, "We are of course a nation with Armed Forces deployed overseas at this moment and it is only right that at times we stop and think about the great personal bravery of our Armed Forces: their discipline and duty; their fierce loyalty to their comrades; and their determination to protect the innocent."

"These are the very best of British qualities that over the years we have come to associate with our Armed Forces. This weekend, we as a community mark the service and sacrifice of all our veterans from across the decades and pay tribute to their service and their contribution to society."

"Those who are not with us today either through duty or through the ultimate sacrifice have always been prepared to stand up for Britain and our ideals and values across the world. As a nation we should never forget what they have done."

“I hope that this afternoon will give you all a chance to share some stories and memories, of good times, bad times and even funny times and on behalf of the people of Leigh, thank you for all that you have given to this country and this community."

Andy was also appreciative of the support of today’s sponsors. He added,
“I want to place on record my thanks to Leigh Miners Welfare Institute for hosting today’s event and the sponsorship of Leigh Rotary Club and Waterfields for their generous support for Leigh’s veterans.”

04/11/2009 - Everyone can be a winner thanks to the Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is responsible for delivering around half of all funds raised for Good Causes by the National Lottery. It funds projects connected to health, education, environment and charitable purposes with a focus on improving communities and the lives of people most in need.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham is raising awareness of BIG and calling on local organisations to apply for funding. A fact sheet is available to download below highlighting the various funding streams available through BIG.

One funding stream provided by BIG is Awards for All which offers grants of between £300 and £10,000 for projects that improve communities, and the lives of people within them. It is for voluntary and community groups, schools and health organisations. To date over £26,000 has been awarded to Leigh based groups but Andy believes that with encouragement more local groups could be in line for funding boosts.

Andy Burnham MP added, “BIG is a great scheme - and potential funding is available right now for hundreds of local groups working in the Leigh area."

“That’s why I have produced a fact sheet in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund to highlight the various funding streams available.”

Click here for Andy's fact sheet.

28/10/2009 - Andy Burnham MP celebrates 7185 homes made warmer in Leigh

Andy Burnham MP is celebrating the work of the Government funded Warm Front Scheme in tackling fuel poverty in Leigh and is urging more local residents to come forward and get help with measures that could cut their energy bills by up to £600 a year.

Andy Burnham MP said, “The Warm Front scheme aims to help people with energy efficiency and is vital in helping increasing numbers of people who are finding energy bills a heavy burden."

“Policies that tackle climate change are crucial, so seeing Warm Front doing that while addressing the issue of fuel poverty is very important to our local communities here in Leigh.”

Warm Front works by providing contributions of up to £3,500 towards insulation and gas heating measures and £6,000 for oil heating for the elderly, disabled and low income families.

Green support services company eaga reported that during the last year, there have been record take up figures with 7185 households in Leigh having benefited from the scheme.

These households benefited from a range of energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, new heating systems and draught proofing.

To date £8,483,506.63 has been invested by Warm Front in the Leigh Constituency. Many of those who have benefited from the Scheme are reporting average households savings of anything between £300 and £600 a year.

Rising fuel prices and the need to protect the environment from dangerous CO2 levels are making the work of Warm Front Scheme increasingly important.

As well as benefiting from energy efficiency measures, households contacting eaga are also receiving a free benefit entitlement and to date 860 homes in the Leigh constituency have increased their average weekly income by £21.76.

To qualify for Warm Front residents must either own their own home or live in privately rented accommodation and should be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. To find out more about the Scheme and see if they qualify Andy Burnham MP is urging households to contact Warm Front on 0800 316 6014.

Please click here for Further Information