News Andy Burnham MP for Leigh

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29/11/2007 - Move to put skills at the heart of welfare welcomed by MP

Today, Andy Burnham welcomed the Government’s plan to help people move up the ladder of opportunity; off welfare, into work, and upwards to prosperity for them and their families.

The paper, Opportunity, Employment and Progression: the role of skills, will help people at every stage of their working lives. It details plans to pilot the advancement and careers service, which will not only offer advice on skills and work, but also other issues which may face people trying to find a job or move on, such as affordable childcare or housing benefits.

Under the new plans, when you sign on, you sign up for skills. Every new person on out of work benefits will have a light touch “skills screening”, by someone from the new advancement and careers service. Those who are finding it hard to find work will have an in depth skills health check, to help them access the training they need to get into work. The government has put aside funds for half a million skills health checks. But the government says that getting a job should just be the start, so it’s providing another half a million skills health checks for those in low skilled work, who want to get on.

Andy said, “I’m proud that the Labour government is supporting people to gain the skills they need to get on at work and to get on in life. This package tells all the people in the Leigh area, that if you want to get on, the government is on your side. The advancement and careers service will help people with low skills in the right direction of training, and perhaps give them the support they need to find childcare. The Labour Government is committed to helping people off benefits, into work, but then onwards to a better job. This is better for them and their families, as well as the economy.”

28/11/2007 - Decent GP services should be available for all

The NHS Next Stage Review interim report by health minister Lord Darzi identified the need for at least new 100 GP surgeries and 150 GP led health centres in the most deprived areas.

So today the Health Secretary Alan Johnson has identified 38 primary care trusts (PCTs) as having the poorest GP provision. These areas, which also includes Ashton, Wigan & Leigh PCT will be the first to benefit from 100 new GP centres as part of a three year roll out programme. These areas will also benefit from 150 GP led health centres.

Andy Burnham MP said, "It is not acceptable that in some areas there are twice as many GPs per head of the population as there are in others. The new practices announced today will increase capacity in places that need it most."

"They will also fit the needs of the patients with extended opening hours and extended practice boundaries so that people have more choice about where to go to see their GP."

"The government’s guiding principle on the NHS is a universal service, free at the point of need, not based on the ability to pay. Over the past decade we have already achieved a great deal in addressing healthcare inequality. But we must do more."

"Where patients cannot rely on existing GP practices to provide them with a good standard of service, we should turn to new providers. This isn't about dogma - it's about getting better treatment for all patients.”

23/11/2007 - Andy backs White Ribbon Campaign

Andy Burnham MP today backed the white ribbon campaign – 16 days of action on stopping violence against women.

Sunday 25 November is UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of the White Ribbon Campaign - 16 days of action on stopping violence towards women.

The campaign calls on men everywhere to make a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women.

The White Ribbon Campaign started in Canada where a group of men decided to speak out against violence against women and to encourage debate and discussion on the issue of men’s violence. They organised the wearing of a White Ribbon for the campaign, and there are now White Ribbon Campaigns operating in many countries around the world.

The UK White Ribbon Campaign is an educational organisation which encourages discussion that leads to personal and collective action among men. They distribute Education and Action kits to schools and encourage men to do educational work and support local women’s groups.

The Government has made significant progress on the issue of domestic violence over the last ten years, including:

• the implementation of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims
Act 2004, which introduced a number of new powers and
amendments to strengthen the victim’s case when brought to the
attention of the criminal justice system;
• an increase in successful prosecutions for Domestic Violence,
from 46% in December 2003 to 66% in December 2006 and;
• the setting up of 64 Specialist Domestic Violence Courts;

Andy said, "I am backing the White Ribbon campaign and I call on men everywhere to make a personal pledge never to commit violence towards women or to keep silent if they know about it."

“A lot of progress has been made to stop domestic violence – but some men still see violence to women as an accepted part of life."

“Domestic abuse still goes on behind too many front doors and it’s a crime which destroys families, terrifies children and leaves its victims frightened and vulnerable.”