Marking National Apprenticeship Week, City Member of Parliament, Karl M^cCartney, has welcomed the 38.9% increase in the number of people starting an apprenticeship in Lincoln last year.

The Government is delivering unprecedented funding for new apprenticeships. In addition, the Prime Minister has announced that from 7 February 2012:

• Businesses and training providers can bid for a share of £6 million from the Higher Apprenticeship Fund, which will support the development of thousands of new Higher Apprenticeships in sectors including aerospace, energy and renewable technologies.
• Small and medium-sized businesses without any apprentices who hire one aged 16-24 are eligible for a £1,500 bonus, with up to 40,000 payments available.
• Businesses can bid for a share of a £250 million fund to boost skills in their workplace, giving employers rather than training providers direct access to funding for training.

Karl M^cCartney said, “National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to congratulate apprentices across my constituency on the fantastic work they are doing and to highlight the huge benefits apprenticeships bring.  Apprenticeships allow people to earn and learn at the same time, while significantly increasing their potential future earnings. But the benefits go wider than that – every £1 spent on an apprenticeship returns an estimated benefit of £18 to the economy.  That’s why it is such great news that 280 more people in our City started an apprenticeships last year thanks to the Coalition’s extra investment – a 38.9% increase on the previous year.

“I would urge people of all ages to consider becoming an apprentice and seize the opportunities that this Government has opened up.”

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk

Karl M^cCartney MP has joined with 105 other MPs from the four largest political parties represented in the House of Commons and written to the Prime Minister urging a reduction in the amount of subsidy given to onshore wind.

The joint letter also asks for amendments to be made to the National Planning Policy Framework to help protect the rural landscape and heritage sites across the country.

It also asks for the Planning Inspectorate to be told that these factors, as well as the views of local residents, to be given more weight in their decisions to counter-balance recent decisions which have given more weight to regional, national and European renewable energy targets.

Karl said, “I’m delighted to be part of this campaign. Not only is onshore wind production inefficient and intermittent, it also increases the price of energy bills to every home and business in our City.  I am keen to see the amount of money available in subsidy for onshore wind reduced and this saving spread across other renewable energy types and also spent on local energy efficiency measures.  It is also important that the new planning regime the Government is introducing ensures that local people’s views are taken fully into account and that the system recognises the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage assets we have.”

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk

Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, Karl M^cCartney, has been awarded a Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month Award by the charity Brake and Direct Line for his campaign for tougher penalties for uninsured drivers.

In October Karl asked a question in Parliament revealing that the average fine for driving an uninsured vehicle is just £200, approximately four times less than the average annual cost of insurance. This encouraged Karl to start a campaign calling for fines to be much higher, to provide a real deterrent from breaking the law.

People who drive uninsured are more likely to crash than other drivers and cause tragic deaths and injuries. In 2011 research from Direct Line and Brake revealed that one in 10 drivers report having been in a collision with an uninsured driver. Uninsured driving also costs the average driver, as the cost of crashes caused by uninsured people are passed on through insurance premiums.

Karl has asked several questions in Parliament and given a speech on the issue. He also organised a survey in Lincoln asking for his constituents’ views on uninsured drivers. This revealed 50% want the fine for uninsured driving to be £900 or more and 77% feel that if someone causes a serious crash while uninsured they should go to prison. Karl has written a report and a ten point plan to achieve his goals. These include:

1. An insurance sticker in every windscreen proving a car is insured, like the tax disc;
2. Far tougher sentences for those caught driving uninsured, with the minimum fine in each area being double the average insurance cost in the area for the age and gender of the person caught;
3. Automatic disqualification for people caught driving uninsured, for at least one year, and at least five years for subsequent offences.

Karl has pledged to continue campaigning until uninsured driving becomes socially unacceptable, there are far tougher penalties, and it is eradicated from our roads.

Julie Townsend, Brake campaigns director, said: “Research shows people who drive uninsured are more likely to crash and cause tragic deaths and injuries, so it’s vital we see action to remove these highly irresponsible and illegal drivers from our roads. We congratulate Karl on his campaign to tackle uninsured driving and urge government to listen to his calls for action, which make perfect sense in protecting the public from these rogue drivers.”

Karl M^cCartney MP said: “I was surprised to be honoured by the award of Brake’s Parliamentarian of the Month for my campaign to tackle uninsured drivers and am grateful for their support in this matter. For far too long, politicians have turned a blind eye towards the issue of dealing with uninsured drivers, even though it undermines confidence in the justice system and penalises the law-abiding.  Throughout this Parliament I shall continue to press for appropriate punishments for such crimes. We cannot have these people laughing at those who act responsibly and within the laws of this land anymore.”

About Brake

Brake is an independent road safety charity. Brake exists to stop the five deaths and 65 serious injuries that happen on UK roads every day and to care for families bereaved and seriously injured in road crashes. Brake runs awareness-raising campaigns, community education programmes, events such asRoad Safety Week (19-25 November 2012), and a Fleet Safety Forum scheme, providing advice to companies. Brake’s support division cares for road crash victims through a helpline and other services.

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line is part of RBS Insurance, the second largest general insurer in the UK¹ and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com

Direct Line Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: 3 Edridge Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1AG.

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk

Karl M^cCartney, Member of Parliament for the City of Lincoln, has welcomed Government funding to build more affordable homes in Lincoln. Through the New Homes Bonus, the City of Lincoln Council has been granted £1,020,885 this year to build much-needed housing in the local area.

The New Homes Bonus is a multi-billion pound programme that rewards communities when they accept more housebuilding in their area. The Bonus includes an extra reward for building new affordable homes, and for getting long-term empty homes back into use.

Building on the flagship Housing Strategy, the Government has today this week unveiled a range of measures to help first time buyers onto the housing ladder, provide support for millions who have been left languishing on social housing waiting lists and get construction on the move.

Mr M^cCartney said, “Labour led Britain into a housing crisis – the number of affordable homes fell, waiting lists almost doubled and first-time buyer numbers collapsed to their lowest level for a generation.

“Housebuilding is already up a quarter under the Coalition Government, but there is more to do.

“I am delighted to welcome this funding for new homes in our City. The Government’s actions will help local people onto the housing ladder, provide more affordable housing and create local jobs”.

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk

Karl M^cCartney, Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, today attended a Supporters Direct reception in Parliament, sponsored by Jessica Lee MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash.

The event promoted Supporters Direct’s ‘Key principles for Football Club Licensing in England’, which aim to ensure greater financial and social responsibility in the game.  Supporter’s Direct proposes a licensing system to be established in response to the recommendations in the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Report on Football Governance.  The licensing framework should be aimed at securing: the sustainable development of English football and its clubs; and supporter and community engagement in the running of football clubs.

Karl said, “I gladly attended Supporters Direct’s reception in Parliament earlier today and join them in arguing that the licensing system should protect football as a whole from the instability and lack of sustainability it has experienced and continues to experience.   The licensing system should embed the involvement of responsible, democratically elected supporters in the governance of clubs.  I am very aware of the very active role my constituents as supporters of ‘The Imps’ – Lincoln City FC – have played in our Club’s history, in both very turbulent financial times and still continue to do so today.”

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk or go to http://www.supporters-direct.org/

Karl M^cCartney MP welcomes the upgrade to the website police.uk introduced on 30 January 2012. These improvements give the public an even more detailed picture of crime and anti-social behaviour in the City of Lincoln.

The website now includes incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour recorded at all train stations and railway networks. Soon incidents occurring at or near significant local sites like shopping areas, nightclubs, parks, airports, universities, car parks and hospitals will be added too.

In addition, the website now has more specific detail on the precise location of incidents – while still protecting anonymity.

From May this year police.uk will show the action taken by the police or the justice outcome after a crime.

Commenting, Karl M^cCartney, Member of Parliament for Lincoln, said, “Police.uk gives everyone in our City information on just what crime and anti-social behaviour is happening right on their street.  In the year since its launch the website has received an astonishing 453 million hits and this upgrade will make even more detail available.  I’m pleased the Home Office is listening to the public’s demand for even more information on crime in their neighbourhood ahead of the election this November of our Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire.

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk

On Sunday the 29^th of January, Karl M^cCartney, Member of Parliament for Lincoln, attended the Great Australian Breakfast at The Lawn on Union Road in the City of Lincoln.  The annual event which celebrates the city’s twinning relationship with Port Lincoln in Australia is held every year on the Sunday closest to Australia Day (26^th of January).

The City of Lincoln Band opened the day in style at 8:30am with their rendition of the Australian National Anthem, followed by the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Concert Band from 10am till 11am, and at 11am the ever-popular folk group Ploughman’s Bunch took to the stage.  BBC Lincolnshire’s Melvin Prior compared the event, and other BBC Lincolnshire personalities were on hand to plate up the full English breakfast and meet the public.

Karl M^cCartney said: “The Great Australian Breakfast – which celebrated Australia Day and the City of Lincoln’s twinning relationship with Port Lincoln – was a great success.  I hugely enjoyed meeting with my constituents and helping to raise money for the Mayor’s Charities.”

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP atkarl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk

Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, Karl M^cCartney, is today urging eligible constituents to take advantage of the Government’s flagship energy help scheme Warm Front, to make their homes warmer and cut their energy bills.

The Warm Front scheme – which offers heating and insulation improvements to households living on low incomes – is expected to see up to £30 million worth of funding for this year going unclaimed. This money could help up to 16,000 households struggling to afford their energy bills to cut their costs by a potential £650 per year.

People on certain income-related benefits and living in homes that are poorly insulated, or do not have a working central heating system, are eligible for Warm Front grants.

Applications to the scheme are down by 70%. So Karl M^cCartney, MP for the City of Lincoln, together withConsumer Focus urges people to put in a claim now before the funding for this year ends on 31 March.

Karl M^cCartney MP said, “Insulating your loft and walls is a good way to tackle high energy bills and I urge people to see if they qualify and apply for Warm Front’s free of charge home improvements, before the funding is withdrawn.”

“If you think you are eligible, apply to the scheme by calling 0800 316 6004, or online atwww.direct.gov.uk/warmfront.”

Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said, “The poorest pensioners and families will have been hit particularly hard by high energy prices. Many are living in cold homes, which could put their health at risk. It is very disappointing that people who need Warm Front help to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat are likely to miss out. We’d urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to put in a claim. This help is free and can make a big difference in affording your energy bills and keeping warm and well.”

Factfile:

• There are now likely to be almost 7 million households living in fuel poverty in the UK (Estimates on behalf of Consumer Focus using Centre for Sustainable Energy research). This is up from 5.5 million in 2009 (the latest official Government figures)

• The average energy bill is now £1,289, which will fall to £1,258 after all the recent price cuts announced come into effect

• Full details of who can claim help under the Warm Front scheme and how to apply are available on Directgov - www.direct.gov.uk/warmfront People can apply for the scheme online, by post, or by phone on 0800 316 6004 (or textphone 0800 072 0156),Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

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Karl M^cCartney, Member of Parliament for Lincoln, joined volunteers from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Bayer and Novo Nordisk to raise awareness of the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the UK yesterday (Tuesday 24 January).  The MP attended a diabetes testing event in Parliament following on from the success of World Diabetes Day held last November.

Diabetes is a significant and growing health issue, affecting over 300 million people worldwide.  The IDF believes that, unless action is taken, this could rise to 500 million within a generation[i]. The IDF and its member organisations – which include Diabetes UK – is working to improve the political and public awareness of the diabetes pandemic and the critical interventions that are necessary to counter it.

Around 2.9 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, but it is estimated that a further 850,000 people may be living with the condition without realising it[ii].  This means that around 1 in 16 people in the UK are living with the disease – or approximately 5,770 people in the average constituency.  If diagnosed early, diabetes can be actively managed to help mitigate the serious consequences of the disease.

Mr M^cCartney had a diabetes test and met with healthcare professionals at a special event in Westminster to find out more about the disease.  The event was held with the support of healthcare companies Bayer and Novo Nordisk.

Karl M^cCartney said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the work of the International Diabetes Federation in raising awareness of diabetes in Parliament.  Diabetes is a growing health problem both in the UK and around the world, but if it is detected early then it can be actively managed. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about diabetes to speak to their GP about having a blood glucose test, as I did yesterday.  It only takes a few minutes, but it could save you years of illness.”

Sir Michael Hirst, President-Elect of the IDF said: “We welcome the support of Karl M^cCartney MP in raising awareness of diabetes through our parliamentary event.  Last November millions of people around the globe came together to mark World Diabetes Day.  We hope that the two-day event helps create further awareness in the UK of the condition and its consequences.”

Commenting on the event, Viggo Birch, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk Ltd said: “At Novo Nordisk, we are committed to fighting diabetes and advancing diabetes care for the benefit of the growing numbers of people living with the condition. The public, private and third sectors must continue working together to make progress in the fight against the diabetes pandemic.  Awareness days such as this are a step towards ensuring that those living with this chronic disease in the UK, receive the optimum care that they truly deserve.”

A Bayer spokesperson said: “As a market leader in the field of blood glucose monitoring systems, Bayer is delighted to be involved in the International Diabetes Federation awareness day.  Diabetes is an issue that affects people across the UK. By working closely with Members of Parliament, we hope they will take the message back to their constituents and aid in raising awareness.”

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk

Opportunity to win sports equipment for a local school / sports club

Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, Karl M^cCartney, today took part in the Bupa ‘Get Moving’ challenge to raise awareness of the benefits of taking regular exercise and by doing so is in with a chance of winning £500 of sports equipment for a local school or sports club.

Organised by Bupa in partnership with MEND, the Youth Sport Trust and Diabetes UK, Mr M^cCartney joined other Members of Parliament on the walk, which took in some of London’s most famous landmarks.

Commenting on the walk, Mr M^cCartney said: “It was enjoyable to meet the attendees and representatives from BUPA, and spend some time with them and my colleagues on this morning’s walk – and of course there is a chance to win some sports equipment for local schools. I’m looking forward to the walks scheduled for coming weeks too as I aim to be fitter for this year’s Lincoln 10K.”

Martin George, Managing Director, Group Development, Bupa, said: “It’s great that Members of Parliament are taking part in the Bupa ‘Get Moving’ challenge to be in with a chance of winning sports equipment for a local school or sports club. Bupa and our partners [MEND, Youth Sport Trust and Diabetes UK] are committed to helping people to get moving and live healthier lifestyles and walking is an excellent way of achieving this.”

The winner will be announced on 7 February at the final walk. There are three walks taking place in total – on 24 January, 31 January and 7 February.

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For further information, please contact Karl M^cCartney MP at karl.mccartney.mp@parliament.uk,
or James Thompson at the Bupa Press Office on 020 7656 2056.