Local MP Andrew Percy is supporting the launch of Chance to be Chancellor 2012 and is calling on schools and young people in Brigg and Goole to take up in the challenge to learn about, and share their opinions on, Budget 2012.  Run by the Citizenship Foundation, in partnership with Aviva, Chance to be Chancellor is open to all 14-18 year olds across the UK.

Andrew Percy says, "Chance to be Chancellor is an online tool that challenges young people to make informed decisions on taxation and spending policies. This was run last year and resulted in the publication of the first ever 'Youth Budget'. I encourage any 14-18 year old who is interested to visit the website and get involved."

Running until the 20^th February, participants can enter into a national competition to win great prizes and visit HM Treasury in London.

To find out more and get involved visit:

www.chancetobechancellor.org.uk

Andrew Percy MP and ERYC Cllr John Barrett met with 3 representatives of UK coal,  John Hind, company surveyor, Spencer Warren, Heaton Planning and Andy Mortimer, Kellingley Colliery surveyor last Friday to discuss plans to extend mining into East Yorkshire.

The meeting took place to discuss the feasibility study being undertaken by UK Coal to mine under land in East Yorkshire near the villages of Pollington and Gowdall. If any mining were to take place it would run from Kellingley Colliery, 800mtrs underground.

Discussions have already commenced with the Environment Agency and the Internal Drainage Board regarding flooding issues in the area and solutions. The study has not yet been completed and may take a further eight weeks. If any plans were passed, the earliest any mining could commence would be 2013.

Andrew Percy says, “John and I were keen that we meet face to face with UK Coal to discuss the plans in detail. We were especially concerned to see where exactly the proposed extension area was and to ensure that it does not go under any of our local communities.

UK Coal explained that the extension area is centred on the boundary with Selby district and would not extend under any of our communities and nor would there be any above ground workings. The extension of their mining activities would extend the life of their pit and secure the hundreds of jobs at the pit for longer.

UK Coal is still considering their feasibility reports and will not be making any decision about applying for the extension until after that. John and I have agreed to meet them once these reports are complete. Residents can rest assured that we will keep them fully updated.”

Cllr John Barrett said “I found this meeting very instructive and I am more reassured from the maps I have seen. My concern was that UK Coal were seeking to mine directly under our villages.

However, mining activity can be disruptive and as such we need to know a lot more before we come to a view. Andrew and I will be meeting UK Coal again to discuss their flooding, environmental and subsidence reports in more detail. We need to be sure what the impact will be locally.

It is also important to remember that this is only the start of the process. If UK Coal does decide the extension is feasible, then they will have to apply to the Council for permission which will require proper consultation with residents.”

Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, has pledged to support the national charity Beating Bowel Cancer to save lives from the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

Mr Percy attended Beating Bowel Cancer’s annual Be Loud Be Clear parliamentary reception earlier this week where he found out the latest bowel cancer figures for his local area. In Brigg and Goole, more people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and more people die from the disease than the national average.

Andrew Percy MP said, “One in eighteen people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and these local figures show that people in Brigg and Goole must take bowel cancer seriously. I hope that by supporting Beating Bowel Cancer’s campaign I can encourage people in my constituency to BE LOUD about bowel cancer and BE CLEAR on the symptoms of the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.”

Mark Flannagan, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer said, “I am delighted that Andrew Percy MP is supporting Be Loud Be Clear. Bowel cancer claims a life every 30 minutes in the UK but it but it can be beaten. No matter what the figures say for your local area, by working together to raise awareness, we can beat bowel cancer.”

Be Loud Be Clear 2012 coincides with the launch of Be Clear on Cancer, the first NHS national bowel cancer awareness campaign. Bowel Cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer yet it can be beaten. If diagnosed early, over 90% of bowel cancer patients could be successfully treated compared with less than 7% of patients diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer.

To find out more about bowel cancer and to access the latest figures for bowel cancer in your area, by local authority and constituency, visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org.

Local MP, Andrew Percy, is celebrating after the Government announced it is going to change the law on scrap metal sales within weeks. This is the culmination of a long campaign locally led by Andrew which has seen him raise the issue with the Prime Minister, Home Office as well as organising a local Metal Theft Summit in Scunthorpe recently.

The Home Secretary has now announced that the Government is going to amend the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, presently working its way through Parliament. The amendments will create a new criminal offence prohibiting cash sales for scrap metal  whilst also significantly increasing fines for breaching the Scrap Metal Dealers Act

Andrew Percy said, "This has been a long campaign and I am therefore delighted that the Government has listened to us and will act. Just a couple of weeks ago I met with the Minister responsible and urged him to act quickly to bring forward legislation to tackle this problem. Currently, scrap metal transactions are often completed in cash without any proof of ID or that the person owns the metal. The move to a cashless system will end these sorts of transactions and provide a proper audit trail of who is selling scrap metal and in what quantities.

Locally, we have seen a big growth in scrap metal thefts as the price of scrap metal has soared. This has meant communities have seen their telephones, Internet and electricity all too often cut off by thoughtless criminals stealing cables. Last November the Government responded by providing £5 million for a national taskforce to enhance law enforcement activity. We now know that within the next few weeks the law will also be changed to make it harder for thieves to dispose of their stolen metal.

We will never be able to stamp this crime out in full but the move to a cashless based system closes one of the loopholes presently in the system."

Photo: Andrew with Lord Henley, Minister for Crime Prevention

Andrew Percy MP has welcomed the news of a 10-year deal between Royal Mail and the Post Office, securing the future of services without resorting to the failed closures programme which dominated Labour’s time in government.

The deal follows the Government’s other measures to protect Post Office services including additional funding of £1 billion, new local and national contracts, a successful piloting scheme to transform many local post offices and improvements in the services offered.

Commenting, Andrew Percy said:

"Our local area lost a large number of Post Offices as a result of the previous Government's closure programme. Long before my election, I campaigned to overturn Labour’s cuts to our Post Offices, which saw them close over 6,500 in a decade. The Government’s announcement means the future of the Post Office is secured guaranteeing this valuable service for millions of people.

Post Offices are the lifeblood of many of our communities and often when we have lost them, villages have also lost their only shop too. We cant undo the closures that have already happened but this new contract offers security for the next decade meaning no Post Office will be forced to close."

Rising fuel bills are stretching household finances and people are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills.

Last week, Andrew Percy supported Big Energy Week which is being run by Citizens Advice.

Big Energy Week offers practical advice on cutting your fuel bills and help to see if you are getting all of the financial support you are entitled to.  The information offered during Big Energy Week is still available and residents can pick up a leaflet with tips and advice on cutting your fuel bills at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

A new website – www.bigenergyweek.org.uk - is full of tips on how to cut your energy bills.  The website also has details of local Big Energy Week events in your area.

Citizens Advice, Chief Executive, Gillian Guy said: “We know hikes in prices have put extra pressure on people’s budgets at a time when money is already tight. Day in day out our Bureaux helping people who can’t afford their fuel bills.

“We’re worried that some people are struggling unnecessarily because they’re not on the best deal; live in homes that haemorrhage heat or are not getting all of the financial help available to them.”

Andrew Percy said: “Fuel bills are a big worry for many people at the moment.  I am pleased to support Big Energy Week and hope it will make a big difference to my constituents by saving them money on their bills.”

Big Energy Week is helping people save money on their bills by encouraging them to:  

• Contact your supplier to check you are you are on the best  tariff and payment method for you.  Monthly direct debit is on average £100 cheaper per year than paying by cash or cheque.

• Visit an accredited switching website to see if you could get your energy cheaper elsewhere. You may be able to save up to £200 off your annual bill by shopping around for a different supplier, particularly if you have never changed energy firm.

• Insulate the walls and the loft of your home and you could save on average around £120 per year.  All major gas and electricity suppliers are giving away free or discounted insulation to any household, not just their own customers. Ask if you’re eligible so you don’t miss out.  That goes for heating oil customers too.

• Check you are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could up your income; your local Citizens Advice Bureaux can help you with this.

• Using less energy could save you money, just by doing simple things like turning off lights and switching appliances off at the wall. Turning your thermostat down 1°C alone could cut your heating bill by £60 on average.

• If you are unable to pay your bills you should contact your energy supplier immediately as they have to help you manage your bills in a way that you can afford.

• If you use heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat your home, shop around and compare prices from different oil suppliers.  You could also save money by buying in bulk with your neighbours; check if there is an oil club you can join or start one up.

Added Gillian: “More and more people are coming to us for advice on how they can save money on their energy bills.  Through Big Energy Week we hope to help lots of people cut their fuel bills and ease their money worries.”