Press Releases

The eyes have it

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson said:

"Eye tests aren't just about checking the health of your eyes but can also detect other health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Debilitating eye conditions such as glaucoma are treatable and sight loss can be prevented if they are detected early enough. I would urge local folk to have eye tests regularly."

Free NHS sight tests are available to people 60 and over, all children under 16 and those on low incomes.

Get warm grants before they go!

Mr Anderson said:

"Consumer Focus advises me that millions of funding could go unclaimed unless eligible constituents use the Warm Front scheme. This money could help thousands of households struggling with high energy bills to cut their costs by a potential £650 per year. The grants are open to people on certain income-related benefits, living in poorly insulated homes or without a working central heating system. Claims have to be made by the end of March when funding will dry up."

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."

People can apply for the scheme on-line, by post, or by phone on 0800 316 6004 (or textphone 0800 072 0156),Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 p.m. and Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00 p.m.

PM errors at PMQs

"There are more people in work today than there were at the time of the last election".

In fact, the most recent employment figures from the Office for National Statistics show that total employment between May-July 2010 and September-November 2011 fell by 26,000.

He said that the Merlin agreement

"actually led to an increase in bank lending last year".

In fact, the latest Trends in Lending report from the Bank of England, published last Friday, said that

"the stock of lending to SMEs contracted between end-April and end-November 2011".

He spoke of

"the real shame... that there are so many millions of children who live in households where nobody works and indeed that number doubled under the previous government".

In fact, according to the Office for National Statistics, the number of children living in workless households fell by 372,000 between April-June 1997 and April-June 2010.

He said that Labour Government was planning to cut benefits to disabled children but according to page 28 of the Department for Work and Pensions' own impact assessment on the introduction of universal credit, his policy of mirroring for disabled children the current adult eligibility for Disability Living Allowance means that the rate paid to those disabled children who do not qualify for the highest rate of the DLA care component

"would be less than now (£26.75 instead of £53.84)".

Never again

Dave signing a Book of Commitment in the Commons

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, who this week signed a Book of Commitment in the Commons, said:

"It will be 67 years to the day since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp and site of the largest mass murder in history. The obscenity of the Holocaust against Jews and others is seared into my mind as I grew up in its immediate shadow. But it obviously fades for later generations and remembering that bigotry and persecution led to the murder of six million people is essential for making sure such things never happen again."

Mr Anderson added:

"I also want to join many others in paying tribute to the extraordinary men and women who survived the Holocaust and went on to educate young people about what their experience through the Holocaust Educational Trust's Outreach programme. They lived through sheer hell and their recollections remain vital to all of us today. I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to commit to 'speaking up and speaking out' against prejudice today."

Thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year, people will also be encouraged to take a stand against racism and prejudice today - and to speak out against hatred wherever they encounter it.

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:

"We are proud that Dave Anderson is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day this year. It is vitally important that we both remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust - as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge all forms of bigotry."

Local primary schools urged to enter national IT competition

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, who has written to all local schools, said,

"The prestigious competition highlights how primary schools can make a positive impact for themselves and others. This year's theme of "Make IT Healthy" is about pupils using IT to improve their own physical, mental or emotional health or help others to do the same."

Mr Anderson added,

"The competition allows young people to use their imagination, creativity and technology skills and show how IT can make a real difference."

The competition is run by the Parliamentary Internet Communications and Technology Forum and e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology. It is backed by more than 60 MPs.

The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate innovative ways in which pupils have used technology to improve health. Projects could include planning a school vegetable garden on-line, using technology to reach out to older or disabled people or building relationships across national or international boundaries.

The closing date for entries is April 8, 2012. For further information and details of how to enter, visit the website at http://makeithappy.cc4g.net/