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, been given more weight in their decisions so as to counter-balance recent decisions which have given more weight to regional, national and European renewable energy targets.

Karen said, “I have spoken several times in the House on this issue and I know that it is an matter of concern to many people in Redditch. 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 my constituency. 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 peoples’ views are taken fully into account and that the system recognises the importance of the beautiful countryside and heritage assets we have.”

The New Homes Bonus is a multi-billion pound programme that rewards communities when they accept more house building 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 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.

Karen Lumley MP for Redditch County, 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. House building 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 Redditch. The Government’s actions will help local people onto the housing ladder, provide more affordable housing and create local jobs”.

Karen Lumley is supporting the launch of Chance to be Chancellor 2012 and is calling on schools and young people in Redditch 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.

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

Karen Lumley MP who asked a question of the transport minister about metal theft has welcomed a Home Office statement today that the government will amend the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, currently passing through the House of Lords to tackle the crime.

Along with colleagues Karen will be pushing for further action such as a tougher licensing regime for scrap metal dealers and working with police, councils and the industry to make sure the new legislation is as effective as possible.

Speaking after the Government’s announcement Karen said, “This is good news and shows that the government is prepared to act fast on a crime that has become a real problem for people and businesses all over the country. It was right that decisive action should be taken to ban cash payments which have made it just too easy to launder stolen metal. Now we need to engage with the scrap metal industry, with the police and with the thousands of organisations that are affected by metal theft to make sure the new legislation really works and to put in place a stronger and fairer licensing regime.”

“Just last week I was discussing the issue of metal theft with local people and I heard how community facilities in Worcestershire had been targeted and people put in danger through sabotage to the heating and ventilation systems of swimming pools in Worcestershire. Metal theft remains an acute and serious problem which I know our police are treating very seriously. It is welcome that we will now have tougher laws with which to support them.”

The news comes on the day McDonald’s announced it is creating at least 2,500 jobs across the UK this year, driven by:
•    New restaurants and extended hours
•    Major restaurant refurbishment programme and roll-out of new technology
•    Constant menu innovation and new menu options

Commenting on the visit, Franchisee Robert Holdcroft said, “Some of the staff were very nervous about working with such high profile visitors. However, Karen and Gay made the staff feel at ease, and the morning went very well indeed. It was a great opportunity for my staff to meet their representatives and for Karen and Gay to see just how hard we work to ensure our customers get the best service possible every day.”

Karen Lumley MP said, “It was fantastic to meet Rob and his staff at Oakenshaw and I was made to feel most welcome. I was interested to learn more about what they do as a company, and found the Q&A session with staff members very interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and after having a go at serving the customers myself I now have a new appreciation for all of their hard work. The jobs announcement today is terrific news. McDonald’s have a proven record of investing in training, apprenticeships and opportunities for staff – and with this in mind, I am sure 2012 will be another successful year for Rob, his team and the company.”

Gay Hopkins, Local Councillor said, “Having to deal with the customers during the visit I was very surprised to learn how difficult the job actually was as staff are required to be accurate, quick, efficient and pleasant nonstop through some very busy periods during their shifts – I take my hat off to them! The calibre of staff was extremely high and they all came across as very intelligent switched on people, and most importantly happy in their work environment”

Mentor Link recruits and trains volunteer mentors to support young people in schools that are facing difficulties e.g family breakdown, illness, low confidence.  The mentors come into school each week to support the pupils by listening to and befriending them with the aim of creating a more positive attitude towards themselves and learning.

Chief Executive Andrea Maddocks MBE writes, “ The charity is dedicated to support young people facing difficulties by training volunteer mentors from the community and is part of David Cameron’s Big Society.  It’s great news that Karen can support us by visiting our staff and volunteers at the school and learning about our invaluable work with young people. ”

Mentor Link is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and welcomes enquiries.  If you would like to find out more about our service or volunteer for the charity please contact us on 01299 822336 or email Karen Arnold at Karen.Arnold@mentorlink.org.uk.

Pictured are Philip Hume, Headmaster, Karen, Andrea Maddocks MBE, CEO of Mentor Link, Elaine Powis, Trustee & Mentor for Mentor Link, Rebecca Dixon, Administrator for Mentor Link

Friday January 27th will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history – and in the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during their Holocaust and encouraging constituents to actively speak out against prejudice and bigotry today.

In signing the Book of Commitment Karen paid tribute to the extraordinary men and women who having survived the Holocaust, work to educate young people about what they endured, through the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Outreach programme.

In the weeks around Holocaust Memorial Day, 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 Lumley MP said: “Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – and is an important opportunity to both remember the victims of genocide. I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to commit to ‘speaking up and speaking out’ against prejudice today.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “We are proud that Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch County 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.”

She said, “This has to be good news for our region and for Redditch. We will now see travel times slashed to Birmingham and the airport being made far more accessible from London. I have always believed that we must invest in travel connections to ensure faster and more convenient journeys between our major cities and this is how we will support our companies to make Britain and especially the West Midlands the best place in the world to do business in.”

Karen is shown in montage watching the New Year fireworks from the Commons