Archive for James Hockney

HS3: Rise of the rail infrastructure

November 1, 2014 Transport Comments Off on HS3: Rise of the rail infrastructure

HS2This week Sir David Higgins presented his recommendations for transforming our rail
service in the north.

For a balanced and fair economy we need to do all we can to link up our great northern cities. Jobs, investment and growth depend on infrastructure.

For instance a new high-speed rail line between Manchester and Leeds would cut the journey time between these two cities by half. The line would be based on the existing east-west route, but would be made faster with new tunnels and infrastructure, so that travelling between cities is equivalent to travelling around a single global city. Currently the average journey from Leeds to Manchester takes 55 minutes – with HS3 this could be brought down to 26 – 34 minutes, with trains running twice as frequently.

There is a vision for this to be part of a strategy for a Northern Powerhouse. Conservatives have set out an HS3ambitious plan to improve connectivity, back new science and transfer power to northern belt towns and cities so they can be more competitive, making our economy healthier and more balanced.

Already there is record amount of investment in improvements increasing the investment available for rail improvements by 12 per cent in real terms from the level set by Labour in 2009 for the five years from 2014.

Meanwhile HS2 will be the first new North-South line in a century. HS2 will provide more seats for commuters – by 105 per cent. Whereas just enhancing the existing railway would increase capacity by 24 per cent in comparison.

HS2 IVThe new line will improve links between eight of Britain’s ten largest cities, cutting journey times and making room for rising demand.

Labour’s record is very poor. They electrified just ten miles of track while in Government. That’s less than 1 mile a year, and less than two per cent of the amount of rail we are electrifying. Plus planned to cut investment in things like road and rail by 50 per cent. Our roads and railways plummeted from 7th in the world to 33th. This meant the UK’s infrastructure was ranked below Namibia’s, Slovenia’s and Cyprus’s.

Our approach is creating jobs by attracting rail businesses to Britain. Because of the record levels of investment in our rail means rail businesses are investing more in Britain. Hitachi for example have moved their global rail business from Japan to the UK, bringing an additional 1,500 jobs to Britain.

HS3 IIGiving young people the skills they need to secure jobs. The Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy opened in 2011, and a new FE college, the first in 20 years, for future HS2 engineers has been announced. By making sure our young people have the skills needed for these projects we are ensuring they can benefit from the jobs being created by our long-term investment in rail.

To help the hard-pressed taxpayer, we are capping the rises in rail fares. We capped the average fare rise at RPI in 2014 – freezing it in real terms. This is the first year average fares haven’t risen faster than inflation for a decade.

HS2 and HS3 are good for jobs, investment, skills and commuters.

Business backs Prime Minister’s plan

October 3, 2014 Economy Comments Off on Business backs Prime Minister’s plan

Barnsley PicsAlthough much has rightly been made of the strong support amongst voters and the media to the Prime Minister’s long-term economic plan for our Country – commentary from the business sector does not seem to have been noted.

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs who have set-up many businesses including an international manufacturing firm I know of the damage that Labour did to the sector when they were in power and what is being done now to address that.

Here are some quotes from leading business organisations; I will leave it in their own words;

The CBI has said, “The CBI welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to a long-term economic plan for a successful Britain. Businesses are ready to step up to the plate to make sure that growth is meaningful to everyone”. They go on to say, “A job is the best route to prosperity and business supports stronger incentives for people to get a job and get on in work. At the same time, we need more investment to create more jobs, so pledging to keep the UK corporate tax rate the most competitive in the G20 will send out a clear positive signal to businesses”.
BCC said, “The Prime Minister was right to make the link between a competitive business environment, a strong economy and the resources available for delivering the public services people across Britain want. The continued commitment to balancing the books is absolutely right, as are the income tax cuts for promoting work, enterprise and aspiration. Overall, this was a speech that stressed the importance of the economy and didn’t duck the scale of the challenges we face”.
The FSB. “In his speech the Prime Minister promised he would secure a better future and balance the books. For business, his commitments on tackling the deficit, corporate taxes and much-needed house building are welcome. We particularly support the Prime Minister’s clear commitment to delivering full employment – a goal the FSB put at the heart of our Manifesto”.

EEF- The Manufacturers Organisation, “Business will be delighted by the PM’s commitment to maintain low corporate taxes, which is a vital ingredient of confidence and future growth”. They go on to say; “The PM’s focus on finishing the job in education is welcome and critical to delivering industry’s pipeline of new employees. We strongly back efforts to maintain the drive for high quality and high standards in schools”.

So this is why we must ensure a majority Conservative Government next year.

Time to resolve the West Lothian question – English votes for English laws

September 19, 2014 Constitution Comments Off on Time to resolve the West Lothian question – English votes for English laws

UK ParlAs the old saying goes, a week is a long time in politics. With the Scottish people clearly saying No in the independence referendum the focus has now rapidly shifted to further devolution, but this time across the UK including England.

The West Lothian question always seems to be one of those background issues that pops up every so often when a controversial vote is carried with Scottish MP’s but then left at that. Clearly this is now an issue front and centre. MP’s like John Redwood were quick to call for this once extra powers were being muted for Scotland.

The Prime Minister announced today that William Hague would chair a Cabinet committee to draw up plans forUK Parl II a fair settlement for the rest of the UK alongside new powers for Scotland.

Just as Scotland will vote separately in the Scottish Parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland, should be able to vote on these issues.

Creating a Cabinet Committee to draw up plans for a fair settlement for the rest of the UK alongside new powers for Scotland. William Hague will chair a cabinet committee – which will draw up plans to the same timescale as the plans for more powers for Scotland.

West LothianThe Labour position on English votes for English matters seems far from certain. It was interesting to see the BBC today actually grilling the Labour spokesman Sadiq Kahn on the question – and not letting the matter go. I was still non the wiser after watching this.

I do very much hope they do the right thing, rather than the politically expedient option – after all this is a question of fairness.

Help to buy – adding a rung on the housing ladder

September 11, 2014 Housing Comments Off on Help to buy – adding a rung on the housing ladder

HTBToday new figures were released that showed over 50,000 families have been able to see the dream of owning their own home through the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme.

Often the biggest challenge of being a first time buyer is the deposit required. As each year passes houses prices continue to outstrip earnings. To which I can offer a personal example. Before being a house owner, my first property was a one bed flat. The purchase price was the same as that of a four-bed home on the estate 15 years prior!

‘Help to Buy’ allows people to access an affordable mortgage with only a 5 per cent deposit.HTB2

The scheme has also boosted the economy. Since the Equity Loan part of ‘Help to Buy’ was first launched in April 2013, private house building has risen by 34 per cent. Construction companies are taking on new workers at the fastest rate since 1997.

The Government is now extending ‘Help to Buy’ the Equity Loan scheme will now be extended to 2020, which is estimated will help 120,000 more households buy a new build home.

There are now more new homes being built than at any time since 2007 – helping people to find a good quality home. Over 480,000 new homes have been delivered since April 2010 with 36,230 homes started in April to June 2014 and 137,780 started in the 12 months to June 2014.

Clearly delivering housing need is using all the options like; rental, council housing, social housing, shared equity, land trusts, local connection housing and now help to buy.

Clacton, UKIP and the man in the middle

August 29, 2014 By-Election Comments Off on Clacton, UKIP and the man in the middle

Before the by-election has even begun there has been intrigue that only UKIP seems capable of – and not for the rights reasons.Conservative MP Douglas Carswell Defects To The U.K. Independence Party

With Farage and Carswell, there is the man in the middle, in the form of Roger Lord, who has been the proverbial fly in the ointment of UKIP’s announcement.

Mr Lord was only selected a few weeks ago as the UKIP Parliamentary candidate for Clacton. Yet no one thought to pick up the phone and to work out a way forward. So there now is the ‘two into one’ does not go standoff that is taking place.

RogerLordPierPicFor any of you that have seen or heard Roger Lord being interviewed this is not a man for turning, for going quietly or ‘rolling over‘. There can be some sympathy with his position, having given 17 years of service to UKIP including fighting three parliamentary campaigns, it would be reasonable to presume his Party would be behind his fourth run, standing in Clacton. Clearly not.

This all creates the reverse picture that UKIP want to portray. Consider that they are supposed to be the PartyCarswellFarage of freedom, democracy and taking fight the establishment – now drops the democratically selected candidate in favour of a bigger name.

The latest development is that Roger Lord refused to rule out that he could stand for another party in the by-election. Every by-election is described (unfairly) by the media as a ‘circus’, then this by-election has the hallmarks of the ‘Cirque du Soleil’ of by-elections.

What is the real shame is this by-election did not have to happen. The Conservative Party is the only mainstream party that can deliver a referendum on the EU. Which is why there has been such dismay at Carswell’s decision. Where he says he wants change faster, well that change will go backwards if there is a Labour or Labour/Lib-Dem government.

When the by-election does start I will have my bucket and spade packed to campaign for a Conservative MP to be returned to Clacton on the journey to see a Conservative majority government. As only the Conservatives are delivering the policies to take our country forward.

The escalation of the Ukraine conflict

August 28, 2014 Europe Comments Off on The escalation of the Ukraine conflict

Recent developments now make the Kremlin denials of involvement in the Ukraine conflict rapidly lose any credibility.

Nato ImageNato have released released images of Russian Self-Propelled Artillery – Tanks entering Ukraine. Not only this but the Senior NATO official, Brigadier general Nico Tak has stated that well over a thousand Russian troops were operating inside Ukraine.

One of the rebel leaders went further, Alexander Zakharchenko, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic said that about 3,000 Russian volunteers were serving in the rebel ranks. “They support separatists, fighting with them and fighting amongst them”.

The escalation is all the more disappointing given that this all comes just days after Ukraine and Russia held peace talks.

Prime Minister, David Cameron has said: “It is simply not enough to engage in talks in Minsk, while RussianUkraine Forces tanks continue to roll over the border into Ukraine. Such activity must cease immediately.

“We urge Russia to pursue a different path and to find a political solution to this crisis. If Russia does not, then she should be in no doubt that there will be further consequences.”

Pictured; Ukraine forces preparing to advance on Mariupol.

The fighting in eastern Ukraine is seeing a growing humanitarian crisis. It has been estimated that the conflict has claimed more than 2,000 lives since mid-April

The UK is fully supporting efforts to get aid to those in Eastern Ukraine and are making an
additional £1 million available to support the international aid effort. With a clear recognition that this has to be done in the proper way with Red Cross involvement and in support of Ukraine’s own humanitarian efforts.

Only two days ago there was possibility of a roadmap for peace in the east, this idea now, just 48 hours later, seems more distant that ever. We can only hope that the UN emergency Security Council meeting taking place can lead to a de-escalation.  

 

 

 

 

Saving Landbeach Tithe Barn

August 23, 2014 History, Parks & Green spaces Comments Off on Saving Landbeach Tithe Barn

Picture1The Landbeach Tithe Barn is a wonderful building from the Tudor period. You may ask what a Tithe Barn is – put simply it was a building for the Parish Priest to receive 10% of local farmers produce.

Why is it so important to save the Landbeach Tithe Barn? Tithe Barns are now quite rare in the UK. It is difficult to know how many exactly remain. Estimates show at least 90%+ have of them have been converted, so somewhere in the region of 20 to 190 remain in the UK.

Tithe BarnThe Landbeach Tithe Barn one is the last remaining example in Cambridgeshire and the only one with its original brick floor. It is estimated it was built around 1527 – so is approaching it’s 500th anniversary.

The building is in need of restoration, which costs in the order of £50-£100k. The Landbeach Society who have had a lease on the building are not in a position to address this and so are rescinding their lease.

Certainly I have been doing my utmost to protect this part of our history.Tithe Barn seminar poster

This includes; (1) Giving a talk at the Landbeach Parish Council annual public meeting. (2) Attending three
District Council meetings. This was to secure more time to find a solution that does not mean the building being converted. (3) Taking part in media interviews – television, printed press and radio. (4) Being the opening and closing speaker at a workshop seminar which drew experts and interested parties for across the region. (5) Much behind the scenes work including meetings, telephone calls and emails. (6) Being tasked with setting up a trust.

To save the building from conversion we must found a Trust – so to raise the funds to maintain the building and thus secure it’s long term future. Already many people have come forward with an interest to be a trustee. Could you? Do you know someone that would?

I very much do hope that we can secure the long term future of this wonderful Tudor building for future generations.

The case for re-opening the Varsity Oxford to Cambridge line

August 18, 2014 Transport Comments Off on The case for re-opening the Varsity Oxford to Cambridge line

Today the East West Rail Consortium published a detailed report showing that reinstating the so called ‘Varsity’ line between Cambridge and Oxford could be worth £750 million to the Cambridgeshire economy.

RyletelescopeThe original ‘Varsity’ line to Sandy was closed in 1967. Sadly reopening old route is not possible as the line was dismantled and used for other purposes including the Ryle radio telescope array and housing for instance.

Already the concept of bringing back the rail line took a significant step forward when the Chancellor in his Autumn 2011 statement committed £270 million to re-opening the Oxford to Bedford route. This was followed by the Transport Secretary confirming this route would be part of their national transport strategy. The final key was Network Rail announcing plans to construct a line between Oxford and Bedford as part of it’s 2014-2019 strategy.

The expectation is the line will be open and operational for freight and commuters in just over 3 years time. With the advent of this, the pressure to deliver a direct link between Bedford and Cambridge will grow.

Aside from the economics, the concept of any resident being able to travel from Cambridge to Oxford in an hour has to be an exciting one. I for one look forward to the day when this vision is realised

Visit to growing pharma organisation

August 8, 2014 Research Comments Off on Visit to growing pharma organisation

Cllr J Hockney, Richard Jenkins & Sasha Scott (both Pathology Diagnostics) and Rick Parisi (Paragon)I was delighted to have visited Pathology Diagnostics based in Waterbeach, near Cambridgeshire. They are doing very valuable work in assisting in research and design of drug treatments and biomarker development.

Pathology Diagnostics is an independent GCLP accredited histopathology research organisation delivering high-quality tissue laboratory & diagnostics services to industry Research & Development scientists engaged in drug and biomarker development. 

Specialising in the provision of clinical diagnostics and quantitative image analysis on human tissues for studies ranging from early discovery to clinical trials, Pathology Diagnostics offers a range of services from traditional histopathology techniques to advanced digital pathology, whole slide scanning, tissue banking and development of image analysis algorithms.

Cambridge and the surrounding villages are becoming a growing hub for the pharma industry and the work the industry is doing.

It is interesting to note that the Government reducing corporation tax is playing a real role in increasing investment into the UK, which includes the pharma sector.

Well done to Pathology Diagnostics who are a fast growing organisation doing important work.

EACH – 25 years old today

August 1, 2014 Charity Comments Off on EACH – 25 years old today

EACH openingIt does not seem possible, but today East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices is 25 years old. First officially opened by the Princess of Wales on August 1st, 1989. The charity in that time has expanded beyond the Milton hospice in Cambridgeshire to include hospices in Quidenham (Norfolk) and Ipswich (Suffolk). The royal support for the charity has continued with the Duchess of Cambridge recently becoming the Royal Patron of EACH.EACH 25 years

I was delighted to be invited to the EACH 25 years charity fundraisers thank you reception. My girlfriend and I found it a wonderful experience to be among fellow fundraisers and to see more of the EACH team (plus some lovely cake as pictured). From the event it reinforced to me how important fundraising is. This is because a large part of the funding for the three hospices relies on the generosity of the public. The three hospices need £6 million pounds per year to keep running,  of which around two thirds comes from donations and fundraising. There is now an amazing 17 shops across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to help in the effort.

EACH 25 years 3So far I have arranged two fundraisers for the charity in the last year, one at my home and one at the family restaurant. From the latter, the Mayor of Ely, Councillor Lis Every attended and as a result decided to make it her official charity for the year.

From having visited EACH in Milton, it is difficult to stress how much they do to support youngsters and their families. The amount of support, care and thought I only fully appreciated on visiting.

They deliver a wide range of services including; short break care, specialist play activities, music therapy, hydrotherapy, parent groups, sibling groups, care at end of life and bereavement support.

There is a guest wing for families to stay at. When I visited I was told of one story where a mother slept 24 hours straight because she was so tired. A good night normally at home was getting up six times in a night to care for her child. It really sent home to me how lucky many of us and our families are not to be in the heart rending position and why we should all support such a worthy charity.

To learn more about the charity please go to their website; www.each.org.uk. It is a cause that needs your support. Especially as they need to raise an additional £10 million to pay for a new purpose built hospice in Framlingham, Norfolk. Visit their website today on their 25th anniversary and make a difference.

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