Siôn Simon MP

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has urged his Erdington constituents with young children to be mindful of a recent change in the law concerning child car restraints, which came into force this Monday, 18th September.

Children aged under 12 who also measure less than 135cm (4′ 5″) will have to use the right child restraint when travelling in cars, vans and goods vehicles. It is estimated that the new regulations will save up to 2,000 child deaths and injuries every year.

Mr. Simon said:

“I hope all parents and carers in Erdington are aware of these recent changes to the law, which will help make children less vulnerable when travelling on roads. I urge all parents to check that they have the correct restraints for their children.”

Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman said:

“I want children to be as safe as possible on our roads and I know that the vast majority of parents will do everything they can to make sure their children are adequately protected.
“As a simple rule of thumb, if you’re carrying in your vehicle a child who is under 135cm in height and is also under 12 years old, they must use the right child restraint. The THINK! campaign website contains plenty of useful information and staff at our partner retailers can answer questions.”

The Department for Transport’s THINK! child car seat road safety campaign has been running since July with the support of a number of child car seat retailers, including Halfords, Mothercare and Toys R Us. Parents visiting these stores will receive expert safety advice from in-store child car seat specialists.

Parents unsure whether their children must use a child restraint should consider the following:

* Check the height of your child. Children up to 135cm in height and who are also under 12 years old, whichever comes first, need to use a baby/child seat, booster seat or booster cushion suitable for their weight.
* Before you buy or use any child restraint, check the label to make sure it is suitable for the child’s weight.
* Check that any restraint is securely fitted. If your child travels in more than one vehicle, check the car seat or restraint fits each car so it can be moved between them each time they travel.
* Get expert advice. Many retailers have trained in-store experts who can advise on the best kind of car seat for a child and can demonstrate how to fit it.
For more information, parents can visit http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk or call DfT’s helpline for a leaflet 0800 32 72 52.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon this week met Gina King, head of the Central Region of the National Housing Federation

Laurice Ponting, Chief Executive of the Erdington based Mercian Housing Association, also attended.

The NHF represents 1,400 not-for-profit housing associations that between them provide homes for millions of people. Together with the Chartered Institute of Housing they are running a ‘Midlands United’ campaign to attract more housing investment here in the midlands.

Mr Simon said:

“Affordable, good quality housing is vital if we are to have truly sustainable communities. Across the Midlands we already have the infrastructure in place that is lacking in other parts of the country. Regeneration is also important in many areas. Two years ago three quarters of housing association projects were completed on previously developed land.”

“It is therefore vital that we get more investment for the region so that our economic and social potential can be fully realised.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon joined RAF veterans and Birmingham Lord Mayor’s Deputy at a lunch this week to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Toby the Spitfire.

‘Toby’ was presented to the RAF in 1941 by Charrington & Co, which was forerunner of Mitchells & Butlers, as the company’s contribution to the war effort.

Mr Simon said:

“The fantastic contribution of the Spitfire to the war effort is well documented. The bravery of the pilots who flew them, and the price many of them paid, is recognised across the country. But there are also many in Erdington and Castle Vale who helped in the war effort by building and manufacturing this classic and instantly recognisable aircraft.”

“Any celebration of the aircraft is a celebration of the men who flew them and those who got them into the air. Erdington, and Castle Vale in particular, is and always will be proud of its association with the Spitfire”.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon has this week backed a new multi-million pound package of measures to embed the school food revolution for the long term and help tackle childhood obesity announced by Education Secretary Alan Johnson.

The new measures are in addition to the £220m already going to schools and local authorities to support the new nutritional standards which start when schools return this week.
The package includes:
* £240m to continue to subsidies healthy ingredients until 2011 after the current £220m transitional fund runs out in 2007/08;
* training kitchens – £2m for the establishment of a network of regional training kitchens to act as centres of excellence, hosting the area’s school cooks for training on day release;
* an entitlement to learn to cook – pupils’ entitlement to cookery courses in secondary schools from 2008 so that healthy cooking stays with children for life;
* a specific fund for building kitchens – in addition to the multi-billion pound Building Schools for the Future and Primary Capital Programme, funding will be made available from 2008 to local authorities that have the most need for new kitchens; and
* increasing tendering opportunities for small and local producers – the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will work to increase their capacity to bid successfully for contracts to supply schools with food, in particular by helping them to collaborate in consortia and with the rest of the food chain.
Alan Johnson said:
“We have already invested heavily to radically transform school food and with today’s announcement of extra funding we’re taking another big step to ensure parents know pupils will get the nutrients they need during the school day and that school cooks get the kitchens and training they need to deliver healthier food.
“But tackling obesity and encouraging a healthy lifestyle is not just about the food that children eat at school, we must also teach them the skills they need to cook so that they continue to eat healthily in later life.”
Mr. Simon said:
“Many of the schools in the Erdington area have already begun working towards providing healthier meals for their students; I am pleased to see the Government has acted to ensure this progress is enforced throughout the country.
“These reforms and extra funding will ensure our children are eating healthy food as standard, each and every day. I am confident that this foundation will help young people get into the habit of eating a healthy, balanced diet which will serve them well in later life.”
The £240m cash injection will be given directly to local authorities and schools to subsidise ingredients for healthy meals after the end of the current £220m transitional fund in 2007/08.
A network of training schools for schools cooks will be staffed by experts in healthy cooking to boost the skills of the lunchtime workforce through tailored courses and mentoring. They are likely to be set up in schools and colleges that already have excellent food preparation facilities with £2m of Government funding available to upgrade them where necessary. This will complement and build on training they have already received from the £220m invested in school food reforms. The School Food Trust will play an active role in taking this forward.
The entitlement to cook will mean that every young person who wants to can learn basic cooking skills through dedicated lessons in food preparation techniques, diet and nutrition, hygiene and safety, and wise food shopping. This will be in addition to changes in Food Technology that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is already considering to make lessons more practical.
Local authorities will also be invited to bid for extra capital money to be spent on building school kitchens where they currently have none. This will come on top of the record capital funding already going to every school and every Local authority and the Government’s unprecedented multi-billion pound school rebuilding programmes, Building Schools for the Future and the Primary Capital Programme.
In addition the Department for Education and Skills will be issuing new design guidance on kitchens and dining areas to be published early 2007; reinforcing kitchens as a priority in all other building guidance; and holding a planned review of School Premises Regulations to include a greater specification on standards that kitchens should meet.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will help increase the capacity of small and local producers to bid successfully to supply fruit, vegetable, dairy and meat for school meals either directly or via wholesalers and other primary suppliers. This will include encouraging more farmers and growers to work together to supply schools with sustainable, fresh produce. Defra is also planning to launch a Year of Farming and Food to help improve young peoples’ understanding of where food comes from.
The package of measures is intended to build on the money, training and improvements that have already been delivered to every school in every local authority. A recent School Food Trust survey showed that spending per plate last term was already 52p for primary schools and 67p for secondary schools.
A survey carried out by Sustain in April this year found that local authorities said they are ready and willing to meet the new standards for food when they come into force in September 2006.

Erdington MP Siôn Simon today encouraged Erdington residents to make history by supporting the biggest free access day to major heritage sites that has ever been held in the UK.

This weekend, all major heritage sites in the West Midlands are to open for free on Saturday 9 September 2006. Sites such as Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton and the Back to Backs, Birmingham will be among the region’s top heritage sites participating in what promises to be the largest mass participation cultural event this year
Mr. Simon said:
“Supporting heritage projects has never been easier and more fun, and I am delighted that this Saturday people in and around Birmingham will have the chance to visit some of the regions top attractions completely free of charge. There are events to suit everyone’s tastes, which can be enjoyed by young and old alike.”
“I would strongly urge anyone with a free time on Saturday to visit http://www.heritageopendays.org and find out about the fantasic events that are taking place across Birmingham.”

Lorraine Knowles, English Heritage’s Visitor Operations Director in the West Midlands, said:
“English Heritage, the Civic Trust, the National Trust and HHA are calling for people in the West Midlands to break visitor records for one day and show how much they care about our heritage. We’re urging everyone to become involved and visit a top local historic site for free on Saturday 9 September and prove that History Matters to them.”
Across the country, more than 350 of the nation’s most familiar and most important heritage sites, including 30 sites in the West Midlands that usually charge admission will be opened for free by English Heritage, the National Trust and HHA on 9 September 2006. Nationwide more than 3,000 other fascinating properties of every period and style will be taking part making it the biggest year yet for Heritage Open Days. Each visitor will be clicked-in to keep a total number of those taking part. Visitors will be encouraged to fill in postcards setting out why history matters to them and the results from this huge public poll will be collated and announced later this year.
Writer and actor Stephen Fry – who helped launch the History Matters campaign – described the day as a rally for heritage:
“Now is the chance for every citizen, young or old, rich or poor to vote with his or her feet and demonstrate their commitment to our heritage by visiting a property or historic site,”
“Vast numbers will prove that people believe ‘History Matters’ and that the built heritage is not just an elite middle-class pre-occupation but the passion of the entire nation. Just do it – as Henry V would say: ‘Gentlemen in England now abed will hold themselves accursed they were not here…’ ”
“History Matters – pass it on” is the first time that the whole heritage sector has come together to work on a single, unifying campaign. Launched in July 2006 with Stephen Fry, David Starkey and Bill Bryson, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of history in our everyday lives, to encourage involvement and build public support in looking after our history and heritage – today and in the future.
The mass heritage participation day on 9 September 2006 forms an integral part of this year’s Heritage Open Days (7-10 September 2006), a huge annual four- day event co-ordinated by the Civic Trust, in partnership with English Heritage. Celebrating England’s outstanding architecture and culture, Heritage Open Days offers free access to buildings, many of which are usually closed to the public or charge for admission.
With English Heritage’s, the National Trust’s and the HHA’s major heritage sites participating this year, the total number of properties opening their doors for Heritage Open Days has risen to a record 3,500. Properties ranging from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples will be taking part and this is a unique opportunity to learn more about local heritage and share your experiences with friends and family. A wide range of tours, events and activities also take place, bringing local history and culture to life.
Birmingham and the Black Country’s heritage sites opening free of charge on 9 September 2006 are:
Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton: This beautiful Victorian manor is a fine example of a house built and furnished under the influence of the Arts & Crafts movement. Normal admission for house and garden: £6.60 adult, £3.30 child.
Back to Backs, Birmingham: The courtyard of working people’s houses has been carefully restored with four of the houses reflecting four different times – the 1840s, 1870s, 1930s and 1970s. Normal admission: £4.50 adult, £2.20 child.
Other events happening in Birmingham and the Black Country over Heritage Open Days include:
* Wolverhampton faith buildings trail, including 13 places of worship representing the diversity of religion in Wolverhampton;
* EK-NIWAS, Wolverhampton: internationally recognised, this unique multi-faith place of worship promotes the principles of respect and trust for diversity, peace, harmony, justice, friendship, understanding between people of different faiths and cultures. Explore the beautiful, creative, innovative and inspiring works of art symbolic to the different religions;
* Corngreaves Hall, Dudley: an opportunity to inspect ongoing restoration/conversion work at a prominent Black Country house. Not normally open (Photo available);
* Irish Quarter Walking Tour, starting from the Irish Club, Birmingham;
* Evans and Sons, Birmingham: four Georgian houses with late 19th century workshops to rear, housing silver stamping business which is still in operation. Not normally open. Pre-booking required. (Photo available);
* John Hardman & Co (est 1838) stained glass manufacturers, Birmingham: 18th century Lightwoods House is now a working stained glass studio, with a collection of the company’s past workings. Not normally open;
* Remembering Forgotten Heroes Exhibition, Birmingham Central Library; For more information on these and other events, participating properties and opening times in your area, visit http://www.heritageopendays.org or call 020 7539 7921 (lines are open until 8 September, Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm). For more information about the History Matters – pass it on campaign and how to become involved, visit: http://www.historymatters.org.uk.
Images are available FREE on http://www.papicselect.com, look in the English Heritage folder for Heritage Open Days 2006.