Jenny Willott MP

Five things to do this summer to save on next winter's energy bill - Jenny Willott MP

Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central, is encouraging all her constituents to plan ahead for next winter and start saving money on their energy bills.

Recent research shows that nearly half of all those who are eligible for some help with their energy - whether it's for changing their boiler, insulating their homes or getting a discount - do not apply. This is because they did not know that the help was available or thought that it did not apply to them. In addition, people mostly think about getting work done when it's cold.

WILLOTT WELCOMES POSITIVE CBI FORECAST FOR WALES

The main business organisation representing employers, the CBI, has predicted that the Welsh economy should pick up later this year and that growth will continue into 2014. CBI Wales said the Welsh economy was slowly growing, while manufacturers have said they were getting more orders.

Minister for Housing, Mark Prisk, today reaffirmed the Coalition Government's commitment to get empty homes back into use, detailing the series of measures being introduced to ensure more empty houses become homes again.

These include introducing refurbishment schemes and a new Community Right to Reclaim Land, reforming planning laws, encouraging local authorities to take a lead by providing a financial reward for bringing long-term empty homes back into use, and reviewing what further steps can be taken to end the bias for demolition in the state sector.

The Coalition has committed £235 million to bring empty homes back into use, and is working with an independent adviser to take forward best practice recommendations on empty homes. Already the number of long-term empty homes has fallen by over 40,800 since 2010. However housing is a devolved area for which the Welsh Government is responsible in Wales.

Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central, has called on the Welsh Assembly Government to follow the UK Government's lead and consider adopting some of their initiatives, which will increase housing supply, remove the blight that rundown vacant properties cause and help support local economic growth through refurbishments and improvements.

Commenting, Jenny Willott said:

The Queen's Speech will help over 3,700 businesses in Cardiff by cutting National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

The National Insurance Contributions Bill announced by the Queen will introduce a National Insurance employment allowance of £2,000, reducing the cost of employment and supporting small businesses aspiring to grow and want to hire their first employee or expand their workforce.

Commenting, Jenny Willott MP said:

Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central, has urged the Labour administration at Cardiff Council to come clean on the leadership contest. Potential future leaders such as Cllr Phil Hawkins have been sworn to secrecy while the 'democratic' process of potentially electing a new leader takes place. This means the contenders are not able to explain to the residents of Cardiff how they would run the city differently, leaving the authority in a state of uncertainty about its future.

Jenny Willott MP encourages local schools to take part in My Money Week

Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central, has called on local schools to take part in My Money Week (3 to 9 June), giving pupils the chance to learn more about money and personal finance. Every primary and secondary school in Cardiff Central is being given the chance to take part for free in My Money Week, which has returned for its fifth year thanks to a new partnership between national charity pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) and Barclays.

My Money Week will improve young people's financial skills, knowledge and confidence through special lessons, activities and debates in schools and other settings across the UK. Teachers in Cardiff Central can order a free Activity Pack, developed by pfeg, full of creative and engaging financial resources and ideas for how to deliver financial education to young people, from the age of four up to 19. Young people in Cardiff Central can also take part in the 'A-Z of Money', a national competition challenging them to learn more about money through creative writing.

Jenny Willott MP said:

Almost all of us know someone who has suffered a stroke, and yet there is still a huge lack of awareness about this widespread problem. Many of us know very little about what we can do to help prevent strokes, or what services and support are available to help stroke victims and their families. It is vital that we raise awareness of strokes, which is why I'm supporting this year's Action on Stroke Month.

Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central, has strongly criticised Cardiff Council for a decision to offer three senior managers a combined pay rise of £100,000 in a council shake-up.

Various new management positions have been created as part of a £1.1m senior management restructure.

Commenting, Jenny Willott MP said:

Jenny Willott,MP for Cardiff Central, is encouraging children and parents toswap cars, buses and trains for a ticket to stride during Walk to School Week.

Walk to School Week (20-24 May) is an opportunity for parents and children across the UK to try walking to school. Along with Walk to Work Week (13-17 May), Walk to School Week forms a part of National Walking Month, a month dedicated to celebrating the benefits of walking.

Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central, has given her support to Carers Week 2013, which takes place between June 10th - 16th.

"Thousands of people all over the country are dedicating time, energy and money to caring for people around them, completely unpaid and simply because it is the right thing to do. I know there is a huge amount of pressure on many carers: caring can be time-consuming and exhausting, with enormous responsibility for often very vulnerable people."