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Winter 2015

N ew figures reveal that unemployment in Harlow has been

slashed by half. Statistics released last month show that since 2010, the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance has fallen by 53%. Harlows unemployment rate is now below the national average, despite it being significantly higher than this in 2010. Youth unemployment also continues to fall, with a 56% decrease since the last Labour Government left office and a 106% rise in apprenticeships. Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow, has said that he is especially pleased with these figures and paid tribute to Harlow College and other training providers offering support to local young people. Robert said: This Government has invested heavily in skills and vocational education. Initiatives such as the Sir Charles Kao University Technical College, which opened last September after I helped secure the necessary funding, are incredibly important. They are giving young people the skills they need to support themselves and get on in life. Harlows success is reflected nationally, where the number of

Robert Halfon MP meeting local residents and

businesses at his latest Harlow Jobs Fair

Page 4

R obert Halfon MP has spoken out in support of Harlows Accident &

Emergency Department after it saw a sharp rise in admissions during the winter months. Figures show that Princess Alexandra is one of the busiest hospitals in the country, with significantly more patients per bed than bigger London hospitals. The number of ambulances arriving at PAH has also increased, with double the number of day admissions than two years ago and one in five ambulances coming from outside the local area. Robert Halfon has raised the issue extensively in the House of Commons, with both the Health Secretary and the Hospitals Minister. In response, the Government confirmed that 4 million of winter resilience funding would be provided to West Essex. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3...

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people claiming unemployment benefit is at its lowest level since June 2008. Three quarters of the people in work since 2010 are in full time jobs, and full time positions account for 83% of the employment created in 2014. Since being elected in 2010, Robert has worked hard to boost local businesses and help Harlow residents get back into work. For three years in a row, he has organised an annual Jobs Fair.

Each event took up to six months to plan and was supported entirely

by local volunteers. All three events saw thousands of people pass through the doors, either looking for employment or a change of career. The Fairs have been highly successful, with many local residents finding long-term employment and training opportunities as a result.

Commenting on the figures, Robert said: Its great news that Harlow unemployment has been halved. Although it has been tough, I am working hard to bring investment and jobs back to Harlow. Im glad that my three Jobs Fairs have had such a positive impact.

Im 10 months into a job I got at @halfon4harlowMPs Jobs Fair! Hope other people are as lucky too! - @ereedtac, local resident

Went to @halfon4harlowMPs Jobs Fair - It was great, gave out a few CVs & hopefully a job will come out of this! - @Nishall95, local resident

2 | Harlow Sun

Community News

O ld Harlow Councillor Sue Livings has been reselected as the Conservative candidate for her local area for the upcoming May elections. Sue commented, I am delighted to have been selected to stand again for Old Harlow. I have lived here for decades and, if re-elected, I will continue to work hard for our neighbourhood and help to maintain the special character of this part of Harlow. As local residents may have noticed, in a surprise move last Spring, Harlow Council removed equipment from the playground behind Elmbridge. Working with her fellow Old Harlow Councillors, Joel Charles and Muriel Jolles, Sue ensured that the playground was restored with new equipment as soon as possible and that the footpath was repaired. Councillor Livings was also quick to act following the loss of trees along Priory Avenue and spoke out against damaging parking in St Johns Avenue.

I made sure that new trees were planted along Priory Avenue, as local residents want to see the rural setting of Old Harlow maintained. The verges in St Johns Avenue are in a poor state due to constant parking churning up the ground and gouging out deep ruts. This is unsightly and dangerous. Residents should do their bit to maintain the appearance of their area but the council needs to set an example and encourage safe and proper parking. Additionally, Sue has welcomed the recent announcement by the Conservative-led Government that an extra 50 million is to be spent on Junction 7 of the M11. Sue concluded, Ive met many Old Harlow residents already and I aim to call on everyone before May. If you want to contact me about an issue, please send me a message at www.harlow-conservatives.co.uk/get-in-touch.

T he Conservative caseworker and local election candidate in Sumners & Kingsmoor, Clive Souter, has been busy talking to residents on the doorstep and listening to their concerns. Clive has been helping to fill in for Sumners & Kingsmoor Councillor, Nick Churchill, who has been recovering from a recent illness. Clive says, I was delighted to be selected to stand for this ward. If Im elected, I will be able to take residents concerns directly to the Council, such as their opposition to the Sumners West housing development. When the street lights at the Barbara Castle Health Centre cycle track stopped working, Clive reacted quickly by reporting the fault to the Council and ensured they were repaired. Clive has also seen more rubbish bins installed on the Sumners & Kingsmoor playing field and is working closely with MP Robert Halfon to tackle the illegal

encampments in Harlow. He is helping to maintain pressure on the Council and Essex Police until a proper resolution is found (read more on Page 4). Clive commented, Also high on my list of priorities is getting the areas worst pot holes patched up, such as those in Brockles Mead, The Maples and the road leading into Hull Grove. Although the first two have already been identified by Essex County Council as two of the top 100 areas in Harlow in need of road repair, there is still more work to be done.

A by-election has been called in the Harlow ward of Mark Hall following the resignation of a UKIP Councillor. The election is due to be held on the 12th February and Jane Steer, the Conservative candidate, said, It has been eight years since someone actually living in the ward was elected to represent Mark Hall. It is time that Mark Hall was represented by someone who lives in the area, cares about it and can get things done. I have lived here for over twenty years and have been active in the local community through its church, police community meetings and tenant panels with Harlow Council. Over the years Jane has successfully campaigned for a number of improvements to Mark Hall. They include her efforts to bring an Aldi supermarket to the area and getting a pedestrian crossing installed outside the Nuffield House surgery, to ensure the safety of elderly and

infirm residents. Jane also helped secure additional parking for residents in Cooks Spinney, Dovehouse Croft and Vicarage Wood, and frequently reports pavement defects and potholes to the Council. By working alongside fellow residents, I have seen real change come to our neighbourhood. I hope I will have the opportunity to represent Mark Hall on Harlow Council but, in the meantime, if you need something done in Mark Hall, you know who to contact.

Old Harlow Cllrs Sue Livings & Joel Charles at the

Elmbridge playground (left) and in Priory Avenue (right).

Conservative caseworker

Clive Souter (second right)

with local volunteers.

Jane Steer at the Nuffield

House crossing, which she

campaigned for.

H arlow Conservatives have spoken out against another Council Tax rise introduced by the Labour-run administration. Church Langley Councillor and Leader of the Harlow Conservative group, Andrew Johnson, said, Once again Labour have shown they have no long-term plan for Harlow. Despite Government funding being available to the Council, such as the Big Society Fund and a 985,000 New Homes Bonus,

they are still hiking taxes for ordinary local residents. A Conservative majority at Harlow Council would freeze Council Tax and properly manage local finances. Although the Council has argued that the tax rise is being used to switch local street lights back on, Harlow MP Robert Halfon had already suggested other funding streams that could have been used (read more on Page 4).

Very proud of our students for pitching their ideas - thank you for a great visit @FelipeABaquero @halfon4harlowMP

Harlow Sun | 3 ..

Robert Halfon and Felipe meeting Harlow College

Carpentry and Joinery apprentices

A star of hit BBC One programme The Apprentice came to Harlow on the 12th January after he was invited by local MP, Robert Halfon. Felipe Alviar-Baquero, who made it all the way to week nine of The Apprentice, started his day in Harlow by visiting the brand-new Sir Charles Kao University Technical College (UTC). The UTC offers free vocational and academic courses for students aged 14-19, specialising in science, computing and medicine. It opened its doors in September 2014 after Robert Halfon helped secure the 10 million of Government investment needed. Students there presented Felipe with business models they had

designed themselves before hearing his feedback and taking part in a Question and Answer session with the entrepreneur. Afterwards, he met with carpentry, joinery and business administration apprentices at Harlow College. Robert Halfon, who has hired three Harlow College apprentices himself said, Im very grateful that the College helped arrange our visit. I met Felipe towards the end of last year and realised that we both have a strong commitment towards boosting apprenticeships and skills. Since 2010, apprenticeships in Harlow have increased by 106% and youth unemployment is down by more than a half.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 This money has already helped fund another 20 beds in Harlow. Following the announcement, Robert said, Its encouraging to hear that extra funding has been provided, as it was last year, and I hope this investment will be used to address the Hospitals current resource difficulties. However, this must translate into a visible improvement for patients and staff, and I have already met with the Chief Executive at PAH to discuss this. In response to one of Roberts Parliamentary questions, the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has also agreed to visit the Hospital personally. Since 2010, the National Health Service has seen an extra 12.7

billion put into its budget, which has already provided a number of improvements at Princess Alexandra. These include a 1 million upgrade to its eye clinic, a new kidney dialysis unit, a new childrens Accident & Emergency centre, an upgraded maternity unit and a new Short Stay Assessment centre. Citing his own experience with the Health Service, Robert said, As a child, I frequently found myself as a patient in Great Ormond Street. Without the doctors, I may not have been able to walk. The Shadow Labour Health Minister, Liz Kendall, may support privatisation in the NHS, but I am proud of our Health Service and will do everything I can to support it.

L ocal MP Robert Halfon has welcomed the Governments announcement that 128 million has been made available to tackle potholes in Essex. This investment is part of a 6 billion national effort to cut the number of defects on Englands roads, as well as maintain curbs and pavements. Robert, who is campaigning on the issue of potholes in Harlow and has personally reported local defects to the Council, asserted, This is great news for local motorists. This Government has already spent 1 billion more on road maintenance than the last Labour administration.

The Department of Transport has said there is enough money to fix up to 18 million potholes across the country over the next six years. The announcement also follows a previous funding commitment from Essex County Council, who have invested 17.5 million into highways repair, targeting 700 of the countys most damaged roads. This includes 100 roads in Harlow, such as Parnall Road, The Hornbeams and Pyenest Road. Robert concluded by saying, I will continue to work hard on this issue. Please let me know if there are any serious potholes that you are aware of, and would like the Council to deal with.

COME AND JOIN ROBERT AND

OTHER HARLOW RESIDENTS AS

THEY CAMPAIGN ON IMPORTANT

LOCAL ISSUES!

Robert Halfon with NHS staff at Princess Alexandra

Hospital on Christmas Day 2014

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Thank you for efforts on potholes...I think you are the best thing politically that has ever happened to Harlow - Local resident

4 | Harlow Sun

H arlows MP met with representatives from Essex Police last month in order to discuss the remaining illegal encampments in Harlow. With up to a dozen caravans still parked illegally across the town, Robert Halfon met with the Chief Constable of Essex Police, Stephen Kavanagh, and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Alston. Since October 2013, caravans have been unlawfully parked on green verges, roundabouts, cycle tracks and school grounds across the town. Up to 20 caravans have already left the town, after being evicted from an illegal site at the old Passmores School.

Alongside hardworking Conservative Councillors, such as David Carter in Great Parndon, Robert has continued to voice residents concerns about anti-social behaviour and the cost of cleaning up the sites. We are a tolerant, diverse and good-natured town, with good-natured people, Robert remarked. "But because of all the anti-social behaviour going on and the difficulties that people are facing, it's inevitable that residents are going to be upset. It has been reported that Harlow Council have currently spent over 50,000 dealing

with the illegal encampments. Robert concluded by saying, When I met with Essex Police last month, I made the feelings of local residents very clear. People just want to see the law applied quickly and equally. "Harlow Labour may think its okay to stay quiet on this issue, but I will continue to do what I can until local residents are happy.

R obert Halfon has said he is pleased with a decision by Essex County Council that could see an end to part-night street lighting in Harlow.

S ince 2010, the Government has been working hard to control immigration into the UK and crack down on those living here illegally.

Immigration routes have been tightened and arrivals from outside the EU are down to their lowest levels in a decade. Public services are also being protected with new rules for social housing and claiming benefits. New proposals to curb EU migration, announced by David Cameron, include preventing migrants from claiming key benefits for the first four years and removing those who do not have a job within six months from the UK. Already in Harlow, you can only join the social housing list if youve been a resident for five years or more.

This follows successful efforts since 2010 to reform the family visa route, crack down on bogus colleges and ensure that no-one can come to this country and expect to get benefits immediately. Harlow MP Robert Halfon has said, We are clamping down on abuses of the system and ensuring that we have an immigration system that is fair to taxpayers. The Government is also striving to make it easier to deport foreign criminals, with David Cameron promising to scrap Labours controversial Human Rights Act, if re-elected with a full majority this year. It would be replaced with a British Bill of Rights.

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Last year, in order to help balance their budget, Essex County Council began switching off certain street lights in Harlow between the hours of 12am - 5am. This soon became a key concern for local residents and Robert raised the subject multiple times with the Government and had repeated discussions with Essex County Council. After exploring a number of options, Robert asked Essex County Council whether they would allow a separate authority to fund the service, and switch the lights back on.

Harlow Council has received over 700,000 from the Government as part of its New Homes Bonus and I wanted to know whether this could be used to fund our local street lights, Robert explained. Harlow Council has since agreed to provide the 100,000 necessary as part of their 2015 budget, but via a 1.5% Council Tax rise. Although I believe that there were ways other than a Council Tax rise to switch the lights back on, its good that some progress has been made on this issue, Robert said.

O ver the past four years, the MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon, has been fighting a tireless campaign to cut the cost of fuel and support hardworking motorists. With thousands of people backing his efforts, Robert was able to secure a four-year freeze in fuel duty and even achieved a cut in 2011. The Conservative-led Coalition has done everything possible to make life easier for motorists, Robert remarked. By scrapping all of the fuel duty hikes that were planned by the last Labour Government, the average motorist is saving 11 every time they visit the pumps. In the last few years, the price of petrol and diesel rocketed, peaking at just over 1.40 per litre for unleaded petrol in 2012. However, with the price of oil now plummeting, Robert is calling on oil companies to pass these savings onto customers.

Figures towards the end of January show that prices are falling to levels not seen since 2009, with petrol and diesel at 1.06 and 1.14 per litre respectively. Ministers have already said that, if current trends continue, petrol prices could fall to below 1 within the coming weeks. Robert said, The Chancellor, George Osborne, has insisted that oil companies should pass

their savings onto British families. Not just at the pumps, but through utility bills and travel fares as well. Prices should reflect falling oil prices and I will continue to make the case for this in Parliament. The Government are currently planning an investigation into this downward trend, so that the causes can be properly understood.

Robert Halfon presenting a petition for cheaper fuel

duty to 10 Downing Street with FairFuelUK

Robert Halfon...a crusading backbencher who has fought hard to make sure struggling Brits have more money in their pockets.

Please continue the battle on fuel. You are doing a great job. Keep going! - Local resident

Congratulations on successfully stopping any increase in fuel duty - Local resident

An illegal encampment

in Harlow

You appear to be the only person in authority who understands the deep frustration that the vast majority of Harlow taxpayers are feeling about this. Please keep up the good work - Local resident