Next week will be the elections – both Euro and for Wyre Forest district council. Sadly, the turnout will be low. If next week’s elections are like previous Euro and council elections, seven out of every ten people reading this column will not bother to vote. When you consider just how hard people fought to get the vote for women, this is a very sad thing. And of course, people lost their lives in two world wars to ensure that, amongst many other things, democracy survived.
Wyre Forest MP is delighted with yet another drop in unemployment locally Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that unemployment has fallen again in Wyre Forest. The number of unemployed claimants in Wyre Forest in April was 1,537 which represents 3.2% of the economically active population.
Wyre forest MP has met with planning minister Nick Boles MP to discuss permitted development rights for pubs The village of Areley Kings is faced with not one, but two significant planning issues. Not only has Malvern Hills proposed to dump 62 unwanted homes on the edge of the village, but the Squirrel pub faces a takeover by Tesco.
The situation in the Ukraine is something that dominates much of the news agenda. There is, rightly, international condemnation of Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and the EU response has been to introduce sanctions against Russia, to try to influence their behaviour. It is hoped that this will have an effect on the outcomes in Ukraine, but what does all this mean to people living in the UK and Wyre Forest?
Wyre forest MP has met with planning minister Nick Boles MP to discuss the impact of the planned 62 dwellings at Astley CrossMalvern Hills District Council (MHDC) has recently approved an outline application for 62 houses to be built at Pearl Lane in Stourport on Severn. The plans were opposed by two parish councils in Malvern Hills, Stourport on Severn Town Council, Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC), Mark Garnier MP and Local residents.
Mark Garnier MP has questioned the Government about the recent performance of Capita A number of Wyre Forest residents have experienced problems with Capita due to the length of time that it takes them to process medical assessments.
This week the Financial Times reported that it expects China’s economy to become the biggest on the globe sometime this year. This is a remarkable achievement when we look back to the bad old days of communism that resulted in 6 million dying in the ‘Great Push’ during the 60s, or the image of millions of peasants in Beijing on only bicycles. Despite this, there are still 100 million Chinese living on less than $2 a day and prosperity is limited to the coastal regions.
Wyre Forest MP has welcomed figures released today showing that the economy has grown by 0.8% The UK economy has grown 0.8% over the last quarter and 3.1% over the past year. For the first time in a decade manufacturing, services and construction have all grown by at least 3% in the last year. This broad based growth is the longest positive run since the financial crisis.
Mark Garnier MP has chosen entries from Wyre Forest for the Rock the House and Film the House competitions in Parliament Rock the House was founded by Mike Weatherley MP and aims to raise awareness of the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. The completion will offer the opportunity for artists from Wyre Forests to have their work judged by industry experts and well as a chance to win prizes such as festival slots, studio time and equipment.
