Mary Portas’ High Street Review, published today, endorses the need for action to rescue the state of many high streets across the country – re-stating the essence of the Conservative Parliamentary Enterprise Group’s Commission into Small Shops in the High Street, which was published in July 2008.
Brian Binley MP, who chaired the 2008 inquiry, wrote to Mary Portas with a copy of the Commission’s report and conclusions back in June and expressed satisfaction at today’s conclusions. He commented: “I am delighted that Mary Portas’ inquiry has drawn so strongly on the work which the Commission undertook in 2008, and am struck by the commonality of the conclusions that her work and ours have both reached. The outcomes of these inquiries provide a compelling case for action to ensure an appropriate policy response which will save the vital community resource that is our otherwise-imperilled high streets”.
Mr Binley stated: “in particular, we need to be pro-active to ensure that small businesses and independent retailers have room to flourish as part of vibrant town centres. Without urgent action – which must include a credible policy response – we risk losing these community hubs, which would be a serious blow to our towns and their local populations”.
He continued: “what is very apparent from both reports is the need to ensure pro-active management of our high streets, whilst providing an adequate response to ensure that out-of-town retail developments contribute to the needs of local communities.”
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Thursday, 8 December 2011
MP critical of Russian Elections
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South and Member of the Council of Europe has this week returned to the UK following his visit to Russia to oversee the Country’s Parliamentary elections and has criticised the lack of a level playing field during the elections.
Brian said: “Although the elections were technically well administered across a vast territory, a number of political parties were banned from running and it was clear that the contest was slanted in favour of the ruling party. The election lacked independence, most media were partial and state authorities interfered at different levels.”
“It is however clear following the results of the election and some of the events that have followed, that despite this lack of a level playing field, Russian electors took advantage of their right to express choice.”
The result of the election has been seen as a blow for former President and current Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin and his party United Russia, whose popularity has dipped to 48% down from 60% loosing 77 seats in the Duma.
The election build up was viewed by many as a referendum on Vladimir Putin and his popularity within the Country as he bids to become President for the third time in March’s Presidential elections.
During the trip Brian went to Moscow for three days where he was briefed by the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) a number of NGO’s and where he met with representatives of all seven political parties taking place in the elections.
Brian was then deployed to the historic city of St. Petersburg for two days where he observed the build up to the election and the election itself.
Brian said: “Although the elections were technically well administered across a vast territory, a number of political parties were banned from running and it was clear that the contest was slanted in favour of the ruling party. The election lacked independence, most media were partial and state authorities interfered at different levels.”
“It is however clear following the results of the election and some of the events that have followed, that despite this lack of a level playing field, Russian electors took advantage of their right to express choice.”
The result of the election has been seen as a blow for former President and current Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin and his party United Russia, whose popularity has dipped to 48% down from 60% loosing 77 seats in the Duma.
The election build up was viewed by many as a referendum on Vladimir Putin and his popularity within the Country as he bids to become President for the third time in March’s Presidential elections.
During the trip Brian went to Moscow for three days where he was briefed by the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) a number of NGO’s and where he met with representatives of all seven political parties taking place in the elections.
Brian was then deployed to the historic city of St. Petersburg for two days where he observed the build up to the election and the election itself.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
MP launches entrepreneurship inquiry
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Small Business has today launched an inquiry into entrepreneurship with the Secretary of State for Work and Pension Iain Duncan Smith MP.
New figures show that almost a third of small businesses at start-up stage have difficulty finding suitably skilled staff and employment figures which will be published next week are expected to show a rise in unemployment.
Figures from the Federation of Small Businesses show that 27 per cent of small businesses found it difficult to find suitably skilled staff. Figures also showed that regulation requirements onerous (47%) and had difficulty securing finance (34%).
Brian said: “We hear from small businesses time-and-time again that they are finding it difficult to get staff with the skills necessary to run their businesses. Small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs are expected to be driving economic growth in support of Britain’s recovery but they are finding it difficult to get the right people to help them in that task."
“I am hopeful that this inquiry will go some way to addressing the challenges of rising youth unemployment and the skills crisis we have thanks to the legacy left by the previous government.”
“I know that John Hayes, the Skills Minister, is working hard to bridge the skills gap which is especially important to the precision engineering companies in my own constituency of Northampton.”
“However, John Hayes’s work is being hampered by the poor performance in our primary and secondary schools, especially with regard to literacy and numeracy and whilst Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, is pulling out all the stops there is still a lot to do."
“Our review will be looking at ways of improving those basic skills as well as the more advanced skills required to meet industry’s needs.”
New figures show that almost a third of small businesses at start-up stage have difficulty finding suitably skilled staff and employment figures which will be published next week are expected to show a rise in unemployment.
Figures from the Federation of Small Businesses show that 27 per cent of small businesses found it difficult to find suitably skilled staff. Figures also showed that regulation requirements onerous (47%) and had difficulty securing finance (34%).
Brian said: “We hear from small businesses time-and-time again that they are finding it difficult to get staff with the skills necessary to run their businesses. Small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs are expected to be driving economic growth in support of Britain’s recovery but they are finding it difficult to get the right people to help them in that task."
“I am hopeful that this inquiry will go some way to addressing the challenges of rising youth unemployment and the skills crisis we have thanks to the legacy left by the previous government.”
“I know that John Hayes, the Skills Minister, is working hard to bridge the skills gap which is especially important to the precision engineering companies in my own constituency of Northampton.”
“However, John Hayes’s work is being hampered by the poor performance in our primary and secondary schools, especially with regard to literacy and numeracy and whilst Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, is pulling out all the stops there is still a lot to do."
“Our review will be looking at ways of improving those basic skills as well as the more advanced skills required to meet industry’s needs.”
MP welcomes IPCC investigation into nightclub deaths
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has welcomed the decision by the Independent Police Complaints Commission to undertake an independent investigation into the deaths of two students at the Lava & Ignite Nightclub in Northampton.
Northamptonshire Police referred the events at Lava & Ignite which took place on the 18th and 19th October to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, consequent on the tragic death of Nabila Nanfuka.
Since then, Laurene-Danielle Jackson has also tragically died as a result of her injuries sustained at the nightclub in the early hours of the 19th October.
Brian said: “I am pleased to hear that the Independent Police Complaints Commission have agreed to investigate the tragic events of that evening further- not least because it gives some closure to the families and friends of the two young women who lost their lives that night.”
“I have called for an open inquiry into the events that took place that night and I will continue to monitor the progress that is made as a result of the IPCC’s independent investigation closely.”
Northamptonshire Police referred the events at Lava & Ignite which took place on the 18th and 19th October to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, consequent on the tragic death of Nabila Nanfuka.
Since then, Laurene-Danielle Jackson has also tragically died as a result of her injuries sustained at the nightclub in the early hours of the 19th October.
Brian said: “I am pleased to hear that the Independent Police Complaints Commission have agreed to investigate the tragic events of that evening further- not least because it gives some closure to the families and friends of the two young women who lost their lives that night.”
“I have called for an open inquiry into the events that took place that night and I will continue to monitor the progress that is made as a result of the IPCC’s independent investigation closely.”
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