7500 children in Kent are now benefiting from 30 hours of free childcare

South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay, has welcomed new figures showing that around 7500 children are benefiting from the Government’s 30 hours free childcare offer in Kent.

The offer saves working families around £5,000 per year per child and saw over 200,000 children benefit nationally in its first term. There are now nearly 300,000 children in 30 hours places in England. It’s backed by a record investment of £6 billion per year in childcare, which includes an extra £1 billion per year by 2020 to deliver the free entitlements.

High quality childcare not only helps children get the best start in life, but also supports many parents who want or need to work. Beneficiaries of the scheme have reported improved family finances as well as a better work-life balance.

Alongside introducing and increasing the National Living Wage, and raising the personal tax allowance, childcare support is one of a number of ways this Government is helping families with the cost of living.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“For many parents, being able to afford good-quality childcare is essential to working and supporting their families. It’s not just an issue, but the issue, and I know from speaking with families in Kent what a difference 30 free hours is making. Reliable childcare gives parents peace of mind and makes day to day life that bit easier.

“We want to help people with the cost of living. That’s why this government is spending more money on childcare than ever before, helping parents to balance their home and working lives whilst ensuring more children get the best possible start in life.” 

Oasis charity event at Botany Bay Hotel raises £1,000

A fundraising event for Oasis Domestic Abuse support service was held at the Botany Bay Hotel, Kingsgate, in celebration of International Women’s Day on Thursday, 8 March.

The event, which raised £1,000 for the charity, was sponsored by Craig Mackinlay MP and the South Thanet Conservative Association. Special Empowerment cocktails and canapés were served at the venue which was filled to capacity.

Guest speakers included Deborah Cartwright, CEO of Oasis, and Priti Patel, MP for Witham and the former Secretary of State for International Development.  Those attending included newly elected Thanet District Council Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford, and Kent County Council Cllrs Ros Binks, Sue Chandler, Paul Messenger and Emma Dawson.  Many TDC councillors were in attendance, together with a cross-section of members of the public. A generous donation was received from the former Labour Leader of Thanet Council, Clive Hart, and his wife, former Labour Councillor, Sandra Hart.

In a surge of support for the event, the local business community came together with generous donations of high-value prizes for a fundraising raffle.  Prizes ranged from meals out in popular restaurants such as Wyatt & Jones, to gift vouchers for Lovely’s Art Gallery, Cliff’s Coffee Bar & Yoga Studio, Beautify by Dionne, Headlines hair salon, Gladwell’s pet store and many more.

The Botany Bay Hotel also waived the normal £150 booking fee for the venue and donated a raffle prize of a meal for two at their award-winning restaurant.

Deborah Cartwright, CEO of Oasis, gave a powerful account of the appalling suffering of victims of violence and told how until comparatively recently women could legally be beaten and raped within marriage.  She also spoke of the many women who have turned their lives around as a result of being offered a safe haven to escape abusive relationships and the support of trained professionals to rebuild their lives and self-esteem.

Priti Patel described how in her former governmental cabinet role, she visited many Third World countries where women and girls are still under-valued.  She told how they were fed last, coming to the table to eat after the men had finished.  She also spoke with pride of how it was the Conservative Party that gave women the vote and the UK’s first female Prime Minister.

A member of the Broadstairs Society, dressed as a suffragette, complete with ‘Votes for Women’ banner, gave the event added authenticity.

Guests were entertained with live music provided by young female musicians from St Lawrence College, Ramsgate. Following their performance, Craig presented them with certificates of appreciation and boxes of House of Commons chocolates.

A highlight of the evening was an auction of an exclusive cruise aboard the USN P22 gunboat featured in the film ‘Dunkirk,’ valued at £1,200.  Following a heated bidding war this was won by Lynne Connolly, Chairman of South Thanet Conservative Association.  A bottle of House of Commons whiskey, donated by Craig and signed by Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, was also auctioned.

The successful evening concluded with  a speech by Craig Mackinlay who pledged to hold an annual fundraising event in support of local charities.

Oasis is appealing for volunteers to work in their charity shop in Margate. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Oasis on 01843 290227 or by email: enquiries@oasisdaservice.org or in person at the Oasis shop at 170, Northdown Road, Margate, CT9 4GA or visit www.oasisdaservice.org.

Craig gives talk to Year 12 Students from Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School about life in politics

Craig Mackinlay MP has spoken exclusively with Year 12 Politics students at Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School in Ramsgate about his role and responsibilities as an MP, and his varied workload.

The South Thanet MP’s visit follows an invitation he received from the School’s Head of Politics, Mr Walton.

Earlier this year the pupils travelled to London to visit Parliament where they enjoyed a tour of Westminster Palace and held a workshop on politics.

Currently Craig is also assisting around 60 students from Chatham and Clarendon who have currently lost some £60,000 that they have actively fundraised for to go on a once in a lifetime Student Challenge trip to East Africa as a result of the failure of the charity, Childreach International. 

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“I had a very enjoyable discussion with the politics’ students at Chatham and Clarendon am very grateful to them and their teacher, Mr Walton, to the school to see them.

“We discussed the varying aspects of the work of a Member of Parliament, the different balances we have to strike between, for instance, the time we spend in Westminster where we revise and vote on legislation, and in our constituencies with the people who elected us to represent them. 

“My visit gave me the opportunity to brief the class on the work I do on the Brexit Select Committee, warning against the harmful effects of cannabis use as part of the All Party Parliamentary Group I chair, as well as the keen interest I take in issues relating to work, pensions and taxation. We also discussed my efforts to regenerate Ramsgate Harbour and my campaign to stop live animal exports.

“The students displayed an excellent grasp of both local and national affairs alike - they clearly have an outstanding teacher in Mr Walton.”

Mr Walton, Head of Politics at Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School, said:

"It was really good of Craig to come and talk to my A Level Politics students.

“They gained a great deal from hearing about all the work that Craig does as an MP. His work on behalf of CCGS students that have missed out on a visit to Tanzania, because of the collapse of the Childreach International charity - for which they had collected thousands of pounds - indicate how seriously he takes his role as a Constituency MP.

“The Politics students were impressed by Craig’s honesty and his realisation that Politics is about finding compromise between people with very different viewpoints and requires a commitment to a large amount of work within and outside Parliament."

Craig and Cllr Lesley Game hold site meeting to consider parking issues in the Botany Road area

South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay, local District and County Councillor, Lesley Ann Game, have held the latest in a series of site meetings in Botany Bay to consider the problem of parking in Botany Road and adjacent roads.

Parking in the road - that leads down to the beach - is a particular problem in the summer months as visitors flock to the popular, sandy beach in Kingsgate. Advertising and Facebook pages set up by visitors have added to the popularity of the area - a mixed blessing.

Various solutions have been muted in the past including seasonal residents’ permits, and bollards to prevent parking on the grass verges and outside residents’ properties. However, so far they have failed to alleviate the problems encountered by local residents who have faced parking across driveways and inconsiderate parking which would lead to problems for emergency services access.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“The issue of parking in and around Botany Road is a longstanding one and, while as South Thanet’s MP I want to do all I can to encourage visitors to our beautiful towns, the local authorities must do more to ensure that residents are not unduly affected insofar as possible.

“To this end, Cllr Game and I have agreed to encourage Thanet District Council to implement a residents’ parking scheme in Botany Road and surrounding highways. Enforcement of existing double yellow restrictions must be ratcheted up, which would additionally be a source of revenue for the council. Residents report almost non-existent parking enforcement.”

“Botany Bay is such a lovely area I understand why the beach attracts so many visitors, but a degree of consideration for local residents needs to be exercised.”

Cllr Lesley Ann Game, said:

“I have been working hard to resolve this issue for the local residents. 

“Parking in the summer months is a serious problem as  those visiting the beach park literally anywhere with total disregard for those that live there. 

“Residents become prisoners in their own properties, their drives are blocked, doctors and hospital appointments are missed.  

“Due to this inconsiderate parking buses and emergency services have great difficulty getting through.”

Craig celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

This National Apprenticeship Week, Craig Mackinlay MP is celebrating the vital contribution of apprentices in his South Thanet constituency.

Since 2010 there have been 5430 apprenticeship starts in South Thanet, and over 1.2 million new apprenticeship starts nationally since 2015. Take up of higher-level apprenticeships in 2016-17 was up by nearly 35 per cent compared to 2015 -16.

Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Conservative Government’s strategy to expand opportunity and develop the skilled workforce the country needs. This includes working with industry to deliver an ambitious target of 3 million new apprenticeship starts by 2020.

But we know there is still more to do, which is why we recently launched an education and funding review that will help people make more effective choices between the different options available to them, promoting parity of esteem between technical and academic pathways.

Craig Mackinlay MP said:

“Apprenticeships allow people to earn while they learn, and open doors to highly skilled, rewarding careers.

“That is why I am so pleased there have been around 5430 apprentice starts in South Thanet since 2010 - 780 of these were in the last year alone.

“This Government’s reforms are not only increasing apprenticeship numbers, but also driving up the quality of apprenticeships, meaning they have real value in the jobs market.

“We must continue to work hard to ensure everyone can get on in life, and go as far as their talents and hard work can take them.”

My thoughts on fishing policy post-Brexit, the Church Hill Dental Practice and National Apprenticeship Week

Whilst we escaped the very worst of the weather in Thanet, the ‘beast from the east’ gave us an unexpected sting to the tail end of winter. The unusual pressure system from eastern Russia stopped the usual west to east jet stream from flowing. It is this jet stream that keeps the UK temperate beyond that which our northerly latitude would dictate, so was a truly rare event. As ever, we’re rarely prepared with train services often the first casualty. Our third rail power pick-up system across the network is inherently flawed, and is all too easily fallible, and I doubt, if rail infrastructure were to be constructed afresh, that this would be the preferred system. We are where we are; we would similarly grumble if national and local authorities invested billions in infrastructure and equipment only to see it unused for years. The bad weather makes the world slow down a little, which can be welcome, and brings out the best in community spirit and neighbourly camaraderie.

I promised to report on my recent trip to Brussels as part of regular Brexit Select Committee meetings with Michel Barnier and Guy Verhofstadt. Both charming characters, but a fairly fruitless exercise, with the same mantras of ‘no divergence allowed’, ‘adherence to the Customs Union and Single Market’, and ‘Brexit in Name Only’ the offer. I don’t think the EU is serious about a deal, bizarre given the huge trade surplus the EU27 enjoy with us as one of their best export markets; we should similarly be honest with ourselves and plan to walk away. I was encouraged by the Prime Minister’s speech of last week, with the UK’s red lines of taking back control of our borders, laws and money firmly in place. It was a disappointment that Labour are prepared to stay in the Customs Union, effectively taking the prospect of the biggest Brexit dividend – that of negotiating new international trade deals with old and new friends permanently off of the table. I can only imagine how that is sitting with Labour voters who supported Brexit.

In Parliament I gave robust contributions in debates about live animal exports and post-Brexit fishing policy. There are few constituencies in the UK so affected as South Thanet by these issues. Links to my speeches easily available online.

The looming problem of the closure of Ramsgate’s Church Hill Dental Practice at the end of March is, rightly, of concern to thousands of patients with many sending me copies of their blunt letters of advice received from the service provider. I have a meeting with NHS England this week. In my early analysis, this has been handled appallingly. It is late in the day, with closure just weeks away and I but wish I had been informed months ago. I will be doing all I can to salvage something positive from this fiasco.

It is National Apprenticeship Week, and figures show significant uptake of apprenticeship opportunities across Thanet. East Kent College plays an important part in this success, so congratulations to them. Interestingly, new figures show that those taking up apprenticeships in construction and engineering are likely to earn more than many who decide to go to University. Certainly food for thought for those thinking about options for the future.

Craig hails Ramsgate Probation Service’s work with offenders

Craig Mackinlay MP has accepted an invitation from the Probation Service to visit the Kent Surrey & Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company (KSSCRC) local office in Queen Street, Ramsgate, to see the work they do with people subject to Court Orders and those released from prison.

During the course of his visit last Friday, Craig was introduced to the drug rehabilitation and alcohol treatment requirements placed on offenders, and the types of unpaid work (known a Community Payback) the offenders carry out.

The South Thanet MP also met with staff from the Resettlement and Rehabilitation teams, as well as volunteer mentors.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“I was greatly impressed by the range of rehabilitation services the staff at Ramsgate Probation Service provide to low-to-medium risk offender who have been sentenced by a court to either custody or community supervision.

“They do fantastic work and are a credit to our community.

“I look forward to working with our local Probation Service in the future and to improving the relationship with Thanet District Council so that more local projects can be addressed by the Community Payback team.”

Craig demands new deal for Thanet fishermen

South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay MP, has raised the plight of local fishermen in a Parliamentary Debate on the future of the UK’s fisheries policy.  He sought to achieve undertakings from the Fishing Minister, George Eustice, that the UK would leave the Common Fisheries Policy immediately on Brexit Day and outside of any implementation period. Craig claimed that we were now approaching a “crisis point” for the under 10m fishing fleets that make up the bulk of Ramsgate’s fishing fleet. Arguing that Thanet’s local fleet “simply cannot wait”, he called for the immediate end of the “disastrous” Commons Fisheries Policy.

Ramsgate MV Razor Bill skipper, Steve Barratt, has claimed that: “The Ramsgate fleet are all tied up and not through lack of fish but lack of quota. Meanwhile, just a few miles off the coast, Belgian and Dutch ‘Super-Trawlers’ are catching everything.”

Craig also called for an end to the controversial pulse beam fishing, saying that: “really importantly we need to unilaterally ban pulse beaming - it has been catastrophic on spawning areas.”

Highlighting research from the UK Hydrographic Office that shows 60% of all fish caught in UK waters was caught by EU fishermen, Craig called for a “step change” in the way in which  Britain approaches fishing as an industry.  With 95% of all boats on the South Coast being under 10m, Craig called for “a deal that works for them”.

Craig Mackinlay MP told the debate:

“What we do not want is that during that implementation period we somehow get dragged along with a perpetual CFP.  We have the opportunity for a Brexit dividend, we have an opportunity to take control of our sea and to rejuvenate our local fishing communities.

“I certainly call on the Government to exempt fishing from any transitional deal.”

In what could be a positive sign for Thanet’s fishing fleet - the Minister, George Eustice MP, indicated that change could be imminent saying: “A Fisheries Bill is expected before the Summer recess” and indicated a “long-term aim” to address problems with thornback rays in the Kent Coast.

Speaking after the debate, Craig welcomed the encouraging signals from the Minister, saying “I’m pleased that the Minister was characteristically receptive and I will be continuing to push him for further action to save our local fleet.”

Craig highlights campaign to end live animal exports for slaughter in speech to MPs

On Monday 26 February Craig Mackinlay MP contributed to a debate relating to the ending of the export of live farm animals after the UK leaves the EU, which you can watch here. Craig has long argued that Brexit is an opportunity to improve animal welfare given that existing EU legislation forbids member states from outlawing live animal exports for slaughter. During the course of this trade, animals are sent sometimes without a vet, water, or food in cramped conditions, across many hundred miles to face conditions of slaughter that we would find abhorrent.

The South Thanet MP told MPs that “…post-Brexit, we can have a renaissance of animal welfare standards alongside our commitments to introduce CCTV in abattoirs and increased sentences for those who abuse animals.” He described how the “small commercial port of Ramsgate… is now the only UK port through which lamb and sheep are transported across a sea border for slaughter abroad”.

Craig reminded MPs of the “appalling fiasco” at Ramsgate which hit the national headlines on 12 September 2012 when a single lorry carrying over 500 sheep was declared unfit to travel. Temporary holding pens were set up, 43 sheep had to be euthanised, six fell into the water and two drowned. Breaches of animal welfare regulations were found with fines and a suspended prison sentence for the director of the transport company.

Craig also briefed MPs on his own work in the campaign against live animal exports for slaughter which has included tabling a bill in the previous Parliament to allow municipal controlled ports the discretion to ban this trade. He also referred to an event he hosted in Parliament last month that was attended by key animal welfare groups, and diverse celebrities including Joanna Lumley, Frederick Forsyth, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Selina Scott who have all long campaigned to end live animal exports for slaughter.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“I was pleased to see many MPs who have campaigned for years to end live exports gathered together for this debate.

“I am hopeful that the Agriculture Bill, which will set out the framework of post-Brexit farming, will also propose that we finally put a stop to this barbaric practice once and for all.

“Inflicting needless suffering on animals is not acceptable and it must end.”

Mackinlay On Monday - 19 February 2018

The past two weeks has seen Thanet District Council in a state of some flux. Perhaps an understatement with the effective split of the ruling UKIP group precipitated by the rejection of the Local Plan. I am not at all surprised that the issue of Manston has caused this to come to pass, it is an issue upon which the future direction and economy of Thanet will be decided. Myself and Sir Roger have now had an official meeting with the Secretary of State for Local Government to explain the uniqueness of Thanet’s situation, and I also had the opportunity of raising the issue with the Prime Minister at PMQs. I am positive that a Local Plan, in accordance with national requirements can be delivered, but short of the 2,500 houses that were allocated under the Cllr Wells plan to the Manston site. Manston should, in my view, be maintained as zoned for aviation use only. This can be the working document to be put forward, and hopefully agreed by the Planning Inspector.

On Council tax, myself and other Kent MP colleagues lobbied the Secretary of State, with a degree of success, and accordingly Kent has been allocated £3.9m of additional funding for the social care budget. The retention of business rates trial, of which Kent is one, will additionally mean over £20m more for Kent on top of this. We are going through transformational times in local government finances as the shift is towards local raising of local spending. There is still much wrong with the Business Rates system, which raises some £35 Billion per year nationally, almost as much as Corporation Tax. It is a tax by any name and should it be replaced or amended, the funding must come from somewhere. A seriously knotty problem and a result of historical precedence.

I have been actively involved in trying to make sense of the failure of Childreach International and Rare Adventures Ltd. This charity offered youngsters the opportunity to take part in charitable projects globally to make a real difference to children’s lives in the countries visited. Youngsters at Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School had raised up to £3,000 each from friends, family and through fundraising totalling £60,000 across twenty of them to go on such a project to Kenya. The charity and company, who, after some forensic examination are found to be intertwined through a common CEO and director, have simply shut down leaving the students out of pocket. The travel company was not ABTA registered and the publicly available historic accounts for the entities show them not to be in good financial health even eighteen months ago. I am appealing for all affected to get in touch and I have requested that the CEO come to Westminster with explanations. It is fair to say that the charities sector have not had a good week, it is overdue that the role and activities of many charities operating in the UK are considered. For too long, many have operated as a good living for the executive boards running them and many have lost sight of what they are there for. The situation facing local youngsters has really angered me and I intend to raise the issue with Ministers and the Charity Commission.

I also managed to raise the issue of bank closures in an extensive debate in the House of Commons; this is an issue of real importance from Birchington to Broadstairs and Sandwich. I appeal once more for the closures to stop and for the banks to consider grouping in shared premises to maintain an effective counter service network.

I write this on a Eurostar train to Brussels, with meetings lined up with Michel Barnier and Guy Verhofstadt as part of my role on the Brexit Select Committee, the second such meetings over the past couple of months; I’ll doubtless be reporting back on my return. I doubt it will be cheerful.