Craig welcomes £24,776 to clean up high streets in Thanet

Craig Mackinlay MP has welcomed £24,776 to clean up high streets across Thanet, as the Government spends almost £10 million across England to improve local high streets.

The funding will improve the quality of high streets across the country, helping to attract more residents and visitors so that local businesses can continue to thrive. It will be used to buy tools such as litter pickers and brushes, as well as providing training for volunteers who already do so much across Thanet on how to remove graffiti or tackle fly-tipping.

The release of the funding coincided with High Street Saturday, a new national campaign day held for the first time last Saturday to celebrate the place of the high street at the heart of communities across the country.

Craig is also supporting Thanet District Council, Ramsgate Town Council and the Ramsgate Town Team in their bid for money for Ramsgate High Street from the Future High Streets Fund – a £675 million pot of money to help local areas modernise their town centres.

High streets have long been a place to bring communities together, a place for local people to access vital services and a place for businesses to thrive. But, the South Thanet MP recognises that it is becoming harder for businesses on the high streets in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Sandwich to compete with out-of-town shopping centres and online retailers.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“Our high streets in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Sandwich are at the heart of our local community.

“I know that changes to consumer buying habits represent a new and growing challenge for many town centres, and Thanet is no different.

“That’s why this funding will help to ensure that we keep high streets across Thanet looking their best,  to encourage more people to return to the high streets as destinations in their own right.”

Wellesley House Year 5 Pupil, Margot's anti-litter poster to be displayed in local McDonald’s restaurants

Local MPs, Sir Roger Gale and Craig Mackinlay, have chosen the winners of an anti-litter poster competition for Year 5 primary schoolchildren in Thanet.

Litter Angels is a Kent based anti-litter charity set up by Gordon Henderson MP in 2008 to educate children about the impact litter has on our local environment. The charity is backed by McDonald’s and Keep Britain Tidy and the theme of this year’s competition was how litter harms the seaside.

The overall winning poster, submitted by Margot at Wellesley House School in Broadstairs, will be displayed in McDonald’s car parks across Thanet and both Margot and Wellesley House will each win a cash prize.

The other winners were Beauley of Bromstone Primary, Beth of Herne CE Juniors, Tallulah of Palm Bay School and William of Holy Trinity & St John’s CE Primary.

All winners received a goodie bag containing a certificate, a personalised mug and a copy of the Litter Angels storybook.

South Thanet’s Craig Mackinlay MP, commented:

“Litter blights our towns and roadsides, and spoils our enjoyment of both the seaside and countryside. It’s also incredibly expensive, costing local councils hundreds of millions of pounds a year to clear up. That’s why I look forward to seeing Margot’s poster displayed in and around our local McDonald’s restaurants. All of us have a duty to keep Thanet tidy.” 

Paul Knell, McDonald’s Operations Manager, said:

“McDonald’s in Thanet is very pleased to support this important initiative. We would like once again to congratulate Margo on her fantastic winning design which will be displayed in the car parks at our drive-thru restaurants in Westwood and Minster. We hope that by having Margot’s poster visible outside our restaurants it will help to reduce litter across Thanet”  

For further details about Litter Angels, please visit: www.litterangels.org.

My regular update - 18 March 2019

I’m going to simply abandon any attempt at Brexit analysis and what has happened in Parliament and what might be around the corner as even a live blog would likely be out of date in this fast-moving drama. There are lots of ‘motions’ coming and going. They are simply that: motions not legislation, but if they have value at all Parliament refused to endorse attempts by some to take over the Parliamentary agenda for their own anti-Brexit purposes, took ‘No deal’ off of the table, a profoundly stupid move in my view, and resoundingly rejected any thoughts of a second referendum by 443 to 85.

I prefer to concentrate more widely on local issues this week. I’ve visited a lot of schools in the constituency of late. Some as part of a ‘Litter Angels’ competition across all Thanet schools in conjunction with Sir Roger Gale for North Thanet, to the Newlands Lane lower school site of The Royal Harbour Academy to celebrate UK Science week, Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School and Worth Primary School for in-depth discussions with school Governors as to the pressures of budgets.

The key theme from the competitions and science topics was a concern about plastic litter. The world produces some 350 million tonnes of plastic each year, most of which is derived from oil-based manufacturing processes. 10 million tonnes finds its way annually into the oceans where it remains almost indestructible, or upon breaking down to smaller particles can accumulate in the food chain. I was fortunate enough, in the same week, to hear from Sir David Attenborough giving a presentation in Parliament on the same theme. It has to be a moral disgrace that for years we have exported our plastic waste to poorer countries; an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach which has to stop. We, as consumers need to demand of our retailers a serious reduction in single-use plastic use particularly when packaging is simply used for aesthetic effect rather than for any other meaningful purpose. The valid theme from The Royal Harbour students was a demand for water refilling stations across Thanet to minimise single-use bottles.

We are uniquely placed with the excellent Discovery Park site on our doorstep, and Thanet as a country leader in renewable energy sites through wind, solar and bio-gas production to make East Kent a true hub of science and technology through the STEM formula. As a science graduate myself, I’ll always support academic learning across this spectrum which lead to high-level, well remunerated local jobs in an area in which the UK excels globally.

I shall be presenting a Parliamentary petition on behalf of Thanet residents on the proposal to move stroke services to Ashford as part of a Kent-wide plan for reconfiguration of services. This is one of the unique opportunities for MPs to raise issues at the highest level by using the opportunities of the floor of the House of Commons. Kent County Councillors have greater power than I on this matter however. They will be deciding on the 22nd whether the new services plan should be accepted or referred back to the Secretary of State for Health for analysis and review, but I will have done my bit on an issue which has concerned many residents.

Craig celebrates Science Week with students and teachers at The Royal Harbour Academy

South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay, has visited The Royal Harbour Academy in Newlands Lane, Ramsgate, during Science Week to celebrate science, technology, engineering and maths with the students. The Academy are focussing on reducing the amount of single-use plastic and encouraging students to look after their school, community and planet.

Science Week at the school included a campaign competition, visits from local scientists from Pfizer, special assemblies hosted by local PhD students, and a litter pick on Saturday morning at the Royal Harbour seafront for students and their families. In addition, the students have written letters to their MP asking him to support the installation of a public water refill station in both Broadstairs and Ramsgate. The children believe that this will help local people reduce the number of plastic bottles on the beach and around the seafront.

Craig was presented with the letters at a special assembly on Friday morning.

Craig Mackinlay MP, commented:

“Without urgent action to cut demand, it is estimated that 34 billion tonnes of plastic will have been manufactured globally by 2050. That’s why it’s so important that youngsters at The Royal Harbour Academy are becoming increasingly active in the anti-plastics campaign and their suggestion of water refill stations in Broadstairs and Ramsgate is a very good one that I will take up with the local authorities.

“I was pleased to report that, building on the microbeads ban, the government are looking into whether other problematic products should be banned where there are suitable alternatives. I’d also like retailers to more seriously consider their use of excessive plastic packaging.

“It’s great to have The Royal Harbour Academy on board and I look forward to working with them on the campaign to reduce plastic usage.”

The Head of Science at The Royal Harbour Academy, Mr Lasslett, added:

“We have been unrelenting in ensuring the very best for our students at The Royal Harbour Academy and our new year 7 curriculum has been completely transformational in doing this. The new model provides us with endless opportunities to inspire students both within and across subjects.

“Optimising the organic fascination students have of science, during weeks like this is vital. Dedicated staff have delivered lessons that, judging by the response, our students will remember for many years to come. Topics such as plastic invoke so much passion and empathy from young people and it is crucial that as educators, we help our students understand the consequences that humans actions are having on the planet. Only by inspiring change will the next generation make positive difference in the future”.

Craig calls on MPs to back his bill to reform election law

Craig Mackinlay MP has tabled a bill to reform election law by amending Section 90C of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Having gone through a three month trial on the back of ambiguity in election law and with local elections on 2nd May, the South Thanet MP is arguing that election law must be clarified at the earliest opportunity.

For many years, it was always the established fact that candidates and agents had to approve election expenses. A Supreme Court judgment delivered in July last year put that on its head. The judgment means that, for the first time we could have a situation where election expenses that have not been approved by candidates and agents, perhaps by somebody wanting to cause mischief, could by default fall on a candidate or agent to be election expenses.  

Mr Mackinlay told MPs that the Representation of the People Act 1983 needed to be amended so that candidates and agents can go about their businesses without risk of prosecution: “The desire to offer oneself for public service should not come with a threat to one’s liberty, reputation and career”, he said.

After introducing his Bill, Craig Mackinlay MP, commented:

“The glaring grey areas in election law means that candidates and agents face a real threat of criminal prosecution with life-changing consequences.

“National party spending rules and local candidate spending must be clarified.

“I have received encouraging signs from the government that they will back my bill and I hope to gain the support of MPs more widely in the coming weeks and months.”

Mr Mackinlay’s full speech can be found here. His Election Expenses (Authorisation of Free or Discounted Support) Bill is scheduled to have its Second Reading on Friday 22 March.

Craig welcomes figures showing exports have risen

New figures show that the UK exported £336.9 billion worth of goods in 2018. This is an increase of £61.5 billion since 2015 – a 22 per cent increase. 

Over the last three years, there have been 13,000 more businesses exporting in the UK.

Craig has welcomed the latest figures, which show that businesses across all corners of the country are exporting across the world.

The government’s Export Strategy aims to boost British exports to 35 per cent of GDP, while creating jobs, raising wages and growing the economy.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“These figures show Brexit Britain is open for business, and that the excellent goods provided by businesses across the area are in demand across the world.

“It’s great to see that so many businesses in the UK are exporting. The Conservatives are providing businesses with the support they need to grow – and our Export Strategy will support more companies to export so that they can create more, better-paid jobs.

“These results show we are in a position of strength as we begin to forge a new role for ourselves in the world – creating a UK trade policy so that we can build a country that works for everyone.”

Craig encourages residents in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Sandwich to shop local for High Street Saturday

Craig Mackinlay MP has encouraged people in his South Thanet constituency to join him in showing their support for high street shops in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Sandwich by shopping locally this High Street Saturday on 16 March.

This new campaign day aims to celebrate the place of high streets at the heart of communities across the country.

Mayor of Ramsgate, Cllr Trevor Shonk, and Craig Mackinlay MP

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“High streets have long been a place to bring communities together, a place for local people to access vital services and a place for businesses to thrive. But it is becoming harder for businesses on high streets across the country to compete with out-of-town shopping centres and online retailers.

“That’s why I’m calling on people in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Sandwich to celebrate and support our local high streets this High Street Saturday, 16 March.

“As the national Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies, I was pleased to lead an event held recently in Parliament to further the discussion on the future of our High Streets, and how changing purchasing habits, with a rapid rise in internet shopping, means that the traditional view of High Streets as simply a place to shop will not hold into the future. I have also supported government measures to deliver £10 billion of business rates support since 2016 and the £675 million of funding to help community leaders modernise their high streets and town centres.

“High Street Saturday is another great way we can all help the independent businesses we all know and love.”

Craig welcomes Education Secretary to Yarrow Hotel in Broadstairs to meet East Kent College Staff and Apprentices

Craig Mackinlay MP has accompanied the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, to a visit to the Yarrow Hotel in Broadstairs to meet with East Kent College’s Executive Director Strategy and Partnerships, Paul Sayers and some of the students and apprentices working and learning at the hotel, including Seb Anning, a Broadstairs College apprentice in PR and Corporate Communications.

The South Thanet MP and Paul Sayers showed the Education Secretary around the hotel, which is owned and operated by the EKC Group, and offers high quality training for East Kent College students.

As well as highlighting the entrepreneurial nature of the Yarrow Hotel, Mr Sayers raised the issue of funding on the wider Further Education sector.

Craig Mackinlay MP, commented:

“East Kent College is a massive asset to our region and the Yarrow Hotel plays a pivotal role in providing a quality education and work experience to students and apprentices wanting to work in the growing hospitality industry.

“It’s important that the Secretary of State came here to see the excellent work the College and its students do in our community, and also hear directly from College leaders like Paul Sayers about the challenges around securing sufficient and sustainable funding.”

Executive Director Strategy and Partnerships at ECK Group, Paul Sayers, said:

“It was wonderful to welcome the Secretary of State for Education to our unique Broadstairs hotel, The Yarrow, and to show him how we are marrying educational provision with real world commercial experiences for our students.

“Damian seemed very engaged in our entrepreneurial approach to ensuring our students get the best learning opportunities and career progression, and I hope he will consider building on some of our innovations through new policy initiatives.”

Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, added:

“It was great to be invited to visit the Yarrow Hotel in National Apprenticeship Week, strongly recommended by Craig.

“Coming from a background in hospitality, it was fantastic to see the facilities available to local young people to train in and hear about the opportunities provided by East Kent College Group.”

Craig welcomes 434 homes in Thanet, helping more families using Help to Buy to get a foot on the housing ladder

More than 434 families in Thanet have been able to realise their dream of home ownership thanks to the government’s right to buy schemes, new figures out show.

Almost 600,000 more families have gotten a foot on the housing ladder since 2010 through Help to Buy and Right to Buy. This means 184 families using the schemes every day since the Conservatives came to power to buy a home of their own.

Help to Buy has two main schemes. One allows future first-time buyers to take out an Individual Savings Account (ISA) which pays out a government bonus of up to £3,000 towards the cost of a new home. Another scheme, the equity loan, means buyers only need to raise 5 per cent of a property’s value for a deposit and the government will provide a 5 year interest-free loan of up to 20 per cent of the property’s value. Further help comes with Stamp Duty relief for first-time buyers, exempting most from it, another welcome boost.

Families across the country are benefitting from the schemes with more than 93 per cent of completions taking place outside of London.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented:

“This is good news for 434 families on the Isle who have been able to get the security of their own home through the Government’s Help to Buy schemes.

“We want as many people as possible to get a foot on the housing ladder, that’s why we have abolished stamp duty for 95 per cent of first-time buyers, boosted Help to Buy, and have an ambitious plan to build 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s.”

Craig supports the Big Bang at Discovery Park in Sandwich attended by 1000 pupils from Kent and Medway secondary schools

South Thanet MP, Craig Mackinlay, has supported an event in Sandwich for young people that aimed to show just how many exciting and rewarding opportunities there are in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related careers and Further Education. 

Attendees of the Big Bang event at Discovery Park, which included around 1000 pupils from Kent and Medway secondary schools, were able to enjoy interactive exhibits and stalls, workshops run by local companies and an exciting STEM show by John Coad on the Elements of the Periodic Table.

Craig Mackinlay MP commented: 

“The take-up of STEM subjects by school pupils continues to rise, up 4.5 per cent on last year and up 23 per cent since 2010.

“That’s why I was delighted to support this excellent Big Bang event, hosted by Discovery Park in partnership with Pfizer and Canterbury Christ Church University, which showcased to 1,000 students from 30 schools in Kent the wide range of opportunities available in STEM industries and showed how learning can translate into real careers in the growing tech sector.

”Very well done to everyone involved.”