News in Brief
News
and Press Releases & Photos
for 2008 and 2009
Click here for earlier News and Press Releases from July 2003 to 5 November 2007
We will endeavour to keep you up to date of what is happening in Thurrock & Parliament by posting press releases, articles & photos of interest.
14
January 2010
THURROCK MP CONGRATULATES
CHAFFORD LEARNING CAMPUS FOR BIG BOOST IN RESULTS
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay today congratulated Chafford Hundred Campus
Business and Enterprise College on being the school with the most sustained
improvement in the whole country..........
<more>
26
October 2009
THURROCK MP ANDREW
MACKINLAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE BLUE MANGO, THURROCK'S NEWEST RESTAURANT
ON FRIDAY - 23 OCTOBER 2009
The opening of the Blue Mango in Crammavill Street, Stifford Clays, was
attended by over 100 invited guests from the area..........
<more>
<see photo>
15
October 2009
THURROCK
MP WELCOMES SCHOOL RESULTS RISE
Thurrock
MP Andrew Mackinlay has welcomed this year’s GCSE results showing
a rise in the number of young people across Thurrock getting good grades..........
<more>
21
July 2009
MP
CONTINUES FIGHT FOR THURROCK NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY FUNDING
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay kept the pressure on the Government in the
House of Commons yesterday (HC Deb, 20 July 2009, c574) to come up with
the funding for the National Skills Academy which is an integral part of
the new Royal Opera House facilities in West Thurrock ...............
<more>
17
July 2009
MACKINLAY
SUPPORTS GARY MCKINNON’S CAUSE
Thurrock
MP Andrew Mackinlay spoke up in the House of Commons yesterday against the
extradition of autism suffer Gary McKinnon to the United States on computer
hacking charges. In a debate calling on the Government to review extradition
arrangements with the United States Mr Mackinlay was prevented from speaking
specifically about Mr McKinnon’s case, said: “We talk about
the extradition treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom,
but actually there is no such piece of legislation in the United Kingdom.
...............
<more>
17
July 2009
THURROCK MP SAYS
NO TO NEW RIVER CROSSING IN THE BOROUGH
Thurrock’s Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay has restated his total opposition
to another River Crossing anywhere in Thurrock.
Mr Mackinlay said: “There is a need for another river crossing in
the national interest, but another bridge or tunnel in Thurrock would be
an environmental disaster. ................
<more>
29
June 2009
BUILDING
THURROCK’S FUTURE
Thurrock
MP Andrew Mackinlay today welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement
of a plan for Building Britain’s Future. It is a radical vision for
a fairer, stronger and more prosperous society. Public service entitlements
will for the first time be guaranteed to parents, patients and communities.
New measures will also drive economic growth and create jobs. Mr Mackinlay
said:- "People
in Thurrock want to know what the plan is for the Britain that lies ahead.
................
<more>
21
May 2009
Urgent News Release
- MACKINLAY
DELIGHTED AT GURKHA VICTORY
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has expressed his delight that the Gurkhas
have at last won their battle for U K settlement rights...............
<more>
(See
photo of Andrew with Gurkhas on the Photos page)
13
May 2009
News Release - LABOUR
MP URGES COUNCIL TO CREATE JOBS FOR LOCAL YOUNGSTERS
Thurrock MP, Andrew Mackinlay is calling on Thurrock Council and local organisations
to work with together to ensure that Thurrock gets its fair share of a new
£1 billion fund for young people at risk of long term unemployment...............
<more>
29
April 2009
News Release
- MINISTER SAYS
MACKINLAY IS “THE MOUTH OF THE THAMES"
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay today defied his party whips and vote against
the Government to support the Gurkhas. Interrupting Home Office Minister
Phil Woolas during the Gurkhas debate, Andrew Mackinlay told the Minister:
- “In Thurrock the Gurkha families are making a magnificent contribution
in the schools, in business and in public life; they have enriched the Borough"..............
<more>
24
April 2009
News
Release -
MP CALLS FOR TIGHTER CONTROL OF “ROTTEN TO CORE” DEBT
RECOVERY FIRMS
During a debate in the House of Commons this week Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay
labelled the debt recovery industry “rotten to the core” and
challenged the Government to outlaw the sale of debt, strenghten protection
for those being pursued for debt and introduce stricter regulation of the
debt recovery firms..............
<more>
21
April 2009
News Release
-
MACKINLAY WELCOMES NEW HOMEOWNERS MORTGAGE SUPPORT
Andrew Mackinlay Labour MP for Thurrock is joining forces with Labour’s
Housing Minister Margaret Beckett to highlight the help available to keep
people in their own homes if they fall on difficult times.............
<more>
6
April 2009
News
Release
- MP WELCOMES GOVERNMENT HELP FOR THURROCK BUSINESSES
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has welcomed a package of Government measures
to help Thurrock businesses through the global downturn. The measures announced
last week (1 April 2009) limit this year’s increase to 2 per-cent,
allowing companies to spread the remaining 3 per-cent over the following
two years to 2011-12. There is also help from businesses coming out the
business rate transitional relief scheme ............
<more>
18
March 2009
THURROCK MP HELPS BRING REDUNDANCY FAIRNESS ONE STEP CLOSER
Action by Andrew Mackinlay, MP for Thurrock, means that a better
deal for workers in hard times is now one step closer. Mr. Mackinlay was
present in Parliament last week (Friday 13th March 2009) when the Statutory
Redundancy Pay (Amendment) Bill, for its successful second reading in the
Commons – a crucial step in the legislative process............
<more>
16
March 2009
News Release
- MACKINLAY OPPOSES TILBURY MARSHES PROPOSALS
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has said he is implacably opposed to plans
for Port related development on Tilbury Marshes, currently being consulted
upon the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation...........
<more>
8
March 2009
News Release
- GOVERNMENT
HALVES RENT INCREASE
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has welcomed the news that the Government has
stepped in to cut this years council rent increases. He has written to make
sure Thurrock Council bids for additional subsidy before the end of April
deadline so that Thurrock's Council tenants don't miss out..........
<more>
11
February 2009
THURROCK MP HAS WELCOMED NEWS OF A £400,000 CASH BOOST TO WILLIAM
EDWARDS SCHOOL AND SPORTS HALL
The Government today announced the a £400,000 contribution
towards the provision of a new tented style Sports Hall project, as part
of the £21Million of extra funding for improving sports facilities
at schools up and down the country.........
<more>
11
February 2009
ANDREW MACKINLAY ATTACKS BANKER'S BONUSES
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has joined calls for the Government
take swift action to stop bonuses being paid to failed bankers........
<more>
10
February 2009
EXTRACT
FROM HANSARD - 10 February 2009: Columns 1264 to 1265
Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock)
(Lab): " am pleased to have caught your eye, Mr. Speaker. I am a bit
bewildered and concerned that countless Members of Parliament from all political
parties will be responding to letters and representations from constituents
about the bonuses being paid to people who presided over the banks that
have failed. That issue is fully within the footprint of the resolution,
which involves Parliament authorising moneys to fulfil the intentions of
the Banking Bill, which is designed to bail out an underwrite the banks.
.....
"
<more>
2
February 2009
MP WELCOMES SWIFT ACTION AGAINST LAKESIDE ROAD RACERS
Thurrock MP, Andrew
Mackinlay has welcomed news that the Police will now be able to disperse
groups of car cruisers and spectators who have been using roads around Lakeside
to race their cars.......
<more>
26
January 2009
News Release - MP WELCOMES REAL HELP NOW FOR
PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES IN THURROCK. NEW GUIDE TO HELP AVAILABLE IN THURROCK
Thurrock MP Andrew
Mackinlay today welcomed the launch of a new guide to finding help with
homes, jobs and finances when you need it........
<more>
.
Click here to download Guide
here
23
January 2009
News Release - THURROCK MP MARKS HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL
DAY
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has shown his commitment to Holocaust Memorial
Day by signing a Book of Commitment placed the Book of Commitment in the
House of Commons to give MPs the opportunity to pledge that they will uphold
the memory of the Holocaust and oppose hatred today in the House of Commons
to honour those who perished in the Holocaust.......
<more>
and photo
15
January 2009
MP WELCOMES CHADWELL
SCHOOL NEWS
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has welcomed news that the Chadwell-st- Mary
Primary School will not close, but he urged Thurrock Council to get behind
the school to ensure recent progress at the school continues........
<more>
24
November 2008
MACKINLAY WELCOMES REAL HELP THROUGH TOUGH TIMES
Thurrock Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay today welcomed the Pre-Budget
Report as real help for people and business through tough times. The 2008
PBR set out action to help families and businesses through the tough times
caused by the global credit crunch
- by helping people, and putting money into the economy now so we come out
of this sooner and stronger and;
- once the economy is growing again, tackling the public finance problems
caused by the credit crunch, in a way that is fair to all........
<more>
2
October 2008
EXTRA CASH FOR THRURROCK'S WORKERS THIS AUTUMN
The National
Minimum Wage is going up again. The rate is rising to £5.73 per hour
for workers aged 22 and over, £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53
for those aged 16 and 17. Welcoming the news Thurrock MP, Andrew Mackinlay
said: "I became an MP to fight for the rights of working people in
Thurrock. The minimum wage is one of Labour's proudest achievements in Government.
When families are struggling with rising fuel, energy and food prices it’s
more important than ever to have a rising National Minimum Wage. To me it's
pretty simple, if you believe in fairness, you should support the National
Minimum Wage. When it came in ten years ago people like David Cameron strongly
opposed it. "" ........
<more>
30
July 2008
REDUCTION IN CRIME WELCOMED BY MP
Thurrock MP, Andrew MacKinlay has welcomed news that crime in Thurrock has
fallen by a quarter in the last three years. Mr
MacKinlay said; “This is excellent news for local people and further
evidence that the Labour Government’s extra investment in law and
order is paying off........ <more>
21
June 2008
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
TO SAVE POST OFFICE FROM THE AXE
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay joined forces with local Labour Councillors
to fight the closure of Hathaway Road, Post Office. The closure announced
this week as part of Post Office Limited Network Change programme; it's
the only Thurrock Post Office facing the axe........ <more>
12
June 2008
THURROCK TOLLS DISCOUNT CONFIRMED
Thurrock MP’s Andrew Mackinlay and Angela Smith have welcome
today’s confirmation that local residents will pay just 20pence when
the new Dartford River Crossing tolls on the M25 come into force later this
year. Transport Minister Rosie Winterton today announced the outcome of
a further consultation following the Government’s “in principal
agreement” of the local discount in February. .......
<more>
To read the full Letter and supporting
documentation click on links below:
Rosie
Winterton's letter; other documents: Page
1, Page
2, Page
3, Page
4, Page
5 (click on
images to enlarge)
16
March 2008
MACKINLAY URGES RESIDENTS NOT TO MISS OUT ON FREE NATIONAL BUS TRAVEL
Thurrock
Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay wants everyone in Thurrock over the age of 60
or disabled to sign up for free bus travel in time for 1 April........ <more>
4
March 2008
TORY-RUN THURROCK COUNCIL FAILS TO STAND UP FOR THURROCK’S HARD PRESSED
BUS USERS
Conservative controlled Thurrock Council has been accused of “failing
to stand up Thurrock’s hard pressed bus users” after the Council
failed to make representations to Arriva about the 373 service despite having
advanced knowledge the service was to be axed....... <more>
17
February 2008
RESIDENTS URGED TO APPLY NOW FOR THEIR NATIONWIDE BUS PASS
Thurrock
MP Andrew Mackinlay is urging Thurrock residents to contact Thurrock Council
immediately to apply for their National Concessionary Bus Pass so they can
enjoy the benefits of the new scheme from day one......... .
<more>
9 February 2008
MP WELCOMES TILBURY TOWN STATION CASH
Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay has welcomed the news that money has
been allocated to solve the long standing access problems at Tilbury Town
Station. Andrew Mackinlay recently visited the site with
Railways Minister Tom Harris he could see for himself the extent of the
problem..........
<more>
(click here for
photo of Tilbury Bridge)
