Latest news with #TomCollins
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
New secondary school plan on backburner as MP reacts to decision
WORCESTER'S MP has welcomed the decision to step away from a controversial plan for a new secondary school as he calls for a boost in SEND provision. Tom Collins, Labour MP for Worcester, has welcomed Worcestershire County Council's decision to step away from their controversial plans for a new school in Newtown Road, what he has called 'an inappropriate site in the city'. He said: 'I'm very pleased the county council is finally stepping away from their plans for a new school. The proposed location is simply not appropriate for a new school. I would like to thank local people who have spoken up against this plan. SHELVED: Plans for the new secondary school in Newtown Road, Worcester have been ditched as Worcester's MP shares his thoughts on the decision (Image: Worcestershire County Council) Mr Collins had previously called for a 'reset' after planning permission was granted for a new school in Worcester, despite the ongoing financial crisis at Worcestershire County Council. He spoke out against the location of the proposed school, raising concerns over safety, accessibility and a lack of strategic thinking around the future of the neighbouring hospital site. Mr Collins is now urging the county council to bring forward new plans that are grounded in local need and developed in partnership with the community. He added: "Now it's important that the county council make good decisions about the site, and about their plans for building new schools. "The council should now reach out to local partners, particularly including our local NHS trusts to make sensible future plans for the site." Mr Collins said he was particularly highlighting the need for urgent investment in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. "We also have a severe shortage of Special Schools in Worcestershire, which is contributing to our county's SEND crisis. The investment should be directed to a set of new special schools across our county to meet the needs of children close to where they live," he said. We reported on Thursday how building the school at Newtown Road is the 'least likely option' to increase secondary school provision in the city. Worcestershire County Council is instead set to increase capacity at schools including The Chase and Dyson Perrins, with some Worcester pupils facing a daily trip to Malvern. The council is also looking into the feasibility of building a new school on the County Hall site. At a cabinet meeting on Thursday (July 17), councillors were told that Worcester will need an additional 90 secondary school places by September 2026 and a further 120 by 2027. According to forecasts, demand for school places will continue to exceed supply from 2029 onwards. The previous Tory administration's solution was a new school in Newtown Road, which has already been given planning permission. But costs have spiralled and are now so high the project 'jeopardises the affordability of the whole education capital programme,' the council says. RECOMMENDED READING: Council to scrap plans for new Worcester secondary school RECOMMENDED READING: Worcester's new school and hospital multi-storey latest Dr Stephen Foster, cabinet member for education, said the council would need to borrow £33.6 million to pay for the £63.3m school. 'This is the least likely option to pursue,' he said, questioning the impact the project would have on the council's 'financial emergency'. More likely is the permanent expansion of three city schools - Nunnery Wood, Bishop Perowne and Tudor Grange Academy - plus The Chase and Dyson Perrins in Malvern. He said creating extra places at the five schools would cost £29.5m, of which £3.96m would need to be borrowed. A third option is to explore the possibility of building a new school at County Hall, which Cllr Foster said would mean borrowing of at least £7m.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Worcester's MP voted on controversial welfare reforms
WORCESTER'S Tom Collins was among MPs to vote for welfare reform in Parliament on Tuesday (July 1). The controversial Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Bill passed its first reading in the Commons. But only after a last-minute climbdown by the Government saw ministers shelve plans to restrict eligibility for PIP. Any changes will now come only after a review of the benefit. The proposed changes to universal credit remain, raising the standard allowance while halving the health element for most new claimants from April 2026. Labour MP Mr Collins had said he would only vote for the bill if he was convinced a plan was in place to fix 'the culture in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)'. He said: 'People who are struggling with the PIP system all tell me that assessments are inaccurate, unpredictable and often, honestly, cruel. 'Until now I have had no response from the Government that showed any sign that this challenge was understood or that they had a plan to tackle it. 'For me, this has been a deal-breaker. Unless the culture of cruelty is fixed, nothing can work. If the culture could be fixed, that would be an incredible win in itself.' Read more Loss of morning train causing 'havoc' for commuters City councillor runs for national Green Party deputy leadership Reform hits back at criticism of 20-minute cabinet meeting Mr Collins said an eleventh-hour commitment from the Government to pursue 'deep change' in the DWP secured his vote. 'I have now had a response that shows they understand,' he said. 'These are Labour values, and if they are delivered, it will improve the lives of people with disabilities and long-term illness who have been horribly mistreated.' Despite the last-minute concessions, a total of 49 Labour MPs rebelled and voted against the legislation, the largest revolt of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership. Overall, the legislation cleared its first parliamentary hurdle by 335 votes to 260, a majority of 75. In a sign of how much the legislation has been gutted, the title will be changed to remove the reference to Pip. Earlier on, an amendment designed to halt the legislation tabled by York Central MP Rachael Maskell was backed by 44 Labour MPs. Ms Maskell said the concessions signalled a 'change in power between the Prime Minister' and disabled people.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Worcester MP is not among Labour rebels joining benefit revolt
WORCESTER'S MP is not among the Labour rebels backing an amendment that would block the government's planned welfare changes. Tom Collins does not want to see the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment (PIP) Bill killed off entirely. But he said he will only vote for the bill if he is convinced there is a plan in place to fix the 'huge challenge' of transforming the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). COST: Dame Harriett Baldwin says welfare spending needs to be tackled (Image: Harriett Baldwin) That will need to happen soon, as MPs are set to vote on the bill next Tuesday. More than 120 Labour MPs have signed the amendment that would reject the government's plans for welfare reforms, which include restricting the eligibility for PIP and limiting the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). Mr Collins told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'I totally understand people's concerns around these welfare reforms. 'I'd like to reassure people on UC and PIP that these changes will not affect them until they are re-assessed, and for PIP the earliest reassessment date that could trigger changes would be in November 2026.' He said the Government's overall plan to separate support for health and disability from unemployment benefits 'could be a game-changer'. But added: 'For me, the core issue with PIP is the assessment system. It is deeply flawed, often inaccurate, isolating, and frankly cruel. Read more Councillor felt 'bullied' by cycling lobby group over pump track Councillors make decision on £150,000 Perdiswell pump track Call for reduced speed limit on A4440 after fatal motorbike crash 'It amplifies vulnerabilities and reflects a wider broken culture within the DWP. No welfare reform can be safely or fairly implemented until this is fundamentally fixed. 'Fixing that means major cultural and practical change right across the DWP. This is a huge challenge that would require world-class leadership within the DWP management and organisation. 'I am not yet convinced that they have a plan to deliver that level of leadership and radical change management. 'Therefore, I am actively working with the government to see a plan that meets the challenge of transforming DWP before any changes can take effect. This is the only condition upon which I would support this bill. 'But if we can achieve that change, it would be an incredible win for everyone who depends on PIP." Mr Collins asked residents who want to share their experience of PIP or assessments to get in touch with him. Dame Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: 'We think that our welfare spending does need to be tackled as far too many working age people are being signed off as unfit for work and not given any help to return to work. 'We set out plans when we were in Government to address this. 'This Government's welfare and tax policies are the worst of all worlds - they are taxing and thus reducing jobs, punishing the genuinely sick. We are asking for real reform and a rethink.'
Time Out
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This scenic pool bar in Singapore has a happy hour promotion with $9 cocktails and bar bites
Seeking a good happy hour deal away from the usual packed bars in town? Here's one that'll bring a breath of fresh air, alongside a chill poolside setting and lovely sunset views. Verandah Pool Bar & Grill is bringing back its popular happy hour deal – a daily special where you get to indulge in a wide variety of over 15 drinks and bar snacks all at just $9 each from 5pm to 8pm. Pick your poison; There's a whole range of over 10 cocktails, wines, and beer to choose from as part of this promotion, including 1925 lager, sparkling prosecco, sparkling rosé, red or white house wine, gin and tonic, screwdriver, tequila sunrise, cuba libre, mimosa, and Tom Collins. Consider dinner settled when you pair your tipple with tasty $9 nibbles, namely: furikake fries, crispy kawaebi (river shrimp), burnt Iberian pork char siew, signature rotisserie chicken, chargrilled dirty steak, and a seafood sourdough pizza topped with tiger prawns, sakura ebi and seaweed. The chill poolside bar is part of Momentus Hotel Alexandra, but you're still welcome to wine and dine there even if you aren't staying in the hotel. If you're here on a weekend, take advantage of Verandah's newly launched weekend oyster deal on Friday and Saturday evenings, where you'll receive six complimentary oysters with any two cocktails ordered. For extra slurpy goodness, additional oysters can be purchased at $1.50 each. TIME OUT TIP Plan to arrive just before sunset and you'll be rewarded with the romantic unobstructed sight golden hour as you sip in style.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Cyclist's mission to measure Worcester air quality
A cyclist has taken on a mission to help tackle pollution by using his bike to measure air quality across Pagan, a Bike Worcester volunteer, has fitted a SmogOff device to his bicycle that measures nitrogen oxides and particulate matter - a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the Bike Buses across the city, he has been gathering readings on some of Worcester's busiest streets during rush-hour data collected will be used to complement the city council's air quality management projects. The monitor is designed as a stationary device but the sensors take readings often enough that useful data has been collected, Mr Pagan added: "They say you breathe in just as much pollution if you're sat in the car and most of us at Bike Worcester are car drivers too, so this is something that affects us all."Worcester MP Tom Collins, said: "Air quality is a huge issue in Worcester, especially for our young people, who tell me that they see it damaging the environment and their own health. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
