Call to boost housing market by removing costly red tape
As damaging uncertainty continues over whether or not the Government will introduce a stamp duty suspension or deferment scheme, and Estate Agents report house sales lower than in the early 90’s, Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock called on Gordon Brown to use government powers to suspend Home Information Packs (HIPs) to help boost the beleaguered housing market.
Twelve months on from their introduction, there is growing evidence that HIPs deter speculative sellers, increase transaction costs, discourage sellers from changing estate agent and reduce the number of housing transactions – all compounding the economic downturn.
• Ministers have powers to introduce a HIPs holiday now: When the Government pushed the Home Information Pack laws through Parliament in 2004, it slipped in a last minute concession to allow a government to suspend any or all of the HIP laws. Parliament does not need to be sitting for such a power to be used.
• Five ways HIPs are harming the housing market: HIPs are undermining an already unstable market:
1) HIPs discourage speculative sellers from putting their homes on the market and act as a barrier to entry; this restricts housing supply and so reduces the number of net housing transactions.
2) By duplicating the need for searches and not providing reliable information, HIPs increase transaction costs, increasing the net cost of moving home.
3) HIPs reduce market responsiveness, by discouraging people from changing estate agent if their house does not sell – as they may be asked to buy a new HIP.
4) The searches in HIPs go ‘stale’ if a house is left unsold for too long, increasing transaction costs in a slow market, and acting as a further deterrent to would-be sellers.
5) If the seller has opted for a so-called ‘free HIP’ – a deferred payment option – they will be hit with a fee if they want to change estate agent, on top of the cost of any new HIP with their new agent.
• Government ignored warnings of harm to economy: Research by independent experts, Oxford Economic Forecasting, warned back in 2006 that HIPs would deter sellers and curtail the number of housing transactions by between 10% - 25%. In turn, this would cut consumer spending, reduce labour mobility and increase the medium term level of unemployment. Ministers ignored these warnings.
• Suspension of HIPs would still allow for EPCs: The Government claims that HIPs are necessary to meet an EU Directive which requires Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Yet in Northern Ireland since the start of July 2008, such Certificates have quietly been introduced for home sales without HIPs. Whitehall’s own Better Regulation Commission has slammed the UK Government for “gold plating” the EU Directive on EPCs, and imposing “additional administrative burdens [of HIPs] without adequate justification”.
Stephen Metcalfe said:
“I believe that urgent action is needed to kick start the housing market in South Essex. But the Labour Government is dithering – and their spin and speculation over stamp duty is further undermining the market by making buyers wait and see.
“Before Home Information Packs were introduced, Labour Ministers ignored warnings from experts and industry that this new red tape would harm the housing market and the economy. These warnings are coming true, but Ministers are more interesting in saving face than saving homebuyers money.
“Gordon Brown only wants to talk about housing to create a distraction from Labour leadership speculation. If he genuinely wanted to help, he would use his powers to suspend Home Information Packs straight away. A future Conservative Government will scrap this unnecessary red tape completely, but a suspension now will deliver those benefits sooner rather than later.”
Tuesday 12 August 2008
Thursday 10 July 2008
Stephen Metcalfe Backs Fairer Fuel Pricing
The Conservatives have promised a radical reform of fuel duty that would give an immediate cut of 5 pence a litre on the price of petrol at current rates. Under plans unveiled this week duty on fuel would be lowered when oil prices are high and raised when they fall to give a fairer deal to motorists.
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock has fully backed the plans saying: “This will help families when the cost of living is rising and also reduce the inflationary impact on the economy from fluctuations in the international oil price.”
“If a Fair Fuel Stabaliser had been introduced at the 2008 Budget, fuel would now be 5 pence per litre cheaper, shaving £3.50 off a tank of fuel for a Ford Mondeo. If it had been in operation for the last year, it would have saved the average household more than £90 in fuel costs at a time when family finances have been under pressure.”
Mr Metcalfe added: “Government revenue would remain the same, as it would be financed by the higher tax take resulting from soaring oil prices currently kept by the Treasury. The Treasury would take less tax on fuel when oil prices rose, but claw back cash when prices fell.”
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock has fully backed the plans saying: “This will help families when the cost of living is rising and also reduce the inflationary impact on the economy from fluctuations in the international oil price.”
“If a Fair Fuel Stabaliser had been introduced at the 2008 Budget, fuel would now be 5 pence per litre cheaper, shaving £3.50 off a tank of fuel for a Ford Mondeo. If it had been in operation for the last year, it would have saved the average household more than £90 in fuel costs at a time when family finances have been under pressure.”
Mr Metcalfe added: “Government revenue would remain the same, as it would be financed by the higher tax take resulting from soaring oil prices currently kept by the Treasury. The Treasury would take less tax on fuel when oil prices rose, but claw back cash when prices fell.”
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Stephen Metcalfe comments on end of year report for Gordon Brown
One year on: higher taxes, services cut and communities gagged
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock delivered his verdict Gordon Brown’s first year as Prime Minister, highlighting Government policies which are adding to the rising cost of living, bringing about the closure of local services and silencing the voice of local communities.
• Soaring taxes at time of rising cost of living: Families and pensioners are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, but Government taxes are making it even harder. Families have lost out due to the 10p income tax debacle and rising council tax bills. Higher, retrospective car taxes and new bin taxes are on the way. The housing market is slowing, tied up in the new red tape of Labour’s Home Information Packs and hit by Gordon Brown’s punitive stamp duty, compounding the effect of the credit crunch.
• Cuts to local services: In a Government programme of massive cuts, 2,500 post offices are being closed across the country. 1,000 shops which double up as post offices are expected to close if their post office business is axed. Another 3,000 post offices are under threat due to the end of the Post Office Card Account. On top of this, 1,700 family doctor surgeries could close down across England, under Labour plans for large and remote ‘polyclinics’ to replace local GPs.
• Silencing the voice of local communities: Under new planning laws being pushed through Parliament, local councils will lose any say over large, controversial planning applications. A new Labour quango – the Infrastructure Planning Commission – will take control, enforcing planning rules imposed by Ministers with no say for Parliament. The people of Britain have also been denied any say over the European Constitution (also known as the Lisbon Treaty), after Gordon Brown went back on his promise to hold a referendum.
Stephen said:“One year on from Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister, the country is going in the wrong direction – with looming cuts to local services, a soaring cost of living fuelled by higher taxes and local people consistently ignored by Whitehall.
“Gordon Brown has no big vision for Britain and no answers to the long-term challenges we face. People in this country are desperate for change: to improve the NHS, to raise standards in schools and to fight back against crime. They need a government that is on their side and not on their backs like Gordon Brown.”
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock delivered his verdict Gordon Brown’s first year as Prime Minister, highlighting Government policies which are adding to the rising cost of living, bringing about the closure of local services and silencing the voice of local communities.
• Soaring taxes at time of rising cost of living: Families and pensioners are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, but Government taxes are making it even harder. Families have lost out due to the 10p income tax debacle and rising council tax bills. Higher, retrospective car taxes and new bin taxes are on the way. The housing market is slowing, tied up in the new red tape of Labour’s Home Information Packs and hit by Gordon Brown’s punitive stamp duty, compounding the effect of the credit crunch.
• Cuts to local services: In a Government programme of massive cuts, 2,500 post offices are being closed across the country. 1,000 shops which double up as post offices are expected to close if their post office business is axed. Another 3,000 post offices are under threat due to the end of the Post Office Card Account. On top of this, 1,700 family doctor surgeries could close down across England, under Labour plans for large and remote ‘polyclinics’ to replace local GPs.
• Silencing the voice of local communities: Under new planning laws being pushed through Parliament, local councils will lose any say over large, controversial planning applications. A new Labour quango – the Infrastructure Planning Commission – will take control, enforcing planning rules imposed by Ministers with no say for Parliament. The people of Britain have also been denied any say over the European Constitution (also known as the Lisbon Treaty), after Gordon Brown went back on his promise to hold a referendum.
Stephen said:“One year on from Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister, the country is going in the wrong direction – with looming cuts to local services, a soaring cost of living fuelled by higher taxes and local people consistently ignored by Whitehall.
“Gordon Brown has no big vision for Britain and no answers to the long-term challenges we face. People in this country are desperate for change: to improve the NHS, to raise standards in schools and to fight back against crime. They need a government that is on their side and not on their backs like Gordon Brown.”
Samaritans need your help!
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock met with volunteers from the Samaritains at this year’s Basfest and heard first hand about the challenges they face and their desire to attract more volunteers.
Samaritans, who provide a 24hr support service for those who feel desperate and alone, and those contemplating suicide, believe that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence and accepted without judgement, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings. In providing this service, they hope to achieve their aim of reducing suicide across the UK.
As a former volenteer himself, Stephen Metcalfe said:
“I know how valuable the work of the Samaritans is and how very rewarding it can be for those who volunteer. The listening ear the Samaritans provide can make a real diffence to those who are feeling desperate and suicidal. This vital service can often be the last hope for those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.”
The service provided on a voluntary basis depends on members of the public coming forward and offering to help them. Volunteering with the Samaritans gives people a real chance to make a difference to peoples lives and to help those experiencing emotional distress.
All sorts of people volunteer with the Samaritains from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. There are many roles within the organisation from helping with fundraising and publicity, to helping answer the phones and supporting those who need help.
Anyone intersted in volunteering should contact Basildon & Thurrock Samaritans on their volunteer hotline on 07866 725258 or visit them at 16 Little Lullaway, Basildon SS15 5JJ.
Samaritans, who provide a 24hr support service for those who feel desperate and alone, and those contemplating suicide, believe that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence and accepted without judgement, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings. In providing this service, they hope to achieve their aim of reducing suicide across the UK.
As a former volenteer himself, Stephen Metcalfe said:
“I know how valuable the work of the Samaritans is and how very rewarding it can be for those who volunteer. The listening ear the Samaritans provide can make a real diffence to those who are feeling desperate and suicidal. This vital service can often be the last hope for those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.”
The service provided on a voluntary basis depends on members of the public coming forward and offering to help them. Volunteering with the Samaritans gives people a real chance to make a difference to peoples lives and to help those experiencing emotional distress.
All sorts of people volunteer with the Samaritains from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. There are many roles within the organisation from helping with fundraising and publicity, to helping answer the phones and supporting those who need help.
Anyone intersted in volunteering should contact Basildon & Thurrock Samaritans on their volunteer hotline on 07866 725258 or visit them at 16 Little Lullaway, Basildon SS15 5JJ.
Monday 30 June 2008
Brown must do a U-Turn on Vehicle Excise Duty, demands Stephen Metcalfe
Motorists left to pick up tab for failed Government policies
STEPHEN Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock has backed Conservatives in Parliament in their attempt to force Gordon Brown into a u-turn over Government plans to backdate taxes for high-emission cars to 2001.
Conservatives have tabled an amendment for the final stage of the Finance Bill to be debated this week, that will try and force the Government to drop plans to backdate the tax to 2001.
The Government is to change the way that Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is calculated to raise an extra £2,500,000,000 for Gordon Brown’s coffers. Family cars face higher VED as well as a ‘showroom tax’ for new cars. The VED tax will be retrospective – so any car bought after 2001 will be hit by the higher tax rates. This will lead in turn to a plummeting re-sale price for second-hand cars. This will make it more difficult for people to replace their car and upgrade to a new or better one.
For example, the tax bill for a typical Ford Mondeo will rise from £210 to £310 a year, with a new £500 showroom tax on top. Yet, even the Government’s own estimates show that carbon dioxide emissions from motoring will hardly be cut at all.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “With the abolition of the 10p Tax Rate, fuel prices rocketing, energy prices rising, mortgage cost growing in the wake of the credit crunch, food prices spiraling and higher Council Tax bills - everyone is feeling the effects of the soaring cost of living.
And now the cost of driving a car will soon be even higher – the Government should scrap its plans for a big increase in road tax on family cars. This is yet another slap in the face from Labour. Along with everything else this is really hitting hard-working families across Basildon & Thurrock.”
“Conservatives have consistently opposed these measures. The Government must execute a sharp U-turn. Any change in road tax should focus only on the most polluting vehicles, and be offset by equivalent reductions in family taxes. All Gordon Brown is interested in is finding new ways to push up his notorious stealth taxes even further.”
STEPHEN Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock has backed Conservatives in Parliament in their attempt to force Gordon Brown into a u-turn over Government plans to backdate taxes for high-emission cars to 2001.
Conservatives have tabled an amendment for the final stage of the Finance Bill to be debated this week, that will try and force the Government to drop plans to backdate the tax to 2001.
The Government is to change the way that Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is calculated to raise an extra £2,500,000,000 for Gordon Brown’s coffers. Family cars face higher VED as well as a ‘showroom tax’ for new cars. The VED tax will be retrospective – so any car bought after 2001 will be hit by the higher tax rates. This will lead in turn to a plummeting re-sale price for second-hand cars. This will make it more difficult for people to replace their car and upgrade to a new or better one.
For example, the tax bill for a typical Ford Mondeo will rise from £210 to £310 a year, with a new £500 showroom tax on top. Yet, even the Government’s own estimates show that carbon dioxide emissions from motoring will hardly be cut at all.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “With the abolition of the 10p Tax Rate, fuel prices rocketing, energy prices rising, mortgage cost growing in the wake of the credit crunch, food prices spiraling and higher Council Tax bills - everyone is feeling the effects of the soaring cost of living.
And now the cost of driving a car will soon be even higher – the Government should scrap its plans for a big increase in road tax on family cars. This is yet another slap in the face from Labour. Along with everything else this is really hitting hard-working families across Basildon & Thurrock.”
“Conservatives have consistently opposed these measures. The Government must execute a sharp U-turn. Any change in road tax should focus only on the most polluting vehicles, and be offset by equivalent reductions in family taxes. All Gordon Brown is interested in is finding new ways to push up his notorious stealth taxes even further.”
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Post Office Closure Programme Steams Ahead
Following yesterday’s publication by the Post Office of its plans for the future of the Post Office network across South Essex, Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, has welcomed the fact that no Post Office closures are proposed in the South Basildon & East Thurrock Constituency.
Stephen said: “Post Offices form a vital part of our local community, and I am delighted that the network in South Basildon & East Thurrock will remain in tact. However, I do feel for those communities in Thurrock, Southend and Castle Point that will be affected by these proposals. The cuts will hit the most vulnerable and the elderly the hardest. Labour Ministers need to recognise that if the local Post Office closes, often other vital services are also lost.”
He continued: “I believe the time has now come for the Government to step in and preserve what is left of the network. At present, we have the absurd spectacle of Labour Ministers and Members of Parliament campaigning up and down the country in their own constituencies to keep their local Post Offices open while voting in favour of the closures in Parliament.”
“Everyone can see through this hypocrisy; let’s have some honesty from this tired and discredited Government. If they, like me, believe Post Offices are an important part of our community then someone should tell the Prime Minister it’s time for action not more dithering and indecision. Come on Mr Brown: Save Our Post Offices!”
Stephen said: “Post Offices form a vital part of our local community, and I am delighted that the network in South Basildon & East Thurrock will remain in tact. However, I do feel for those communities in Thurrock, Southend and Castle Point that will be affected by these proposals. The cuts will hit the most vulnerable and the elderly the hardest. Labour Ministers need to recognise that if the local Post Office closes, often other vital services are also lost.”
He continued: “I believe the time has now come for the Government to step in and preserve what is left of the network. At present, we have the absurd spectacle of Labour Ministers and Members of Parliament campaigning up and down the country in their own constituencies to keep their local Post Offices open while voting in favour of the closures in Parliament.”
“Everyone can see through this hypocrisy; let’s have some honesty from this tired and discredited Government. If they, like me, believe Post Offices are an important part of our community then someone should tell the Prime Minister it’s time for action not more dithering and indecision. Come on Mr Brown: Save Our Post Offices!”
Tuesday 17 June 2008
Mental Health Unit leads the way!
Stephen Metcalfe, Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock today met with Anne Milton MP, Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, Dr Patrick Geoghegan, chief executive of the South Essex Partnership NHS Trust (Sept), and Eunan MacIntyre, Director of Inpatient & Emergency Services and Mrs Lorraine Cabel, Chairman of South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to tour the recently opened facilities at the Basildon Hospital Mental Health Unit.
Anne Milton MP, a former nurse who has a background in caring for those with mental illness was impressed by the facilities and talked at length with Dr Geoghegan and Dr MacIntyre. The changes in procedure and treatment have enabled the centre to deliver better care, more quickly while reducing the need for patients to spend extended periods with the unit.
Dr Geoghegan has stated: “Mental illness is now the number one reason that people are off work - through anxiety, stress and depression where it used to be back pain. Yet the investment is not going into helping these people and supporting them."
He believes the recently opened facilities in Basildon and Rochford, and the imaginative approach adopted by the unit has seen real improvements in the way patients are cared for and has gone someway to compensate for that lack of investment.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “I too was very impressed with what has been achieved here in Basildon, the rapid response to patient needs and the desire to help those with mental illness back in to the community as quickly as appropriate has to be welcomed. There is a stigma surrounding mental illness and anything that can be done to break down that prejudice and help them back into the wider community is excellent.”
He continued: “This is often an area of healthcare that is overlooked, but can have devastating consequences on peoples lives. The approach adopted here allows for treatment at the same time as helping patients maintain connections with the wider community, it really has paid dividends. Working with patients as opposed to just for them has help people return home more quickly and often keep them in employment which can have so many positive benefits – long may their excellent work continue.”
Anne Milton MP, a former nurse who has a background in caring for those with mental illness was impressed by the facilities and talked at length with Dr Geoghegan and Dr MacIntyre. The changes in procedure and treatment have enabled the centre to deliver better care, more quickly while reducing the need for patients to spend extended periods with the unit.
Dr Geoghegan has stated: “Mental illness is now the number one reason that people are off work - through anxiety, stress and depression where it used to be back pain. Yet the investment is not going into helping these people and supporting them."
He believes the recently opened facilities in Basildon and Rochford, and the imaginative approach adopted by the unit has seen real improvements in the way patients are cared for and has gone someway to compensate for that lack of investment.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “I too was very impressed with what has been achieved here in Basildon, the rapid response to patient needs and the desire to help those with mental illness back in to the community as quickly as appropriate has to be welcomed. There is a stigma surrounding mental illness and anything that can be done to break down that prejudice and help them back into the wider community is excellent.”
He continued: “This is often an area of healthcare that is overlooked, but can have devastating consequences on peoples lives. The approach adopted here allows for treatment at the same time as helping patients maintain connections with the wider community, it really has paid dividends. Working with patients as opposed to just for them has help people return home more quickly and often keep them in employment which can have so many positive benefits – long may their excellent work continue.”
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