Following his evidence on Post Office Network Transformation, given today to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee inquiry, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said:

“Starting this summer, we will see the largest shake-up of our Post Office network including the rollout of 2,000 new Post Office Locals. We conducted extensive consumer research on this new model which showed decidedly mixed results. People liked the convenience and longer opening hours, but also raised a number of red flags about some fundamental issues.1

“We have found problems with the quality of advice – with second class postage sold correctly in only one in five mystery shopper visits – and product availability. A third of people told us that privacy was poor in PO Locals, with 19 per cent reluctant to conduct high-value or confidential transactions. The PO Locals service is also not always reliable – particular problems were shown with trained staff being unavailable.

“We welcome the transformation programme, and want it to succeed and deliver for consumers which is why we are highlighting areas where the trials show areas of underperformance. Consumers need to know this is a reliable service they can depend on. A new approach is needed, as many post offices are economically unsustainable. But it would be a major missed opportunity if these issues are not put right before PO Locals are rolled out nationwide.’”

From summer 2012, the Post Office’s Network Transformation will see one out of every five sub-post offices change to the Post Office Local model as part of the largest set of planned changes in the Post Office’s history. Most sub-post offices currently operate as part of a small shop, but have a separate post office counter with dedicated staff. The Locals model will see post office services delivered by trained shop staff from the main counter of retail outlets such as convenience stores or petrol stations, rather than from a separate dedicated post office area.

Consumer Focus feels that pilot programme gives the opportunity to learn and make improvements to get this new model right. The postal watchdog is now calling on Post Office Limited to commit to:

• The development of a core menu of products and services, with a commitment to consult locally where circumstances suggest a core product or service cannot reasonably be offered.

• Addressing consumer confusion and lack of awareness over product and service availability by providing clear product and service information in-branch.

• Improving service standards via enhancements to in-branch staff training, the retailer support offer and in-branch quality control, monitoring and compliance processes.

• Addressing the physical environment of the branch – external and internal – to satisfy consumer concerns especially on issues such as privacy and security.

• Dealing with the cash supply arrangements in place for Locals branches.

Earlier today, the Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg emailed Liberal Democrat Party Members describing the Liberal Democrat plans to deliver a fairer deal for the most disadvantaged children in our schools.

A copy of the email is below:

Dear Les,

For me, nothing better illustrates the Liberal Democrat mission to make Britain a fairer place than our Pupil Premium: extra money for the most disadvantaged children in our schools.

We are letting schools decide the best way to spend this money. I want to strike a deal with our schools and teachers: we’ll give you the cash, the freedom, and we’ll reward and celebrate your success. But in return, we want you to redouble your efforts to close the gap between your poorer pupils and everyone else. We won’t be telling you what to do; but we will be watching what you achieve.

It is shameful that, despite all the promise on a four or five year old’s first day at school, or the passion of their teachers, you can all too often plot that child’s path just by asking how much their parents earn.

The £2.5billion Pupil Premium was one of the four pledges on the front page of our manifesto. And now, with Liberal Democrats in government, schools are using the money for things like breakfast clubs; homework clubs; or to provide one-to-one-tuition. These are the sort of experiences many middle class children take for granted but a poorer child might rarely enjoy.

Yesterday I visited a fantastic primary school to see how they are spending their Pupil Premium, highlight our new Summer Schools to ease the transition from primary to secondary, and to set out our plans to reward teachers and hold schools to account.

The Pupil Premium shows that, in tough times, we are implementing Liberal Democrat values and prioritising help for those pupils who need it most.

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg MP
Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister

PS Click here to find out how much money your local school will receive from the Liberal Democrats’ Pupil Premium.

(Click here to play video)

Liberal Democrat MP Mark Hunter has teamed up with TV presenter and former carer Fiona Phillips to support this year’s Carers Week (18-24 June) and recognise the contribution made by those peoplethroughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. The work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

The theme for Carers Week 2012 is ‘In sickness and in health” recognising the strain families are under as they see their services cut back. It calls for better financial and practical support for the diverse range of people who have caring responsibilities.

Research carried out in 2012 found that carers are at breaking point

•47% of unpaid carers said they were made ill by money worries

•45% of unpaid carers said that caring had pushed them into debt

Mark and Fiona have joined together to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles.

Commenting, Mark said:

“Thousands of people in Cheadle sacrifice not only their time, but also their money and their health in order to care for a loved one. Together they save this country an incredible £119 billion every year. It’s vital that carers are offered regular breaks from caring and health checks so that they can be supported.

“I am taking part in Carers Week to show my respect and appreciation for our carers. I also want to let them know that there are services out there to help them. Caring can be so incredibly demanding. It’s important that carers know that they don’t have to struggle on alone.”

Fiona Phillips has personal experience of being a carer. She says:

“From personal experience, I know caring can demand a lot of your time and attention, which in some cases can put pressure on other areas in your life such as financial responsibilities and relationships. These problems can prove to be exhausting and mentally gruelling and can really take its toll on your health and wellbeing. I hope that Carers Week can again help to achieve change, and make a real difference to the lives of carers in this country.”

Helen Clarke, the Carers Week Manager said:

“I’m delighted that MPs are listening to carers’ concerns and supporting this year’s Carers Week. We must take action to support theUK’s 6.4 million carers. Many are paying the price of a care system in crisis – being forced to give up work to care and often pushed into ill-health, financial hardship and debt because of a lack of support to help them care.”

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 8 national charities: Age UK, Carers Trust, Carers UK, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, MS Society, and Parkinson’s UK. For more information about local events and activities visit www.carersweek.org.

Keep Britain Tidy has announced the results of the annual Blue Flag awards, with 79 English beaches, including Cleethorpes,receiving the globally-recognised award this year. This year there were nine more Blue Flags awarded than in 2011.

Beaches throughout the country have been rewarded for the quality of their facilities and high standard of water quality. The results mean England is ranked in the world’s top 10 countries for having the most Blue Flag beaches out of the 46 countries taking part in the Blue Flag scheme.

As well as the 79 beaches awarded a Blue Flag, 99 beaches around England have received Keep Britain Tidy’s Quality Coast Award, with the Isle of Wight receiving 11 awards, Torbay 10 and Scarborough with 8 awards.

In total, England will boast an impressive 142 award-winning beaches in 2012 (with 36 beaches flying both the Blue Flag and Quality Coast Award).

Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, which is responsible for the Blue Flag scheme in England and the Quality Coast Awards, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that England has more Blue Flag’s this year and with a total of 142 beaches around England receiving Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards, what better way to holiday in this country than to visit one of the award-winning beaches.

“Winning beaches along our coastline ensure high standards of excellence for visitors. These high standards are testament to the hard work carried out by beach managers throughout the year in order to provide clean and safe beaches for everyone to enjoy, whether you live on the coast or are a visitor.”

Click here to view a full list of England’s Blue Flag and Quality Coast Award winners for 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg delivered the speech ‘Delivering Education’s Progressive Promise: Using the Pupil Premium to Change Lives’ on 14 May 2012.

Draft text is below:

Over the last two years, since the election, I have learnt many things. Nothing teaches you as much about your own priorities, your own values as governing at a time when money is tight and choices need to be made as well as governing in coalition where you have to make compromises too.

There are the things we have to do, like cutting the deficit to keep the economy safe. There are the opportunities we cannot miss, like cleaning up the relationship between politicians and the media; reforming party funding; modernising the House of Lords.

And then there are the goals that drive us; the actions we hope will define our time in office. I am in this government to play my part in rescuing and reforming the economy and creating sustainable growth for all. But we are not going to miss our chance to make Britain a better, fairer place too.

For me, nothing illustrates that better than our Pupil Premium: extra money for the most disadvantaged children in our schools. How can it be that in a modern, open society like ours a child’s destiny is still determined by their background? How can it be that, despite all the promise on a four or five year old’s first day at school, despite the passion and dedication of their teachers, too often you can plot that child’s path just by asking how much their parents earn?

If their parents are poor, by the time they start primary school they’re more likely to be behind the other children; they’re more likely to leave it unable to read and write properly; they’re much less likely to go on to get five good GSCEs; far less likely to take their A’ levels.

And, as for the top universities and the best jobs? Look in your average classroom and around one in five children are on free school meals. Look at your average Oxbridge lecture hall and that drops to 1 in 100. And we must never forget that this gap between poorer and richer children hurts everyone. Every parent knows that, when a handful of children can’t keep up, it holds back the whole class. And when they can’t fulfil their potential, it costs the whole country too. On one estimate, if these children could make the most of their abilities, if we brought the low performers just up to the average, by 2050 we could increase GDP by an estimated £140bn. (more…)

NAViGO is proud to announce that members of Tukes have reached a landmark achievement of 250,000 hours of training, work experience and educational support since it first opened in July 2003.

Tukes, part of NAViGO Health and Social Care, provides training, skills development and work experience in real working environments for people who are socially excluded due to mental health problems in North East Lincolnshire.

Tukes was originally started as an alternative to traditional day services for people with mental health problems. It focuses on giving members training and skills along with the motivation and confidence they need to become work ready.

This latest achievement follows a succession of awards that Tukes have won over the last year including Service Delivery Complex Needs at The Guardian Public Services Awards as well as being named overall Public Service of the Year by The Guardian.

Since its inception in 2003 with a café at the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby, Tukes has gone from strength to strength. It offers people the opportunity to get back in to work and learn new skills by providing training and work placements.

John Ogden, general manager for Tukes, said:

“Nationally, 87% of people with long term mental health conditions are out of work and Grimsby has recently been identified as one of the areas in the country where securing employment is most difficult.

“Even against this backdrop Tukes has been successful in assisting 136 people with a mental health condition back into paid employment since it was founded.

“I am very proud of all our members and staff who all work hard and put a lot of time and effort in to Tukes which is why we have been able to reach the quarter of a million mark. We will continue to strive and maintain this high level of success.”

Responding to Centrica’s Interim Management Statement, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said:

“Consumers will need clear evidence that price rises are warranted if they are to stomach further increases to their bills. People simply don’t know whether they are asked to pay is fair. The perception is that suppliers are quick to pass on high price rises and slow to pass on small price cuts.

“Much greater transparency on costs, pricing and profits is needed for customers to know whether they’re getting a fair deal. Wholesale prices go up and down but customers need to know this is accurately reflected in their bill.

“With additional costs also set to be added to our bills, to make our energy supply greener and more secure, it is essential that more help is put in place for those who need it. We believe extra revenue the Government receives from carbon taxes should be used to help the millions of people who are being hit by rising costs.”

Commenting on the Ministerial statement on credit unions by Liberal Democrat Minister for Pensions Steve Webb, and the Government’s Credit Union feasibility study published today, Mike O’Connor, Chief Executive of Consumer Focus, said:

‘Government recognition that there is a significant need for more credit unions is very welcome. Access to affordable credit is a major issue for many consumers, especially where they need small sums to make an emergency purchase or to tide them over for a short time period.

‘High Street Banks should do more to provide affordable credit for consumers, but are dragging their heels. Credit unions are perfectly placed to help plug this gap. Credit unions playing fair and offering competitive rates could transform the market for consumers. They could offer a real alternative to payday loans and other high cost form of credit, which are a growing cause of concern.

‘New research by Consumer Focus shows that one-third of consumers are interested in joining a credit union, but that two-thirds of these say they cannot because they do not think they have one nearby. This is why we believe linking credit unions to our post office network could be a perfect match and help ensure the continuation of the vital community resource which our post offices provide.

‘There are more post offices than banks and building society branches combined and they offer convenient access and high levels of trust. Forty per cent of low income consumers told us they would be more likely to open a credit union account, or apply for a small loan, if they could do so through a Post Office branch.’

The Government has approved North and North East Lincolnshire Councils’ plan to get 90 per cent of their businesses and residents on superfast broadband. This is a major breakthrough which means that the councils can now start looking for a partner to deliver it.

But first, the councils must prove to potential suppliers that there is demand for superfast broadband. They urgently need 5,000 residents and 500 businesses across Northern Lincolnshire to complete a survey. Without this happening, the project could be in jeopardy.

So far, over 1,200 residents and 170 business have responded – so take part in the survey to help the cause.

For residents, the online survey can be found at: www.northernlincsbroadband.info/rs

For businesses, the survey is at: www.northernlincsbroadband.info/bs

The local broadband plan demonstrates how the councils will bring the next generation of broadband to Northern Lincolnshire. This could see 90% of homes receiving superfast broadband connection speeds of at least 24Mb/second by 2015, with others guaranteed at least 2Mb/per second.

A spokesman for the councils said:

“Faster broadband will have a beneficial impact on our region’s economic growth, as it will help businesses to expand and grow. Also, it will be easier to entice new businesses and jobs to the area if we have better broadband connections.

“There’s still a long way to go, but it is great news that the Government has approved the plan. It moves the project a step closer to reality and means we can now start the procurement process to find a suitable supplier.”

If you would like to be part of a case study demonstrating how poor broadband currently hampers your business, please contact Yvonne Thompson by calling (01724) 296926 or email Yvonne@northernlincsbroadband.info .

More information can be found at www.northernlincsbroadband.info .

Put yourself in the picture. This is the invitation from North East Lincolnshire Council’s fostering team to anyone who has the time to care and make a positive difference to the life of a child.

To mark Fostering Fortnight, May 14-27, the team will be taking to the road to highlight the urgent need for foster families in this area. Locally there is a need for carers to look after babies and toddlers, teenagers and family groups of two or three children.

Foster carers are aged over 21 years, but there is no upper age limit, and they come from all walks of life. If you have the dedication, time and space to care for a child or children who need help, then fostering could be the right choice for you. Fostering isn’t easy, but North East Lincolnshire Council would like to urge interested people to come forward and find out more. Our highly regarded quality training programme and outstanding support will be given to all new foster carers.

If you would like to know more and put yourself in the picture, drop in and see members of the fostering team, social workers and foster carers: They will be available for an open and frank discussion about becoming a foster carer from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm:

Tuesday 15, May – St James Hotel, St James Square, Grimsby
Wednesday 23, May – Morrison’s Car Park, Louth
Thursday 24, May – The Riverhead, Grimsby
Friday 25, May – Discovery Centre Car Park, Cleethorpes
Wednesday 20, June – Lincolnshire Show, Lincolnshire Showground
Thursday 21, June – Lincolnshire Show, Lincolnshire Showground
Councillor Ian Lindley, portfolio holder people services said, “Across the UK a child comes into care every 22 minutes and it is estimated that nationally 8,750 new foster families will be need in 2012. Locally we still have a need for more families that can help us keep brothers and sisters together or offer short breaks to a child with disabilities.

“The fostering service was recently judged to be outstanding by Ofsted and can offer the highest quality support to local carers. If you think fostering is something you might like to consider, please call into one of the events in May or June. There is no pressure but you might find a new fulfilling career that makes a big difference to some of our most vulnerable children.”

For more information about becoming a foster carer please visit our website www.nelincs.gov.uk/fostering