From: Greg Hands MP news@greghands.comSubject: News Bulletin from Greg Hands #437

Date: 26 May 2015 13:00To: news@greghands.com

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In this edition:

Greg Hands MPs Diary Website of the Week:Chelsea FC Greg Hands welcomeshalving in unemployment inChelsea & Fulham since2010 Photo news:RHS Chelsea Flower Show First Queen's Speech ofnew Government will haveImmigration controls,Schools, and NHS at itsheart Ofsted confirms quality oflocal K&C schools Chelsea Primary Schoolgoes to top of the class Hands in the papers:Greg Hands named inCabinet and given powerfulpositon in Treasury Photo news:Chelsea FC Victory Parade Hands in the papers:Golden Parachute Deals tobe Axed Hands in the papers:Osborne urges Whitehalldepartments to embracespending cuts Chelsea Young Writers MayHalf Term Workshops Constituency Look Ahead -26th May How to contact Greg Hands MP

Issue 437 - Tuesday 26th May 2015

Since the last edition, Greg:

Attended a Cabinet meeting in his new role as Chief Secretaryto the Treasury.Celebrated being the first MP for Chelsea to sit at the Cabinettable since 1940, and the first MP for Fulham since 1970.Had an audience with HM The Queen on the occasion ofpassing on his wand of office as Treasurer of the Householdand Government Deputy Chief Whip to Rt Hon Anne Milton MP.Attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, being in thereceiving line for HM The Queen and other members of theroyal family, as well as touring the exhibits. For photos, seebelow.Attended the victory parade of Chelsea FC, who won thePremiership title again this year. Chelsea seem to win the titlein years that the Conservatives gain MPs in Parliament 2005,2010 and 2015, proving for some at least, that Blue is theColour. For photo, see below.Attended the Patronal Festival and Annual PrizeGiving of theFulham-based London Oratory School. The Mass was held atthe Brompton Oratory.Ran his first post-Election surgery for Chelsea & Fulhamresidents at Fulham Library. Gregs surgeries are now beingheld most Fridays, from 4:30 to 6pm, in Fulham Library. A newChelsea venue is also being explored.

Website of the Week:www.chelseafc.com The website of Chelsea FC, the winners of the footballPremiership this year. Greg attended their victory parade thisweekend.

!Greg Hands welcomes halving inunemployment in Chelsea & Fulham since2010 Greg Hands has welcomed new figures showing 1,042 fewer peoplein Chelsea and Fulham claiming Jobseekers Allowance and UniversalCredit compared with 2010, a massive 50 per cent drop. This means more people in work, with the security of a good job and aregular salary, so they can provide for themselves and their families.Jobs are being created by businesses in Chelsea and Fulham. People are getting off benefits and into work across London with516,350 more people in work since the last Labour Government.Across the UK there are 2.05 million more people at work than in 2010. Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham said: Its excellent newsthat over one thousand fewer people are relying on JobseekersAllowance in Chelsea and Fulham. Unemployment numbers in ourarea have been falling steadily since the Conservatives came in togovernment in 2010, unemployment has now halved and this is thefirst time we have passed the important milestone of 1,000 fewerjobseekers. This represents 50% fewer people on out-of-work benefitssince 2010, which is a very solid achievement This is thanks to the hard work and the determination of localresidents, and the Conservatives strong leadership and cleareconomic plan, which is committed to building a Britain that offersworking people security at every stage of their lives. We started this work under the Coalition, and with our new majorityGovernment we now plan to go further, helping businesses to createmore jobs so that even more families can enjoy the security of a goodjob and a regular salary.

Photo news:RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Greg Hands MP with Royal Borough of Kensington & ChelseaMayor, Cllr Maighread Condon-Simmonds and her son Timothy

Simmonds, at this week's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Greg Greg Hands MP at this week's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

First Queens Speech of new Governmentwill have Immigration controls, Schools,and NHS at its heart The Prime Minster has revealed the key themes that will form theheart of the Queens Speech. In a series of speeches given this week,David Cameron has identified immigration controls, schools, and theNHS as key priorities for his new Government, and all are expected tofeature centrally in Wednesdays Queens Speech. The Queens Speech, although given by the monarch, is drafted bythe Prime Minister of the day, and lays out the legislative programmeof the Government for the coming year. It is delivered by Her Majestythe Queen in the House of Lords to Peers and Members ofParliament. This years Queens Speech, the first of the newConservative Government, will take place on Wednesday 27th May. Greg will be in the Palace of Westminster for this years QueensSpeech. Last year, as Treasurer of the Household and Deputy ChiefWhip, he travelled in a coach behind the Queen, from BuckinghamPalace. In his first speech on immigration since the election, the PrimeMinister has committed to helping millions of working people byputting new laws in place to control immigration in next weeksQueens Speech in the form of a far-reaching Immigration Bill. Therewill be a whole of government approach to clamp down on illegalimmigration. A new offence of illegal working will be created so that police mayseize wages, making sure illegal working doesnt pay. The newcriminal offence of illegal working will apply to migrants who haveentered the country illegally and also those who came to the countrylegally, but are in breach of their conditions or have overstayed. It willdeprive illegal migrants of their wages which will make it harder forthem to stay in the UK. The Prime Minister said: Uncontrolled immigration can damage ourlabour market and push down wages. The British people want thissorted out. Thats why we are setting out our approach for a firm but fairimmigration system which tackles abuse and continues our reforms toreduce net migration. We will limit access to public services, takeaction against employers who dont play by the rules and removemore people with no right to be here. At the same time, theGovernment will reduce demand for migrant labour by ensuring Britishpeople have the right skills and training to fill those jobs whilecontinuing to welcome the brightest and best to the UK. The Queens Speech will also include details of the Governmentsplans to step up school improvements with a new bill to tackle failingschools. A good education is about giving every child the start they need tomake something of their life. Thats why the Conservatives willcontinue our push to improve our schools and the forthcomingQueens Speech will introduce new powers so new leadership canbe brought in the moment a school is found to be failing, and newpowers to intervene in coasting schools, and will make an immediatestart on the Conservative commitment to deliver 500 new free schools. This week the Prime Minister also gave a speech outlining hiscommitment to the 7-Day NHS. The Prime Minister said: There is nothing that embodies the spirit ofOne Nation coming together more than the NHS, and nothing thatworking people depend on more. We are committed to securing freehealthcare for everyone, wherever you are and whenever you need it. That means getting the best care and making that care available foreveryone free wherever they are and whenever they need it. Sotogether by sticking to the plan we can become the first country inthe world to deliver a truly 7-day NHS. And we must do so to protect and preserve the values of the NHSthat are so central to our national identity. To keep our people healthy,to look after them when they fall ill, to care for the elderly with dignityand to ensure that free healthcare is always there whenever peopleneed it most. Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, commented on the PrimeMinisters announcements and the upcoming Queens Speech saying:It is good news that David Cameron has identified immigration,schools, and the NHS as key priorities for our first parliament back inGovernment. These issues were central to the Conservatives electioncampaign, and our greatly increased vote shows a clear demand fromthe public to enact our policies. During the election I told voters that we would continue to increasespending on the NHS, provide 7-day a week access to GPs anddeliver a truly 7-day NHS, and that we would also maintain the amountof money that follows each child into school, ensure there is a goodprimary school place available for every child and to lift the cap onuniversity places. These policies will mean people in Britain will always have access toa free and high quality health service when we need it most, and thatour children have the skills they need to succeed. Labour let immigration get totally out of control and opposedeverything we have done to control the system. We are also buildingan immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimatemigrants, but tough on those who abuse the system or flout the law. I am looking forward to hearing more details of these plans andothers in Queens Speech next week.

Ofsted confirms quality of local K&Cschools Latest figures on the published outcomes of Ofsted inspectionsconfirm the quality of schools in the Royal Borough of Kensington andChelsea. An impressive 95 per cent of the borough's schools havebeen assessed as being 'good' or 'outstanding'. This is well above thenational average of 81 per cent published by Ofsted in December2014, and places the borough as one of the top local authorities in thecountry. Results for GCSEs, A levels and Key Stage 2 regularly place pupilsand students attending borough schools close to the top of nationalleague tables. Exam results for children who receive free schoolmeals in the Royal Borough are amongst the very best in the country.Those eligible for free school meals receive funding known as thePupil Premium. In 2014 the difference in Kensington and Chelseabetween those who receive free school meals and those who do notwas down to eight per cent, from 13 per cent in 2013, compared with17 per cent nationally in 2014. With such high performing schools the demand for places at bothprimary and secondary remain high. In recent years the Council hasembarked on an ambitious school building and expansion programme.This has seen Holland Park School completely rebuilt and two brandnew academies built in the borough - the Chelsea Academy and theKensington Aldridge Academy. There are advanced plans for a brandnew primary school as well as extensive expansion and rebuildingprojects for many of the borough's primaries. Councillor Emma Will, Cabinet Member for Education, said: "This isgood news for parents. I am very pleased that, when taken as awhole, the high standard of education that we all want to see ourchildren receive is available from so many of our schools. This istestament to hard working and dedicated teaching staff, supportivefamilies and strong and consistent investment over the years by theCouncil."

Chelsea Primary School goes to top of theclass Pupils and staff at Ashburnham Community School in Chelsea arecelebrating after education watchdog Ofsted recognised it as anoutstanding school. Last month Ofsted inspected the school and praised the progress thatall pupils make, their outstanding behaviour and the buzzing,hardworking atmosphere. Located on the Worlds End Estate in Chelsea, the school has overtwice the national average proportion of disadvantaged pupils. Overthree quarters are from ethnic minority backgrounds, a large majorityof whom speak English as a second language. Ofsted highlighted that pupils from all backgrounds make outstandingprogress, and were impressed at the rich range of subjects in theschool, and the additional activities and experiences helping toensure pupils have an excellent understanding of the world they livein. The outstanding measure comes after an Ofsted inspection two yearsago said the school required improvement. Changes in the leadership, teaching staff and governing body, afederation with Fox Primary in Notting Hill (already an outstandingschool), and support from the Royal Borough of Kensington andChelsea all helped lay the foundations for the transformation. Most credit goes to the staff and pupils, who have worked incrediblyhard over the last two years, said Associate Headteacher, BellaStreet. This is a school we are all incredibly proud of, and to have thatrecognised officially is wonderful. The cheer that the pupils gave whenwe told them was deafening. Over the last two years we have been lucky enough to have visitsfrom the Prime Minister, Princess Anne and David Walliams, but thisbeats them all! Councillor Emma Will, the Royal Borough of Kensington andChelseas Cabinet Member for Education, said: This is wonderfulnews for the children and parents at Ashburnham Community School.This kind of report can only be achieved by the hard work of a talentedand dedicated school staff. I would like to thank all the teachers andsupport staff for their efforts which clearly impressed the inspectors.

Hands in the papers:Greg Hands named in Cabinet and givenpowerful positon in Treasury Goolistan Cooper, getwestlondonTuesday 19th May 2015 Re-elected Chelsea & Fulham MP Greg Hands has been named inPrime Minister David Camerons cabinet. He was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the PrimeMinisters first Cabinet reshuffle following the General Election. And in doing so, Mr Hands becomes the first MP for Fulham at thecabinet table since Labours Michael Stewart in 1970, and the first MPfor Chelsea since the Conservatives Sir Samuel Hoare in 1940. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is the second most senior positionin the Treasury, after the Chancellor, George Osborne, and isresponsible for public expenditure including spending reviews andstrategic planning, welfare reform, and efficiency and value for moneyin public service. Taking to Twitter after the announcement, Mr Hands wrote: It is agreat honour that David Cameron has appointed me Chief Secretaryto the Treasury. I am already hard at work delivering the Long TermEconomic Plan. He later added: I am delighted to be part of the Treasury Team,charged with building a more secure future for Britain, which is nowpossible under this new Conservative majority Government. He praised work made since Labour was defeated in the 2010 electionbut added: The job isnt done, there is more to do. Mr Hands comfortably defended his seat during the election earlierthis month.

Photo news:Chelsea FC Victory Parade

Greg Hands with Chelsea and Czech Republic internationalgoalkeeper, Petr Cech, at the Chelsea FC Premiership victory

parade this weekend.

Hands in the papers:Golden Parachute Deals to be Axed Daily MailSaturday 23rd May 2015 The Government is to move to end six-figure "golden parachutes" forhigh-earning public sector bosses who are made redundant. The Queen's Speech next week will include legislation to enact theConservatives' general election manifesto pledge to cap the amountpublic sector employees can receive if they lose their jobs. Ministers say the measure - to be included in the Enterprise Bill -could save the taxpayer millions of pounds. According to officials, more than 1,800 public sector employeesreceived pay-offs of more than 100,000 in 2013. The Government will consult on the detail - including whether it willcover the BBC - but ministers are said to be "minded" to set the cap at95,000. At the same, the Government will go ahead with the implantation ofnew rules agreed in the last parliament to claw back pay-offs to publicsector workers who return to work in the same part of the public sectorafter only a short time. Chancellor George Osborne said: "It is not right that working peopleshould have to fork out for golden parachutes worth hundreds ofthousands of pounds for public sector workers when they are maderedundant. "That's why we are delivering on our pledge to end six figure pay-offsfor the best paid public sector workers, ensuring fairness and value formoney for the taxpayer." Treasury Chief Secretary Greg Hands said: "These reforms will ensurefairness and value for money across the public sector."

Hands in the papers:Osborne urges Whitehall departments toembrace spending cuts Chris Giles, Economics Editor, The Financial TimesThursday 21st May 2015 When George Osborne told the CBI on Wednesday that Greg Hands,his ally and Treasury chief secretary, was writing to governmentdepartments to ask them to identify further savings, he set the tonefor the weeks ahead. The chancellor said his main priority for his second term in office wasto secure faster productivity growth, because this was the route toraising standards of living for everyone in this country. His first stepwill be to publish a productivity plan before the Budget on 8 July. But his more immediate task will be pursuing his ambition of improvingBritains public finances and eliminating the 5 per cent of nationalincome deficit by the end of the parliament - and this means moregovernment spending cuts. When it comes to saving money, we all know that the more you cando early, the smoother the ride, Mr Osborne told the business lobbysannual dinner. The days when government departments could spend less than theirbudgets on the expectation that they could access the savings infuture are long gone. Nowadays, in the words of one governmentinsider, Treasury officials tour Whitehall with the begging bowl in onehand and a hatchet in the other. In recent years, annual Whitehall underspending has totalled 2bn to3bn and Treasury officials indicated that the chancellor would belooking to achieve at least as much again. Front-loading some cutswould increase the squeeze in 2015-16, but would alleviate the huge 5per cent real cuts to departments implied by the March Budget plansfor 2016-17 and 2017-18. Matthew Whittaker, chief economist of the Resolution Foundation, saidfinding a few billion pounds of extra savings in 2015-16 would help,but not much. If he is looking for a way of reducing the amount of painin 2016-17, you can do a lot more by delaying the target date forrunning a surplus to 2019-20. Given the election pledges to spend more on the NHS and cut incometax, changing the overall profile for cuts over the next five years wasan important option open to the chancellor, Mr Whittaker added. One possible way of easing some of the planned public spending cutswould be to raise more money from the management of governmentassets. On Wednesday, Mr Osborne announced he planned to merge UKFinancial Investments, which holds the nationalised banks assets, andthe Shareholder Executive, which manages other governmentholdings of companies, with the aim of raising 23bn fromprivatisations. This is not a new figure and experts in the management ofgovernment assets were not impressed by the merger, since they saidit would change little. Dag Detter, a former head of the company which managed Swedishgovernment assets and co-founder of investment advisors WhetstoneSolutions, said: The bulk of the corporate assets are the banks heldin the UKFI, and while the other holdings managed by the ShareholderExecutive are rather marginal, the real challenge is the property sidewhich is much more significant. In the run up to the election, David Cameron pledged that bettermanagement of government property would feature in governmentpolicy. We still dont have one company that owns all the governmentsbuildings and makes sure we use them efficiently, so lets dosomething like that, he said. The Treasury announced in March it wasseeking to create a centralised and more commercially drivenapproach to land and property asset management, chargingdepartments the market rent for assets they owned. Mr Detter urged the government to go further to create an equivalentof UKFI for the ownership of all government property. Developing realestate including selling and acquiring assets and contractingdevelopers benefits greatly from professional management and aprivate sector structure able to incentivise the appropriatemanagement in order to maximise value for the government andsociety as a whole, he said.

Chelsea Young Writers May Half TermWorkshops What better way to keep your child inspired over the holidays thanthrough a creative writing workshop? Holiday creative writingworkshops are held throughout the year, during all half-term breaksand in the Christmas, Easter, Summer holidays. Chelsea Young Writers are running creative writing holiday workshopsare written and curated by a host childrens author. Each workshopruns for three hours a day, with a fifteen minute break. In the session,the group will do a series of small exercises leading up to writing ashort story. Our holiday workshops are small in size and always abouthaving fun and exploring new ideas, whilst developing creative skills. The session options are versatile, with something to suit every taste. The club is exclusively for the age group of 7-13 years olds (six-year-olds and near sever-year-olds cannot be admitted, regardless ofability). Children are expected to be independent writers. Click here for a full list of events >>

Constituency Look Ahead 25th May Upcoming Events in the Fulham part of the Constituency (for afull list of local events, check out local website Those Who NoesFulham - www.thosewhonosefulham.com) FULHAM PALACE FUN DAYWednesday, May 27, 201510:00 15:00Fulham Palace, Bishops Avenue, Fulham London SW6 6EA

A day of family fun including crafts, storytelling and dressing up! Inpartnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Adult Learning and SkillsService. Free, no booking necessary. Children must be accompaniedby an adult. Sessions run from: 10am-12noon & 1pm-3pm.Visit website >> HALF-TERM ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP: WHO WAS HEREBEFORE?Friday, May 29, 201510:00 - 16:00Fulham Palace Bishops Avenue, Fulham London SW6 6EA

Ever wondered who was here before us? The join us for this full-dayworkshop and find out all about our prehistoric ancestors, and howthey lived on the site of Fulham Palace. Examine archaeologicalfinds, handle artefacts, try on costumes, and get messy with art andcrafts. There might even be a chance to try edible archaeology! Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds. Children attend independently. 15 perchild. Bursary places available, please contacteducation@fulhampalace.org for more information. Booking essential,click here to book Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds, children attendindependently.Visit website >>

7 ways to contact Greg Hands:

By Phone: 020 7219 5448By email: mail@greghands.comBy post: Greg Hands

House of CommonsLondon SW1A 0AA

In person: Click here for details of howto book an appointment atGreg Handss weeklysurgery

www.greghands.com

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