Smoke Free St Helens from 1 July 2007

With just ten days to go until St Helens becomes smokefree, the latest public opinion research shows that support for smokefree has never been higher with eight out of ten people supporting the introduction of the Labour Party’s hugely important new law.

On Sunday 1 July virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smokefree. Shops, offices, factories, pubs, cafes, restaurants, membership clubs, public transport, and work vehicles used by more than one person will all be smokefree.

The latest public opinion research also shows that 95 per cent of people are aware of the new law, with unprompted awareness of the 1st July date as high as 83 per cent, compared to 55 per cent in April. Around 73 per cent of regular pub-goers, support the introduction of the legislation.

Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Public Health Minister said:

A smokefree England will see the single biggest improvement in public health for a generation. The scientific and medical evidence is clear - secondhand smoke is a killer. There is no safe level of exposure. This legislation means that thousands of lives will be saved and the health of everybody will be protected.

Extra holidays for St Helens workers

Six million workers across Britain, including thousands in St Helens, will, thanks to your Labour government, soon be getting up to eight extra days annual holiday with the first four coming in October this year.

The Labour Party has published new regulations to boost the minimum holiday entitlement from 20 days a year to 24 days this October, and to 28 days from April 2009.

The new legislation will benefit up to 3.5 million women and 2.5 million men, including part-time workers, who will gain extra holidays on a pro-rata basis.

Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Labour's Employment Relations Minister said:

"This extra time off will make a real difference in the lives of hard-working people - a proper rest from work and more time to spend with their families and friends.

"Businesses will benefit too - from reduced absenteeism and a workforce who are more motivated and productive.

Labour government gives new funds to St Helens care homes

www.liverpoolecho.com/sthelens

ST HELENS has received £225,000 to improve care for the elderly.

Care services minister Ivan Lewis announced the funding as part of a nationwide government package.

Cash will be used to replace worn out carpeting, upgrade dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms and improve gardens and outdoor spaces. Information technology will also be provided for residents. Mr Lewis said: “By distributing this funding to 27 care homes in St Helens, and to 7,000 throughout England, we are able to improve the lives of tens of thousands of people and their families.”

Dave Watts MP backs reduction in East Lancs Road speed limit

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/east lancs road

A RENEWED push for the speed limit to be slashed and a new crossing created on a stretch of the East Lancs Road is being backed by St Helens North MP Dave Watts.

He is supporting calls by a group of Moss Bank residents for the reduction of the 60mph limit and a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing.

Campaigners want the local authority to drop the speed limit to 50mph and install speed cameras where the road runs past the Clinkham Wood and Haresfinch estates.

Mr Watts said: "It is still clear that the vast majority of motorists using this section of the East Lancs are travelling at high speed.

"I would strongly urge the council to take immediate action to control the speed of traffic on this busy stretch of road and to look again at the possibility of either providing a controlled crossing or a bridge to provide a safe crossing point for local residents and their children."

Mr Watts added: "It is still clear that many children and adults are very unwilling to use the Moss Bank, underpass in order to cross the East Lancs Road."

by Andrew Kilmurray.