PRESS RELEASES FROM CHARLES HENDRY - CONSERVATIVE MP FOR WEALDEN
More information from Charles Hendry on 07979 956 664, his website or by e-mail

13 Nov 2007:  “The Post office’s decision to close four sub post offices in Wealden will be a serious blow to the communities they serve.
The decision has been completely unnecessary and is a direct result of the government’s policy of managing the decline of the network, rather than allowing it to develop by offering new services.  Moreover, the consultation process is happening in a way which will set community against community, as they have already made it clear that for each post office that is kept open as a result of public pressure, another will have to take its place on the closure list. 

The four that will close will cause profound inconvenience to those people who rely on them, especially the elderly or disabled.  For people in Wadhurst and Heathfield, it will now be a long walk, involving some steep hills for people to get to or from the next post office.   In Town Row and Framfield, the nearest post office will not even now be within walking distance for most people and this will be yet another valued village service that will be lost.  These latest closures mean that Wealden will have lost 19 of its 42 post offices in the last seven years.  That represents a loss of almost half of these much loved and much valued institutions.  It shows how the government has completely failed to understand the contribution they make to our society and the extent to which they are relied upon by some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

 The post offices proposed for closure are:
Town Row PO, Cuckoo Line Stores, Town Row, Rotherfield
Durgates PO, Wadhurst
Hailsham Road PO, Heathfield
Framfield PO, The Street, Framfield

 Sussex closures:
The Government’s announcement that six Post Offices are to close in Brighton & Hove and 49 across Sussex, has been met with understandable disbelief.  The consultation announced this week is a direct result of Ministers’ failure to understand the role post offices play in our communities.  The right approach would have been to explore ways to expand the services on offer in Post Offices.  Instead the Government seems happy simply to manage the decline of the network.

As a result of these closures, we will be losing almost one fifth of the post offices in the city and across Sussex – having already lost one third of the network over the past ten years under Labour.   As a result of closure, some of the most vulnerable people in our society- the elderly and disabled people – will struggle to collect their benefits and their pensions.    Even worse, the consultation process is happening in a way which will set community against community, as it is clear that for each post office that is kept open as a result of public pressure, another will have to take its place on the closure list.

 These closures are bad for the economic and social vitality of our communities.  Worst of all, they did not need to happen, if only Ministers had the vision to see a positive future for the post office network, rather than simply seeing fewer post offices offering fewer services.   It is a bad day for communities across the county.

 Charles Hendry

Member of Parliament for Wealden

Shadow Minister for Energy, Industry & Postal Affairs

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

www.charleshendry.com

25 September 2006: ‘HAVE FAITH IN YOUNG PEOPLE’  Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, has said that as a society we should have faith in young people and invest in facilities for them.  The MP was speaking at the re-opening ceremony of the Wadhurst Children’s and Youth Centre on Saturday morning. The centre, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, has been substantially modernised to enable it to provide many more facilities for children and young people from early morning until, late in the evening.

Mr Hendry comments: “This is a wonderful resource, which will be of great benefit to the entire community. “I am a firm believer that we should be investing more, as a society, in facilities for young people. Some young people drift into crime, not because they are inherently bad, but because there is not enough for them to do. They need places which are safe, where they can play sports, learn new skills or simply relax.

“I visit all of the Wealden Community Colleges every year and I am always impressed by the dedication, enthusiasm and interest of the students. If we want young people to play a constructive role in society, then we, as politicians, need to show that we believe in them as a generation.”   Mr Hendry toured the improved facilities, which will now also provide before and after school activities each day: “This is a great centre, which will provide a very wide range of activities and interests for local children. After 150 years, its future looks brighter than ever.”

Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, has also had a meeting with the Uplands Community College’s Environmental Group to talk about the traffic problems in the village.

The College’s Environmental Group meets twice every week to address issues affecting the local environment. They had approached the local MP to attend one of their meetings, so they could highlight the traffic problems in the village.  The meeting addressed issues of the volume of traffic, the lack of parking, road safety, bus transport and how to encourage more students to cycle or walk to college.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Hendry said: “This was a very positive meeting. It showed young people at their best, identifying local issues and coming up with some practical solutions for addressing them.  In particular, we discussed whether more could be done to reduce the parking on both sides of the main road, which causes many of the blockages in the village first thing in the morning. The students also highlighted the fact that some of the deliveries to the local shops seem to happen at just the worst time of the rush-hour, and they also raised their concerns about the cost of using public transport.

“I was especially impressed by the students’ approach. They have identified problems which affects the whole village and rather than complaining or doing nothing, they are working out what can be done to resolve them and what students can do, in particular.”

Following the meeting Mr Hendry is writing to the County Council to establish why those aged over 16, but still in full time education, have to pay full-fare on local buses, rather than receiving a concessionary fare, which would encourage more sixth formers to use public transport. The College’s Environmental Group is also planning to undertake a survey of all students to establish how the travel to college and what steps could be taken to encourage more students to travel by bus, or to cycle or walk.

Mr Hendry is also asking for other ideas on how to address the traffic problems of the village: “I would welcome any ideas on how to tackle the congestion, so I can pass these on to the students and the relevant authorities.”   Mr Hendry has also suggested that the group should meet the Parish Council and County Councillor Bob Tidy to discuss the issues involved.

17/7/06: Charles Hendry introduces the Infrastructure Audit (Housing Development) Bill on Friday 14 July:
Although the speech is quite lengthy, the full text here covers a wide range of infrastructure issues relevant to housing developments in the south-east and Wealden in particular.  Tthe main elements with greatest direct relevance to Wealden are marked in bold.
Unfortunately, the government 'talked the Bill' out, so there was no vote on it, and it is now scheduled for further discussion later in the parliamentary year.

11/2/06: HENDRY DEMANDS RE-THINK OF HOUSING PLANS IN LIGHT OF WATER SHORTAGE IN SUSSEX AND SOUTH EAST

Wealden MP Charles Hendry has called upon the government to rethink plans for new housing in the light of this year’s serious water shortages. The current drought in the South-East has highlighted the pressure already on local infrastructure and resources. Plans for greater housing would exacerbate these problems further.

Speaking in the constituency Mr Hendry said that, at a time of year when reservoirs should be full, three local reservoirs are seriously under supplied. Arlington reservoir is only 71 per cent full, Bewl Water only 35 per cent full and Weir Wood at just 34 per cent capacity.

Charles Hendry said: “These reservoirs are at historically low levels. As a consequence, unless we get very heavy rain over a long period, we are likely to see the water shortage and hose pipe bans continuing through most of this year. Plans to build thousands of new houses in Wealden and across the county will not only fundamentally alter the existing character of historical towns and villages but will put vital resources under unsustainable pressure.”

He added: “The present water shortage in the area clearly shows that the government’s plans for greater housing and the effect that they will have not been thoroughly thought through. The government must commit to ensuring that houses are only built once the necessary infrastructure to support them has been put in place”

30 Nov 2005: HENDRY WELCOMES AWARD OF SOUTH EAST RAIL FRANCHISE

Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, has welcomed the award of the south east’s rail franchise to the Govia subsidiary, the London & South Eastern Railway Limited (LSER), based on the service the company has provided elsewhere in the region.

The company has been awarded the franchise for the next eight years, based on commitments to improve radically the service on the line, which serves many Wealden constituents.

Mr Hendry comments: “First of all, I am pleased that the uncertainty is over and a decision has been made. That means people can look ahead with greater confidence and certainty than has previously been the case.

“I have worked closely with LSER’s sister-company, Southern, over recent years and I have been very impressed by the work they have done to improve the service on the Uckfield line beyond recognition. Whilst managing a rail company will always be challenging, I have found it to be a company which has delivered on its promises and has genuinely been determent to provide a better service to its customers. If it can bring about the same improvements on the Hastings line that it has achieved on the Uckfield line, it will have shown that it truly deserved to win this franchise.”

7th July 2005  HENDRY WELCOMES COMMITMENT TO MORE RURAL POLICING AND SUPPORT FOR ALCOHOL BAN

Wealden MP Charles Hendry has told the Chief Constable of Sussex, Ken Jones, that more police are needed in small villages and he has asked for police support in encouraging local councils to impose bans on drinking alcohol in public places.

The call came when the Chief Constable met Sussex MPs at the House of Commons on Wednesday (7th July).

Mr Hendry highlighted the problem of policing in Sussex villages: “Anti-social behaviour is not just a problem in the towns, but it has now also spread to many of our villages. We all know that a high police presence deters crime but all too often residents never seem to see a police officer in these villages.”

Mr Hendry welcomed the Chief Constable’s commitment, made at the meeting, to increase numbers of Community Support Officers in Sussex villages: “PCSOs know the local communities and the people who live there. They are in a good position to know who the likely trouble-makers are. Even though they don’t have the same powers as police officers, their presence is still likely to deter crime and they can be on the spot much more quickly than police having to travel some distance. Although we would all prefer more police on the beat, more PCSOs is certainly a step in the right direction.”

The MP also pressed the case for a ban on alcohol in public spaces in a bid to crackdown on anti-social behaviour: “In many cases, the actions of those committing anti-social behaviour are fuelled by alcohol, and I am convinced that introducing a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public places will maker a positive contribution towards tackling the problem. This is an issue in all our local towns – Uckfield, Heathfield, Crowborough and Hailsham. It would help particularly to target underage drinkers, who often consume alcohol in the parks and streets as an alternative to the pubs and their actions often frighten away the rest of the public”

Mr Hendry is now writing to Wealden District Council Leader, Nigel Coltman, asking the Council to consider imposing a ban after Chief Constable Jones echoed his support on the issue during the meeting in Parliament. Mr Hendry adds: “Obviously, there has to be sense of balance in this. We are not trying to stop people enjoying themselves having a quiet pint, but we do need to see more action to prevent anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol.”

5th July 2005 NEW GUIDANCE COULD LEAD TO VILLAGE SPEED LIMIT REDUCTIONS

Wealden MP Charles Hendry has welcomed a recommendation announced by the Department of Transport this week that speed limits in villages should be set at a standard 30 mph. The recommendation, made by Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman, will be incorporated in new departmental guidance being issued to Traffic Authorities following publication later this year and was announced in response to a Parliamentary question by Mr Hendry.

Mr Hendry comments: “This is one of the biggest issues I see as a Member of Parliament for a largely rural area. My pre-election survey showed that traffic speed is one of the biggest issues of concern to my constituents in Wealden, and that 40 mph is just too fast for small villages.

“I am pleased that the Government has taken on board the important safety concerns associated with traffic speed in villages and the issue we face here in Wealden where the rural nature of our area means so many villages have a 40 mph limit in place. The lack of streetlights and other deciding factors means many places currently do not qualify as 30 mph zones, and I am concerned at the additional risk this places on local residents, pedestrians and children, in particular.

“This recommendation from central Government should mean that the County Council will be able to reduce speed limits from 40 mph to 30 mph in many of our local villages. We have all seen the advertising campaigns which show that children are killed on impact by a car travelling at 40 mph but most survive if the car is travelling at 30 mph. Reducing the speed limits in our villages will be a great step forward towards improving road safety and protecting children and other pedestrians in our villages here in Wealden.”

Wealden MP Charles Hendry says more must be done to prevent the actions of yobs ruining the lives of hard working families across Wealden.

Mr Hendry comments: “Most families in Britain work hard – they do the right thing and play by the rules. But their lives can be ruined by the tiny minority of families who don’t play by the rules and quite literally terrorise their neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, we are starting to see the happen increasingly in the towns and villages across Wealden.

“There is a small minority of families who simply refuse to keep their children under control. We need to ensure that parents are held to account for their children’s actions, so we can stop the minority ruining the lives of the majority.”

Conservative proposals would include removing driving licences from those who breach Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and, if the offender is under 17, courts will be granted the power to delay the right to a driving license for up to a year. Supervision Orders will also be introduced for parents of children who persistently breach ASBOs, requiring them to spend defined periods of time with the child, either in the home or outside it.

Head teachers will be given the ability to require parents to sign binding home-school contracts detailing the rights and responsibilities of each party in respect of homework, punctuality and detention/punishment. Reparation Orders will also be extended, giving local authorities more
power to make troublesome families put something back into their local community.

Mr Hendry adds: “People have a clear choice at this election: a choice between a Conservative Government that will reward people who do the right thing and hold to account the small minority of families who don’t play by the rules, or five more years of talk and broken promises from Mr Blair.”

Local MP, Charles Hendry, is urging in Wealden residents to make sure their views are heard in the current consultation on the number of new homes that should be built in the south-east.

The South-East Regional Assembly is sending its Your Shout survey on the so-called South East Plan, to every household in Wealden, as part of the process of deciding how many new houses should be built. The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, is currently pushing for up to 800,000 new houses to be built in the south-east over the next 20 years.

Charles Hendry comments: “People should be very wary of this survey, as it gives a one-sided view of the debate for thousands of new houses, but that does not mean people should just ignore it. It is vital that they make their views heard.

“We must not underestimate the threat of thousands of new houses. We simply do not have the infrastructure to cope with them, in terms of roads, public transport, health and education facilities. The government seems determined to force through their plans and we must make it clear how much opposition there is.

“I think that we do need some housing – especially affordable housing for local families, but not huge estates of five bedroom executive homes. The numbers of houses the government wants to see imposed would cause permanent damage to our local environment and I hope people will stand up and let their views be known.”

The closing date for the survey is 15 April. Anyone who has not received a Your Shout survey should contact the South-East Regional Assembly 24-hour information line on 01483 555 208.

More details from Charles Hendry on 0797 995 6664.

Wealden MP Charles Hendry is backing a proposal to slash council tax bills for Wealden’s pensioners.

The Conservative Party formally announced today that if it wins the election, it will halve the council tax - up to a maximum of £500 per household - for pensioners. The reduction will apply to all those aged 65 and over who live alone, or to a pensioner couple aged 65 or over.

The discount will not be means tested, and will equally apply to those already in receipt of council tax benefit. The result will mean a typical single pensioner in a Band D property will see a reduction in council tax of £438 a year, with a typical couple benefiting from the maximum £500 drop in charges.

The plans come as Government funding adjustments mean council tax bills could top £2000 if Labour wins the next election. Council tax bills have already risen 70 per cent since Tony Blair took office in 1997, partly as a result of government funding being switched from councils in the South, to those in the Midlands and North.

Mr Hendry comments: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to make this pledge for pensioners. This will be of massive benefit to many people across Wealden where we have a much higher proportion of retired people than in most other parts of the country. With the higher cost of living in our region, older people have been hit particularly hard by Mr Blair’s council tax rises. It is about time we restored some dignity and security to them in their well deserved retirement.

“Pensioners now have a very clear choice come the General Election: A Labour Government who could double their council tax, or a Conservative Government who will halve their council tax.”

Charles Hendry also criticised the Liberal Democrats proposal for a local income tax: “Whilst this sounds attractive, it would actually mean a typical working family paying an extra £630 a year more. Our proposals help pensioners, who have been the hardest hit by the increases in the council tax, without clobbering hard-working families with extra taxes.”

30 Jan 2005 MP WANTS MORE HISTORY TAUGHT IN SCHOOL
Wealden’s MP, Charles Hendry, is backing plans to put history back at the core of the curriculum, making it a compulsory subject until the age of 16, and with particular attention to the local history of the area.

The proposals, put forward by the Conservative Party, have been backed by the National Union of Teachers amid concern that young people’s historical knowledge has declined over recent years.

The Historical Association reports that many pupils receive just one hour of history teaching a week, with some studying the subject for just two years at secondary level. BBC’s Battlefield programme, broadcast last year, revealed that fewer than half of 16-24 year olds knew Sir Francis Drake defeated the Armada, with 13 per cent believing it was fictional character Horatio Hornblower and 6 per cent naming Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings.

The Conservative action plan will end the current system whereby pupils can drop history at 14, and will re-establish it as a compulsory subject until the age of 16. A History Curriculum Advisory Panel, under the Chairmanship of historian Andrew Roberts, is currently being established by the Party to advise on core aspects of the compulsory history curriculum.

Charles Hendry comments: “Promoting historical knowledge and maintaining a sense of shared belonging are vitally important to protecting our national heritage. Young people should always be aware of what past generations have fought for, accomplished and achieved to help secure the values and freedom which we all enjoy today. If we lose sight of our past, then our efforts to maintain such values and freedom in the future run the risk of becoming diluted.

“I am also keen that special attention should be given, too, to history for our local area. We can all benefit from knowing more about the local history of where we live. By learning more about the history of Sussex itself, we can help bring history alive and make it more relevant to new generations of students.”

o Further details on the Conservative Party’s proposals can be read here
o More details from Charles Hendry on 07979 956 664

3 Nov 04: CHARLES HENDRY WELCOMES PRIME MINISTER'S PLEDGE TO LOOK INTO RADIOTHERAPY WAITING TIMES
Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, has welcomed the Prime Minister's promise in the House of Commons today that he will look into the waiting time for radiotherapy treatment for women with breast cancer in much of East Sussex and Kent.

Mr Hendry asked the Prime Minister if he was aware that: "in much of East Sussex and Kent, women with breast cancer, are having to wait 3 months for radiotherapy, and that wait is expected to rise to 5 months because of a shortage of radiotherapy equipment and operators.

"Is the Prime Minister also aware that breast cancer is the second biggest cancer killer among women and that when the waiting time for radiotherapy reaches 5 months, there is a much higher risk that the treated cancer will return. Does he agree that it is totally unacceptable that women, living with the physical, mental and emotional strain of cancer, should have to wait so long for treatment, which will literally determine whether some of them get better or not?"

In reply, the Prime Minister emphasised the government's plans for reducing times for cancer treatment and promised to look into the situation in the county.

Mr Hendry raised the concerns having been told that waiting times for radiotherapy are starting to rise again in Kent and the northern parts of East Sussex, due to a shortage of radiotherapy equipment and operators.

30th August 2004: HENDRY URGES NEW RULES ON PHONE MASTS
Wealden MP Charles Hendry is backing new policies to give local communities far greater say in the siting of phone masts.

The plans, put forward by the Conservative Party last week, would mean phone companies will need to have full planning permission to erect any mobile phone masts – even if they are 15 metres or under. Under current rules, masts up to 15m tall can be constructed without express permission from planners.

The plans would also require mast operators to demonstrate that any development does not result in unacceptable damage to visual amenity or harm environmentally sensitive features.

Councils would also be allowed to take health concerns into account when there are applications to erect masts near homes, hospitals and schools. Current national planning guidance written by the Labour Government prohibits this.

Mr Hendry comments: “These policies are just what we need in Wealden, where concern over phone masts has been growing for some time. The plans would give local people, through their elected local councillors, much greater say on where masts should be sited. It would stop the masts being placed too near homes, schools and hospitals, which has been a source of particular local concern in Wealden.

“It is time that we make the interests of local residents paramount and address the feelings of powerlessness and frustration experienced by those living under the shadow of unwanted and badly located masts. Local councilors, answerable to local residents via the ballot box, should have the final say on where they go. Such proposals would also mean that phone companies would seek to share masts, wherever possible, rather than look to erect new masts.”

18th August 2004  TEN THOUSAND NEW HOUSES SET FOR WEALDEN: MP TACKLES PRESCOTT OVER ‘INTOLERABLE’ PLANS

Wealden’s MP, Charles Hendry, is calling on the Deputy Prime Minister this week to rule out Government plans for 10,000 new homes to be built in the district. Slamming the proposed development as ‘intolerable’, Mr Hendry has challenged John Prescott in writing, seeking clarification over the certainty of the plans.

Initial alarm bells were raised by Wealden District Council following informal discussions with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Government Office for the South East (GOSE). After being told to assume the future growth rate of house-building will match that of the last 25 years, the Council has calculated that GOSE plans to impose 10,000 new homes on Wealden between 2006 and 2016.

The figure represents a major increase above the original proposals put forward for Wealden during this period and fails to take account of the recommendations of the Barker report.

Mr Hendry comments: “It is essential that the Deputy Prime Minister acts immediately to overrule any plans his officials have to impose such a huge number of houses in Wealden. Anyone who knows the area – which John Prescott of course does not – would know that we simply cannot accommodate such a vast number of houses, without causing permanent destruction to the local environment.

“Once again, this shows how crazy the current system is, where Ministers and their officials, who do not know an area, make decisions on how many houses should be built there ten years and more ahead. These decisions should be made by locally elected councillors, who know the area and understand what additional housing is needed.

“If he will not back down, this will become one of the main battlegrounds for the next election – a battle between Labour’s plans for 10,000 new houses and Conservative plans for greater local say. Once again it shows the contempt this Labour Government has for the south-east.”

The Rt Hon John Prescott MP
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
26 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2WH

On the basis of informal discussions between your office, GOSE, and Wealden District Council, I have been informed that the Council believes that GOSE is planning to impose 10,000 new homes on the Wealden area in the period 2006-2016. This figure represents a major increase above the original proposals put forward for Wealden in this period, and does not even take into account the thinking on new housing in the Barker report.

As there is not yet any published official figure, the Council has been told to calculate future numbers of houses, by looking at the rate of growth over the past twenty five years, and assuming that same rate of growth would apply over the period to 2016.

You must be aware that such a scale of development would place unmanageable pressure upon the local infrastructure, which is already under significant strain. For example, there are no major roads in Wealden with nothing planned during the period under question.

The majority of Wealden has planning limitations, the north being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Pevensey Levels is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the coastal area, part of the new South Downs National Park. Forcing 10,000 homes on Wealden would seriously threaten such a sensitive environment.You must also be aware that the vast majority of Wealden’s residents would be overwhelmingly opposed to a development of this scale. I am therefore seeking your urgent reassurance that the Government has no intention of imposing such an intolerable number of homes upon Wealden, so that local concerns can be allayed."

28th June 2004 CONSERVATIVE HEALTH REFORMS WILL BRING REAL BENEFITS TO WEALDEN Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, is backing proposals to give more choice to patients, to transform the local health service. The Conservatives, who announced their health policy last week, have pledged to transform the NHS whilst aiming to eliminate waiting lists within their first Parliament.

Among the proposals aimed at increasing the 'right to choose' include: giving every patient the unrestricted and immediate right to treatment at any NHS hospital in the country; giving every patient who chooses a more expensive hospital half the NHS tariff, cutting the cost of private and self-payment; and investing an extra £34 billion a year in the NHS.

The plans will also see the Government's Star Rating system and all central targets scrapped in an effort to free hospitals from bureaucracy. GPs, meanwhile, will be free to refer patients to any hospital that can treat them to required standards.

Mr Hendry comments: "Despite the efforts of doctors, nurses and local managers in Wealden and across the country at large, the way our NHS is run and organised prevents them from providing the best care for patients. That's why, despite a spending increase of almost 40 per cent between 1998 and 2003, the number of hospital treatments has only increased by just over 5 per cent in that period. The vast bulk of the money, far from being spent on frontline healthcare, has instead been spent on administration and costs associated with spiralling bureaucracy.

"What we need now is a different approach, built upon lessons we have learnt from elsewhere in Europe where 'poor quality' and 'waiting lists' are phrases they've never even heard of. And that must include putting patients at the heart of the system.

"I strongly believe that these policies will bring about what is necessary to give us all access to first class health care. In Wealden, the freedom of choice our plans will give to patients over where they can receive their health care will be a perfect response to our key local problems of bed-blocking and ward closures. Meanwhile, the combination of extra-investment and slashing red-tape will mean more money can be spent on boosting the level and quality of service we offer to the community.

"The proposals will also benefit centres of excellences such as the Horder Centre in Crowborough which has an outstanding reputation for helping people with arthritis. Our plans will enable many more people to be treated at the Horder Centre, giving them the highest standard of health care and without the lengthy waits they currently experience.

"Above all, what these policies will do is offer us - for the very first time - options for our healthcare. And surely, for a patient to be able to choose, rather than to be told, is a significant step forward."

Further details of the Conservative Party's healthcare policies can be found here

25th May 2004 HENDRY FEARS FOR FUTURE OF VOLUNTEERING Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, has questioned the Government's support of the voluntary sector this week after new survey results show volunteering in Britain is in decline. The survey findings, published in The Times earlier this month, estimate that the amount of time spent on voluntary work fell from 2.3 billion hours in 1995 to 1.6 billion in 2000.

The news comes as The Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) - one of the largest voluntary providers of care for the elderly - is set to face a massive 3 year slash in funding to just £1 million, down from £6 million when Labour took office.

Many of the Government schemes to encourage young people into volunteering are now offering payments. The Young Volunteer Challenge, a £5 million pilot programme, offers teenagers from 'disadvantaged' communities £45 a week and a further £750 if they stay the course.

Mr Hendry comments: "Labour seem unable to understand the enormous contribution made by volunteers to the fabric and vitality of the country. Instead of supporting this vital sector, it chooses to appoint quangos to run expensive job placement schemes posing as 'voluntary' activity and prefers to pay 'young volunteers' to help with child minding rather than grandparents.

In an answer to one of Mr Hendry's questions, Education & Skills Minister Margaret Hodge: "The Criminal Records Bureau is not able to obtain details of a person's criminal record from overseas. A limited number of overseas convictions are recorded on the Police National Computer, but the data is not comprehensive." She therefore concludes that "no purpose will be served by asking them to apply for a Disclosure when they come to this country." The gaping hole in the vetting system leaves teaching, care and ancillary posts with children and young people open to foreign criminals.

Mr Hendry comments: "Teachers and those working with children and young people should be subject to the same checks, regardless of where they come from. If the background of someone coming into the UK to work with children cannot be checked, they should not be appointed. When we have seen teachers of many years standing suspended and not able to take up new positions because of delays in CRB checks, it seems entirely wrong that someone coming from abroad, who we know nothing about, can start work without any checks whatsoever. With the accession of ten new countries to the EU, this becomes an even more urgent issue to be addressed."

Mr Hendry has written to Sir Michael Bichard, head of the inquiry into how Ian Huntley managed to get work as a school caretaker in Soham, to ask him to look into what further steps can be taken to ensure that people coming from overseas to work with children and young people should be subject to the same checks as those applying for work from within the UK.