Pat Glass MP

North West Durham MP Pat Glass is encouraging local residents and businesses to respond to a fact-finding review launched by The Office of Fair Trading to understand more about the challenges facing consumers and businesses in remote communities across the UK.

The UK’s consumer and competition body is calling for evidence from the public in these areas to help inform its work.

Pat Glass MP said:

“Prices of many goods and services are frequently higher in rural and remote areas, there can be fewer suppliers available, and access to key services such as post offices, banks and public transport can be more limited. Fuel prices, particularly heating oil for those in areas that are off gas, are a common cause of concern.

“I would encourage local residents and businesses to respond to the OFT’s review in order to make their views known and help inform the review. “

The OFT will look at evidence and experience from across the entire UK and will explore how other countries address specific market issues arising in isolated communities.

Kyla Brand, OFT Director, said:

‘Geography and population density can have a major impact on the cost and accessibility of goods and services to consumers, and on how businesses operate. We want to get a clearer picture of these issues and understand and explain some of the reasons behind them. We also want to explore what the OFT, or other bodies could do to reduce the downsides, and maximise the benefits of remoteness.’

Consumers and businesses wishing to contribute to the study are requested to send their views before 20 April to the OFT Office in Scotland, 23 Walker Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HX, fill in an online form at www.oft.gov.uk/remcom, or email remotecommunities@oft.gsi.gov.uk

The OFT expects to publish the outcome of this call for evidence by July.

Derwentside Mind is a small independent mental health charity based in Derwentside with offices in Stanley and Consett. Derwentside Mind deal with people within primary care services, providing practical and emotional support to people from 14+ years suffering with feelings of depression, anxiety, confusion and loneliness due to emotional, physical or mental illness.

The following event is not based in the constituency but Pat Glass MP is a patron of this charity and constituents who use their services will benefit from the outcomes of these important discussions, so you may like to consider attending this event.

INVITATION

Derwentside Mind, Off East Parade, Stanley, DH9 0PS
Tel. 01207 284723

If you are interested in shaping the future of Derwentside Mind’s services in Stanley then go along for a chance to have your say.

12noon – BUFFET LUNCH
12.30pm – DEVELOPING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN STANLEY

This event is open to Service-users, Carers, GP’s, Primary Care Workers, Commissioners, Mental Health Workers, Services Managers, Community Workers and anyone working with people who experience emotional distress.

For more information or to book your place please telephone their office on 01207 591705.

Derwentside Mind’s website can be viewed by visiting http://www.derwentsidemind.co.uk

Her Majesty The Queen recently celebrated sixty years on the throne. This is a remarkable achievement and to celebrate The Queen’s lifetime of service and dedication to her duty formal celebrations will take place in June 2012 to mark one of the longest ever reigns by our monarch.

Local businesswoman Maxine Johnson, who runs a successful ‘Personalised Party in a Box’ business called ‘Life’s A Celebration’, met with Pat Glass MP recently to advise Pat of her newly created ‘Jubilee Party Box’ which she hopes will make it easier for people to celebrate the Jubilee and ensure their parties go smoothly.

Pat Glass MP said:

“Maxine took the time to visit my constituency office and I was very interested to hear about her dedication to growing her business and how she helps people have great parties. I hope constituents will join in with the celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee and I am sure Maxine’s Jubilee Party Boxes will come in very handy for people with a busy schedule like me who may not have time to plan their own event. I wish Maxine all the best with her business.”

For more information on Maxine’s business “Life’s A Celebration” and about her Jubilee Party Boxes, visit her website on www.lifesacelebration.co.uk.

A constituent telephoned me recently and informed me that they received a call from a company alleging they were telephoning to resolve a technical problem on her computer. The constituent had not made any such calls asking for this type of support and was concerned this was an attempt to defraud her.

Research on the Internet suggests that a fraud exists that an adviser will talk the customer through a scan using software they recommend is installed onto the computer, which reveals that a virus exists on their computer system. The customer is then asked to purchase a program to fix this problem. The scam is that the program used to scan your machine erroneously indicates a virus exists when it does not. Often it is vulnerable people, such as someone who is elderly or disabled who are most at risk of these scams.

Below are some pointers to be aware of that could alert you to a possible attempt to defraud you. There are many different ways a scam could be tried via the telephone but most will involve many of the points below;

• Is the call unsolicited (also known as a ‘cold call’)?
• Are you urged to make a quick decision?
• Do you have to pay a fee for a prize, or ring a ‘09’ number (premium) for more information?
• Are you asked for your address, date of birth or bank/credit card details?

Falling victim to a scam can be upsetting, embarrassing and in some cases very expensive so always proceed with care and if you have any concerns, or you simply do not wish to purchase whatever you are being offered during the cold call, end the call immediately.

Pat Glass MP and all of her staff would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The constituency office in Consett and Pat’s London Office will be closed from 4.30pm today for the Christmas break and will re-open at 9.00am on Wednesday 4th January 2011.

In the event that you need to urgently contact Pat in the meantime please contact her via Email. Her Email address is pat.glass.mp@parliament.uk