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News from Your Local MP

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 14:51, Fri 28 January 2011:

WELCOME!

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

ECONOMY

I was very worried by figures released this week revealing that the economic recovery has halted. When the Coalition Government took office in May they inherited an economy that was growing, thanks to decisions taken by the previous Labour Government to support the economy and keep people in their jobs. However, the new Government’s policies, such as making deep cuts to public spending, appear to be having a negative effect on our economy and I’m extremely concerned about the impact of this for families living and working in Bristol South.

SAVE OUR GREEN SPACES PETITION

Following the controversial decision made by Bristol’s Liberal Democrat Council to sell-off a number of parks and green spaces across our city, opposition councillors have now joined together to launch an e-petition in support of Bristol’s parks, calling on the Council to reconsider the proposed land sales. If the petition receives at least 3,500 signatures councillors will be required to debate the issue at a Full Council Meeting. I know that many local residents in Bristol South remain very concerned about the proposed sell-offs. Visit the following webpage to sign the petition: http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/epetition_core/view/SaveOurParks

EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

Last week I was contacted by lots of local residents, mainly young people at school or college, who are very anxious about the Government’s plans to scrap the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). As mentioned in one of my previous newsletters, EMAs were introduced by the previous Labour Government to provide a small grant to young people from low income families to encourage them to stay on in post-16 education or training. The payment was intended to cover costs such as travel to school or college or for materials to support their studies. I fully share the concerns of young people who will have this payment taken away and am extremely disappointed that the Government has made a sudden decision on this matter, despite previously promising to keep EMA. I’m aware that, without EMA, many young people living in Bristol South would struggle to stay in education and I have written to the Further Education Minister raising my concerns about this matter.

PROTECTING OUR FORESTS

Many local residents have been in touch with me this week regarding the Government’s plans to sell off Forestry Commission land in England. These concerning proposals, contained within the Public Bodies Bill currently being considered by Parliament, mean that Ministers will be able to dispose of land without consulting Parliament, removing all safeguards which protect these vital natural assets. If our woodland is sold it is not clear how public access or maintenance of biodiversity in our forests would be managed. I have written to the Secretary of State for the Environment to express opposition to the plans.

CLIMATE WEEK

I have been contacted by the organisers of “Climate Week” asking me to spread the news about the UK’s very first Climate Week happening between 21 – 27 March this year. Events and activities will be taking place across the country to highlight the positive steps being taken to tackle climate change. More information about how to get involved is available on the following website: www.climateweek.com

CENTREPOINT PARLIAMENT

On Wednesday this week I was delighted to attend the launch of homeless charity Centrepoint’s youth parliament which took place in the House of Commons. Centrepoint established the parliament to provide homeless young people with the opportunity to make their voices heard and yesterday’s opening event gave young people to chance to meet MPs and raise matters of concern with us about national policy areas such as the effect on young people of scrapping the Education Maintenance Allowance and raising university tuition fees.

N-POWER REFUND

Consumer Focus, the statutory consumer body, have asked me to remind any npower customers living in Bristol South that they may be entitled to a refund for gas bill overpayments from 2007 affecting 1.8 million customers. I am told that npower has written to all existing customers but it has been difficult for the company to trace former customers who have moved house and supplier. If you were a customer of npower in 2007, but have since left the supplier or moved house, should call npower’s helpline on 0800 975 7938 or visit their website (www.npower.com) to find out if you are entitled to a refund.

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Just email primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH.