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News from Your Local MP

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 14:26, Fri 22 July 2011:

WELCOME!

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Hundreds of local residents contacted me to raise concerns about the appalling allegations about phone hacking activities at the News of the World and expressing their opposition to News International’s bid to takeover BSkyB. The Labour Leader, Ed Miliband, led calls for an independent inquiry into the allegations and I was pleased when the Prime Minister last week confirmed details of a judge-led inquiry. I know many readers of my newsletter will have welcomed News International’s decision to withdraw their BSkyB bid – this announcement was made just hours before MPs were due to debate this issue in the House of Commons following a request from Labour MPs. As well as investigating the alleged wrongdoings of News of the World and other newspapers, the public inquiry will be looking into whether we need an alternative system for regulating the press. If you’ve not already done so, remember you can complete my survey on the press at www.dawnprimarolo.co.uk. I will be passing all these views on to Ministers and feed them in to the inquiry.

PLATFORM 51

I recently met with Platform 51, the national organisation previously known as the YWCA, which support girls and women in taking control of their lives and challenging discrimination. There is a branch of Platform 51 (so called because women and girls make up 51% of the population) here in Bristol South, based in Knowle West. Over the past 12 months, the national charity has helped over 8,000 girls and women change their lives for the better, providing support on a range of issues such as: drug and alcohol abuse; domestic violence and crime; parenting skills; dealing with money, debt and homelessness; and gaining skills and finding work. Platform 51 is currently seeking to highlight the need to review appropriate treatment for low level mental health problems, with surveys showing that girls and young women believe GPs too often rely on prescribing anti-depressants.

EVENTS ROUND-UP

In Westminster I attended the parliamentary launch of the Child Poverty Action Group’s latest Child Support handbook, and I also met with Avon & Somerset Police Officers at their recent reception held to discuss the Government’s Police Reform Proposals. The Government is slashing police budgets and thousands of officer posts are being lost, leaving local police forces like Avon and Somerset Constabulary in an impossible position. I listened to the concerns of local officers and agreed to keep in touch.

In Bristol last week I was delighted to attend the homecoming parade of members of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment who have spent several months serving in Afghanistan. The soldiers have played an important role in Afghanistan and we should be rightly proud of their achievements.

In addition to holding my regular advice surgery today, I was very happy to officially open the new community gardens at Zion, a former Methodist church in Bedminster Down that is now being used as a community art space. I was very impressed by the facilities and range of creative activities on offer to local residents – it is well worth a look! More information is available at: www.zionbristol.co.uk

COMMUNITYFORCE AWARDS

As regular readers of my newsletter will know, I often include details of grant schemes available to individuals or community groups that have been brought to my attention. This is not intended as an endorsement of the business or organisation promoting the scheme.

I have been contacted by NatWest in connection with their “CommunityForce” programme which will offer three community projects the chance to win a financial award of £6,000 as well as help with volunteering time and expertise. Local charities, organisations or groups can register from Monday 25 July on the following website: www.natwest.com/communityforce.

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 me at dawn.primarolo.mp@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH.