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Newsletter November 2013

Posted by Margot James, MP for Stourbridge, at 18:08, Fri 1 November 2013:

Dear Subscriber,

Since the summer 2012 I have noticed the economy starting to turn around. Businesses I visit in Stourbridge were all reporting increased sales. Now the official figures have caught up and the economy grew by 0.8% in the third quarter of this year. Exports from the West Midlands increased by thirty per cent over the last two years, almost double that of the next best performing region.

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce patrons club and their latest quarterly survey, and that of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce also, was optimistic. It is very good to see the revival in our manufacturing industry, fifty per cent of manufacturers predict sales growth over the next twelve months; and more than a quarter of firms have taken on more employees in the last quarter. Companies are now starting to worry about not having enough capacity rather than having insufficient demand.

The main issue constraining capacity is the skills shortage. The government have expanded support for apprenticeships dramatically. University Technical Colleges have been established at Aston University, Burton, Walsall and one is planned for Dudley. But these policies take time to deliver and the Royal Association of Engineering estimate that we need to double the number of engineering and technical graduates to fill the skills gap. It is a particular problem for small to medium sized companies in the Black Country, as the shortage is made worse by the attractive packages on offer from the big automotive and aerospace companies nearby.

The improving economy was brought to life in Stourbridge this week with the opening of the new Tesco in the town centre. Tesco have regenerated the whole area around the town hall and library, behind which they have built a massive car park, where people can park for three hours free of charge. The modern architecture blends beautifully with the traditional historic buildings in the same vicinity.

Independent retailers are already responding, I opened a fabulous new florist shop ‘Fairley’s’ earlier in the month, started by Amy Fairley with an enterprise allowance and support from the Prince’s Trust. Amy gets up at five several times a week to go and buy the best flowers from the market in West Bromwich. The quality, choice and bespoke arrangements Amy can deliver daily will give the Tesco flower department a run for its money.

>>>I asked questions and spoke in debates about:

• The Abortion Act: to note that gender selective abortion is wrong, wherever it happens in the world. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-backs-calls-action-abortion-malpractice)

• The Benefits Cap: to ensure that the Work Programme has the specialist knowledge needed to help those affected by the Cap who may have difficulty finding employment. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-raises-concerns-about-families-who-have-particular-problems-accessing)

• Disclosure of medical records: to ask the Solicitor General to meet with me to discuss the implementation of recommendations on the disclosure of medical records of victims of sexual abuse made in a recent report by the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/attorney-general-meet-mp-advance-implementation-cpsi-report)

• Asthma care: to highlight the recent recommendation made by the Commission on Human Medicines that schools should be permitted to keep an asthma inhaler for general use. I am pleased that the Government has responded positively to this recommendation. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-calls-debate-support-schools-children-asthma)

• Literacy levels: to make the case for continued innovation in our schools, given that Britain was near the bottom of the OECD’s recent league table of literacy and numeracy skills in 24 developed countries. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-urges-continued-progress-free-schools)

>>>I wrote to Ministers about the following issues:

• Chris Grayling, Justice Secretary, about the assessment for legal aid.

• David Gauke, Treasury Minister, to seek help in challenging a Child Support Agency decision, and also about VAT being charged on school uniforms.

• Mark Harper, Immigration Minister, to raise a constituent’s concerns about the Immigration Bill passing through Parliament.

• David Willetts, Universities Minister, regarding a student finance issue.

• Michael Gove, Education Secretary, about Sixth Form Colleges having to pay VAT, while schools are exempt from VAT.

>>>I attended various events and had meetings in and around Parliament:

• A Parliamentary reception hosted by Wolverhampton University.

• A meeting with Health Minister Earl Howe to discuss my ongoing campaign to improve asthma care in schools. I was delighted that Ministers listened to my concerns about schools not being permitted to keep a spare emergency inhaler, and will make moves to change the regulations in this area.

• A reception to mark Anti-Slavery Day in the Speaker’s House.

• Welcoming William McBain and his nephew Joshua from Stourbridge to Parliament.

• Meeting a representative from the Indonesian British Chamber of Commerce to discuss trade between the UK and this emerging market.

• I hosted a breakfast at the Foreign Office for MPs to discuss trade issues with Lord Green.

• The Press Gallery annual lunch in Parliament, to hear John Major deliver an inspiring speech.

• A meeting with the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation London representatives, to follow up my trade mission to this region last March.

• Hosting the Westminster Flu Vaccination Day in Parliament.

• Meeting a representative from the Salvation Army to discuss the Work Programme.

• A meeting of the Number 10 Policy Board.

>>>Out and about in Stourbridge

I took part in various visits and meetings:

• Opening the magnificent new Tesco in Stourbridge, six years in development this was the highlight of my month. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-opens-new-stourbridge-store)

• Hosting the Stourbridge Careers Day. I was delighted to welcome over 250 pupils and parents to the event and a really impressive group of businesses to inspire them. It was great to meet so many impressive local students. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/mp%E2%80%99s-stourbridge-careers-day-raises-aspirations)

• Visit to Ridgewood High School, I met Head Teacher Clive Nutting and PE teacher Chris Ewing and toured the school. I also drew a Dove of Peace as part of a UNICEF campaign to raise awareness of children who have been affected by war. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-meets-local-sporting-students)

• Attending The Stourbridge Education Trust board meeting, to give a presentation on my Aspirations Project.

• Dudley Borough MPs meeting at which I raised the issue of discretionary rate relief for Stourbridge Business during the Tesco development.

• Speaking at Wyre Forest Supper Club in support of my friend and colleague Mark Garnier MP.

• I was proud to open The Fairley’s florist, a wonderful new business set up by Amy Fairley with the support of the Princes Trust Enterprise Programme and the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-opens-new-local-florist)

• Attending the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust Committed to Excellence Awards. It was an honour to be able to announce the runner up in the category of excellence in patient care and present them with the award alongside Director of Nursing Denise McMahon.

• Chamber of Commerce Patrons Lunch. It was a pleasure to be the guest speaker at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Patrons Lunch hosted by Mondelez. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-speaks-birmingham-chamber-commerce)

• Visit to Moochers in Stourbridge. I was very impressed to find a fully equipped recording studio upstairs at this venue which I am sure will be a great benefit to all our local Stourbridge musicians.

>>>It wasn’t all work...

After a rather spartan September I made up for it in October, managing to get to a few films, exhibitions, a concert and even a play. Jay and I went to see ‘Rush’ a fantastic film about the motor racing rivalry between James Hunt and Nicky Lauder; opposites in every way. And on the day of its release we saw Captain Phillips. Some four hundred naval personnel from around the world are held captive by Somali pirates and this film is an edge of the seat illustration of the threat posed by this phenomenon.

I caught up with an old friend and work colleague Kate Hawker and we went to see “The curious incident of the dog in the night-time” a play that was superbly acted, and with special effects that brought home the challenges faced by people on the autistic spectrum.

Lastly I enjoyed an early morning parliamentary visit to the National Portrait Gallery to see the “Elizabeth 1 and her People” exhibition of portraits and other artefacts of the period. It is well worth catching if you are in London and continues until January.

Jay and I were lucky to be invited to a really fabulous 65th birthday party at Blenheim Palace, and what a splendid venue for a special occasion it was too.

Margot James

Margot

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