News from Westminster
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:32, Fri 16 November 2007:
A FRESH START FOR SYMES AVENUE
After many years of waiting, it was fantastic to be able to see the completion of work in Symes Avenue on Monday. The change at Symes is dramatic, and it’s so pleasing to see that regeneration and extra investment is continuing to make a difference in Hartcliffe. The new Morrison’s supermarket was opened by Hartcliffe Councillor and Lord Mayor Royston Griffey before we moved onto launch @Symes, which will be a fantastic community resource. It’s also home to the new Hartcliffe Library. I understand that the Council has been able to invest in brand new books and materials for Hartcliffe, so why not go over to the library and see the improvements for yourself?
QUEEN'S SPEECH
The Queen announced the Government’s plans for the next year in her annual speech to Parliament last week. If you have any questions about any elements of the speech please do let me know, but I thought I’d give you a quick run-down of some of the proposals. The main purpose of this year’s Queen’s Speech was to make sure that the Government is properly reflecting the priorities of our communities. There are plans to help parents ensure they can keep a balance between work and family life, and the Government will be using funds from dormant bank accounts to improve youth facilities. We will also introduce proposals to ensure that all young people remain in education or training until the age of 18. Legislation will be tabled to make affordable housing available to the many and not the few, and occupational pensions will be strengthened, providing security for people in old age. The Government is moving ahead with the Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in the world, which sets ambitious and legally binding carbon reduction targets.
RE-STORE RE-LAUNCH
I was asked to cut the ribbon at the re-launch of Re-Store on Filwood Broadway last Friday. As you might know, Re-Store refurbishes and sells second hand furniture. It’s a fantastic organisation and offers valuable employment opportunities to people in and around Knowle West. Re-store’s old facilities could charitably be described as ‘cosy,’ so they were thrilled when some vacant units became available. The building required a huge overhaul but the new premises are now looking absolutely fantastic. Well done to everyone involved!
SCHOOL FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
There was good news for Bristol South’s children this week as the Government announced the funding levels schools will receive for the next three years. By 2010/11, spending per pupil will increase to £4,702 a year, a massive increase on the 1997 figure of £2,930 per pupil. Bristol will also receive £5.4 million to improve personalised learning and programmes for pupils with special educational needs.
UPDATE ON STUDENT GRANTS
In the last issue of News from Westminster, I wrote about the Government’s proposals to extend student grants from next year. The plans will see an estimated third of students receiving a full grant, with a further third of students set to receive a partial grant. In order to ensure that young people are aware of the changes, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills are launching an interactive DVD which contains detailed information on the full student finance package. You can order a free DVD by phoning 0800 587 8500 or watch the DVD online at www.direct.gov.uk/unimoney.
VISIT TO DOWNING STREET
I joined Maisy Griffiths, the Head Girl at Ashton Park School, for a reception with the Prime Minister at Downing Street on Wednesday. It’s very important that we celebrate the successes of young people in our community, so I was pleased to be able to attend this important reception. Maisy also met Cabinet Ministers Jacqui Smith and Ed Balls, so she should have some great pictures for the school magazine! As politicians, we need to do all we can to engage with young people, and I hope that events like this show them that we appreciate the contribution they make.
EXTENDING FREE NURSERY ENTITLEMENT
Labour’s Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes has announced £340 million of funding to extend free nursery education for every three and four year old from 12.5 to 15 hours a week. The extension will be rolled out across the country over the next three years and emphasises the Government’s commitment to ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life.
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 respond to this email, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH. Alternatively, for more information on what’s happening in and around Bristol South, you can visit www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk.
Comments
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Posted by Sarah Fairbairns, 16:50, Fri 16 November 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I have emailed Dawn Primarolo twice about her accountability to us as constituents, and have received no reply, which is very discouraging. My point was, and continues to be about the democratic process of electing an MP who seemed to have left of centre views, who then became a junior member of the cabinet. Is she forced to vote with the government in such a position? Do we have any say as to whether she should accept such posts, if she is then unable to represent her constituents' views (eg the war in Iraq; identity cards)? How can I trust her to vote on my behalf? Sarah Fairbairns, Windmill Hill, Brsitol