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News from Westminster

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 17:16, Fri 8 February 2008:

8 February 2008

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

BRIDGE LEARNING CAMPUS TOPPING OUT

At lunchtime, I was delighted to be able to attend the topping out ceremony of the Bridge Learning Campus. The Campus will see Teyfant Community School and Hartcliffe Community Engineering College come together to form one ‘all-through’ school. This will offer excellent opportunities for staff and pupils alike, but the Campus will also be able to support education for people of all ages. There was a real sense of optimism in Hartcliffe this morning. I certainly get the impression that, particularly following the opening of Symes Avenue, local people are delighted that all the meetings and hard work behind the scenes have borne real, permanent and valuable results. Congratulations to everyone who has done so much for the Campus.

MARKSBURY ROAD LIBRARY - SAVED!

Many residents have contacted me in the last couple of weeks to express their concerns for the future of Marksbury Road Library. The Library provides an invaluable service to the community, and is especially valued by pupils at Parson Street School. I was so pleased, therefore, to hear that the City Council’s Cabinet have secured the funding to keep our Library open. They have recognised the importance of a library and community facility on the estate, and we now have an opportunity to think about a community plan for the whole Marksbury Road area. I know that Labour Councillors Mark Bradshaw and Colin Smith will be working with the Marksbury Road Community Association but if you have any suggestions on how best to improve this part of Bedminster, please do get in touch.

EXTENDED SURGERY HOURS

GPs are such an important part of the NHS. They provide a vital first point of contact, and offer professional, timely and good quality advice when we’re unwell. The Government wants to work with GPs to provide an even better service which recognises the fact that many people are unable to see their doctor during traditional surgery hours, due to work or other commitments. The Government hopes that at least half of practices will open each weekend or on one or more evenings a week. This is an ambitious, but not unreasonable target. A national survey of patients last year found that the vast majority of patients were happy with their GPs – but we cannot ignore the fact that the survey indicates that 6 million patients are dissatisfied with the opening hours of their practice. This is an issue we must tackle, and the Government will continue to work with GPs to ensure better access for all patients.

GOOD NEWS FOR THE OLD VIC

I was delighted to hear the news that the Arts Council will award a £2.6 million grant to the Bristol Old Vic. The future of the theatre had looked uncertain in recent months but the Arts Council was reassured by recent changes and improvements at the Old Vic and decided to allocate the grant which should allow the theatre’s extensive refurbishment programme to begin this summer. That said, I am aware the Old Vic needs to raise further money in order to meet the cost of the entire restoration project, so I have written to the new Executive Chair, Dick Penny, to offer my assistance and support.

WOMEN'S LAND ARMY BADGES

During the dark days of the Second World War, thousands of women worked hard to provide food and timber for the nation. These women were members of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps. We should honour the determination, courage and spirit they showed in extra-ordinary circumstances. It is for this reason that Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs decided to formally acknowledge their efforts by awarding a badge of recognition. If you were in the Women’s Land Army or Women’s Timber Corps, or if you have a surviving relative who was, please do get in touch to find out how to claim your badge.

EXPANDING APPRENTICESHIPS

Last week the government set out its plans to expand and strengthen the provision of apprenticeships to make them an attractive and popular option for young people and older learners too. Since 1997 the government has successfully improved apprenticeships but now we want to ensure that an apprenticeship place is available for all qualified young people by 2013. The further improvements we are making in apprenticeship provision will help to ensure that, by 2015, every young person is in some form of education or training until their 18th birthday. The number of young people and adults completing apprenticeships has risen from approximately 40,000 in 2001/02 to over 100,000 now and it is hoped that this figure will reach 190,000 per year by 2020.

MPS' STAFF

There has been much concern in the press about MPs expenses in the last couple of weeks. It is absolutely right that the public know that MPs are spending public money wisely, and I am glad that a review of the system has been set up. For the record, I employ five members of staff – two full-time and three part-time – and have never employed a member of my family.

STREET SURGERY

I spoke to residents in Bishopsworth this morning when I visited the area for a street surgery. As always, I was interested to hear the concerns of local residents which included problems with bus services, rubbish collection and fly tipping amongst other things. I will be taking these matters forward where appropriate.

FREEING UP POLICE TIME

A major review was published this week by former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan. His independent Review of Policing in England and Wales, making a compelling case for radical changes that could free up the equivalent of 3,500 additional police. The report estimates that 5 million to 7 million hours of police time each year could be re-focused on the front lines if the recommended changes are made. I'm very pleased that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has accepted recommendations to cut unnecessary bureaucracy, exploit new technology and enable police officers to spend more time on front line policing.

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 primarolod@parliament.uk, 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.