Schools Minister Visits Victoria Park Primary
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:07, Fri 25 September 2009:
SCHOOLS MINISTER VISITS VICTORIA PARK PRIMARY
I was so impressed when I visited Victoria Park’s Every Child a Reader scheme in March that I went back this week, and took Schools Minister Vernon Coaker with me. Vernon met with pupils and staff to see the excellent ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme in action. The scheme provides intensive one-to-one support for pupils from ‘Reading Recovery’ teachers who help the children improve their reading skills. Victoria Park have received national recognition for the scheme, and some of the children have been to Downing Street to be congratulated by the Prime Minister and Education Secretary Ed Balls. As well as speaking with pupils about their experience of the programme, the Schools Minister also met with staff to discuss the importance of the Every Child a Reader project in ensuring all children reach a good level of reading.
20 MPH CONSULTATION
Bristol City Council is currently consulting on its proposals to introduce a pilot 20mph area in the Bedminster, Southville and Windmill Hill area to help improve road safety and encourage more people to cycle and walk. I’m in favour of this scheme but have concerns that some of the roads within the area will be excluded and retain a 30mph speed limit. Several primary schools are located on or near these excluded roads and I think it’s very important that such roads also have a 20mph limit. I will be writing to the Council to let them know my views. More information about the consultation is available on the Council’s website (www.bristol.gov.uk/20mph) and the deadline for responses is 30 September.
NEW WEBSITE TO HELP PEOPLE KEEP THEIR HOMES
Due to the current economic climate I know that more households are finding it difficult to keep up with their mortgage payments. The Government is very keen to help people stay in their own homes wherever possible, and a new website www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp has been set up to provide advice on the steps that can be taken to help people avoid losing their home. The site contains a easy to follow action plan and further advice is also available from trained advisers on the National Debt Line on 0808 808 4000.
NEW 91 BUS SERVICE
I was delighted to join residents in Knowle West this afternoon to celebrate the launch of the new 91 bus. Readers of my regular newsletter will know that I have been campaigning with residents to get a bus service reinstated in the area following the withdrawal of the 89 bus last year. I’m very pleased to report that First has listened to us and the new 91 bus service will start running on Monday. Although it might not be everything that we wanted, it’s a great first step and I hope residents will be able to make use of the new service.
PATERNITY LEAVE
Families are set to benefit from greater freedom with maternity and paternity leave. The Government is set to consult on proposals which would allow a woman to transfer the final six months of her maternity leave to the baby’s father. The changes shouldn’t be too onerous for business, but have the potential to make a real difference for families. Currently, women are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave (up to 39 weeks paid) and men to a two week period of paternity leave. The ability to transfer some of this leave is a really sensible suggestion which will pay dividends for parents and their young children.
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. 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.
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