News From Westminster
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:16, Fri 9 October 2009:
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
I always welcome the opportunity to visit schools in Bristol South, and this week has been especially busy. On Monday, I visited Knowle Park Primary School, to officially open their new bike sheds. I also had the chance to meet with the School Council, which certainly included some budding MPs! This morning, I had a fascinating tour of Headley Park Primary School, and presented children with prizes. In the afternoon, I headed to Hartcliffe Children’s Centre to help celebrate National Bookstart Day. Bookstart helps to encourage all parents and children to read, and aims to deliver a free pack of books to every baby in the UK. The pleasure of reading is so important, and children being read to by their parents at an early age can really improve literacy chances in later life. Next week, I’ll be back in Hartcliffe, to celebrate the official opening of the Bridge Learning Campus. There will be much more on this prestigious opening in my next News from Westminster.
LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE ROUND-UP
I spent a busy week in Brighton at Labour Party Conference. The Prime Minister set out his vision for the country and the choices facing Britain in a speech on Tuesday. Among the proposals the Prime Minister set out was tougher action on crime, a curb on bankers’ bonuses and legislation to ensure the UK commits 0.7 per cent of its GNP to aid for developing countries. Away from the main conference hall, I spoke at four fringe meetings in my role as Children’s Minister, and met with a number of organisations for children and young people. I was also interviewed by V. Go from Easton, for the Mediabox project. This is a fantastic organisation, promoting media for people from disadvantaged areas. Following the interview, we bumped into BBC political correspondent John Pienaar, who gave V. Go some tips ahead of his interview with the Prime Minister. Mediabox’s documentary will be broadcast on the Community Channel later in the year.
FREE CAR PARKING IN HOSPITALS
Car parking charges for hospital visitors will be phased out, Health Secretary Andy Burnham has announced. Research shows that patients recover better when they receive regular visitors, and the ability to pay charges should be no barrier to seeing family and friends at a difficult time. Under the proposals, in-patients will be given a free pass that can be used by their friends and relatives. This is an important step which will reduce hardship for people who currently struggle to pay parking fees, which are frequently high in hospitals.
10:10 TO BEAT CLIMATE CHANGE
I was delighted to sign up to the 10:10 pledge to help tackle climate change. In December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen for a crucial summit on reducing global emissions. But, while the actions of Government are obviously crucial, it’s important to remember that we can all make a difference to our own carbon footprints. The 10:10 campaign calls on individuals and organisations to pledge to cut their carbon emissions by 10 per cent by 2010. The campaign’s website, at http://www.1010uk.org/, has details of how to sign up and some handy hints on how you can make a difference. Please do take a moment to sign up.
SAVE WINDMILL HILL CITY FARM
I know that local residents have been concerned by the financial difficulties of Windmill Hill City Farm. As a founding member, I know how important the Farm is to our community, and it provides a wide range of absolutely essential services and activities. I have written to the Farm’s Management to ask if there is anything that I can do to help. Volunteers have launched a massive fund-raising campaign. As part of the campaign, they are asking people who love the Farm to donate £25 toward its survival. I was very happy to sign up. At the time of writing, 280 have pledged their support. If 500 people can give £25, the Farm will raise a quarter of their fund-raising target. If you are in a position to be able to donate, please visit http://www.pledgebank.com/SaveWHCF.
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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