NEWS FROM WESTMINSTER
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 16:42, Fri 26 February 2010:
WELCOME!
Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter. If you would prefer not to receive it in future, please respond to this email and I’ll remove you from my mailing list.
VISITING S&B AUTOMOTIVE ACADEMY
I had a fantastic tour of the S&B Academy on Princess Street in Bedminster. The Academy offers a wide range of apprenticeships covering all aspects of car, bus and motorcycle maintenance. During my visit, I met with an apprentice who was previously detained at Ashfield Young Offenders Institute. He is now making an impressive effort at turning his life around thanks, in no small part, to the faith shown in him by S&B. Apprenticeships and diplomas are even more important as the country comes out of recession, and organisations like S&B really are helping to lead the way.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY RATES FALL
I welcomed new statistics published this week showing that, nationally, teenage pregnancies have fallen to their lowest rate in over 20 years, and we also saw a fall here in Bristol. The figures suggest that, despite a slight rise in 2007, the action from the Government’s teenage pregnancy strategy has led to a decline in pregnancies among under 16- and 18-year-olds. In my roles as Minister for Children, Young People and Families, I joined Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron, to launch a new action plan, “Teenage Pregnancy Strategy: Beyond 2010” which outlines new measures to tackle the root causes of teenage pregnancy, building on the successes of the last 10 years. The new measures include individual advice to young people, online advice, increased help for teachers and more support for parents.
FLYING PENGUIN AUTOPARTS
I visited local company, Flying Penguin Autoparts, at their invitation, to officially open their new warehouse and office suite on the Novers Hill trading estate. I’m always happy to visit local businesses and I was very impressed by Flying Penguin’s smart new premises. It’s great to see companies providing jobs in the local area and expanding, despite the difficult economic times.
FAMILY RESTORATION FUND
This week, on behalf of the whole country, the Prime Minister apologised to the former child migrants who were transported to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Zimbabwe in the 20th Century. The child migration schemes operated for many decades and involved children from across the UK being sent away to other nations. What happened was wrong and misguided and, although the Government cannot undo the hurt that this scheme created, we do think it is important that we recognise the terrible mistakes that were made. The Government has also announced a £6 million family restoration fund to support travel and other costs for former child migrants who wish to be reunited with their families. Further information about how former child migrants can apply will be released in the coming months.
BRISTOL CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
I met last week with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Bristol City Football Club. I try to have regular meetings with the club as they progress proposals for their new stadium in Ashton Vale and the redevelopment of the Ashton Gate site. As always, I emphasised the importance of consulting with local residents, and I hope that the club and Sainsbury’s will continue to take local views into account.
MORE CHANGES TO THE 52 BUS SERVICE
As some of you will have seen, last week’s Evening Post announced that First was withdrawing the remaining ‘City Centre to Hengrove’ section of the no. 52 bus route. I’m aware that many local residents rely on this service and I will continue to express my concern to First about the impact this decision will have. I’m also asking the Council to consider re-introducing its subsidy for this service.
RECESS ROUND UP
The Parliamentary ‘half-term break’ meant that I didn’t have to be in Westminster last week, and was instead able to spend the whole week in Bristol South. As well as the local events detailed above, I held my regular surgery, this time at the Withywood Centre, and I was out and about meeting residents in Hartcliffe and Whitchurch too. I also had the opportunity to meet with a representative of Passenger Focus, the rail passenger watchdog whose remit is widening to include bus passenger representation. In addition, I popped into Acta, an organisation based in Bedminster which helps increase participation in the arts, and I met with Kenyan students and VSO volunteers who are working on a project there.
GREEN COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME
I have been contacted by the Energy Saving Trust asking me to spread the word about their Green Communities Programme which supports community based energy projects with the aim of reducing carbon emission through a range of energy efficiency and renewables activities. Membership is free and gives groups access to various benefits such as: training courses, telephone and email support, funding advice and newsletters. For more information visit: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
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.
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