MPFree July
Michael Foster’s Parliamentary Bulletin  

Hello all. Welcome to my July Bulletin. The Parliamentary ‘Holiday’ has just begun and if you believe some of the headlines us MPs are off to sun ourselves enmasse in the Caribbean! I can assure you nothing could be further from the truth. Although I will be spending a few days having a break the rest of the time will be spent full time in the constituency catching up with all the work that needs doing and getting the office back in shape before Parliament reconvenes.  I will also be running a summer campaign encouraging more people to vote. As usual its been a busy month so lets begin the roundup. 

Academies 

As I am sure you are all aware East Sussex County Council has this month published proposals to replace Filsham Valley, Hillcrest and The Grove schools with two Academies. 

I am pleased that East Sussex has signed up wholeheartedly to the Government’s crusade to improve educational outcomes for every child. What is now proposed can certainly build on the improvements that are already occurring and which each of the three schools have so enthusiastically backed. Academies do provide the opportunity of accessing extra funding and the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme will provide the necessary resources for what I suspect will be at least one new-build school. 

I know that the academy route can be contentious but I am encouraged that the lead sponsor is to be the University of Brighton, who have already shown their commitment to the town through their support for the University Centre and their strong links with the Hastings College of Further Education. 

The Ninestiles Plus team, under the leadership of Sir Dexter Hutt, is already building on the strengths of these three schools. I met with students, staff and leadership teams last week and was encouraged at their positive outlook and commitment to the project.  Over the coming two years I am convinced that the schools will build on what they are already doing and examination results will improve. 

Exam results are not, of course, the only criteria by which to judge a school. It’s important to recognise improvements beyond that narrow definition.  But it is also important that youngsters pass exams if they are to have the opportunity of further education and employment which they deserve and these new proposals are yet another link in the chain that will lead to better prospects for all. 

Old Town Post Office 

I have spent a lot of time this year campaigning to protect the future of our Post Office network. I was therefore delighted that thanks to a concerted local campaign involving myself, the Hastings Old Town Residents Association and a range of other activists a new Post Office outlet will open in Premier stores on George Street to replace the Butlers branch which will be closing. 

The new branch will retain about 90% of the post offices services currently available in the Old Town but will be open 7am-10pm six days a week and 8am-10pm on Sundays. 

The new Old Town service is a pilot involving significant, and cost saving, changes to the way the Post Office does business. If successful this model could in the future be the basis for a more sustainable national Post Office network. This is a good outcome for the Old Town and if the model proves successful I hope it can be rolled out across the country. 

Welfare Reform 

Earlier in the month the Government published a new policy Greenpaper setting out plans to radically overhaul the current welfare and benefits system. 

The benefit system is not there to give a choice between benefits and work; it's there to help you when you can't find work and these reforms will incentivise work by providing even more support to assist people into employment. 

We all know that whether through loss of employment or incapacity benefit recipients are condemned to less than they deserve. Because of the support in making work pay, through tax credits, the time is now right to encourage the workless to seek the opportunities available. But it is not just about coercion, it’s the encouragement and support that makes the difference. 

To see the full Greenpaper click here. 

Amongst other things this month we also had a little birthday bash to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of the NHS. See the full report and some photos here.  

The Government have recently issued a new badge in honour of the Women’s Land Army who provided food for Britain during World War II and we held our own local reception to celebrate the work of these veterans. Read more and see some photos by clicking here. 

From time to time I write out to constituents to update them on issues which they find of interest. If you would like to receive my update letters on any of the following issues send an email including your name, address and issues of interest to mp@1066.net. 
□       Health
□       Crime
□       Education
□       Economy
□       Animal Welfare
□       Climate Change
□       International Development
□       Pensions
□       Monthly Update on my Activities (by email) 

Well that just about wraps things up for July. As usual if there any issues in this bulletin about which you’d like more detail please feel free to get in touch (mp@1066.net) and don’t forget you can always keep up to date on what I’ve been doing by visiting my website www.michaelfoster.org.uk. 

Best wishes  

Michael Foster DL MP