MPFree
Michael Foster’s Parliamentary
Bulletin
February 2009
We
are already two months into the New Year and it’s been a
challenging time. I really enjoyed getting to meet with so many of
you during the Parliamentary recess, and encourage all of you to
come down to Parliament to see what we are up to on a daily basis!
Here is a quick update on the many things I did throughout the
month of February:
New
White Rock Hotel Facilities
I
along with the Minister for South East Jonathan Shaw attended the
opening of the new facilities at the White Rock Hotel on Hastings
seafront.
The
family owned hotel has seen extensive refurbishment and
improvements, including a new bar and restaurant.
Jonathan and I are both impressed
with the fortitude and entrepreneurship of the owners, who are
working to expand their business in such a difficult economic
time.
I
believe that the White Rock Hotel has a great future ahead of
it.
New
Victims Champion
I
backed the appointment of Sara Payne as the “Victim’s Champion”.
Since the death of her daughter in July 2000 she has worked
tirelessly for victim’s rights- especially increasing the right of
the public to access information about known sex
offenders.
Victims are the most important
people in the criminal justice system and they deserve our full
support. Though crime rates have fallen 40% since 1997 we must
still work tirelessly along side Sara for the victims within our
society.
Universal
Broadband
The
government announced a scheme to ensure broadband access to all UK
homes by 2012. I completely support this scheme and believe that
the comprehensive plant he government has set forth will go a long
way to moving Britain into the forefront of the global digital
economy.
Small Businesses Question
Candidates
I
would like thank the Federation of Small Business for hosting the
conversation I had, along side the two parliamentary candidates,
with small business owners. I felt it was extremely productive. It
is obvious that the citizens of Hastings and Rye are concerned
about this issue and I hope this conversation highlighted the
difference between Labour and Conservative. The “do something”
approach vs. the “do nothing” approach.
Link
Road
The
government have decided not to review the planning consent for the
new road. That’s good news. This road is going to have a major
impact on the economic situation in Hastings and Rye- it will
provide jobs and homes as well as respect for Bexhill road
residents. I understand the concerns that many people have over the
environmental aspects of the plan and oppose it in principle, but
nothing can be gained by delaying the construction any further.
Construction will begin by next spring.
Real
Help for Business and People
The Government has launched a new
booklet to help people and business access help during the
downturn.
This includes information on
finding help with homes, jobs and finance when you need
it.
To download a copy click on the
link below:
Success for
Scamnesty
I am pleased that this month’s
Scamnesty campaign went so well! The Scamnesty boxes received
hundreds of mailings from members of the community. The campaign
was a huge success and we have given our law enforcement officials
a huge hand in helping to eliminate these scams that aim to steal
people’s hard earned money. The program ran from 5 February till
the 27th following last year’s campaign. Look out for
the Scamnesty bins at your local library next
year!
Meeting with the Pensioner’s
Champion
I was very pleased to meet with
Jack Jones, founder of the National Pensioners Convention and
legendary campaigner, this past month. He has led an extraordinary
life and has worked tirelessly for the rights of others in the
workforce and has now turned his attention to pensioners and the
problems that they face. Jack you are definitely an inspiration!
And I am proud that you are pleased with the progress the
Government has made.
£300,000 Grant given to Local
School
A £300,000 government grant was
awarded to the William Parker school to update their cooking
facilities and provide capital to offer cooking classes to the boys
who attend the school. Their cooking facilities have not been up to
scratch and the boys deserve better. The goal is to have the
kitchens up and running and classes being offered in secondary
schools by 2011. I am pleased they will be learning a new skill and
look forward to tasting the dishes they create!
National Dementia
Strategy
Earlier this month I welcomed a
£150 million investment by the Government to improve services for
people with dementia, their careers and families. I believe that it
is vitally important that we support those members of our
communities that most need our help. There are over 10,000 people
in East Sussex suffering from dementia, a number that will most
definitely increase. One of our main goals is to make sure that GPs
have the skills to spot dementia early and also provide the capital
to give these people and their families a better quality of life.
To increase support for those who suffer from dementia and their
families we are aiming to put “dementia advisors” in every hospital
as well as create a network of specialist services across the
country to focus on early diagnosis and
intervention.
Bringing an End to Mixed Sex
Wards
I called on Conquest Hospital this
month to set a timetable for the elimination of all mixed sex
wards. This is simply the next step in the improvements that NHS
has made over the past 11 years. There are many patients,
especially the elder people, who find mixed sex environments
unsettling, uncomfortable and undignified. They should be treated
in an environment they find comfortable. I am also please to
announce that the Government has begun a six month drive to
eliminate the remaining NHS mixed sex wards.
The Great British
Refurb
I am pleased to be one of the
backers to the Government’s long-term Heat and Energy Saving plan.
On account of this plan at least 7 million home will be offered the
chance to have “whole house treatments” including insulation and
low carbon heating supplies. I encourage everyone in Hastings and
Rye to do their part on saving energy and saving our
planet.
Bank
Bonuses
I have vehemently criticized the
banks for paying out obscenely large bonuses. There should be
strict caps on bonuses, and none of the CEOs who are responsible
for this economic crisis should even dream about receiving a bonus.
They have failed at their jobs. I agree with the Government that
there needs to be a change in our reward culture, and that failure
should never be rewarded. I full support Sir David Walker’s inquiry
into the city’s reward culture and what needs to change. I have
asked the Attorney General to evaluate whether or not criminal
proceedings are warranted for the reckless trading that banks
engaged in.
First Aid
Education
I have welcomed the British Red
Cross’ recently published report “Life. Live it.” It details first
aid in schools and adds a valuable teaching resource for schools.
This is especially important now that first aid has become a
mandatory part of the curriculum for 11-14 year olds. I believe
teaching children early how to react in a situation and how to
possibly save someone’s life is going dramatically increase
individual’s rate of survival from an accident. I am proud to
support a Parliamentary motion along with 67 of my fellow MPs
asking the Government to further promote first aid education in
schools.
Protecting Bingo
Clubs
I have thrown my support behind a
motion calling for the Government to offer greater support to Bingo
Clubs. The Bingo Clubs are an important and integral part of life
in Hastings and Rye. I understand the Government’s wish to curtail
excessive gambling, but Bingo is a pretty harmless pastime. I
encourage the Government to adopt a taxation policy of “fiscal
neutrality” in regards to Bingo Clubs.
Fair Trade
Fortnight
I am
excited about the new Fair Trade Fortnight campaign that began on
23rd February. The campaign is meant to encourage locals
to buy fair trade products. The price is set at a level which
ensures that Producer Organisations receive a sum which covers the
cost of sustainable production for their product. Fair Trade helps
support 7.5 million people in the developing world. We can really
make a difference in their lives by buying their products. I
encourage all Hastings and Rye citizens to by fair trade for the
next two weeks and beyond. If your grocer doesn’t carry fair trade
products, ask for them!
That
concludes February’s news! I encourage every one of you to keep up
to date on what I’m doing to Hastings and Rye by logging onto my website www.michaelfoster.org.uk
or get in touch with me by
emailing mp@1066.net or calling 01424 460070.
Best
wishes,
Michael Foster,
MP
