Welcome to 2023's end of year newsletter!
It has been a challenging and eventful year for the country. Read my review of the year below including a run down in numbers on my work for the past 12 months.
I had an enormous amount of fun this week visiting the winners and runners up of my Christmas Card Competition including watching my first Christingle at Monks Coppenhall which was fantastic.
In other local talent news, the St Thomas More Catholic High School have released a Christmas song in a bid to be this years Christmas Number 1! Scroll down to listen.
Below you'll also find some examples up of the local government funded Holiday Activities Fund sessions for children on benefits related free school meals. Other children can usually join these for a relatively small charge. Previous years we have done an exhaustive list as it wasn't easy to find local providers. But the website has been upgraded so its easy to find on the map what is local to you now.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Meeting Christmas Card Winner
My 2023
Holiday Activities
Local Schools Bid for Christmas No.1
Cracking Down on Spiking
Guide Dogs
Traffic Report
Meeting Christmas Card Winner
This week I went to meet the winner and runners up of my Christmas Card competition at their schools. All three schools will be getting funding for arts equipment thanks to the generosity of Daniel Dunning-Cole and Scott Dunning from the Charterhouse for sponsoring the prizes.
I met with Willow, from Beechwood Primary who came 1st and who's design has been sent to, among others, the Prime Minister. She took me around the rest of the school to present certificates to others who also entered amazing designs in this years contest.
I also met with Sahiru, from Leighton Academy, who's Father Christmas design came a close second. Well done Sahiru!
Finally, I went along to Monks Coppenhall to present a certificate to Paizley who came 3rd. It also coincided with their Christingle Celebration, and I got to watch the talents of the rest of the school!
Thank you to everyone who took part, voted and made this years competition possible!
My 2023
2023 is almost over, so lets take a look at what has been achieved and the progress we have made over the last 12 months.
Thinking back to the start of the year, things were very tough. Still suffering the effects of the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation was high and families were struggling with the cost of living. The government took extraordinary steps to help-halving energy bills for most households. This money will need to be paid back, including the cost of living payments the most vulnerable also received, but I think it was necessary. It was part funded by additional taxes on oil & gas producers.
Things are still tough, but they are improving. Energy bills are much lower and inflation is down and falling and we are entering 2024 in a stronger position economically than we were this time last year.
As a nation we celebrated the coronation of a new monarch. It was great to see the country come together, for an event that hasn't happened in 70 years, for our new King. Many local people took part in the 'great help out', volunteering in their communities, and organised street parties to mark the event. I was lucky enough to watch the procession from Parliament, a fantastic once in a lifetime experience! Unexpectedly my video of the event proved very popular on Facebook, receiving almost 750,000 views around the world! See it here:
https://www.facebook.com/KieranMullanUK/videos/269855282052507
We also continued our staunch support for Ukraine in their struggle against Russian aggression. It was a honour to listen to President Zelensky when he visited Parliament earlier in the year and gave his thanks to the UK for standing behind Ukraine in their hour of need. We, along with the rest of the Western World, need to continue this support into the next year - ensuring the Ukrainian people can continue their fight for their freedom.
Locally, we received the fantastic news that the Government will fund a full rebuild of Leighton Hospital. This is something I have been campaigning on since becoming an MP. The current hospital was built in the 70's and was not supposed to be still in operation today. This rebuild will ensure the site can continue to treat patience for decades to come.
The new skatepark at the Barony in Nantwich was completed. This was all done thanks to a campaign by local teenager Alexander Donlon who has been pushing for a modern, new facility for years. It is great to see that it has been really popular in its first few months of opening!
Nationally, I published a report into the opportunities that deep geothermal energy presents for the UK on behalf of the Prime Minister. Deep geothermal is a clean and cost-effective source of heat and power & Crewe and Nantwich stands to benefit greatly from any expansion through greater local investment and jobs. I look forward to advancing this cause further next year.
I also had success in my campaign to retain non-degree routes into policing. There were plans to make it necessary to have a degree to become a Police Officer, but I lead a group of MPs in opposing this. There are many people who many not be academically minded who would also make great Police Officers. It is important our Police Forces are made up of people from all backgrounds. Following this campaign, the Government agreed to retain a non-degree entry route into the profession.
Unfortunately in the summer I had a Rugby accident that left me with a serious ankle fracture that needed a major operation and meant I couldn't get out and about as I normally do. Just as it was improving this month I ended up back in hospital for a week for further treatment.
I focused on working remotely and as always a lot of my work as an MP is done via email and letter, dealing with issues that you, my constituents, have. Along with my hardworking casework team I have closed 1,606 cases from constituents over the past year. I have also responded to 4,575 enquiries about various areas of Government policy.
I am pleased to say, assuming my luck holds, that I am pretty much back to normal with my mobility now (at walking pace!), so looking forward to doing more visits into 2024.
If you have any issues that I could help you with, feel free to contact my office at kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk, call 01270 583 432 or send me a letter to 249 Edleston Road, Crewe, CW2 7EA.
Holiday Activities
Over the Christmas holidays, local organisations will once again be providing a wide range of activity and meal sessions available for children on benefits related free school meals. Many are also open to others for a small fee.
The full directory and booking information can be found here:
https://eequ.org/cheshireeasthaf
Below is a list of some of the sessions happening locally:
CREWE ALEX HAF
Crewe Alexandra in the Community Winter HAF will provide Multi Activities for all participants to have fun and make friends.
Activities provided:
• 2nd January 2024 – Multi Sports, Christmas crafting and games.
• 3rd January 2024 – Multi Sports, Christmas crafting and tournaments.
• 4th January 2024 – Multi Sports and Christmas crafting.
• 5th January 2024 – Football club Experience – Activities, Football Club Ground Tour and visit from Crewe Alexandra FC players.
Ages: Primary School 5yrs to 11yrs
WISHING WELL HAF CLUB
We provide a wide range of activities for children, these range from sports activities in the summer and Easter Holidays, to craft activities and games in the winter. We also provide themed holiday activities throughout Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Our clubs are all inclusive and take place at a range of different sites across Crewe, During the nicer weather our activities take place in the local parks and playing fields, during the colder and wetter months or during our themed activities, these take place at our local children and families hub on Chester Bridge in Crewe. Our Park sessions include dodgeball, football, free play games, parachute games, obstacle races, rugby, cricket and some craft activities. Our hub activities consist of a range of different crafts, a sensory room, toddler room, youth room with a pool table, air hockey and football table. A disco room for lots of party games and fun, along with bingo
Tue 02 Jan 202410:00 - 14:30
Wed 03 Jan 202410:00 - 14:30
Thu 04 Jan 202410:00 - 14:30
Fri 05 Jan 202410:00 - 14:30
MILLFIELDS PRIMARY SCHOOL - FOX DANCE
There’s something for every child - the holiday club strives to be fully inclusive and provide each child with the opportunity to participate. Within each day there are elements of sports & fitness, performing arts, arts & crafts, creativity, games and free play.
Fox Dance at Millfields Primary School offer limited number of free holiday club places over the winter, Easter and summer holidays for children and young people who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) - these places are limited to young people who qualify for income/benefits related free school meals. By signing up to these free spaces you acknowledge your child is eligible and is currently receiving free school meals (FSM). These spaces are funded by the Department for Education (DFE) and facilitated by Cheshire East Council (CE).
Tue 02 Jan 202409:00 - 13:00
Wed 03 Jan 202409:00 - 13:00
Thu 04 Jan 202409:00 - 13:00
Fri 05 Jan 202409:00 - 13:00
NAR Winter Camp at Wistaston Academy
NAR Education offers a wide range of activities that are fun, educational and engaging. A variety of different activities will be set up throughout the day, so children attending never get bored and are constantly learning and developing. From fun games to sports, arts and crafts, or educational activities – your child will always have something to do! Our catering team provide healthy snacks throughout the day as well as a healthy lunch, to keep your little ones going. Children will need to come dressed appropriately for the time of year and ready to participate in activities.
Tue 02 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
Wed 03 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
Thu 04 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
Fri 05 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
WISTASTON CHURCH LANE
We are proud to be working with Cheshire East Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) to be able to provide free multi-sport activity holiday clubs for children aged 5 (Reception) to 13 (Year 8) during the winter Holidays. Our HAF clubs are jam-packed with lots of different sports, activities, arts and crafts, games, and challenges for your child to experience. During a camp day, children can expect to take part in football, dodgeball, archery, parachute games, dance, basketball, gymnastics, cricket and specific arts and crafts sessions. We also have lots of exciting theme days such as Nerf Wars and Glow in the Dark as well as inflatable activities.
Tue 02 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
Wed 03 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
Thu 04 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
Fri 05 Jan 2024 09:00 - 15:00
YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICES - DJ'ING!
Our HAF programme will run from 2nd to the 5th January and has a varied offer of activities for young people aged 13-16 years (SEND up to 18 years).
Come and have a go!
Play with music, find new music, there is no limit to what you can learn and encourages socialising. No experience is needed to do this workshop. An insight into the art of DJing whether you want to become a professional DJ or simply want to learn how to DJ at home.
Activity- Dj'ing
Date-Thursday 4th January
Time-10.00am-2.00pm
Venue-Monks Coppenhall Children Centre, Remer Street, Crewe, CW1 4LY
Local School's Bid for Christmas No.1
Students at St Thomas More Catholic High School have released a Christmas song in a bid to be this years Christmas Number 1! The song, 'light up', was written by music teacher Laura Stubbs for the schools choir.
You can support them by listening to the song on the links below:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6pjgj8cKH4n40SJvJPjU6W?si=x6LjFIWtTzmTM5UuezkxtQ
YouTube: https://youtu.be/V4hFIsGr3uo?si=4enDWWecWs-yn_ei
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/light-up/1720799380?i=1720799382
Cracking Down on Spiking
Over the Christmas break many of you or your loved ones will be going out with their friends on a night out. Everyone who does deserves to do so in safety.
Unfortunately, spiking is all too common. That is when people will maliciously put a substance in another persons drink. This commonly happens to women, but can also affect men too.
The Government this week has announced a series of measure to tackling this issue, ensuring people are kept safe and those doing this heinous crime face justice. The Criminal Justice Bill will clarify that spiking is illegal and set a clear definition - giving victims the confidence to come forward and enforce that perpetrators will face up to 10 years behind bars.
Alongside this, the government will set out practical measures aimed at improving understanding of the crime and delivering better support to victims.
This includes:
- training hundreds more door staff to spot potential perpetrators and signs patrons have been victimised
- investing in research into spiking testing kits to help venues and police detect if someone’s drink has been spiked in real-time
- intensive operations run by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) to tackle spiking during key weeks across the 43 police forces in England and Wales
- an online spiking tool to be rolled out to all police forces to make it easier to anonymously report it if people fear they have been a victim of the crime
- updated statutory guidance to include spiking (s182 Licensing Act 2003)
- a spiking guidance/advice toolkit for the public that contains a range of resources and signposting for anyone who is looking for information on spiking, what it is, who is affected, how to report it, how to support victims, and which criminal offences can be used to prosecute it
- supporting the higher education regulator, the Office for Students, as they take action to make sure universities and other higher education institutions to prevent and address sexual misconduct – this will follow its consultation on the issue, expected to report back in early 2024
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/spiking-to-be-targeted-in-raft-of-new-measures
Guide Dogs
It was great to show my continued support for the Guide Dogs charity in Parliament this week. I think this is my third time meeting with them and I have previously met with their local champions Scott and Milo. We were due to do work on taxis but reviewing it locally Cheshire East has a good policy in place. I am hoping to do something looking at accessibility in local businesses next year instead.