Welcome to this week's newsletter.
In Parliament this week, I spoke in Education Questions to get the much deserved recognition for Springfield School and their headteacher Lisa Hodgkinson, after winning school of the year. The Minister also shared her thanks to them. Well done to Lisa and all at Springfield!
I also secured a debate on entry routes into policing. Last year, I led 100 MPs to fight against the scrapping of non-degree police recruitment. It is important that our police force reflect the skills and experiences of all people in society. We were successful in that campaign, but I want us to go further to ensure we get police officers from all backgrounds.
We have had news locally that Arriva is consulting on planning to pull out of several bus routes locally. Whilst it is a consultation I am concerned. I worked with other MPs to quickly meet with Arriva and also the Minister for Transport. I went through all the funding they have had locally for buses-but services have still not recovered from COVID. Many routes simply make huge losses. At least in the short term D&G has expressed interest in taking the main routes. I will work with other MPs to try and ensure continuity and explore other options like more on demand services.
It was World Book Day this week! I loved reading and still to and I think it is good for the heart and mind, especially for young people. To encourage reading you can get a voucher to get a children's book for a £1. These should be given out in schools but can also be accessed online:
https://www.worldbookday.com/primary-digital-token/
The token redemption date for the £1/€1.50 book tokens is from 16 February – 26 March 2023.
Finally, the Prime Minister announced a new agreement with the EU on the trade status of Northern Ireland. I am genuinely impress with what he has achieved - getting considerable compromise from the EU. This will now let us move forward together to make the most of post-Brexit opportunities.
Have a great weekend.
Minister Praises Local SEND School
You Shouldn't Need a Degree To Be a Police Officer!
New Agreement with EU on Northern Ireland
Traffic Report
Minister Praises Local SEND School
We are struggling locally in Cheshire East with SEND Provision. The recently announced expansion of Springfield School, Crewe is positive news, but I am pushing for us to go further.
This week in Parliament, I asked the Children's Minister how we can build upon this expansion and if she can join me in congratulating Springfield, and their Headteacher Lisa Hodgkison for winning School of the Year at last year's National School Awards.
The Minister replied:
"I join my hon. Friend in congratulating Springfield School on its outstanding achievement—he has often bent my ear about the head, Lisa Hodgkison, and the tremendous work she is doing there. We are investing £2.6 billion to increase the number of specialist school places across the country."
You Shouldn't Need a Degree To Be a Police Officer
I think it is important that our police force draws upon talents from all parts of our society.
I am proud to have grown up the son of a policeman and followed in his footsteps when I volunteered as a special constable. That is how I know that it is a job that requires resilience, courage and belief in justice.
Policing has changed as the type of crime they are fighting has. But, we cannot overstate the need for officers to be active in their communities and neighbourhoods.
That is why I was concerned about plans to end recruitment into the police for those who don't have or don't want a degree. I led over 100 other backbench MPs, alongside Police Crime Commissioner's, including Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire to push the Home Secretary to stop this from happening.
I was delighted to hear that our campaign was successful - and policing would continue to be open to those without a degree. This is, however, just the first step. We must do more to ensure policing remains open to as wide a range of people as possible.
This week I secured a debate in Parliament on this topic.
New Agreement With EU on Northern Ireland
It's often part and parcel of party politics that people hype up what their party achieves and don't give credit to others. It comes with the territory sadly! But, I can honestly say I am genuinely impressed with what the Prime Minister has achieved.
Again and again people said the EU wouldn't agree to all of the things they have now agreed to. It was the right agreement at the time it was signed as it helped us step forward out of the Brexit deadlock. I think we were all relieved we could move forward. But now the PM has helped resolve the outstanding issues. It shows again that constantly saying everything is our fault and not the EUs is wrong headed. It was the EU that needed to compromise and the Prime Minister has secured that.
The agreement will:
Ensure Free Flowing Trade By Removing the Border on the Irish Sea. This is done by introducing green lanes for NI goods, removing bureaucratic customs checks.
Securing Northern Ireland's Place in the Union. Bans on British goods such as sausages are lifted and people can travel with their pets freely in and out of NI.
Restoring Sovereignty In Northern Ireland - Introducing a new 'Stormont Brake' allowing NI to veto new EU laws.
A step forward that hopefully means the EU can adopt a more positive attitude towards cooperation in the future. Putin has shown us we need to work together and that we are still in Europe if not in the EU.
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead, as reported by Cheshire East.
Beam Street, Nantwich (In Sections) - Until 7th March
Weston Lane (Between Larch Avenue and Casey Lane) - Until 24th March
Goddard Street, Crewe - 30th January until 31st March
Mill Lane, Oakhanger - 16th January until 14th April
Flag Lane, Crewe - 18th January until 10th April
Delamere Street (Between Flag Lane and Saint Mary’s Street) - 18th January until 10th April