Welcome to this week's newsletter.
A quick reminder that I will be running my 'Small Business Saturday' campaign over the next few weeks - highlighting small local businesses. If you run a small business and would like to promote it on my social media and in my newsletter, do get in touch by emailing kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk.
Also, a reminder that my Christmas Card competition is currently underway. Get your young ones making some amazing designs and either send them to my office at 249 Edleston Road, Crewe, CW2 7EA or email them. The winner will become my official design for this year and be sent to, among others, the Prime Minister!
It was great to invite Jack, an apprentice at Crewe Works, to Number 10 Downing Street for the Local Skills Champions Reception. This event highlighted the importance of businesses like Alstom, who provide invaluable opportunities for young individuals to excel through apprenticeships. I'm grateful to Jack's manager, Louis, for also joining us.
The XL Bully breed will be banned under the Dangerous Dog Act from 31st December. This decision comes after a surge in attacks, necessitating stricter regulations. For those currently owning an XL Bully, please ensure you follow the guidelines provided in the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs
The Government has announced significant steps in cracking down on child maintenance non-payment, aiming for a fairer system that supports single-parent households. The measures include reducing enforcement time and eliminating certain charges. This is something I have campaigned on since becoming an MP, so it is encouraging to see progress being made.
The Government has also initiated a review to ensure fairness in the egg supply chain, aiming to address industry concerns regarding transparency and contractual terms. Local farmers are encouraged to participate in the consultation and share their valuable insights.
The local Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a survey conducted by Victim Focus on personal safety and experiences with the police, aimed at women and girls aged 16 and above. Your participation can make a significant difference in shaping our local policies.
In positive news, recent data from the ONS indicates a decrease in low-paid employment since the introduction of the National Living Wage. This means that more and more people are feeling the benefits of work, taking home more money to support themselves and their families.
Finally, I'd like to draw attention to Metabolic Support UK, an organisation that has made significant strides in supporting individuals with rare Inherited Metabolic Disorders (IMDs) globally, originating right here in Crewe & Nantwich. Their efforts have been instrumental in advocating for those with IMDs and ensuring they have access to the necessary support and resources.
Have a great weekend.
Crewe Works Apprentice Invited to No.10
XL Bully Banned from 31st December
Crackdown on Child Maintenance Non-Payment
Fairness in Egg Supply Chain
Women and Girls Survey
Fewer People on Low Pay
Metabolic Support UK
Traffic Report
Crewe Works Apprentice Invited to No.10
It was great to invite Jack, an apprentice at the Crewe Works site, to Number 10 Downing Street recently for the Local Skills Champions Reception. We have many fantastic businesses in Crewe and Nantwich who, just like Alstom, give young people the chance to learn on the job through apprenticeships and get the skills they need to succeed. Thanks to his manager Louis for joining him! As you can see, I'm getting more mobile on my crutch, so I will be increasingly back to my visits across the constituency.
Whilst at Number 10, we met with Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, who said, "It was fantastic to celebrate the brilliant work going on across the country to develop the skills our local communities need to grow the economy. It was wonderful to meet providers, businesses and those doing T Levels and apprenticeships at Downing Street.
"It was brilliant to meet Jack and Louis and hear more about how they are benefitting from high-quality technical education in every part of the UK."
XL Bully Banned From 31st December
The Government has announced that the XL Bully breed of dog will be banned under the Dangerous Dog Act from the 31st December. This means that from this date, it will be illegal to sell, abandon, give away or breed an XL Bully.
Anyone who already owns an XL Bully and wants to keep it needs to apply for a certificate of exemption, which means that they must ensure their dog is microchipped, kept on a lead, muzzled and neutered.
This is due to a concerning rise in, sometimes fatal, attacks on people and other animals by this breed. The fact of the matter is that these dogs were bred to fight, and no matter how compliant an individual dog might act, that is in their breeding. The risk to the public of this behaviour, combined with their large and powerful build, was too much.
Full guidance on this ban, including how to identify if your dog is an XL Bully and the steps you will need to take, can be found via the link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs
Crackdown on Child Maintenance Non-Payment
Since becoming an MP, one of the issues I have been pushing the Government on is ensuring those liable to pay for child maintenance do. I think it is important that both parents contribute to their child's upbringing - even if they are separated. If all of the child maintenance due to be paid was, many struggling single-parent households would not be.
That is why it was great to see that the Government has announced a series of measures to crack down on those who do not pay. This includes:
Reducing liability order enforcement from 6 months to 6 weeks
RecognisingRecognising more forms of income for Child Maintenance purposes
Removing the £20 charge for Child Maintenance Services
This will help create a fairer system that works for single-parent families. Find out more via the link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-new-crackdown-on-parents-who-refuse-to-pay-child-maintenance
Fairness in Egg Supply Chain
The Government has announced a review aimed at ending unfair practices in the egg supply chain, seeking industry input on transparency, contractual terms, and supply chain data.
I know that we have a large egg farming sector in our constituency, and many local farmers have contacted me about this issue. The egg sector has faced global challenges, including increased feed and energy costs, that have highlighted the need for fairer practices - protecting consumers' access to high-welfare British eggs.
If you work in the egg farming industry, make sure you share your views by submitting to the consultation by 22nd December. Full details are available here:
Women and Girls Survey
Women and girls from all backgrounds and walks of life want to feel safe and be safe – and when something happens to them, they want to be able to go to a police force that respects them, protects them and supports them.
Local Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer has tasked an independent organisation, Victim Focus, to carry out a survey of Women and girls in Cheshire aged 16 or above about personal safety, crime and their experiences with the police. It is particularly important to hear from girls aged 16-17 as they are one of the most likely groups to be victims of crime but are often missed in other surveys as they are children.
The survey will run until midday on Friday, 1st December and can be taken here: https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/l2mpYbKv. You do not need to have been a victim of crime to take part.
Fewer People on Low Pay
Data from the ONS shows that we now have fewer people in low-paid work since the introduction of the National Living Wage. 1 in 5 people were on low pay in 2015; now, it's just 1 in 10.
This is positive news, as it means more people are feeling the benefits of work - getting a better income to support themselves and their families. However, I do understand that things are still very difficult for many people, and we do need to do more to ensure that everyone feels the benefit of getting into work and succeeding.
Metabolic Support UK
This week, I would like to raise attention to an organisation which, whilst now supporting people who suffer from rare Inherited Metabolic Disorders (IMDs) worldwide, found its origins in Crewe & Nantwich.
Since its founding in 1981, Metabolic Support UK has expanded its operations to now support thousands of people worldwide through providing individual support, building communities, and continually advocating for and empowering those living with IMDs.
This has been done through expanding newborn screening, accelerating the development of orphan drugs, and acting instrumentally in establishing EURORDIS, ensuring people living with IMDs have the best quality of life possible.
Indeed, accelerating the development of orphan drugs is most significant, as this medication must often be Government-subsided as development will be unprofitable for pharmaceutical companies due to the small number of the population who would benefit from them.
If you yourself suffer from a IMD or would like to get involved with Metabolic Support UK, you can get in contact with them at contact@metabolicsupportuk.org or 0845 241 2173. Otherwise, you can visit their website to learn more – https://metabolicsupportuk.org/who-we-are/who-are-msuk/
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire east.
Annions Lane - Until 20th November
Flowers Lane – Until 26th Nov (see Leighton closures)
Electricity Street, Crewe - 25th October until 13th November
Manor Way, Crewe - Until 17th November
Weaver Road, Nantwich - 6th November until 10th November
For further details of the closures around Leighton hospital, please see: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_and_roads/roadworks/major-projects/north-west-crewe-package-nwcp/north-west-crewe-package.aspx