Welcome to this week's newsletter.
I have tickets available for Prime Minister's Questions, 2 for the 13th March and 2 for the 20th March. If you would like these, please drop me an email to kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk.
I mentioned last week that we have an election coming up in Crewe Central Ward and I am supporting Roger Morris. I got to know Roger when he gave up his Honda shop showroom on West Street for the COVID vaccine programme which was an amazing gesture and I think he would make a great Cllr. Just a reminder that if you live in Crewe Central you can get in some steps, help improve the area and meet Roger on Sunday (21st) as he is holding a litter pick on Derby Docks at 11am.
This week I spoke in Parliament, encouraging the Government to compensate Crewe for the loss of HS2. It is no secret that I was disappointed by the decision to cancel the Birmingham to Crewe and Crewe to Manchester legs of HS2. It would have been a big boost to the area. My priority now is to ensure that we get as much investment as we can from the reallocated HS2 funding.
Last year, the local Conservative Group proposed a 'Lane Rental Scheme' to expedite road works by charging utility companies daily for road closures. Unfortunately, the Council has not moved forward with these proposals. This is disheartening, especially considering the government's announcement this week of proposals to allocate at least 50% of the funds raised to repair roads and address potholes.
As we approach Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January, it is crucial that we remember the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. This week, I had the honour of signing the Holocaust Education Trust's book of remembrance in Parliament. We must never forget this sombre chapter in history.
Turning to environmental matters, I facilitated a meeting between Clean the Weaver, the Environment Agency, Groundwork Cheshire, and The Angling Trust. We are working towards securing funding for the Fisheries Improvement Programme, focusing on habitat enhancement and water quality improvement along the River Weaver. Get involved by checking out Clean the Weaver's efforts on their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/343243228139206
This week, I had important discussions with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins about the upcoming rebuild of Leighton Hospital. We also addressed concerns raised by constituents, including issues with dentistry and difficulties accessing GP services.
It was a pleasure to meet with students from Shavington Academy during their visit to Parliament. Their insightful questions during our Q and A session showcased their keen interest in politics and what is going on in the wider world.
Market Street Church are hosting a warm space every Tuesday from 12:30-2:30, in collaboration with the Jo Cox Foundation's Great Winter Get Together and Warm Welcome Spaces. This initiative aims to combat winter loneliness and provide a welcoming space for all. Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who make this possible.
Finally, I have a few tickets for PMQs for specific dates in March. Drop me an email if you would like to claim them!
Have a great weekend.
Cheshire East Missing Out on Road Funding
Holocaust Memorial Book
River Weaver Meeting
Meeting Health Secretary
Shavington Academy Visit to Parliament
Room for All
PMQs Tickets
Traffic Report
Cheshire East Missing Out on Road Funding
Last year, the local Conservative Group on Cheshire East Council brought forward proposals for the Council to introduce a 'Lane Rental Scheme'. This would charge utility companies daily when they need to close roads - encouraging them to carry out the work as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, the Council have not progressed with these proposals.
This is more frustrating, as the Government have announced further proposals which would ensure at least 50% of the funds raised from these schemes is used to repair roads and fill in potholes.
This is part of a wider plan, currently open for a consultation, which aims to crack down on disruptive street works and improve our roads. Other proposals include increasing fines to utility companies who overrun in their work - expanding fines to include weekends and bank holidays, which will raise up to £100 million to improve roads.
You can learn more and have your say here:
Holocaust Memorial Book
Holocaust Memorial Day is later this month on 27th January. Whilst it is ever present, recently we have seen the ugliness of anti-Semitism on our streets in a way we haven't seen in a long time. I also have no doubt that Hamas and their Iranian state funders are anti-Semitic at their core, whatever grievances they claim as excuses.
That is why it is important we always remember the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust - along with the millions of other lives taken by Nazi persecution. So I was particularly pleased to sign the Holocaust Education Trust's book of remembrance on behalf of all constituents in Parliament this week.
River Weaver Meeting
Earlier this week, I organised for representatives from Clean the Weaver to meet with the Environment Agency, Groundwork Cheshire (who host the river catchment partnership) and The Angling Trust.
You can find out more about Clean the Weaver here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/343243228139206
We agreed to help Stuart from Clean the Weaver with the group, and to produce a bid for the Fisheries Improvement Programme. This will provide funding for projects to improve habitat and create a programme to improve water quality. The deadline for this round is quite tight, but I am optimistic we can secure funding in future.
I know this group has great cross-party support locally, and would encourage any and all who want to support improving the natural environment in and around the Weaver to get involved.
Meeting Health Secretary
This week I met with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins. We had important discussions about the upcoming rebuild of Leighton Hospital which was announced by the government last year.
I also asked health related questions that constituents often raise with me, such as issues with dentistry and difficulties getting access to a GP.
A £1.5 billion investment is underway to create 50 million additional general practice appointments by expanding the workforce. This is on top of plans to empower pharmacists to prescribe certain medications, and to expand services offered by community pharmacies, providing patients with more care options and relieving pressure on GPs.
Dental services in some places in England are getting better, but there's still a lot of work to do. The government has said it will soon share a plan to improve dentistry, which will make it easier for new patients to see a dentist and make sure that NHS dentists are more encouraged to provide NHS care.
Shavington Academy Visit to Parliament
It was great to meet with pupils from Shavington Academy who were visiting Parliament - learning about how our democracy works and our laws made. We did a Q and A session where they asked me tough questions about various issues. I am always impressed by how informed and inquisitive our young people are about politics and issues facing our country and the world.
They also got a tour of Parliament from the Parliament Education Team. I do hope you all enjoyed your day!
Room For All
The Jo Cox Foundation's Great Winter Get Together, in collaboration with Warm Welcome Spaces have opened a new warm space at Market Street Church - open every Tuesday from 12:30-2:30.
The Great Winter Get Together is encouraging people to organise events where people can go to find meaningful connection and community - helping tackling loneliness during the winter months. This is inspired by Jo Cox, an MP who was murdered in 2016, to whom tackling loneliness in communities was a priority.
Warm Welcome Spaces are set up by local community volunteers will ensure everyone has somewhere warm and friendly to go, so no one is ever left to get through winter alone.
Thank you to everyone involved who has made this possible!
PMQs Tickets
I have tickets available for Prime Minister's Questions, 2 for the 13th March and 2 for the 20th March. If you would like these, please drop me an email to kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk.
This is on a first come first serve basis - so be quick!
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East.
Moss Lane - Until 2nd June
Goddard Street - Until 22nd January
Manor Way - Until 9th February
Brookland Ave - Until 12th February
Earl St Roundabout and Rainbow Street - 22nd until 26th January
Mill Street - 25th until 26th January
Nantwich Road - 21st until 25th January
Weston Lane - 25th January
Park Road - 20 - 21st January