Welcome to this week's newsletter.
I'd like to firstly thank everyone for the kind messages I have received over the past week since I shared my news about the upcoming General Election. It really is appreciated and I am very humbled.
I'd like to remind you that I still have spaces for my next in-person surgery in Crewe. My work as your MP carries on unchanged until the election. If you have something you would like to discuss with me then please give my office a ring on 01270583432 or email kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk
I'd like to extend my congratulations to Tracey Molyneux, a nurse from Leighton Hospital, for being awarded the 'Advanced Clinical Practitioner' of the Year' for her incredible work with diabetes patients.
This week the Government have launched a number of initiatives aimed at protecting children. Firstly, a ban on mobile phones in schools to make sure when kids are in school that that is their only focus. Also, tougher crack downs on child sexual abuse to better protect children from predators. There has also been a move from February 22nd to support parents who have suffered the devastating loss of pregnancy before 24 weeks. This scheme allows parents to record the loss and receive a certificate recognising their grief.
Finally, the Government announced their plan on how we're going to back Back British Farmers to produce the highest quality produce for everyone to enjoy at affordable prices.
Have a great weekend.
Leighton Nurse Wins Prestigious Award
Back British Farmers
Mobile Phone Ban in Schools
Certificates for Pregnancy Loss
Crack Down on Child Exploitation
Family Activities This Week
Traffic Report
Leighton Nurse Wins Prestigious Award
Tracey Molyneux, from Leighton Hospital, has earned the 'Advanced Clinical Practitioner of the Year' award for Cheshire and Merseyside. Tracey said:
"I was honoured to be nominated and completely overwhelmed to win the award of Advanced Clinical Practitioner of the Year. I want to thank all the members of the diabetes specialist team for their dedication, commitment, and motivation in making my ever-evolving visions a reality. They truly make a difference in supporting people living with diabetes."
Tracey has been in practice since 2000 and has been praised for her work supporting young adults with type one diabetes. Over the years she has done 'exceptional' work with diabetic patients and helped to shape the Trusts diabetes service.
I would like to extend my congratulations to Tracey for her invaluable work on diabetes, something that impacts on millions of people in the UK. She is an indispensable member of the Leighton Hospital community.
CONGRATS TRACEY!
Backing British Farmers
This week the Prime Minister underlined his commitment to support British Farmers, improve food security and protect the British agriculture sector for future generations.
While speaking at the National Farmers Union Conference the PM announced a range of measures to protect the sector, including the largest productivity grant ever offered to farmers - £220 Million.
The Government is investing £2.4 Billion a year in farms throughout the country to enable farms to invest in modern technology, farm sustainably and increase support for processing, packaging and retailing.
British farmers produce the best quality food in the world and this move ensures their continued success in getting high quality produce on to our tables.
Mobile Phone Ban in Schools
New guidance handed down to schools says that they should prohibit the use of mobile phones by children in school, but the schools will have the ability to say how this is enforced.
97% of children own a mobile phone by the age of 12. While phones obviously have their benefits, we all use them continuously in our daily lives, they can impact school children in a number of negative ways.
In cracking down on their use during school time it will hopefully cut down on misbehaviour and online bullying in schools, allow students to focus on their education and not on social media and encourage pupils to form connections with the people around them.
Of course, we know that there are some children who will need their mobile phones for medical or safeguarding reasons, and that is why schools are being given the autonomy to say how they approach the ban.
With this new guidance to headteachers hopefully pupils can reframe their focus in the classroom and schools can take a greater step towards lessening bullying both online and in school.
Pregnancy Loss Certificates
A new scheme has been launched to support parents who have experienced a loss of pregnancy before 24 weeks.
From today parents who have experienced a devastating loss of a baby before 24 weeks can record their loss and receive a certificate recognising their grief.
More information on the scheme can be found here.
Crack Down on Child Exploitation
This week the government unveiled a strategy to enact stringent new measures aimed at combatting child sexual abuse and enhancing safeguards for children against despicable predators.
This is a step forward in acknowledging past failures in adequately protecting victims of such abuse, so I am pleased that this government is resolute in its commitment to address the issue comprehensively.
The initiative includes the introduction of strict measures mandating individuals in positions of authority to report suspicions of child sexual abuse as a legal obligation, along with provisions to prevent registered sex offenders from changing their identities. These measures, endorsed by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, are accompanied by robust criminal penalties, aiming to prevent future instances of sexual abuse against children.
The Government’s aim is to send a resounding message that children's welfare will always be prioritized. It also stresses its dedication to securing a safer and brighter future for children nationwide.
Family Activities This Week
Below are a handful of free activities which you can take part in this week:
- Rhymetime - Nantwich Library
11am - 11:30am every Thursday.
No need to book, just turn up.
- Little Stars - Monks Coppenhall Family Hub
13:00-14:30 Friday 23rd February
For children 0-8 with additional needs. Activities to support your child's development in a relaxed and fun environment
Monks Coppenhall Children's Centre (cheshireeast.gov.uk)
- Lego Building Club - Crewe Library
16:00-17:00 - Fortnightly on Tuesdays
Join us for fun, themed, fortnightly LEGO building sessions for all ages.
No need to book, just drop in
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East:
- Moss Lane - Until 2nd June
- Delamere Street – Until 10th March
- Flag Lane – Until 10th March
- Maw Green Road – Until 26th Feb
- Delamere Road, Marlowe Road, Ash Grove, Rookery Drive and Pine Walk (Nantwich) – Until 25th Feb
- Broad Lane – Until 23rd Feb