Westminster Despatches

Dear Resident,

With the weather set to improve over the next couple of days, it looks as if we will have a sunny Easter! Ahead of the bank holiday, I want to update you on my activities across Erewash and in Parliament. 

The high prevalence of serious and persistent anti-social behaviour, particularly in our town centres, is a key concern for many Erewash residents. The Government’s new Action Plan to tackle anti-social behaviour announced last week includes rolling out a stronger policing response in problem hotspots, increasing the use of drug testing, and making it easier to evict anti-social tenants. Derbyshire is a pilot area, therefore in Parliament I asked the Home Secretary to ensure Erewash is allocated its fair share of this new funding by the Police and Crime Commissioner. You can view my question here.

Many of you would have seen the fantastic news that the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, has named Derby as the new home of Great British Railways. Derby has a longstanding rail history, and I am absolutely delighted with this outcome. This decision will benefit the entire East Midlands region, including Erewash, by bringing thousands of highly skilled and highly paid jobs to the area. I would like to congratulate all those who were involved in Derby’s successful bid. A special thank you to members of the public for backing the bid and voting for Derby. 

I know many readers, young and old, would have attended Kirk Hallam Community Academy. Last week I visited the school and learnt more about their 50th Anniversary celebrations as well as plans for the re-build as a result of Government funding. Sticking with the education theme, I was delighted to welcome students from the English Martyrs’ Catholic Voluntary Academy to Westminster and I also had the opportunity to visit the Grange School in Long Eaton. I was extremely impressed with the questions that the students from both schools asked, it showed they were politically engaged and understood the issues impacting our region and country, despite still being at primary school. 

As readers will know, the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announced his Budget. The feedback that I have received from constituents across Erewash has been very positive with descriptions such as measured, considered, logical. I took the opportunity to participate in the Budget debate and my contribution in the Chamber can be found here. The Budget shows that the Conservatives are, as ever, the party of economic growth and opportunity. 

As a backbench MP, I always enjoy participating in a wide range of debates, and last week was no exception, speaking in a debate to mark Whistleblowing Awareness Week 2023. Although whistle blowers are protected under the Public Interest Disclosures Act, they commonly face an uphill battle to be heard, with many encountering discrimination from colleagues and employers once allegations are made. During the debate, I urged the Government to bring forward legislation which would provide greater protection for whistle blowers. You can view my speech here.
 
Over the last couple of weeks, I have also had the opportunity to question Government Ministers on local and international issues. I recently asked the Minister for HS2 what his department is doing to compensate residents in Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stanton Gate whose properties will no longer be required as part of the HS2 route. My question can be found here. I also participated in Oral Questions to the Foreign, Commonwealth and the Development Office, where I asked the Secretary of State what more can be done to address the climate crisis across East Africa. You can view my contribution here. 

Finally, may I wish every reader a very Happy Easter. 

With best wishes,

Maggie Throup MP
Member of Parliament for Erewash

P.S. My Community Office is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 9am-5pm and on a Thursday 8am-5pm. Should you have an issue I can help you with, please either phone my office on 0115 930 0521 or email me at [email protected].

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