Welcome to my March Newsletter

I am quite sure you will agree with me that this has been one of the coldest, wettest and windiest starts to a new year we have had in a while. Weather warnings felt quite commonplace and I would like to start by thanking all of the services – police, fire, ambulance, council and utility companies for the tremendous work in keeping us all safe and moving during this extra-ordinary weather. The sense of community I see in dealing with situations like this always reminds me why Carlisle is such a great place to live and work.

One highlight of January however has been the 10th Anniversary Carlisle Skills Fair

One hundred business and organisations joined me at a celebratory thank you dinner marking their involvement in creating jobs and providing skills training now and across the ten years. We were also lucky to be joined by two Skills Fair Ambassadors, Bethany and Joe who shared their amazing journeys from Skills Fair to dream job.

One week later, we held the 10th anniversary Skills Fair and with over 80 businesses and training providers exhibiting, and hundreds of students and job seekers attending, it really was the 10th and best Skills Fair yet! Some highlights from the day are below.

Meanwhile, over the course of the last few weeks we have seen work on many of our Government funded projects continue – Carlisle Southern Link Road moves on, Tullie, Carlisle is closed temporarily for refurbishment, and work on Devonshire Street starts this month. All contributing to making Carlisle the regional capital it is.

In other news, I have been pleased to welcome news from Government for many across the North West – the reduction in National Insurance Contributions for many from 12 to 10%, and a reduction of approximately £340 for the self employed. This means that many in Carlisle will be better off in the year coming thanks to the actions taken by this Government.

In other news,

 

Holocaust Memorial

It has been a privilege to serve as Chair for this important Bill Committee. The cross party Committee oversees engagement with the Bill as part of the process for the Holocaust Memorial which has been proposed to be placed in Victoria Gardens, next to the Houses of Parliament.

Aside from the important topic, it has been interesting to be part of this particular Parliamentary procedure – and to ensure that our democratic process works as it should.

The Committee has seen several witnesses and petitioners come before members, including Sir Peter Bottomley MP, father of the House of Commons, historians, and senior Civil Servants.

 

Campaigning for Road Improvements!

I recently welcomed Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham and Minister for Roads and Local Transport, to Carlisle, where he voiced his support for an upgrade to the A69 between Carlisle and Newcastle. The plans would include dualling the A69 and de-trunking the current road in the Warwick Bridge area. Just towards the end of last year there were a multitude of accidents which sadly resulted in fatalities. This situation requires action to improve road safety, function and traffic flow. More on this below.

 

Waging a War on Potholes

I am disappointed to have received so many complaints regarding potholes and road maintenance since the turn of the year. I wrote to Cumberland Council at the end of January to raise my concerns and ask for a copy of their inspection, maintenance and repair schedule.

In the meantime, I would point out that the Government recently awarded Cumberland Council £1,949,000 for 23/24 to fix potholes and road repairs. This was made possible from reallocated HS2 funding.

Additionally, a further £3,005,600 was announced for Cumberland by the Government in the Spring Budget 2023 to be used to fix potholes. The 23/24 increase in funding available for roads and repairs has been 30%. The total indicative additional funding for 23/24 to 33/34 is £130,180,000.

I know how frustrating potholes can be. They are blighting our roads and streets.

Cumberland Council do not appear to be using this money for what it is intended. That is not right and where money has been paid to the local authority or contractor, it should be used to repair ‘pothole’ afflicted roads that are in a poor state of repair.

You will see that my survey at the end of this newsletter is about potholes and road maintenance so please take part and help me evidence where there are potholes or roads in need of maintenance, that the awarded funding could or should be used for.

You might also be interested to know that the Government are asking all authorities to publish on their websites:

• by 15 March 2024 a summary of the additional resurfacing work they  will deliver with the new funding over the next 2 years;
• thereafter quarterly reports, with the first by the end of June 2024,  summarising the additional work they have done and listing the  roads that they have resurfaced; and
• later in 2024/2025 a long term plan for their use of the full 11 year funding and the transformation it will deliver.

 

Championing the Rural Economy!

I recently held a meeting with the CLA (Country Land and Business Association), and a small group of CLA members and landowners.

A variety of issues were discussed, which included issues like planning, energy infrastructure, taxation, nutrient neutrality, farming support payments and food standards, food security and international trade agreements. In addition, obstacles to economic growth in rural areas were discussed particularly focussing on planning, housing, infrastructure, grid capacity and employment needs and skills.

It was certainly useful to meet with the CLA and local members to discuss the work the CLA are doing in championing the rural economy, especially on farming, the environment and tourism.

Carlisle is a fantastic, dynamic city and is undergoing change for the better. The rural areas play a key part in my vision to see Carlisle grow as a regional capital and are a significant contributor to the Carlisle economy.

 

Supporting Carlisle’s Brilliant Youth Projects

As part of the 10th Annual Carlisle Skills Fair celebrations which took place in January, £800 was raised which has been donated to two Carlisle youth projects – Carlisle Youth Zone and the Rock Youth Project.

We are extremely lucky in Carlisle to have not one but two excellent youth projects. One of the primary aims of the Carlisle Skills Fair is to allow young people to see the kind of careers that are available now and in the future in Carlisle and help them gain the skills necessary to be successful in applying for jobs. I was delighted to be able to support both of these registered charities, which do wonderful, targeted work with young people in Carlisle.

Hannah, Youth Worker at the Rock said “The skills fair for young people and the donation which we received from the skills fair, allows us to support vulnerable young people in the community, by providing access to a safe space, trusted youth workers and free fun activities to socialise and be young people. We support young people to reach their potential, learn new skills, to become aspirational and successful adults in the future. All this wouldn’t be possible without continued support.“

Fiona, Deputy CEO at Carlisle Youth Zone said, ‘The skills fair is a fantastic annual event for the City which I know many members of Carlisle Youth Zone attend. It’s essential that as a City and County we come together to raise awareness of the excellent opportunities Carlisle and Cumbria has to offer across so many sectors as well as raising the aspirations of our young people. The young people walking through our doors each day need to know we are all behind them, not against them, and events such as this are one way to demonstrate this. As a benefactor of the Skills Fair Dinner raffle we thank everyone who contributed for their generous donations which will go directly back in to the work we do in Carlisle Youth Zone and supporting the 1000 young people we see each week, 52 weeks of the year. “

More details on the projects can be found at https://www.carlisleyouthzone.org/ and https://www.therockyouthproject.co.uk/

 

Hosting a Dream Placement

This year was the third year running my constituency office has been involved in the Centre for Leadership Performance’s Dream Placement Programme.

The scheme gives young people a taste of what they can aspire to in leadership roles across the county and helps them make informed choices about their future careers. For participating businesses and organisations, the scheme provides fantastic opportunities to connect with the bright young talent of tomorrow and showcase the breadth of opportunities that are available to them. More than 2,560 young people have so far been involved with the development programme and have undergone a rigorous selection process to be successful in going forward for a dream placement week.

We enjoyed giving our dream placement student a taste of the work of a Member of Parliament and a constituency office.

 

Celebrating 10 Years of Skills Fairs

Last month I held my 10th Annual Carlisle Skills Fair which was a hugely successful event and most certainly the busiest and best yet. Over 80 businesses attended including sponsors The Cumberland, Persimmon Homes and Pladis (better known to us as McVities / Carrs), and local businesses and organisations such as Nestle, Pirelli, Komatsu Forest Ltd., North West Ambulance Service, BAE Systems and Barclays Bank, to name but a few.

Hundreds of students and local residents dropped by the event, to talk with employers, and education and training providers about current and future careers and how to go about being successful in gaining these opportunities.

I am proud that this is the 10th of its type, as I continue to deliver on my pledge for Carlisle to deliver more and better jobs, and improve vocational, education and skills training. I want local people to have the opportunity to access the jobs of the future. No longer do young people in particular, have to move away to gain that dream job.

Work starts on the organisation of the Skills Fair six months before it takes place, so thank you to everyone who attended and all who have helped to make the event a success. See you all next year!

 

Backing British Produce

At the recent Oxford Farming Conference, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said, “British farmers take pride in producing food that meets, and often exceeds, our world leading animal welfare and environmental standards. British consumers want to buy this top quality food, but too often products produced to lower standards overseas aren’t clearly labelled to differentiate them.

That is why I am proud to announce that we will consult on clearer food labelling so that we can tackle the unfairness created by misleading labelling and protect farmers and consumers.”

I have welcomed these proposals to improve transparency in food labelling to make sure British food stands out to the consumer. It is important that we back our rural communities and ensure farmers get a fair deal for continuing to produce high standard food. Many consumers like to buy British as they have confidence in a trusted brand. It is important that people can make informed decisions at the supermarket and poorer quality products that do not meet UK welfare standards are highlighted for all to see.

 

Supporting Our Own - Carlisle United

Recently I visited Brunton park, home of Carlisle United Football Club. As well as a tour of the newly upgraded clubhouse facilities I met with club officials to see the work of the club and discuss forthcoming legislation on football governance, regulation and financial stability.

Carlisle United is so much more than a football club. The work they deliver in our community, in particular with disadvantaged groups is vital and so often unrecognised unless you are directly involved in a scheme of work. The club plays a huge role in the City and punches well above it’s weight. That’s why I was keen to lobby Government for changes to football governance at this level. In recognition of this role in the community it is right that the club is fan led and resilient, and whilst I am not a great supporter of over regulation, it is important that clubs such as ours are able to feel confident in their planning for the future with a safety net and financial input from the Premier League.

The Football Governance White Paper is due before Parliament next month – more details on the content of the paper can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-sustainable-future-reforming-club-football-governance

 

Thanking Carlisle College Hospitality and Catering Students

One of the other enjoyable aspects of the Annual Carlisle Skills Fair, is the lunch provided to all the businesses and organisations who participate on the day and support the organisation of the event.

The lunch is prepared and served by Carlisle College’s Hospitality and Catering students and is first class. This year they fed over 120 people which was no mean feat. Well done to all the staff and students involved.

 

I have chaired the Holocoust Memorial Bill Committee. A small select committee looking at a proposal to build a Holocaust Memorial in Victoria Gardens in London, right next to Parliament. The topic is an extremely emotive and sensitive one, and is sadly still very topical given what is going on in Israel and Palestine and in regard to the various protests in London.

I have also particpated, representing Carlisle and Cumbria, in All Party Parliamentary Groups on Family Business, Food and Drink, Nuclear and West Coast Mainline, and have been heavily involved with the PACAC Committee. The responsibility of this committee is to follow the Cabinet Office, which is a Government Department that cuts across the whole of the Civil Service and Whitehall. In many respects, it is the Department that supports the Prime Minister and No 10 itself.

I have raised concerns regarding the failings of the probate service and lobbied Ministers for appropriate action so that the service can return to the level it once was at.

I joined the Bill Committee for Building Society reform, looking at the functions and powers of Building Societies generally, the work of which will be relevant to the Cumberland Building Society.

 

I have shared my views on potholes and road repairs, maintenance and improvements above. Now I want to know what you think.

Complete the survey by using the link here

 

As always, if you are a constituent of Carlisle and you need my help, please contact me on the email address below and I will be happy to do just that.

 

John Stevenson MP
Member of Parliament for Carlisle