From questioning Government Ministers about saving jobs at Alstom, to meeting Dovedale Primary School, it has been a busy few weeks in Westminster and in Erewash. Here’s an update on my work as your Member of Parliament.
I know that for many Erewash residents illegal migration is of real concern. For some time now, I have lobbied the Prime Minister and other Government Ministers to close the hotels being used by migrants on Bostocks Lane. Just before Easter I received the good news that the Home Office has terminated its contract with the Novotel Hotel. The hotel will cease being used as an Asylum Accommodation Centre at the beginning of July. Rest assured; I will continue to lobby for the Best Western to close so both hotels can be fully used for their intended purposes. For more information please visit my website.
Sticking with illegal migration, last week Parliament passed the Safety of Rwanda Act. This Act takes us one step closer to being able to send illegal migrants to Rwanda, as well as the policy acting as a deterrent. It is intended that the first flight to Rwanda will take off in 10 – 12 weeks, with multiple flights every month. These measures reaffirm the Government’s commitment to tackling illegal migration and shows that we are addressing the issues that matter the most to Erewash residents.
Since Alstom announced that it will consult employees and unions about potential job losses at its Derby site, I have been working tirelessly to support Erewash residents who work for them or within the important supply chain. During an Urgent Parliamentary Question, I pressed the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, to take action to ensure all workers, including temporary and those in the supply chain, are protected. My question can be viewed here. I recently met the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, who updated me on the negotiations between Alstom and the Department for Transport. I urged the Transport Secretary to do everything possible to protect all jobs. I hope that a solution can be reached soon.
I have also made several other important contributions in Parliament, including on the Government’s landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill. When passed this Bill will prevent an entire generation of young people across Erewash from ever smoking - my intervention can be viewed here. I also asked the Technology Minister what the Government is doing to increase the use of AI in the NHS and urged the Public Health Minister to tackle the rise in alcohol-specific deaths. You can view my question to Saqib Bhatti MP via this link and my comments to Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP here.
One of the roles I find most rewarding as your Member of Parliament is inspiring the next generation of Erewash students to get involved in politics. Before the Easter break, I had the pleasure of welcoming a group of school children from Dovedale Primary School to Parliament. The students asked me some great questions and were pleased that the Government is tackling smoking and underage vaping. More information about Dovedale’s visit can be found on my website.
There have been numerous events in Erewash I’ve had the privilege to attend, including meeting with Erewash Borough Council and Government Ministers to discuss how the £5 million cultural fund funding for Erewash will be spent, visiting Progress Rail’s site in Sandiacre to see how the site has been refitted after recent flooding, following up with Erewash residents in Draycott and Ilkeston who were impacted by Storm Babet and popping to Ilkon Gallery. Through my casework, I’ve helped hundreds of Erewash residents and within the last month have successfully resolved 341 cases.
Other useful information:
💷 After successfully helping a number of local organisations identify funding opportunities, I have now created a Community Funding Guide to equip community groups with the tools they need to navigate the often-complex landscape of funding streams. Further details can be found on my website via this link.
🩺 The Government has announced a new plan to tackle the rise in economic inactivity and tackle Britain's “sick note” culture. The eight-point plan for welfare includes reforming the fit note system, strengthening the sanctions regime, reviewing the disability benefit system, and investing £6 billion to get people into work. More information can be found here.
🖥️ Are you an Erewash based SME and seeking grow your business? If so, here is the Government’s newly launched Help to Grow: Management Essentials, an online resource providing practical guidance and resources to fuel growth for SMEs.
🗳️ On Thursday, many of us will be heading to the polling station to cast our votes for the next East Midlands Mayor and Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Please remember to bring a form of photo identification to the polling station. More info about accepted types of ID can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.
With best wishes, Maggie Throup OBE 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].
P.P.S. Your friends and family can now sign-up to receive my Westminster Despatches, by visiting www.maggiethroup.com. In addition, should you know of anyone who does not have access to a computer and would like to receive paper copies of my e-news on a regular basis, then please do let me know their details (including their full name and address).
Promoted by Ian F. Gutteridge, on behalf of Maggie Throup MP, both of Unit 2 The Old Co-Op, South Street,
Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5SG.
