An e-newsletter from your MP, Mary Robinson.
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Hello!

Spring is most definitely now here, with blossom and budding trees across Bramhall, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Gatley, Heald Green, Stepping Hill and Woodford, so here is my first Spring update on recent goings on in our area and Westminster.

Lots has happened over the past month, including: the Day of Reflection for the pandemic, a rise in national living wage and national minimum wage, our mayor finally taking the decision to franchise buses in Greater Manchester, the expansion of the vaccination programme to people 40+, and more than 30 million first doses given. In our area, over 50% of adults have now received their vaccination which means we are well on our way to normality.

We're also ensuring vaccine security - with deals signed to secure the production of 60 million Novavax doses to be made in the North East of England.

And we look forward to upcoming council elections, on the 6th of May with an opportunity to vote for our great local candidates. Although this year you will of course be able to vote in person, a postal vote is the safest way to ensure that your voice is heard, so please consider registering for a postal vote. You can register with Stockport Council here ([link removed]) .

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! 🐤🐰 ([link removed]) 🐣🐇

A very Happy Easter to you and your loved ones! This Easter was quite different from the last, with churches once more open for worship and the loosening of restrictions, heralding a new start and a return to normality. Please do continue to observe Covid-safe measures and check with your local congregation for any extra information.

Spring is a busy season and communities have already marked the festival of Holi and Passover and later in April we mark both Vaisakhi and the beginning of the month of Ramadan.

However you celebrate, and whichever festivals you are celebrating, I wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy time.
We now have a road map for the return of weddings
Weddings - our road to normality
There is one very special occasion that joins families together and forms the foundation of our society – and that is a wedding. My son was due to get married at Easter a year ago, so I know how hard the pandemic has been on couples, families and the wedding industry as a whole.

Wedding venues which rely on mass gatherings of more than 30 people have been restricted continuously since the beginning of the pandemic to protect against Covid.

I welcome the roadmap that has been released by the Government for weddings, but this sector has some unique struggles, which is why I proposed in Parliament last month more support for the industry. I've written further about this on my website and for the Stockport Express, which you can read here ([link removed]) .

We will get this virus under control. And once that happens, I will look forward to seeing weddings back for good and couples and families coming together and celebrating those special moments.
Leaseholders should not have to shoulder remediation costs
Safe buildings: cladding
March also saw voting upon the Fire Safety Bill, a Bill which seeks to ensure that all buildings are safe from fire. The Government has taken on some of the issues that were raised and has been rightly concerned that this important piece of legislation should not be delayed.

However, when the Bill returned, I thought it was important to back the amendments about leaseholders because I wanted to support their very valid case which has previously been set out: that remediation costs should not fall on shoulders of leaseholders.

I met with Manchester Cladiators, a group that campaigns ([link removed]) for leaseholder rights, earlier this week and I will continue to monitor this situation carefully, which is an ongoing worry and concern for people who live in high rise buildings.

I met with Manchester Cladiators earlier this week

Have your say in the consultation into women’s healthcare

Have your say: consultation into women's healthcare
This year on International Women's Day, we launched the consultation into women's health. Women's experiences of healthcare can vary, and research shows that women also live with poor health for longer. This consultation is running for 12 weeks, so please do have your say. It is vital for decision making that we have wide participation in this call for evidence. The more responses we have from a diverse range of women and girls, the more helpful the data will be for making improvements to healthcare. You can complete the consultation here ([link removed]) .

I met with staff and students at Inscape House and Ashcroft School, part of the Together Trust

School visits
In March I was lucky enough to be able to meet virtually with several groups of students for Q and A sessions. I discussed my role in Westminister and Cheadle with the Law and Politics students at Cheadle College who asked me insightful questions about politics today.
And it was a pleasure to also meet with students at Inscape House and Ashcroft School - both part of the Together Trust - who told me about their diverse experiences during the pandemic and asked lots of interesting questions!
I was on BBC Politics North West covering mayoral scrutiny, our bus strategy, investment into our rail network and more!
BBC Politics North West - discussing our transport, mayors and more!
You might have caught me last month on BBC Politics North West, speaking on a wide range of northern issues that affect our area. They included mayoral scrutiny in the wake of the corruption allegations in Liverpool, our bus strategy including capped fares, better services and 'green' buses, investment into our Northern rail network and the laws we've introduced to better empower tenants with rogue landlords. You can catch up on the programme here ([link removed]) .

Our new Chief Constable will head up Greater Manchester Police, after a particularly turbulent time

Welcome to our new Chief Constable!
A warm welcome to our new Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Steve Watson, who joins us from South Yorkshire Police. There is much to be done at Greater Manchester Police to restore the policing that people deserve, and I look forward to seeing the force under his leadership.


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My Views

In addition to regular casework correspondence, I receive a number of campaign emails and postcards each month regarding various topics. While I always prefer to get back to people directly in the first instance, each month I publish these views on my website. You can read these here ([link removed]) .
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Surgeries

I hold regular surgeries both at my office in Cheadle Hulme and around the constituency. In-person surgeries are suspended at the moment in the light of the current situation. However, my team and I will be assisting on all enquiries so please do continue to get in touch with us.
Thank you for taking the time to read my latest e-newsletter. As ever, if there are any issues you'd like to raise with me then please do get in touch.

Mary Robinson MP
Member of Parliament for Cheadle

Constituency Office:
8A Station Rd | Cheadle Hulme | SK8 5AE
0161 672 6855
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Mary Robinson MP . 8A Station Road . Cheadle Hulme . Stockport, SK8 5AE . United Kingdom