Democracy Workshops
I've also been continuing to hold my Democracy Workshops in local schools, giving pupils the opportunity to find out more about Parliament and what I do in my role as your MP.
This month I have been at Bowerhill Primary School in Melksham and Christ Church of England Primary School in Bradford-on-Avon, as well as meeting pupils virtually from St Patrick's in Corsham for a Q&A session.
I'm always struck by the insightful and interesting range of questions from the pupils, there are definitely some budding MPs of the future to be found locally!
|
|
Online Safety Bill
It has been a busy time recently with the return of a newly strengthened Online Safety Bill, which I am bringing through Parliament in my role as Secretary of State.
Just some of the incredible things we have managed to get done in this Bill:
🚸 Shielding children from abuse, pornography, cyberbullying, violence and a whole host of other terrible types of content that our children shouldn't be subjected to online.
⛔️ Platforms will have to enforce their terms and conditions - for too long have they said they only allow 13 years above and yet we have 1.6m underage kids using their platforms. They will also have to share in their t's and c's how they do this. This is a game changer.
🛡️A new 'triple shield' of protections for adults based on individual choice. Illegal content will be removed, big tech companies will have to abide by their terms and conditions, and will have to give users more power over the content they see and engage with.
❤️🩹 Promotion of self-harm made illegal, ending the cycle of abuse that ruins the lives of thousands.
📸 Intimate image abuse made illegal, stopping appalling issues like deepfaking.
🔈Big tech companies will have to abide by the rules or face $billion fines that hit them where it hurts. They also have to notify you, the user, when they fail in their duties toward you and your family.
🗣️Legal free speech, discussion and debate all protected with new free speech clauses and the removal of the failing 'legal but harmful' mechanism that would have silenced legitimate speech.
🚫Platforms will have to remove all illegal abuse, including the types of horrendous racist attacks on our footballers at the Euros, and many other forms of abuse that we all deplore.
This is just a small snapshot of what we have delivered, there is so much about this Bill that will genuinely change lives for the better across Wiltshire and the country.
I was recently on the This Morning sofa with campaigner Ian Russell discussing the Bill. He has fought so hard to prevent what happened to his daughter Molly from happening again, and the Russell’s story has played a huge part in my determination to strengthen protections for children online.
|
|
My top priority has been not only to preserve the protections for children in the Bill, but also to strengthen them. Iain and I spoke about how the Online Safety Bill will be the first Bill in the world to significantly protect young people all over the UK from horrendous abuse like self-harm promotion, pornography, suicide content, cyberbullying and much more.
We expect that many other countries will use this as the blueprint for their own laws too - once again, the UK leading the way.
|
|
Pension Credit - Deadline for Further Support
📣🚨 Check you are eligible for pension credit before the deadline for receiving further support: Those who may be eligible for pension credit are being urged to apply before 18 December, so please do share with anyone who you think might benefit. Those receiving pension credit are also eligible for a cost of living payment of £324 from the Government, but you must apply for pension credit first to receive the payment. You can apply online here or by phone: 0800 99 1234.
If you know of a pensioner in our community who may need some additional support, please do not hesitate to give them my contact details, so that I can check they are receiving the help they are entitled to.
|
|
Christmas Events
There have been so many lovely Christmas events already this month, including switch-ons in Melksham, Chippenham, Corsham and Bradford-on-Avon, and a whole host of Christmas markets and fairs, which have been absolutely brilliant to see.
I also stopped by the Christmas Fayre at Forest and Sandridge C.E Primary School last week, where there were donkey rides, festive food and drink, stalls and a live choir.
Some of the upcoming Christmas events I'm looking forward to getting to include the Chippenham Light Trail, the Winsley Wonderland Elf Trail which is open until the 24th, and the Carol Service at Monks Chapel in Corsham on the 18th.
Do let me know if you've spotted any other festive events you are heading to! A huge thank you to all of those volunteers who have made each and every event possible in the run up to Christmas.
|
|
Other Recent Work
Just some of my other recent work over the last few weeks includes:
- Held resident's advice surgeries at my office in Chippenham and in Holt, it was lovely to see so many folk there.
- Following my meeting with the Chancellor earlier in the year where I secured £26.625 million for improvements to the A350, Wiltshire Council have started the engagement period for the A350 Chippenham Phases 4&5 Highways Improvements Project, and will be holding a presentation at Chippenham Area Board at 7pm on Monday 12 December. The Council will also be running an online webinar on Wednesday 11 January 2023 at 6pm if you would like to find out more information, along with a display in Chippenham Library.
- Met Chippenham based charity Fountain of Life, who construct low-cost, low-tech boreholes and handpumps in Senegal, and so far have supplied a source of safe drinking water to an estimated 15,000 people! The charity is now looking to raise £1,800 to build an additional 10 boreholes, providing a source of safe drinking water to more communities.
- Visited Sir Charles Hobhouse at his Monkton Farleigh estate with James Gray and the Country Landowner's Association, discussing some of the challenges they have faced and future plans for the 1500 acre estate. It was great to hear how the Sustainable Farming Incentive is linking in and rewarding the work he is already doing on the estate to encourage biodiversity, improve animal health and take action to combat climate change. It is fantastic to see our local farmers here in Wiltshire leading the way in the future of farming and setting the example for others to follow.
- Met with representatives from Bradford on Avon Town Council and Cllr Dr Mark McClelland to discuss the long standing issues with traffic and congestion in the town. Every time I knock on doors or speak to residents in Bradford on Avon- traffic and congestion are the number one local issues raised with me. I have been pushing for the implementation of a permanent one way system for years.
The good news is that Wiltshire Council have offered to fund one third of the cost towards the modelling, which needs to be carried out, with the Town Council contributing the remaining two thirds. This request is in line with other towns and villages in the county like Lacock and Marlborough where Wiltshire Council part-fund traffic modelling surveys. The modelling will help refine the route to help areas like New Town.
The Town Council have stated that they are looking to bringing forward this suggestion for consideration at full council in January 2023.
There is no silver bullet to the traffic problems but one way system would make a massive difference and improve pedestrian safety with wider pavements. We now need this to move forward - I am calling for Bradford on Avon Town Council to agree to the terms and work with Wiltshire Council to get on with the job and deliver for local residents. The alternative is nothing happens and the traffics problems remain - which does not help anyone.
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter, as ever if there is anything I can do to help, or if you would like to speak to me at one of my upcoming surgeries, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Best wishes,
Michelle Donelan
Member of Parliament for Chippenham Constituency
|
|
|
|
