JLMP Report 2012 2_Jeremy Lefroy MP Parliamentary Report 2012 13/09/2012 15:29 Page 1

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY YEAR

HEALTH
I have frequently spoken on health in debates and at question time. Apart from asking specific questions concerning our hospital, I have spoken on patient safety, the need for closer integration of health and social services and the shortage of trained staff. I have questioned the costs of the European Health Care scheme and have highlighted the problems which the European Working Time Directive causes for training and staff rotas in the NHS.

Liberal between the Conservatives and Since the coalition was formed to tackle the serious have come together Democrats in May 2010, two parties rm public services to meet the problems which we face and to refo economic st needs of the 21 century.

2010-2012 Key Government Achievements

NEWS IN BRIEF
PROGRESS

The UKs breast cancer survival rates have fallen behind other European countries and we must do all we can to improve this. More than 48,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and I want to make sure we do everything within our power to help their chances. I support the excellent work of Breakthrough Breast Cancer whose Staffordshire branch has raised several hundred thousand pounds for research and education.

ARMED FORCES

The expansion of MOD Stafford is very important to the future of our area. I have therefore welcomed the Governments proposal to bring two more Royal Signals regiments to Stafford in the coming years. I have taken part in the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme which has taken me to army units across the UK. What I have seen has deepened my respect for the work which they do. I have also taken part in our own Staffordshire and West Midlands (North) Army Cadet Forces winter camp at Swynnerton.

MALARIA & OTHER TROPICAL DISEASES

I chair the All Party Group in Parliament on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. I have seen at first hand the ravages of these diseases which affect hundreds of millions of people, especially women and children, across the world every year. Our reports are available from my Westminster office and online (www.appmg-malaria.org.uk). I also serve on the International Development Committee which scrutinises the use of UK taxpayers money for overseas aid.

I continue to speak up for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In particular, I stress the importance of the availability of equity financing (share capital) as well as bank loans. I was therefore pleased that the major UK banks subsequently set up the Business Growth Fund which aims to invest 2.5 billion over 10 years in new and growing UK businesses. Any local business interested in approaching the fund can contact my office for details or see www.businessgrowthfund.co.uk.

FINANCE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

Tasting coffee with international expert Steve Leighton, whose Seighford-based business Has Bean has taken on extra staff in the past year.

and investment Building a recovery on real growth estimated 1.4 billion so far, supporting an Regional Growth Fund invested 325,000 jobs. hire which - including the EZ in South Staffords 24 new Enterprise Zones created e. r to invest in a new factory ther helped to attract Jaguar Land Rove from 28 per cent. It will be cut to 24 per cent this year. Down Corporation tax ive in making the UK the most tax competit reduced to 22 per cent by 2014-15 the G20. National ur planned to add 1% to Employer Labours Jobs Tax stopped. Labo . panies to create jobs Insurance making it harder for com ing businesses access cheaper Loan Guarantee Scheme is help National finance. delivered. 177,000 more apprenticeships people back into work. Work Programme helping 332,000 Planning Policy Framework to m reformed with the new National Planning syste say to communities. support growth and give a greater lt of the Red of red tape to business as a resu 3.3 billion net cut in the cost Tape Challenge. for two and a half years Small business rate relief holiday projects. 0 million to assist local infrastructure Growing Places Fund with its 50 work. young people back into Youth Contract introduced to help people who want to start their e Allowance is helping unemployed New Enterpris own business.

With members of the UK Youth Council at the annual Parliament in the Park. I encourage young people to visit Parliament and become involved in politics. I have welcomed several students from Stafford and Penkridge schools and colleges to do work experience with me and my team.

UK YOUTH COUNCIL

JEREMY LEFROY MP
Parliamentary Report 2011/12
Your Member of Parliament for Stafford constituency
My two top pledges when I was elected in May 2010 were to help tackle local unemployment and to support those working to restore public confidence in our hospital. Much of my work since then has been on those two subj ects. On this page, I set out the job situa tion in Stafford constituency. We have seen progress, but ther e is no room for complacency. On the next page, I set out the star k facts of the UKs economic position. Across the Channel, the Eurozone continues to be in crisis and even Chinas rate of growth is slowing. However I believe that we will come thro ugh this stormy period with a stronger, more balanced British economy which can meet the challenges of the 21st century. One sign of this is that the UK car manufacturing industry has a trade surplus for the first time in 35 years. Dear Residents,

H OU SE OF COM M ON S LONDON SW1A 0AA

I have also been discussing with the Stoke-onTrent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership how we can improve the availability of equity finance for SMEs in the country. This would complement the Staffordshire Business Support Fund set up by Staffordshire County Council which offers loans to local businesses (for more details, contact my office).

and want to get on in life On the side of people who work hard 1.1 million taken out of tax so far. Income tax cut for 25 million and it would have been under Labour. Fuel duty cut, now 10p lower than a real terms cut this year. Council tax frozen for two years limit the average weekly earnings, which will Benefit cap introduced linked to a year. receive to 26,000 amount of benefits a household can k, c State Pension of 5.30 per wee est ever cash increase to the Basi The bigg thanks to our triple lock. standards discipline to the classroom, raising More good school places restoring . and improving the quality of teaching non-EU skilled workers at 20,700 igration by capping the number of Tackling imm ges and are allowed. We have shut bogus colle a year. No non-EU unskilled workers do not speak English. border who will turn away those students at the

Jeremy Lefroy MP with Councillor Ray Barron, visiting nationally accredited Stafford repair business Body Panache which has taken on staff and apprentices and invested in new equipment.

DIABETES AWARENESS
I joined Stafford teenager Darcy Evans at a special event in Parliament to help raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes. The event was organised by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, for which Darcy is a Youth Ambassador.

Staffordshire is an important food producer. The UK has a great competitive advantage in agriculture and yet our selfsufficiency has fallen from 75% to 60% in the past 15 years. In Parliament, I have led a debate on the importance of single farm payments for our smaller farmers and secured a I meet local farmers both in Stafford and commitment from the farming Westminster. Here I am with Chris Barton, of minister that these payments Canalside Farm, Great Haywood, at an event will continue beyond the 2013 to promote horticulture in the West Midlands. review period.

FOOD & AGRICULTURE

In a debate which I led on housing, I stressed the need for more construction of social and affordable housing. The coalition Government has put in place the funding to support the building of some 170,000 such homes between 2011 and 2015. But demand for new homes exceeds this. I have been encouraging the Government to increase the number. Not only will it meet a vital need, it will also provide a much-needed boost to the construction sector which is currently the weakest part of our economy.

SOCIAL HOUSING

How to contact

By phone: 01785 252477 (Constituency) 020 7219 7154 (Westminster)

JEREMY LEFROY MP
By email: jeremy.lefroy.mp@parliament.uk

Sign up for Jeremy Lefroy MPs regular e-newsletter at www.jeremylefroymp.co.uk

In Stafford constituency, unemployment as measured by the claimant count has fallen from 1,732 before the general election (April 2010) to 1,524 (August 2012). Local employers such as Alstom, Perkins and Broadcrown have invested and taken on staff despite difficult economic conditions. At the same time, the number of apprentices has risen by more than 70%. Since May 2010, the number of people employed in the UK has risen by 695,000. The fall in the number of jobs in the public sector has been more than offset by jobs created in the private and other sectors.

JOBS AND APPRENTICESHIPS ON THE RISE

By post: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA (Policy enquiries)

In the last year, Jeremy Lefroy MP has:

Spoken in 61 debates in Parliament. Asked 90 Parliamentary questions. Held 45 constituency surgeries; and my office has dealt with over 1,500 cases and enquiries from constituents .

As a member of the Conservative Partys human rights commission, I am very concerned about the abuse of basic human rights across the world. Our first report has looked into the persecution of professionals such as journalists, doctors and lawyers who stand up to brutal regimes. I have also helped take up the cases of people who are persecuted for their religious faith (or lack of it) by governments.

PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Unit 15 Pearl House, Anson Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Beaconside, Stafford, ST18 0GB (Casework enquiries) Visit Jeremy Lefroy MPs website at www.jeremylefroymp.co.uk

You can now follow Jeremy Lefroy MP on Twitter - @JeremyLefroyMP

I have helped to set up and continue to support jobs clubs and jobs fairs in the constituency (for details, please see my website). Plans for the coming

I use every opportunity as your MP to encourage organisations to take on apprentices, to give people the chance to learn the skills which they need. This is vital because employers are saying to me that they often have vacancies, especially in engineering or requiring language skills, which they cannot fill.

2010 ELECTION PLEDGE: Tackle local unemployment, support business and social enterprise - I will work to help bring jobs, businesses and social enterprises to Stafford constituency and to improve availability of finance for them. I will encourage as many employers as possible to offer apprenticeships.

At Stafford Hospital, the Care Quality Commission has now lifted the concerns which it first raised in 2009. It says that the hospital is meeting all essentia l standards. But there can be no complacency. Patient care and safety must be of the highest standard. I am very disappoi nted that our emergency department continues to be close d at night-time. It is essential that patients who currently have to go elsewhere for treatment at night can again be seen at Staf ford. I have set up a working group to tackle the question and to ensure that the communitys voice is heard by Monitor as they seek a sustainable future for Stafford and Cannock hospitals . In the past two years, I have made more than 300 visits to schools, businesses, public and voluntary organisations and other groups across the constitue ncy. What has struck me most has been the hard work and chee rful spirits of so many people, sometimes in difficult circumsta nces. I commit myself to continue to do whatever I can to support and represent you. Yours sincerely, Jeremy Lefroy
growing enterprises Staffordshire. in

months include an information day for those thinking about self-employment and a website listing vacancies across the constituency.

To create jobs, people need access to finance. The County Council has set up a loan fund for local businesses through the Black Country Reinvestment Society. The Local Enterprise Partnership is working, with my support, on an equity fund for

Recently Staffordshire has seen more jobs created by inward investment than most other parts of England.

Jeremy visiting and learning about new laser cutting equipment at Steel Service Centre, Hixon

Promoted by James Cantrill on behalf of Jeremy Lefroy MP of Stafford Conservative Association, Castle Street, Stafford ST16 2ED. Printed by David Bowyer Print and Design, Stafford ST16 3UZ.

The cost of printing this newsletter has been paid by me, not by the taxpayer.

JLMP Report 2012 2_Jeremy Lefroy MP Parliamentary Report 2012 13/09/2012 15:30 Page 2

JEREMY LEFROY MP

PARLIAMENTARY REPORT 2011/12

ECONOMIC CHECK-UP
(Source: Office of National Statistics)

BACKING LOCAL BUSINESS

Nick Thorpe Boatbuilders based in Hixon build an average of one narrowboat a month and recently won the prestigious best boat award at the inland waterway boat show. Small specialist businesses such as Nicks are vital to our economic recovery. Most of the engines made by Perkins in Stafford are for export, helping the UKs balance of trade. I am delighted that the company has reintroduced an apprenticeship programme in 2012. Pictured at a recent jobs fair at Wolgartson High School, Penkridge. Its great to see investment in Stafford, even in these difficult times. Leons Travel Group Ltd has recently moved into their brand new headquarters on Tollgate. I am pictured with Robert Douglas during a visit to the impressive facilities shortly after they opened.

AROUN D T HE
congratulated. A number of people from Stafford and the constituency have carried the flame on its way round the country recognition of the selfless work which they do for our community. Most memorable of all was the number of people who came out to see the flame pass through. One estimate was 40,000; and all those involved were congratulated by the London Organising Committee for their work.

CONST

ITUENC

But a return to strong growth is essential to continue the attack on unemployment and the deficit. I am pressing for more support for construction especially the building of social and affordable homes - a bigger export credit guarantee scheme and greater access to finance for businesses and home buyers. Under the last Labour Government, the UK entered the longest and deepest recession on record. Despite fifteen years of growth and higher tax revenues, Labour ran substantial budget deficits from 2002-2007. It was therefore unprepared for the global financial crisis.

There are encouraging signs in parts of the economy. The value of cars the UK exports has exceeded imports for the first time in 35 years. Locally, there has been substantial new manufacturing investment by Jaguar Land Rover, Alstom, JCB, Perkins and many smaller businesses.

Despite very tough economic conditions, the number of jobs in the UK is growing. Recent disappointing GDP figures (graph 1) show that growth has essentially been flat in total since mid-2010. However, in the same period, more than 1,000,000 private sector jobs have been created leading to a net increase of 695,000 jobs after taking into account a fall of 408,000 in the public sector (graph 4).

FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY

OLYMPIC FLAME
On 30th May, the Olympic Flame came through Stafford. The organisation was excellent and a credit to Stafford Borough and the County. Staff worked long hours to ensure that everything went like clockwork and they are to be Stafford Furniture Exchange is a great local charity which recycles quality furniture to people on low incomes; it also provides many opportunities for volunteers seeking work, several of whom have subsequently found employment. For more information about Stafford Furniture Exchange call 01785 606674.

ENCOURAGING WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

When the Coalition Government came to office, it therefore inherited a huge annual budget deficit (graph 2). This climbed from 37 billion in 2007/8 and peaked at 157bn in 2009/10 (11.1% of GDP).

As a result, the interest we pay on the debt is rising sharply. Interest payments will reach 64 billion every year by 2017. That is more than we spend on education and almost double what we spend on defence. Interest costs would be much higher for households and businesses as well as the Government if the UK did not benefit from some of the lowest interest rates in the world. This is the result of those who lend to the UK having confidence in the Governments plans to cut the deficit.

The Government plans to see total debt falling as a percentage of the economy by 2015. The alternative to this is ever increasing debt resulting from a failure to deal with the budget deficit. Total UK debt (graph 3) more than doubled from 500 billion in 2008 to more than 1 trillion now and continues to grow daily.

The Government is taking this action to put the UK on a stable financial footing. Under Labour, our national deficit as a percentage of GDP was the same as Greeces. Without doing enough to reduce the deficit, we would eventually face the kind of cuts which some Eurozone countries are experiencing. The action the UK Government is taking is designed to avoid the need for such drastic measures in the future.

Since then, the Coalition has brought it down to 126bn (2011/12). The Governments targets are 120bn in 2012/3, 90bn in 2013/4 and eventually 21bn in 2016/7. Proportionately, the UK still has the highest budget deficit of any major country except the US much greater than that of Germany, Italy, France and Spain.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) - The percentage rate at which the economy is growing or contracting, taking account of inflation. The Government is working hard to restore growth while tackling the deficit.

Stafford has a proud history of being at the forefront of innovative manufacturing, and a bright future too. One business at the top of their field is local firm Inta. I am pictured learning about their Anti-Scald Technology. I am pleased that so many local schools take part in the Young Enterprise awards, helping to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs. I am pictured with Stafford Grammar School students, who have started their own business publishing a childrens storybook as part of the Young Enterprise programme.

Having helped with young peoples clubs for much of my life, it is a special pleasure to visit clubs around the constituency such as this in Bishops Wood. It was set up this year by Julie and colleagues

from the County Council at the request and with the help of the young people in the village. The evening included sport, craft activities and education on the effects of drinking on driving.

DEFICIT The difference between the money Government spends every year and the amount it receives in taxes. Since coming to office in 2010, the Government has reduced the deficit by 20%.

Crossbow Education creates specialist materials for students suffering from visual stress and dyslexia. The company supplies schools across the country and overseas.

SUPPORTING LOCAL VOLUNTARY GROUPS

Staff from Wolverhampton Road Surgery were on hand in the Market Square recently to let shoppers know about the effect being overweight can have on your health. They aim to reach people in an informal setting outside the doctors surgery. For more information on the clinics run by Wolverhampton Road, please call 01785 258161. making the most of those extra years.

SUPPORTING THOSE WORKING WITH CARERS

As a patron of the Carers Association of South Staffordshire, I try to understand the concerns of carers and those whom they care for. I recently visited the Alzheimers Carers Cafe run by CASS in St Bertelins Church to listen and answer questions. I have also been out with CASS staff visiting their clients at home.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES, HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES

The Government has: Increased the personal allowance by 1,630 taking 2 million people out of income tax and cutting the tax bill of basic rate tax payers by 326 this year. Next year the allowance will rise again to 9,205 saving taxpayers 546pa compared with 2010. Frozen council tax under Labour, council tax doubled.

DEBT The total amount of money we owe as a country to creditors. The UKs debt is increasing substantially every year. It has more than doubled in 4 years, exceeding 1 trillion, and more than trebled since 2002. At the end of June 2012 net debt excluding financial interventions was 1,038.3 billion (red bars) which is 66.1% of GDP (blue line) that is 16,500 for every man, woman and child living in the UK.

Cut fuel duty and deferred future increases so that petrol and diesel is 10p a litre cheaper than under Labours plans.

Increased the State Pension by 5.2% to 107.45 per week - the largest cash increase (270 pa) on record; and restored the link to the higher of earnings or prices with an additional guarantee of a minimum 2.5% increase each year.

EMPLOYMENT Change in the number of people in work. Blue columns are growth in private sector jobs, red columns reduction in public sector jobs (excl. public banks) and green line total employment growth; since end of April 2010.

After protests from farmers, some of the price cuts have not been implemented. But most are still having to produce milk for less than the cost of production.

Dairy farmers have come under considerable pressure following the milk buyers decision to drop the farmgate price for milk.

SUPPORTING THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER ELECTIONS

On November 15th, the elections for the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) take place. The job of the Commissioner - who will represent the whole of Staffordshire and Stoke-onTrent will be to ensure the policing needs of our communities are met as effectively as possible, bringing communities closer to the police, building confidence in the system and restoring trust. PCCs will give the public a voice at the highest level, and give the public the ability to ensure their police are accountable. Along with Councillors local and Borough County

Last year, I called for a fair trade

We also need to see our country become more selfsufficient in food production. Only 60% of our food is produced at home, compared with 75% some years ago.

mark for British milk, so that people buying it would know that the farmer had been paid a fair price. I have renewed that call as we need a strong and sustainable dairy industry.

THE STAFFORDS
After the announcement, I spoke with both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary making it clear that it is essential that the name and traditions of the Staffords are retained with a serving battalion in the Army. The news that the 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) is to be disbanded has come as a huge blow.

Staffordshire MPs of all parties have joined together to press the case for this.

This does not affect the planned move of more servicemen and women to Stafford from 2015.

Earlier in the year, I visited the Staffords at their base in Bad Fallingbostel, Germany and was able to speak with a number of them about their 2011 tour in Afghanistan. The support they received from the people of Stafford and the country both in Afghanistan and on their return meant a great deal to them.

I take every opportunity to support public health education. It is good that people are generally living longer; healthy lifestyles are important for

PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH

Councillor Len Bloomer (far left), I met Conservative PCC candidate Matthew Ellis (second left) before a surgery in Colwich Parish Centre. Matthew has set out a strong manifesto which includes:

Getting tougher on anti-social drinking. This means clamping down on licensees who do not sell alcohol responsibly while supporting those who do.

Treating victims with greater respect; making visiting victims a priority, whatever the crime.

Project 3000, a plan to produce 3000 extra hours of policing every week using modern technology to cut desk work.