This week, I had three opportunities to raise the profile of different organisations from across Cannock Chase in the House of Commons Chamber.
On Monday, during DWP questions I was able to praise the truly amazing work of Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, the well-known Cannock based charity which provide children’s specialist disability equipment across the country. In Business, Innovation and Skills questions on Tuesday, I talked about exports (again!), referencing the experiences of Spartan Global Services (a Cannock business which I recently visited) who export refurbished IT equipment across the globe. Finally, on Thursday, I had the opportunity to praise the work done by various groups across Cannock Chase that provide incredibly valuable support for those who are suffering with dementia, their families and carers. This followed a Dementia Carers Conference that I attended last weekend in Rugeley which had been organised by St. Joseph’s RC church.
Tuesday, saw a change from my normal routine, as I am currently sitting on the Policing and Crime Bill Committee. A Bill Committee is the stage in the parliamentary process when a bill is scrutinised in detail and amendments made. We had a day of hearing from several panels of witnesses, which included experts from the various fields that the bill affects. It was a fascinating day and I look forward to the next few weeks as we consider the bill in more detail.
On Wednesday we had one of the most anticipated events in the Parliamentary calendar, the Budget. This Budget focused on putting this country's next generation first. I am hoping to speak on the Budget and how it relates to Cannock Chase this coming Monday.
This week has been National Apprenticeship Week and there have been various events in Parliament to celebrate this. I was delighted to attend some of these events and, as ever, was incredibly impressed and enthused by the apprentices I met. If you ever want to see and hear about the value of apprenticeships, speak to an apprentice – they are brilliant advocates of these fantastic opportunities!
I have continued to have meetings about the future of Rugeley B Power Station, meeting with various Ministers including the Secretary of State for Energy, Amber Rudd. I will be visiting the power station early next month to meet with the management and unions to discuss the progress of the consultation.
On Friday I was back in the constituency, meeting with Network Rail to discuss the Chase Line electrification project, visiting Redbrook Hayes Community Primary School in Brereton who I mentioned last week in Parliament and opening the newly refurbished Citizens Advice office in Cannock. I also found out that I have another Prime Minister’s Question next week, having been successful in the ballot. That means I have had one every other week for the last 6 weeks!! I hope you will be watching!… PMQs is 12pm on Wednesday.