This week I will have completed my first three months in office, the focus of which has been very much on being your MP in Westminster and being in the heart of the community every week whether speaking to residents or attending community events.
During this time, I have had meetings with key stakeholders and community groups, from Age Concern at the Elton Centre, to the Borough Police Commander, the Chief Executive of the West Midlands and Heads of our schools. I met with local campaigners about bringing the legacy of the Commonwealth Games to the urban West Midlands in the form of a Velodrome.
I also met with residents concerned about possible development on Corbett Meadow. I have long championed the protection of the Green Belt and will continue to support those wishing to preserve our green and open spaces. If we are serious about climate change, we need to start thinking differently as to how we plan for our future homes, and it is not by concreting over green open space.
I attended a meeting at the Job Centre, and I was inspired by their vision to make the constituency Disability Confident. This is a Government initiative to encourage all businesses to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to their workplace. I also attended a Fairtrade event at St. Thomas’s, a fantastic community event celebrating Stourbridge being a longstanding Fairtrade town.
When in Westminster I have spoken in the Chamber about the need for improvements to our transport infrastructure; with a branch line one of the most efficient in the country, we need to ensure the mainline is too. I have also asked for further investment in green technologies in the West Midlands.
I have had meetings with both Education and Transport Ministers and the Chancellor. I was invited to attend a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss HS2, which has now got the green light. I also joined the Procedure Select Committee, a privilege to be asked to do so.
It is of course the Budget on Wednesday this week - a Budget that will see record investment into Broadband, £9.2 million to tackle fly tipping, an extra £160 per week for parents of sick babies and over £100 million set aside to bolster the probation service and support victims of rape and sexual assault. These are just some of the highlights.
Finally, I would like to touch on Coronavirus. At the time of going to print Dudley had its first reported case on Monday 9th March being treated in Russells Hall Hospital. Public Health England is currently contacting people who may have had close contact with the confirmed case. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties
Anyone who is concerned should follow the advice about what to do on the Government's website and nhs.uk
