MY WEEK IN BRIEF

IN PARLIAMENT

Trains

The last few weeks have been exceptionally frustrating ones for people using the train.  I’ve written to the Minister, making the case that we need an urgent rail summit, with the train operators and Network Rail, so we can get reassurance that they have plans to improve on the constant delays and cancellations.  I’ve also argued for much greater compensation for passengers who are facing such persistently poor services.   I also spoke with Network Rail about the ongoing signalling failures and delays caused by repair work at London Bridge. They assured me that they would be taking action to ensure that service provision is improved, and have agreed to come to summit meeting.  Specific measures promised include placing an extra train display board at London Bridge station so that customers are better informed. I was also promised that Network Rail would be releasing a set of commitments for improving Brighton mainline. I will be sure to keep you updated on this.

Charter of Budget Responsibility

There was a vote on the Chancellors proposal for new binding targets on public spending, what is likely to equate to another £30 billion of cuts by 2017/8.  Despite calling it a "gimmick", Labour backed the Charter for Budget Responsibility, saying it was "fully consistent" with its approach. I tabled an amendment to the motion (which sadly wasn’t taken), making the case that austerity isn’t working.  You can read it here. In the end just 18 MPs voted against the government’s proposal.

Anti-Fracking

As a member of the Environmental Audit Committee, I am taking part in an inquiry into the risks from fracking operations in the UK, including potential risks to water supplies and water quality, biodiversity, and the impact on climate change. We heard compelling evidence from the Tyndall Centre on the incompatibility of fracking with keeping below 2 degrees warming.  We also heard from the Environment Agency about their work in developing regulations for shale gas extraction - although a recent report about flaws in the regulatory process by the Health and Safety Executive was very worrying.  You can see the contributions that I made to the inquiry, and the full text of the meeting here.

TTIP

As I mentioned last week The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership was the subject of what’s known as a Backbench Business debate this week – a debate on business prioritised by backbench MPs like myself. Although I welcomed the debate in Parliament, and gave my backing to the proposed motion, I tabled an amendment to the motion as I did not feel that it went far enough to express the threat that TTIP poses to the NHS and social, environmental and small business policy.  You can see my amendment here.  You can see my contribution to the debate here.

Eaton Place

Many of you may be aware that the privately owned Eaton Place surgery in the neighbouring constituency was facing closure in February - with impacts for many of my constituents as well as those in Brighton Kemptown. Brighton and Hove has fewer GPs than average per 100,000 population and I am concerned that already stretched services will not be able to cope with an increase in patients.  I wrote to the Secretary of State for Health asking him to clarify why NHS England did not purchase the surgery when the opportunity arose last October. Since writing, however, it has become apparent that the Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre is planning to take it over, which will be greatly reassuring.  I visited the Centre last week, and was impressed and inspired by their approach.

AROUND MY CONSTITUENCY

I was delighted to be able to join Sussex Defend the NHS for an interactive evening of performance and live art, entitled ‘Making a Drama out of a Crisis: The Stealing of our NHS!’, featuring students from Varndean College (who were excellent) as well as many others - a hugely enjoyable evening with a strong political message.   I also met with the Chair of the Old Boat Community Centre to discuss ways of supporting them - in particular exploring measures and funding to help reduce their energy costs.

 

Join The Discussion