Plain Packaging of Tobacco Products

Fiona Bruce MP campaigns with Sandbach School students for plain packaging of Tobacco products

Fiona Bruce MP campaigned recently with Amber Sparks, a student at Sandbach Girls School, and Owen MacCuish, Head Boy of Sandbach Boys School, to press the Government in introduce standardised packaging for cigarettes. Every cigarette company would have to package their product in the same unattractive boxes containing graphic health warnings

Fiona Bruce who has campaigned since her election, for standardised packaging of tobacco products said “I was delighted to meet with Amber and Owen to hear of their support for this campaign, particularly since they are both members of Cheshire East Youth Council and the National Youth Parliament and therefore respective role models and advocates for their generation – the one which standardised packaging could most make a positive difference to.”

Fiona Bruce continued “Young people are attracted to designer brands. They are attracted not just to the product but to the packaging. We have known for a long time that young people are attracted to labels. In 1995 a survey of youth in America told us that young people associated the following words with designer packaging: popular, cool and good-looking. With cigarettes in plain packaging, they associated the words boring, geeky and cheap. In 2012, another survey found that young people felt that if they smoked stylish packs they would be “better and more popular”. 

It is a tragedy that each year 200,000 people start to smoke when we could take action. According to one statistic I have seen, the display ban on large shops has contributed towards 100,000 fewer young people taking up smoking each year. I hope these regulations will help make smoking history for children.

Standardised tobacco packaging could ensure that we protect children and save lives. The best way to stop smoking is not to start in the first place.”

Campaign for Earlier Cancer Diagnosis

Fiona Bruce MP Backs Campaign for Earlier Cancer Diagnosis

Congleton MP, Fiona Bruce, has shown her support for improving earlier cancer diagnosis while attending an All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC) event in Parliament.

The event marked the success of the APPGC and wider cancer community in getting crucial one-year cancer survival data presented in the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Outcomes Indicator Set (OIS), the measure that monitors CCGs’ priorities and improvements. By putting one-year survival rates up in lights, CCGs will be able to identify where progress is vitally needed and make strides towards improving survival – as late diagnosis makes for poor survival rates.

The UK is behind its international and European neighbours in cancer survival². The APPGC believes that this must change. By 2020, almost half of people will receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime³. Cancer survival rates in the UK are among the worst in Europe – not least because many people are diagnosed too late.

At the event, Fiona Bruce was presented with the cancer survival rates in East Cheshire that showed that 68% of people with cancer will live for a year after diagnosis.

Speaking on the subject, Fiona said “We know that early diagnosis of cancer often leads to better survival rates for patients. The one-year cancer survival rates in East Cheshire will help residents to see how the CCG is performing and demand improvements.  As the MP, I will be meeting the CCG leadership to discuss how, together, we can ensure more people survive cancer.

“In this area only 68% of people live for a year or more after a cancer diagnosis.  More work is needed through earlier diagnosis to increase this number, as the UK still has among the lowest survival rates in Europe. Better screening uptake, diagnostics at Primary Care, public awareness and GP training are all possible initiatives our local CCG could introduce. Many lives each year could be saved as a result"

Crime Figures

Fiona Bruce MP “Action plan to tackle crime is making Congleton Constituency a safer place to live”

Fiona Bruce MP has welcomed news that crime is falling. Latest figures from the independent Office for National Statistics show that since 2010 recorded crime in Cheshire has fallen by 16%

The Government is following an action plan to tackle crime by:

1. Freeing the police to fight crime by cutting red tape and scrapping unnecessary targets
2. Giving criminals tougher sentences so communities are protected and justice is done
3. Giving the police the powers they need to tackle criminals, using the latest tools and techniques
4. Stopping people from becoming criminals by tackling the root causes of crime
5. Making the police answer to the community to help drive down crime in your area

Commenting, local MP Fiona Bruce said:

‘We’re making Britain an even safer place to live, work, and raise a family with our action plan to tackle crime.

‘Recorded crime is down by 16% in Cheshire thanks to our plan, and the hard work of police officers. 

‘Families are safer and more secure – and Congleton Constituency can enjoy a better, brighter future.’

·         Crime measured by the independent Crime Survey has fallen by 22 per cent since 2010. This is the lowest level since the survey began in 1981 (ONS, Crime in England and Wales, period ending March 2014, 17 July 2014, link).

·         Police recorded crime (excluding fraud) has fallen by 16 per cent since June 2010 (ibid.).

·         Percentage change in recorded crime (excluding fraud) since June 2010 by police force area. Since the year ending September 2013 figures, ONS have published headline national crime figures that include centralised (Action Fraud) recording of fraud and a separate series which excludes fraud. Due to the staggered move of recording fraud offences from forces to Action Fraud, figures for forces are shown excluding fraud offences to allow for consistent comparisons (Office for National Statistics, Police recorded crime year ending March 2014, 17 July 2014, link).

Police Force Area	% change Jun 10 to Mar 14
Cheshire	-16%
England & Wales Total	-16%

Astbury Mere Country Park Eco-Centre Award

Fiona Bruce MP congratulates Astbury Mere on Eco-Centre title Award

Fiona Bruce MP visited Astbury Mere Country Park today to congratulate them on being awarded the title of “Eco-Centre” by the Keep Britain Tidy.  Astbury Mere are the first and only establishment across Cheshire to receive this prestigious award.

A short ceremony was held with Fiona Bruce MP for the handing over of the Eco-Flag to the park and was attended by all those who had work to achieve the award, local residents, the Eco committee, the Astbury Mere Country Park Ranger, representatives from Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Congleton Sustainability Group.

Fiona Bruce said “This is a tremendous achievement for a group of committed, community minded people who work incredibly hard to maintain this fabulous public open space. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication that they are the first to receive this award in Cheshire and I am extremely proud that I represent Astbury Mere in my Constituency.”

European Health Insurance Cards

Don’t get caught paying for your EHIC says Local MP

Local MP, Fiona Bruce, wants to remind her constituents as the holiday season approaches that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is available free of charge for all people ordinarily resident in the UK and to beware of a number of websites who fraudulently charge.

Fiona says “If you are asked to pay you are not on the official website. Make sure you only get your card from www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card or by calling 0300 3301 350. The Government is taking action to tackle these websites and the National Trading Standards Board will receive an additional £120,000 this year to help prevent misleading websites.”

Constituents should also note that an EHIC is not considered a substitute for travel insurance and that, when travelling in Europe, you should ensure you have both.

'Keep Me Posted' Campaign

Fiona Bruce MP Challenges United Utilities to commit to ‘Keep Me Posted’ Campaign

Fiona Bruce MP has challenged the water company United Utilities to commit to the Keep Me Posted Campaign to ensure that all residents in her constituency continue to receive bills and other correspondence for United Utilities by post should they wish to do so.

Fiona Bruce said “As an MP in the area with the highest level of elderly constituents in the North West, I know how important it is to them not to be digitally excluded from society and I am working as part of the Keep Me Posted campaign in Parliament to make sure this does not happen.”

The Keep Me Posted campaign, which has been running for a year, is aiming to tackle the steady progress of mobile phone companies, banks and energy suppliers who are providing an increasingly online service in terms of access to bills and statements. Customers can now often be charged a fee to receive a paper copy of a statement and this puts those members of the community who do not wish to bank or pay bills online or do not have the necessary IT capacity at a significant disadvantage. The Keep Me Posted campaign aims to ensure that anyone can have access to paper bills and statements should they wish to do so, without paying a penalty.

Fiona Bruce added “Loneliness is now being recognised as an increasing problem for many elderly people. It is important that we do all we can to ensure older people feel a valued part of society – we owe them a lot – and that they do not feel left out – this is one way. The Keep Me Posted campaign is about fairness.”

More information can be found at www.keepmeposted.uk.com

Success for Congleton Link Road Growth Deal Funding

Fiona Bruce MP - “£45 million Congleton Growth Fund puts Congleton on the national map for future growth”

Speaking on the announcement of the £45 million Congleton Link Road Funding from Government Fiona Bruce says “This really puts Congleton on the national map as a key town identified for growth. I am delighted to have had the privilege of fighting in Parliament for, and winning, this funding for an area I represent and love. Hardworking people here deserve this support. I pay tribute to the business leaders of Congleton, in particular the Link2Prosperity group chaired by Tim McCloud and the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, headed up by David Watson, who first made the business case for the link road and gave me the ammunition to fight for it in Parliament.”

In the House of Commons Chamber yesterday, Fiona Bruce said “I welcome the tremendous £45 million funding announcement for the Congleton link road. Congleton is an aspirational town and Ministers listened to the business case that was put forward by business leaders, East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, the local authority, the LEP and elected representatives. Does that not prove that when there is effective joint working, we can really make a difference to the prosperity of the people we represent?”

Minister, Greg Clark, responded “We certainly can, Cheshire is a vital part of the economy.”  (HANSARD 7^th July)

Local Business leaders joined Fiona on a number of occasions to lobby Government and Ministers for funding – photograph attached shows a delegation of Congleton Business Leaders at Parliament lobbying Government.

Fiona added “During the past Labour Government Congleton Constituency did not receive a fair share of national funding to support the aspirations and hard work of local people, I have, and will continue to, campaign hard to redress this balance – this announcement shows Ministers have listened – and this is one of the biggest Growth Fund commitments in the country by far.”

Fiona continued “This major £45million sum will benefit not just the town of Congleton but people across the whole of my constituency, opening up job opportunities and improving traffic flow over a wide area.”

Tim McCloud Chairman of the Link2Prosperity Group and local businessman said today on hearing the news:  “We are delighted with the result. It is testament to the hard work of the group, backing of local businesses and the unwavering dedication and commitment of Fiona Bruce MP. Fiona has tirelessly lobbied Parliament, supporting Congleton causes and championed the Link Road from the beginning. We are hugely grateful to have this level of support; it has been pivotal to achieving the result. This is a great news day for Congleton and will help business expand, increase jobs and move us all a step closer to the regeneration of our town.”

ENDS

The first request Fiona Bruce made in Parliament for Link Road Funding when she called a

debate on this in the House of Commons (March 2013) and spoke of the benefits to Congleton it would bring in terms of creating jobs through opening up access to business park sites, enabling new businesses to set up and existing businesses to expand. It would also, she said, improve the quality of life for people in Congleton by reducing the chronic congestion which the town suffers at times. Hansard Link - http://fionabruce.mp/press/index.php?id=7813868237926615676

 Most recently Fiona raised a question in the House of Commons at Transport Questions on 8^th May lobbying Roads Minister, Robert Goodwill MP, for Link Road Funding –

Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): The proposed Congleton link road will help to boost the economy across the east Cheshire region, relieving not only local town congestion, but that along the M6, both of which are frequently described as chronic. It will also improve access to and from Crewe station. Will the Minister consider making Government funding available to fund this vital link road project?

Mr Goodwill: I understand that the Cheshire and Warrington local enterprise partnership has submitted a bid for local growth fund funding to support the Congleton link road as part of its strategic economic plan. We are currently assessing the plans and bids submitted by every LEP in England and we hope to be able to make an announcement in July.

Mothers' Union AGM

Fiona Bruce MP Speaks at Diocese of Chester Mothers’ Union in Hartford

Fiona Bruce spoke at the AGM of the Mothers’ Union groups from across the Diocese of Chester – including the Middlewich group, of which Fiona is a member - at St John’s Church, Hartford.

Fiona spoke of her work in Parliament and in particular her current Parliamentary campaign to challenge the proposed introduction by the Government later this year of the mitochondrial transfer technique. The aim of this technique is to prevent the transfer of mitochondrial disease from a Mother to a child. Whilst it is estimated it could help 5-10 people a year, the unintended consequences do, Fiona said, give cause for concern.

Fiona explained “This technique would involve removing some material from one woman’s egg and replacing it with another to create a genetically altered human being. If approved by Parliament the UK would be the first country in the world to do so. In some 60 other countries it is expressly prohibited. There are grave concerns about the safety of this technique, with warnings of the risks of sterility, impaired learning, premature ageing or slowed metabolism in any child born as a result.”

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in a very recent report state “There are still experiments that need to be completed before clinical treatment should be offered – and some are critical.”

Fiona continued, “A leading fertility expert, Professor Lord Robert Winston, said “I don’t believe there has been enough work done to ensure mitochondrial replacement is truly safe. A great deal more research ought to be undertaken before these techniques are approved.”

Fiona told the gathering of mothers “These are complex issues but the implications of passing this legislation are huge, not least by any means ethical concerns regarding these procedures which would, in effect, for the first time, legalise eugenics in this country. The procedure, if approved, would cross a line, the same procedure could potentially be used to select characteristics – blond eyes or blue hair – in other words, Designer Babies. I have requested Parliamentary time to debate these implications before any decision is taken. This is why it is so important that Members of Parliament and the public are alerted to these proposals to give them time to make their views known.

Fiona concluded “The proposed legalisation of this technique should be delayed – indeed, ideally, not introduced at all. No mother wants to conceive a child with mitochondrial disease but neither do they wish to conceive a child with genetic abnormalities because we have rushed into introducing scientific techniques which should have been tested more robustly.”

Guide Dogs' Talking Buses Campaign

Fiona Bruce MP showed her support for a campaign led by the charity Guide Dogs to make travelling by bus easier for people with sight loss.

The MP for Congleton went to a reception at the Houses of Parliament on 2nd July in support of Guide Dogs’ campaign to make sure all new buses have audio visual (AV) next stop announcements, which are vital for blind and partially sighted bus travellers.

The reception, which was addressed by Bus Minister Baroness Kramer, highlighted how announcements enable blind and partially sighted people to understand their location, and prevent them from missing their stops.

AV systems are only fitted to around one fifth of the bus fleet nationally, with the overwhelming majority of these buses operating in London.

Guide Dogs is calling for the Government to require all new buses be fitted with AV, as currently bus operators are under no obligation to include this technology when upgrading their fleet.

Fiona Bruce MP “I am very pleased to support this important campaign. The Guide Dogs charity is very active in my constituency; Congleton has the only Guide Dogs charity shop in the country. Having experienced a ‘blind walk’ with a guide dog, I can say what a benefit these AV enhancements would be for those who are visually impaired. Without AV bus travel for people with sight loss can be especially difficult, stressful and dangerous when stops are missed and they end up in an unfamiliar area. This is about social inclusion – it’s about providing safe and accessible bus services which give people with sight loss much greater freedom to work, socialise and participate in the community. I commend Guide Dogs for their sterling work.”

James White, Guide Dog’s Campaigns Manager, said: “Buses are a lifeline for people who are blind or partially sighted, and we welcome the support of Fiona Bruce MP for people with sight loss to be able to travel safely and independently.”  

Middlewich Boys Brigade Awards

Fiona Bruce MP and Middlewich Town Mayor attend Boys Brigade Awards

The 1^st Middlewich Company of the Boys Brigade held their annual Open Evening and Presentation of Awards at Middlewich United Reformed Church recently. The event was conducted by Company Captain Debbie Grierson and Boys Brigade Members aged 5 to 19 demonstrated skills to almost 100 parents, residents and representatives from the local community including MP Fiona Bruce and Town Mayor Paul Edwards, with his consort Sonya Edwards.

Awards were presented to a large number of Boys Brigade members with a particularly high number of the most senior awards being achieved this year.

Fiona Bruce said “It was a delight once again to celebrate Middlewich Boys Brigade’s achievements and to not only congratulate these fine young men who are excellent role models, but also to thank Debbie Grierson and the other leaders of 1^st Middlewich Company which through their dedication and hard work continues to go from strength to strength.”

Premiere "A Child Like You" Southbank Centre

Fiona Bruce attended the London Premiere of the New Music Biennial Commission “A Child Like You” at London’s Southbank Centre this week.

This new piece of music was commissioned by Foden’s Brass Band and written by Sandbach composer Andy Scott (founder of the Sandbach Concert Series).

This dramatic piece is a fifteen minute mini opera. It tells the story of a seventeen year old Ugandan Asian refugee, taken in by the family of composer Andy Scott – when Andy himself was under ten years old – to help the young Ugandan Asian refugee escape the brutal regime of Idi Amin. It tells Andy’s foster brother’s story from Uganda to refugee camps in the UK to living with his new family, weaving together original text and music.

This new work featured Anna – Clare Monk as soprano/narrator, Lauren Scott on harp and the world famous Foden’s Brass Band, with whom Andy is Composer in Residence. Four young musicians from Foden’s Youth Band both played and narrated part of the piece and Foden’s Brass Band travelled with conductor, Michael Fowles, to play the piece at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Southbank Centre.

The performance was recorded and can be heard on BBC Radio 3 next Saturday.

Fiona Bruce said “This was a complex and dramatic piece, which vividly stirred compassionate thoughts and emotions about the challenges faced by children losing their homeland and having to start life again in a completely strange environment and culture. It was a privilege to attend this prestigious event. The powerful, creative work and the sensitive dramatic way in which Foden’s interpreted it showed yet another dimension of Foden’s musical versatility. The whole performance was received extremely well by the audience, in fact, so much so, it was played twice! It made me very proud to represent Sandbach as Member of Parliament. I was particularly interested to learn that excerpts from a speech in Parliament from the 1970s were woven into the text. It was also wonderful to meet Andy’s foster brother who also attended the performance.”