I had a very special start to this week in Westminster, a week in which I have been focusing on children and young people.
About a year ago, many parents and local residents contacted me about their concerns regarding the safety of children at Barnes Farm Infants and Junior School at pick up and drop off time. There was too much dangerous parking and driving.
I worked with the school head teachers, County Councillor John Spence and a team from Essex County Council on a bespoke project to encourage children to walk, cycle or scoot to school. I offered a prize to give the child who did most for the project a behind the scenes tour of Parliament.
Therefore, Lilly Mae from year 1, her mum and baby brother for joined me early on Monday morning. We had a huge amount of fun seeing Big Ben close up (that’s the clock bell, the clock tower is the “Elizabeth Tower”), getting into the cupboard where suffragette Emily Dickenson famously hid from the census gatherers, admiring the statues of lions and unicorns and walking through the voting lobby together. I hope Lilly Mae enjoyed the visit, I certainly did. If any readers want to join a public tour of the Palace of Westminster, please do email my office.
I was very taken by two Chelmsford GCSE students, Louis and Mason, who came to one of my recent constituency surgeries to talk to me about a citizenship project they have been doing on our justice system and prisoner re-offender rates. They wondered what is being done to help offenders and ex-offenders into employment, as having a job can help reduce the chance of re-offending. In Parliament this week I asked the Justice Minister for an update on this. I was pleased to hear about many new initiatives which are making a significant difference to helping those leaving prison into work.
However, safeguarding is also important. I also took part in passing a new element of secondary legislation, which will enable stricter checks on former offenders if they apply for more sensitive roles. Those applying to join the Fire Service will now have a higher level of disclosure, as is already used for those working in children’s services or many other services affecting vulnerable people.
In a debate in Westminster Hall, I spoke about the excellent work that Chelmsford College does to support young people with education, skills and training. Further Education Colleges currently do not get the same level of VAT exemptions as schools and universities, this funding issue makes it harder to for them to recruit and retain teachers. I hope that the treasury will look again at this issue.
I joined a meeting by the Mental Health Foundation for Mental Health Awareness week. They have produced some very helpful advice for those suffering from anxiety. Here is a link for more information on their website: http:mentalhealth-org.uk
I spoke to the School’s Minister about the suggestions that the head teacher of Bishops Primary in Springfield had made about the recent SATs paper. The minister really appreciated the local feedback.
This week we heard the news that the UK has jumped up three places is in the global league tables for reading, our children are now ranked number one in the Western World! I often visit Chelmsford schools and have seen first-hand how much our children love reading. I have written to all Chelmsford Primary Schools to congratulate the children and thank their teachers, parents and carers for their support in encouraging reading.
Thursday brought a very serious and sombre issue. A few months ago, I was told of two cases where young teenage girls had experienced rape but had not wanted to report this to the police. They were concerned and frightened about what might happen if they reported the incidents. In both cases they were given full safeguarding support by their school.
Since then, I have been working with the safeguarding leads in Mid Essex Schools. I am deeply grateful to the working group of students from year 10 and 12 who came together in Chelmsford to discuss this. These young teenage women gave their insight and help with an important project which I hope will help improve awareness and safety. Thank you also to the school safeguarding leads and the two female officers from Essex Police who are supported this.
In Chelmsford, I also visited the site of the new Beaulieu Station. The work on building our new station is making huge progress, the piles for the new platforms are in place and soon the platform fronts will start to be erected.
Finally, great news this week that the “Get Around for £2” scheme that capped single bus fares in England outside London will continue until the end of this October.
