February 2012
This is the twentieth monthly report from Elizabeth Truss MP updating residents on her activities.
Transport: Elizabeth made the case for improved services on the Fen and Norwich-Cambridge lines at a Norfolk/Cambridgeshire Rail Summit held at the Houses of Parliament. Network Rail confirmed that upgrades to the Ely North Junction and the Trowse Bridge were key to improving services.
Economy: Elizabeth chaired a discussion on skills for the manufacturing sector with Universities Minister, the Rt Hon David Willetts, and the Chief Executive of Ford Britain, Joe Greenwell. She hosted a roundtable in Parliament on the future of engineering in the UK. Elizabeth spoke about the need for better skills at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce’s “Going for Growth” conference. Elizabeth supported the sign-up for better broadband in both Swaffham and Parliament. Elizabeth hosted a meeting of the Free Enterprise Group of Conservative MPs.
Farming: Elizabeth held a farming forum at Shouldham Thorpe where she met local farmers to discuss issues of concern including reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, water shortages and unnecessary bureaucracy. She asked Farming Minister, the Rt Hon Jim Paice, about steps to reduce the number of farm inspections in Environment Questions. Elizabeth and fellow Norfolk MPs met the Country Land and Business Association.
Education: Elizabeth called for more rigorous education at schools in the debate on Youth Unemployment. She organised a roundtable with maths teachers from the Thetford Academy at the think-tank Reform in Westminster. Elizabeth met Schools Minister, Nick Gibb to discuss improving teacher training. She met Rachel de Souza about the proposed Sir Isaac Newton Maths Free School. Elizabeth presented apprentices with certificates at Warren Services, Thetford as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
Defence: Elizabeth met Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon Philip Hammond to make the case for RAF Marham as the home of the Joint Strike Fighter. Elizabeth took part in the ceremony awarding honorary citizenship of Swaffham to II (AC) Squadron of RAF Marham.
Meetings and Events: Elizabeth met the following people and organisations: EduLab, Veltshaw Builders, Busy Bees Nurseries, Tinies, R J Herbert Engineering, Elgood and Sons Brewers, WREN, Southery Primary School, New Eccles Hall School, the Education and Employers Taskforce and the Brecks Partnership. She also opened the Watlington Village Hall Car Park.
Media: Elizabeth appeared on BBC 1’s “Question Time” and was interviewed for Radio 5’s “Pienaar’s Politcs”, BBC Look East, Anglia TV, KL.FM, Heart FM and BBC Radio Norfolk on issues including economic growth and the NHS. She has written for the Lynn News, the Downham Market News, the Thetford and Brandon Times, the Swaffham and Watton Times and the Welney News. Elizabeth has appeared in articles in the Telegraph, the Sunday Times, the Daily Mail, the EDP, the Bury Free Press, the Lynn News, the East Anglia Daily Times, the Downham Market News, the Swaffham and Watton Times and the Thetford and Brandon Times on issues ranging from education to rail improvements.
Upcoming Surgeries:
· 2 March (Downham Market) 4-6pm Surgery
· 22 March (Stoke Ferry) 4-5.30pm Surgery
· 20 April (Swaffham) 4-6pm Surgery
Please contact Fiona Walker on elizabeth.truss.mp@parliament.uk or 01842 757345 to arrange an appointment.
If you would like to contact Elizabeth, please write to her at:
The Limes
Thetford
Norfolk
IP24 3AG