Elizabeth Truss is the Conservative Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk. Living in Downham Market, she is committed to working for the people of South West Norfolk and being a strong voice at Westminster for her constituents.
If you have any questions or thoughts on important issues for South West Norfolk, please don't hesitate to contact Elizabeth.
Latest News
Wednesday 25th August 2010
Elizabeth appeared on the Great British Waste Menu programme on BBC1.
The programme explored how and why the nation throws away and rejects huge quantities of perfectly edible food.
Tuesday 24th August 2010
Elizabeth met with Walsoken residents and local councillors to discuss their concerns regarding the junction of Broadend Road on to the A47. Issues raised included speeding, lighting and dangerous overtaking.
Elizabeth said, 'I can see this is a difficult junction. Being staggered does create additional hazards for the driver and the pedestrian. I will ask the Highways Agency to investigate the possibility of extra safety measures and what long term improvements can be made.'
Elizabeth also attended the Parish Council Meeting where Parish Councillors were given the opportunity to quiz Elizabeth. Points of discussion ranged from local issues to national policy.
Tuesday 3rd August 2010
Elizabeth was interviewed and took part in a phone-in on the Nick Conrad show on BBC Radio Norfolk.
Tuesday 27th July 2010
Elizabeth joined Members of Parliament from across Norfolk and Suffolk to press the Transport Minister, Mike Penning MP, for the dualling of the A11. The serious but still good-humoured debate, entitled 'Economic Impact for East Anglia of dualling the A11', took place in Westminster Hall, and attracted an audience of not just journalists but local businessmen from the region too.
Elizabeth said, 'The already long overdue scheme to dual the A11 between Thetford and Fiveways is particularly pressing given the need to generate growth and jobs in difficult economic times. The UK is 34th in the world infrastructure league table, despite being the 6th richest country. Norfolk would rate far behind that being the largest county in England without a dual carriageway to the national trunk road system. We are the only county not in BT’s superfast roll out plan. Railway speed and frequency is not as it should be. Of the missed opportunities to improve infrastructure over the past 13 years, failing to dual the final stretch of the A11 has been the largest. In my view EERA misprioritised the scheme and failed to take sufficient account of the significant economic benefits.
'Businesses in Norfolk are not asking for handouts, we didn’t for example receive the National Insurance contributions holiday for new businesses or the public sector contracts under the past government, 72% of the Norfolk economy is private sector. All Norfolk businesses are asking for is to be able to get to work and get to their customers before the customers go elsewhere.
'The economic return is the highest positive value of the 14 road projects on the Department’s current “planned list” for which Benefit Cost Ratios have been calculated. I understand from the meeting of the Norfolk Nine MPs with the Chief Secretary that all capital projects across departments should be under consideration and those with the highest return will go ahead rather than capital budgets being limited by department. I urge the Minister to make sure this is the case to ensure that high value transport projects vital for growth do not lose out to lower value projects from other departments.'
See the BBC report on the debate.
Thursday 22nd July 2010
Norfolk MPs and Norfolk County Councillors met Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to urge him to allocate Norfolk as one of the three pilot areas for rural broadband.
Elizabeth commented after the meeting, “Norfolk should be one of the rural market testing areas as we still don’t have enough fibre or high speeds and this would really demonstrate what could be achieved in the countryside. Norfolk MPs presented a very strong case which I am sure the minister will seriously consider.”
Wednesday 14th July 2010
Elizabeth joined fellow Norfolk MPs to lobby the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. The MPs urged the minister to treat the county fairly, stating the case of why Norfolk must not be sidelined when it comes to the allocation of government funding and resources. Points of discussion on the agenda included transport infrastructure, research and technology, economic developments and broadband.
Elizabeth commented after the meeting 'We presented the case for Norfolk. The Chancellor has said high return projects will get the green light. I raised the issue of the A11 and the inclusion of Norfolk in one of the three rural broadband pilots - these both meet the funding criteria. The minister was impressed by all the Norfolk MPs showing a united front, the first county to do so.'
After the meeting, Elizabeth appeared on KLFM and BBC Radio Norfolk.
Friday 9th July 2010
Elizabeth joined forces with fellow MP Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) to urge the government to finally give the go-ahead for the dualling of the A11.
Standing on the grass verge of the busy A11, Elizabeth said 'Value for money is even more crucial today. With a cost benefit ratio of every £1 spent producing a return of £19, it is obvious this is one project that will not only increase prosperity for the local economy but the government as well. This has been going on for far too long. I urge the government to make the right decision and dual the A11.'
Wednesday 7th July 2010
In a debate on employment, Elizabeth spoke about the most productive areas of public spending :
"Moving on to the reports that demonstrate that infrastructure spending is the most effective way to spend, not just those in ivory towers think that - indeed, the Library agrees - but local businesses in my constituency do so, too. I asked them to give me their priorities for what the Government should do for South West Norfolk businesses. They said, "No. 1: improve the road and rail links. No. 2: get the performance up in our schools, so that we have the skills that we need locally." That is what people say."
See the whole speech (35 minutes in)
Also, Elizabeth appeared on John Inverdale's show on BBC Radio Five Live to discuss Prime Minister's Questions and Afghanistan.
Monday 28th June 2010
At Home Office Questions, Elizabeth asked the Minister for Police Reform about plans to tackle serious and organised crime:
"I am pleased that Norfolk constabulary is collaborating with other police forces in the region to work against the scourge of serious and organised crime. However, I understand that, on a national level, that collaboration is not yet as strong as it is in counter-terrorism. What plans do we have to put serious and organised crime fighting on a similar footing?"
Thursday 24th June 2010
At Environment Questions, Elizabeth asked the Secretary of State what plans she has to review the functions and accountability of the Environment Agency:
"I am worried about the bureaucratic and remote nature of the Environment Agency's processes, specifically on the flooding of the A1101 at Welney and flood defences at Wiggenhall St Germans. Will she tell us how local communities can hold the Environment Agency's functions further to account and make it more responsive?"
Tuesday 8th June 2010
Elizabeth delivered her Maiden Speech in the Queen's Speech Debate on Economic Affairs and Work and Pensions in the House of Commons.
Friday 4th June 2010
Elizabeth was interviewed by Mark D'Arcy on BBC Radio 4's "Today in Parliament".
Read a transcript of extracts from the interview.
Friday 28th May 2010
Elizabeth visited the Keystone Development Trust, Thetford. The visit included a tour round Keystone Enterprise Factory, Keystone Innovation Centre, Abbey Neighbourhood Centre, Green Ventures Bike and Furniture recycling and The Limes.
Elizabeth commented 'My tour round Keystone has shown me what can be achieved through forward planning and innovation. Green Ventures Bikes are creating employment and training for the people of Thetford. The successful operation of commercial enterprises to sustain local initiatives demonstrates what can be achieved.'
Thursday 20th May 2010
Elizabeth was in the House of Commons to swear the Loyal Oath of Allegiance.
Watch it (14 minutes in).
Tuesday 18th May 2010
As the House of Commons sat for its first business, the election of the Speaker, Norfolk MPs lost no time in meeting to discuss the top issues on which they will be working for the county’s people.
Elizabeth met with other Norfolk Conservatives Chloe Smith MP, Keith Simpson MP, George Freeman MP, Brandon Lewis MP and Henry Bellingham MP to discuss issues including: transport infrastructure, housing, local government, education, regeneration and growth. 
West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock joined the group for a specific discussion on the A11.
Norfolk MPs will meet regularly to continue working closely.
Friday 14th May 2010
Elizabeth was featured in a profile of the region's new MPs in the EDP - read it here.
Wednesday 12th May 2010
Elizabeth was interviewed by Kirsty Wark on BBC2's "Newsnight". Read a transcript of extracts from the interview.
Friday 7th May 2010
Elizabeth was honoured and delighted to be elected as the Member of Parliament for South West Norfolk. She received 23,753 votes, and has a majority of 13,140.
See older news stories in the News Archive.
