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Latest News from Priti Patel MP
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Welcome back to the first edition of my re-vamped newsletter, which provides an update on my work as a Member of Parliament over the past month, both in Parliament and in the Witham constituency.
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Priti in Parliament
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Priti backs new victims' law in Parliamentary speech
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I have been a longstanding campaigner on victims' rights throughout my time in Parliament.
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This month, I spoke in favour of the Victims & Prisoners Bill, and which will help rebalance the system and bring about much-needed institutional change.
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Priti raises pylon concerns in Parliament
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During Energy Questions, I raised the development of an offshore grid instead of current proposals over 100 miles of pylons and overhead powerlines in the East of England.
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I reiterated the objections and concerns local communities have with these plans.
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I am pleased that the Minister for Nuclear & Networks has visited the region, met with campaigners and remains open to the development of an offshore grid. I will continue to make the case for this alternative plan, and for our beautiful countryside to be protected.
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Out and About in Witham
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Priti visits schools as part of her ‘Get Witham Growing’ campaign
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Following the successful launch of my new 'Get Witham Growing' initiative in March, I have made a second round of visits to local schools to speak to students about horticulture and the importance of loving and preserving nature. I have brought schools a basket with seeds and other goodies to help them learn more about gardening!
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Priti welcomes Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work to Witham
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I was thrilled to welcomed the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, to the constituency on Thursday 18th May for visits to local organisations that support education and employment opportunities for special needs children and young people.
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Priti teams up with local farmers and the NFU to tour farms in her Witham Constituency
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I had the pleasure of visiting a number of local farms in Witham in conjunction with the National Farmers Union and held wide-ranging discussions on a number of issues affecting agricultural businesses and rural communities, including energy prices and planning as well as trade and border controls.
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Priti opens new building at Copford Primary School
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As the MP for Witham, I made a number of representations to local authority bodies on behalf of Copford Church England Primary School to push for the new building and to accelerate the project through the delays that it experienced.
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This has been a long journey, and I was pleased to join the school to officially open its new state of the art building. The project began because of the urgent need to replace classrooms which were not fit for purpose due to uneven floors, leaking roofs, damp and mould. Those conditions were unacceptable for a learning environment, so I very much welcome this vital new building of which I know the school will make good use.
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Wethersfield Update
Many of my constituents are rightly concerned about the large scale asylum accommodation centre at Wethersfield in the Braintree district. I am actively working on this issue with Home Office officials, local authorities, and statutory service providers.
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I recognise that my constituents and those in neighbouring areas have not received sufficient assurances to address their concerns and our statutory service providers remain unclear about the pressures that they will face and the levels of funding they will be supported with.
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These are all significant issues and I am committed to pressing Ministers in the Home Office for clarity on these issues to ensure that my constituents have the full facts about plans for the Wethersfield site.
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I recently raised these concerns with the Immigration Minister during Home Office Oral Questions where I called on the Government to scrap these plans. I followed this up with a letter to the Immigration Minister and the Home Secretary, which is linked below.
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Transport Update
Regretfully, further strike action has been announced to take place on the 31st May, 2 June and 3rd June. The impact of this is likely to lead to reduced service which will affect the Greater Anglia rail operator on these dates and anyone travelling is encouraged to check their operators train service ahead of travelling.
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Potholes continue to be one of the main issues under the remit of Essex County Council and Essex Highways that constituents raise with me on a regular basis, and whilst the announcements of increased funding and investment are welcome, it is important that we see this money in use.
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Constituents and council tax payers are understandably sceptical of increases in their council tax made alongside announcements of action to repair our roads, when compared to the reality of actually driving along some of these spots which are in an awful state at the present time.
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Please do use the contact form linked below to raise any concerns on our roads, which I will then take up with the Highways team. Please feel free to pass this information on to friends and neighbours.
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Here to Help
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My team and I are always available to support constituents with any issues they may be having. Please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail ([email protected]), with your full address and postcode and a summary of the issue that you require assistance with.
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As ever with best wishes,
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Member of Parliament for Witham
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