Progress on heating oil prices

The Health and Social Care Bill was much amended in the House of Commons last week.  It has now moved to the House of Lords.  Many colleagues who had concerns about some aspects of the original Bill, as well as many doctors, nurses and clinicians are now satisfied with the improvements that have been made.  The greatest concern that has been expressed to me is that the NHS will be privatized.  This is not the case.  While there have always been a range of organisations providing healthcare in the NHS, the improvements in the Bill create a much stronger regulator ensuring that decisions about services will be decided on quality not price.  I am always happy to answer questions on this or any bills so please feel free to contact me.

Regular readers will be aware of the action I have taken over the past year to try and prevent a repeat of the dreadful price hikes in heating oil experienced by constituents last winter.  I felt that some companies were rigging the market.  I took this issue up with the Energy Minister personally and in Parliament.  I asked him to refer the issue to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for investigation.  He did and the OFT has taken some decisive action to make sure that accurate information about suppliers and prices is now available.  The full report of their investigation is due out later this month and I will be watching closely to see that action is taken on any further recommendations, to ensure a properly functioning market that is not ripping off customers.

On Saturday, I enjoyed watching youngsters competing on Cathedral Green in Cornish Wrestling.  Apparently judo was based on this ancient sport!  Congratulations to all those involved in keeping this old Cornish sport alive.  It was also a rare treat to visit the Bell Tower of the Cathedral.  What a magnificent achievement for all those involved in fundraising for the new bells.

On Sunday, I joined the congregation of people of many different faiths in Truro Cathedral to commemorate the terrorist attacks on America ten years ago.  Like so many families across my constituency I felt personally involved in the events of 9/11 and appreciated the opportunity to reflect during the service of moving music and thought provoking words from the wide range of faith groups represented.

Banking Reforms proposed

I welcome the Vickers Report, and the commitment of the Chancellor to implement its recommendations: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14877865

Cornish employee works with Employment Secretary

http://www.convergencecornwall.com/what-is-convergence/media-releases.php?id=1694&year=2011&quarter=3

Welcoming charity shop for children to Truro

http://www.convergencecornwall.com/what-is-convergence/media-releases.php?id=1692&year=2011&quarter=3

Returning to Parliament for NHS debate

For the Newtons, like many families around my constituency, it’s back to school, college or university.  The long summer holidays and nail biting anticipation of exam results are over.  And for mum it’s back to Parliament.

The recess has enabled me to pull together some important meetings.  Most notably, inviting the Chancellor, George Osborne, to learn about the Port of Falmouth Master Plan by looking at the area and meeting key supporters of the scheme.

It is much easier to advocate for a place if key decision makers have visited and are familiar with the issues.  So I was equally pleased to welcome the Prime Minister, his wife and baby back to Treliske.

The recess has also enabled me to join in the fun of the many marvellous events organised by a legion of volunteers right across this constituency.  Paddling a home-made raft in the Porthscatho Regatta Raft Race was the most memorable and I am very grateful for the invitation from my intrepid paddling partner.  Congratulations to the organiser Keith Brown and his team for a really grand traditional village regatta.

With sand thoroughly washed from my feet, the first week back in Parliament will be spent debating and voting on amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill.  Over the past months I have been in touch with many constituents who have shared their opinions on all sides of the debate about reform of the NHS.  I appreciate people taking the time to write, e-mail or talking to me.  As we all depend on the NHS to a greater or lesser extent and all want to know that it will provide free, high quality care when we need it, I fully appreciate why any proposed changes cause concern.

I understand that most people who have been in touch with me about the future of the NHS want to see more decisions about their care and the health services they provide taken locally; more involvement of  clinicians, nurses and doctors in developing health services; more patient involvement and greater integration of health and other care services as well as cutting out waste and unnecessary bureaucracy.  I also understand that some people are worried about the introduction of too much competition based on price rather than quality of care and the break-up of the NHS.  I will be making sure that those concerns are fully debated and addressed.

Also this week, as part of the Health and Social Care Bill we will be debating proposed changes to how advice is given to women considering an abortion.  I believe women should be given as much advice and support as possible in coming to such an important and difficult decision.  I want to ensure that women are properly informed by highly qualified people. I support the Government’s plan for an independent review of this advice by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Congratulations to Ladock and Grampound Road Transition

Since my election I have worked closely with the Transition movement in Ladock and Grampound Road. I am delighted that the two villages are now benefiting from the pioneering use of green energy:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-14748115

An enjoyable visit to Carrick University of the Third Age

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Members-U3A-group-questions-MP-meeting/story-13243453-detail/story.html