First of all let me offer my best wishes to you all for the New Year, I hope 2010 is a prosperous year for Walsall and its people. Despite many people being away over the Christmas break I continued to work during the recess and had quite a busy time. Over the break I paid visits to the different emergency services to thank the men and women for their service over the last year and their continuing commitment to the people of Walsall. On Christmas Eve I visited Walsall Police station and on Christmas Day I visited Walsall Hospital and the local Fire station. At all three I was immensely impressed by the hardworking staff who continued to work while we all enjoyed the break.

I was particularly pleased to visit the police as it gave me the opportunity to talk with them about the new policing structures recently put in place in Walsall. I have long believed that the two police operating units in the town should be merged as it would be more effective and beneficial for the people of Walsall. So I was delighted to hear that the new Chief Constable of West Midlands Police was planning to realign local policing to reflect council areas. In effect this means that instead of the two Operational Command Units that used to cover Walsall we now have one combined Local Policing Unit. The aim of this move is to improve local policing and the service that the West Midlands Police provides to our communities. I’m very pleased to hear that there will be a renewed focus in the region on neighbourhood policing.

This week in Parliament perhaps the most important bill that we are considering is the Children, Schools and Families Bill which had its second reading in Parliament on Monday. The bill includes plans for guaranteed catch-up support and one-to-one tuition for children falling behind in the 3Rs and stronger discipline through tough home-school agreements.

These new guarantees which are aimed at both parents and pupils include catch-up support in the 3Rs for pupils falling behind in English and maths, including one-to-one tuition; online information for parents on their child’s behaviour, progress and attainment; the right to learn triple sciences at GCSE; and the opportunity for every primary pupil to learn a musical instrument.

In Walsall we have already seen the impact of the guarantee regarding one-to-one tuition for those falling behind in literacy and numeracy with the government providing an extra £1,506,070 of funding this year for schools across the Borough. Education has improved significantly in Walsall over recent years, especially since education provision was taken away from the Council and placed with the company Serco. But we cannot be complacent, we need to continue our efforts to ensure our children and future generations receive a world-class education and that is why I was pleased to support and vote for the current bill making its way through Parliament.

Bruce George, MP for Walsall, has hailed a further rise in GCSE results for local schools in Walsall following the publication of secondary school results today.

However, schools across Walsall have seen big improvements in results, according to today’s figures. Over the last year (2009 compared to 2008) there has been:

A 5.6% percentage points rise (from 59.4% to 65%) in the number of pupils getting five or more GCSEs at A*-C grade. This is a big increase of 30.4 percentage points from just 34.6 % in 1998.

A 3.4% percentage points rise (from 40.6% to 44%) in the number of pupils getting five or more GCSEs at A*-C grade, including in the vital subjects of English and maths. This is a big increase of 18.2 percentage points from just 25.8% in 1998.

Bruce George MP said:

“This year’s GCSE results show a great increase over the last year and a real transformation in school standards across Walsall since 1997. Improvements to the local system in Walsall have been particularly noteworthy since education was taken out of the Council’s hands and given to Serco. I have been visiting the local schools in Walsall for over 30 years and I can see the positive changes that are taking place. I would like to congratulate the local teachers and pupils on the success they’ve had this year.

Thanks to extra investment and the hard work of teachers and pupils, there has been a revolution in our local schools. There are 230 more teachers and 670 more teaching assistants across Walsall. Exam results are up, school buildings and facilities are being transformed, and more young people are staying on in education or doing an apprenticeship at 16.”

Bruce George MP today welcomed the government’s announcement of a new ambitious strategy aimed at tackling violence against women and girls. The new ‘Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy’ marks a greater focus by the government to prevent such violence from happening. As part of the strategy schools will include in personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education lessons on preventing violence in relationships. This will be accompanied by a high profile marketing campaign.

Speaking today Bruce said:

“I am glad to see that the government is taking a more joined up approach to this vitally important issue. It is extremely important that all the relevant bodies, whether local councils, the NHS, the police and government departments work together to see that violence is prevented as much as possible, and that where it does occur there are sufficient specialist services in place to help and support the victims.

As part of this new strategy the government will be encouraging local authorities to appoint a Violence Against Women and Girls champion at Director level, and I would encourage Walsall Council to follow government advice and appoint someone as soon as possible to better ensure Walsall can provide excellent services in this area.”

Bruce added:

“The Council’s record on domestic violence isn’t very good. For the last few years the resources allocated to Walsall Domestic Forum have been significantly reduced, forcing cuts in services. I suppose the Council are currently considering next year’s budget for the Forum and will be thinking about cutting it again – it was halved last year! If you look at the statistics it is pretty obvious that during the current economic crisis the number of cases of violence within the family has been on the increase and the Christmas and New Year holiday will also see an increase in cases if previous years are any indicator. So now is not the time to be considering cutting funding. I just hope the Council will protect the very many vulnerable members of our town by enabling this excellent service to survive.”

Bruce George MP is calling on members of Walsall Council’s Development Control Committee to throw out the proposal to get rid of most of George Rose Park in Herberts Park Road, Darlaston to make way for the proposed new build for the Grace Academy, Darlaston.

Bruce George said:

“This is the only major public open space in this locality and to take it away from the local community is an absolute disgrace. Young people in the immediate vicinity of George Rose Park complain about the lack of facilities in the area for them to use. Getting rid of most of this open space is a recipe for more anti-social behaviour and general nuisance to local residents ny young people roaming the streets.

I hote also that the Environment Agency has concerns about the lack of a Flood Risk Assessment. These concerns should not ne ignored.

I urge the elected members of Walsall Council’s Development Control Committee to reject the recommendation to grant permission to the change of use. This public open space is a facility that belongs, in my view, to the local community and Walsall Council has no right to dispose of it in this way. I am sure there are other sites that could be considered. Indeed Walsall Council should be encouraging more use of our open spaces and not getting rid of them.”

Bruce is seen here with Pleck Labour Councillors Dennis Anson and Harbans Sarohi at the opening of the Walsall Manor Hospital Police Base which is situated at 28 Wilbraham Road on the hospital grounds. Regular police surgeries will be held at this venue which will enable local residents to raise any concerns or issues that they have.

Bruce said “I am delighted with the opening of this police base which will be immensely reassuring not only for local residents but for staff and users’ at the hospital. This base is very much in line with the Government’s neighbourhood policing policy.”

The national media are having a field day, as they do every year, in encouraging people to believe that the twelve week parliamentary recess is little more than an incredibly extended holiday. I’ll tell you how I’m using this period. I’m not really into holidays, and when I do go it’s normally somewhere I can further my research. My wife is incredibly tolerant! By the time you read this I’ll be preparing for the “holiday” of a lifetime leading a Parliamentary delegation to Rwanda in central Africa. Fifteen years ago Rwanda witnessed the wholesale butchery of an estimated one million people in what was one of the largest genocides of the twentieth century. The country is recovering and Britain is assisting in that recovery by being the single largest donor. I’m leading another similar delegation in September to Senegal in West Africa. In between these two visits I will continue to do what I normally do during the recess, spending Monday to Thursday in my London office working with my staff on my parliamentary duties. Then, accompanied by my wife Lisa, I come back to Walsall to continue my constituency work, going to meetings and helping constituents.

The death occurred earlier in the week of the incredibly famous journalist Walter Cronkite, aged 92. He was regularly voted the most trustworthy man in the USA. What is much less known is that in 1983 he came to Darlaston as part of a programme he was presenting on our Parliamentary election. I was originally going to be interviewed by him, but then my bit was cut out. However I was asked if I wanted to meet the great man, I jumped at the opportunity needing no encouragement from my American research assistant and his wife who were even more excited than I was. He and his camera crew arrived late and I was in conversation with some constituents who were deeply impressed by this man coming to Rugh Hay Working Mens Club (now demolished). However despite this pride, they asked me to make sure “he doesn’t interfere with the f***ing bingo!” Cronkite laughed uncontrollably when I told him and he didn’t interfere!

I was deeply saddened to hear of the death in Afghanistan of Corporal Jonathan Horne a former constituent. I have the deepest admiration for our armed forces, present and past. I say at the outset that I support what is being done in Afghanistan and it is in out national interests that religious and violent extremism is defeated. It is in our interests, the Afghan people’s interests and the neighbouring country of Pakistan. As former Chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee I visited virtually every British contingent that was fighting in many parts of the world. I can assure you it was, and remains, deeply distressing at the loss of any soldier, and my heart goes out to the family and friends of a fallen member of our armed forces. It is much much worse when that soldier is local. I’m sure the town will honour Corporal Horne at his funeral at a date yet to be determined. My deepest sympathy is extended to his wife and their children, and to his parents during this difficult time.

I have been visiting schools in Walsall South on a regular basis ever since I became a Member of Parliament. In the last four months I have been to fifteen schools, though for obvious reasons I won’t be visiting any over the next few weeks. I must say how impressed I have been by what I have seen and heard. A lot more money has been pumped in to the education system by central government and it is clearly working. Last Friday I visited a small maintained nursery school in Alumwell. I have rarely visited such a happy atmosphere and I must compliment the staff, governors, parents and Education Walsall. Getting children into this kind of environment when they are so very young is not an option in my view, it is absolutely essential. Reforms, however, are being contemplated but I am working hard to ensure it is to improve the early learning experience of those kids, particularly from disadvantaged areas.

This leads to a proposal by the Cabinet of Walsall Council to support a “Young Peoples Centre” on a former bakery site at the junction of Paddock Lane and Holtshill Lane in Chuckery. I very much support the improvement of youth facilities in the area, but in my view there has to be a more significant search for an appropriate site which will be a difficult task. I want to see all the options and all of the arguments. However, on a related issue this building is a danger to anyone walking or living near it. I saw mothers with prams actually crossing a potentially dangerous road rather than walk near a wall that is in my view about to fall down. I visited residents next door on the other side where parts of the wall have already fallen down and damaged their car. I urge the Council and/or the owner of the building to ensure that urgent remedial work is undertaken and not to use the excuse that the building will be knocked down. The building poses a danger now and cannot be left unaddressed.

Bruce George MP is today backing Carers Week (8-14 June) in support of all of Walsall’s carers, who are among the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid care to a loved one who is ill, frail or disabled.

Bruce George joined calls today for carers to receive greater support and recognition. Speaking today he said:

“There are thousands of people in Walsall South who have sacrificed their time and often their health, finances, work and social life, in order to care for a loved one. They deserve to be recognised for the excellent contribution they make to our local community and to society as a whole.”

Bruce’s support comes as new research has revealed that 74% of carers say they have reached breaking point due to the pressures of their role as carer. This study shows clearly how hard it can be for these carers who work with extreme levels of stress and often depression.

The survey also revealed that the vast majority of carers feel that their role is often ignored by professionals, family and friends with more than half also saying it had left them worse off financially.

Bruce George MP today backed Government plans to introduce compulsory licensing to deal with rogue wheel clamping companies in Walsall. Bruce, who was principally responsible for the introduction of the legislation that regulated the Private Security Industry in 2001 (the Private Security Act), welcomes the proposed changes.

Bruce George MP welcomed the announcement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith that a consultation would be published shortly on proposals for a compulsory licensing scheme for wheel clamping companies.

This consultation will look at introducing compulsory licensing and industry-wide standards for:

signage, including size and visibility;
maximum penalties charged and payment methods;
minimum time between immobilisation and removal;
providing evidence that a parking infringement has taken place;
security and location of pound where vehicles are impounded; and
complaints and appeals policy.

The measures aim to tackle the limited number of wheel clamping companies whose dodgy practices include excessive penalties for releasing clamped cars, clamping emergency vehicles and those belonging to disabled drivers, impounding cars unreasonably quickly after being clamped, hidden or missing signs warning drivers that clamping takes place, and a lack of any appeals process for drivers.

Bruce George MP said:

“The licensing of individual wheel clampers has gone a long way to reducing criminality and improving standards in the industry. I do not oppose legitimate wheel clamping companies clamping or removing vehicles when they are illegally parked, but there are too many rogue companies at the moment.”

“But I know that people in Walsall want further action against the small minority of clamping companies who indulge in sharp practices, including unclear signage and excessive fees.

“The Government is looking at introducing a scheme for compulsory licensing of clamping companies, with clear industry standards that they have to meet. I will be writing to the Home Secretary in support of these measures and urging their introduction as soon as possible.”

“Rogue wheel clampers shouldn’t be able to get away with unacceptable practices in Walsall and I’ll be working with the Government to clamp down on dodgy clampers.”

Bruce is seen here at the formal presentation of a donation to the Manor Hospital as bequeathed by the late John Samuel Leslie Bevan. The money is going to spent as follows. £22k to purchase a scan machine for the Foetal Assessment Unit; £11k will go to the Stroke unit and £16k to the Ophthalmology Fund towards the purchase of an OCT Imaging Machine.

Mrs Kath Hawker who was Mr Bevan’s niece is seen here in the photo with Chief Executive Sue James, Bruce George MP and Miles Astbury-Crimes from Hadens solicitors.

Bruce George MP today joined British Olympic swimmer Mark Foster to welcome the launch of free swimming today. As a result of government funding Walsall Council will open up its swimming pools for free for people aged 60 and over and [16 and under as well.

Four out of every five local councils in England – almost 300 - have signed up to provide free swimming for over 60s, with more than 200 councils offering it too for young people.

The £140 million Government initiative was announced last June, – delivering on a Government promise to help get two million people more active by the time London hosts the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

Bruce George MP said,

“It is great to see the national launch of Free Swimming today. I am happy to see that Walsall Council has backed the scheme to offer free swimming to people over 60 and under 16. This scheme will provide a fun and now accessible means of keeping fit and active.”

Sectretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said:

“Today is the official launch of free swimming and a landmark moment as we look to build a healthier and more active nation. The take-up of this scheme has exceeded all expectations with over 81% of councils taking part. Thanks to this Government’s £140m investment millions of people in the UK will be able to swim for free which will be a boon for older people, children – and of course their mums and dads. It will also ensure that local pools are given a new lease of life in the heart of their communities. It is our hope that this is just the beginning and that in time free swimming becomes the norm across the country.”