Copy

Chris Heaton-Harris MP's
Westminster Report:
Christmas Special

EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) BILL 

Eight days of debates have taken place, and the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill will now move from the Committee to Report stage, before going on to receive its third reading in the House of Commons. Unsurprisingly, I have been contacted by numerous constituents about the Bill and ongoing negotiations, so I thought it would be helpful to take this opportunity to provide an update.

The great news is that the Government has now reached agreement with the European Commission on citizens’ rights, Northern Ireland and the financial settlement. The European Council has also said that sufficient progress has been made to move on to the second phase of the negotiations on the UK and the EU’s future relationship. 

Despite this positive news, it would be remiss of me not to mention amendment 7, tabled by Dominic Grieve MP, on the approval of the final deal with the EU, which was narrowly passed earlier this month. The Government has already said that MPs would have at least three formal opportunities to have a say on the UK's withdrawal from the EU in addition to the many debates that take place in Parliament each week. Before the amendment was voted on, my ministerial colleagues had said that MPs would have a vote on whether to accept the final deal or not as soon as possible after the end of the negotiations. It is still the intention that this should take place before the European Parliament votes on the agreement. 
 
The Prime Minister had also separately promised that a Bill would be brought forward so that the withdrawal agreement reached with the EU could be put into UK domestic law. This would give MPs another chance to debate, scrutinise and vote on the deal reached with the EU.  Naturally, I was disappointed that my colleague pressed for this amendment, given the reassurances the Government had already made.

That said, I remain confident in the ability of the Government to secure a deal that guarantees a deep and special partnership with the EU. The Prime Minister has said that she wants the best possible access to European markets for UK businesses and I wholeheartedly agree with this aim. It is in the interests of both sides to secure a good deal.  As I have stated previously, there can be no doubt that the UK is leaving the European Union and its institutions on the 29th of March 2019. Securing the agreement which enables us to move onto the second phase of negotiations with the EU was crucial and I am delighted that this has been achieved. I look forward to making more positive progress in 2018.

VISIT TO PARKER E-ACT ACADEMY

I recently had the pleasure of sitting in on a GCSE politics class at Parker E-ACT Academy in Daventry, as well as holding a Q&A session with the students. We discussed a range of topics including Brexit, votes at 16 and tuition fees to name just a few. 

It's so encouraging to see young people debating and engaging in politics, and I was extremely impressed by their knowledge and enthusiasm. I have always enjoyed hearing what young people think and it's interesting that the topics they're often concerned about are not just those effecting them or even close family members but wider global issues. Listening to young people speaking and debating so passionately about a number of local, national and international issues always fills me with confidence for the future.

I have no doubt that this group of students have a bright future ahead of them, and I wish them the very best going forward in their studies and future careers.
VISIT TO MND DAVENTRY

 I recently attended a meeting at the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association in Northampton. The MND Association is the only national organisation supporting people affected by Motor Neurone Disease in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with approximately 90 volunteer-led branches and 3,000 volunteers. The work they do is incredible, and it is always a pleasure to be able to provide any help and support I can.

On this occasion, we discussed a number of issues, including the importance of finding a solution for people with MND who are currently in the support group for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in order that they don’t have to undergo further reassessment. If a person has received a confirmed diagnosis of a condition which is permanent and holds no prospect of recovery, such as MND, then there is no purpose in subjecting them to regular reassessment of their eligibility for benefits. As a result of our meeting, I wrote to Sarah Newton MP, the Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health about this important matter, and will share the contents of her response on my website when I receive it.


 
I recently attended a meeting at the Motor Neurone Disease Association in Northampton to discuss a number of important issues.
BROADBAND IN FARTHINGSTONE

 I have been contacted by a number of constituents in Farthingstone about poor broadband speeds. Further to my correspondence with BT Openreach on this matter, I am pleased that they have recognised the issues residents are facing. As a result, they have agreed to carry out much needed work to ensure that customers in the Farthingstone area receive faster, more reliable internet. 

I have been advised that BT Openreach are currently waiting to receive some further equipment before they can begin the improvement works but this is expected at the beginning of January. I have been promised a further update by 6pm on Friday the 12th of January, the details of which I will post on my website. 
PARKING ON PAVEMENTS
 

I have been contacted by a number of constituents who often find it difficult to walk along pavements because of parked vehicles. I understand that vehicles parked on pavements can cause particular problems for people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments, as well as those with prams and pushchairs.

Improving access for disabled people is a key priority for the Government. During 2016, the Department for Transport (DfT) worked with a range of stakeholders to examine the legal and financial implications of an alternative pavement parking regime, and the likely impacts on local authorities. This included a roundtable between Ministers and key stakeholders, to help inform the DfT's evidence base on this issue. A key issue identified was the process for putting in place Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for the enforcement of pavement parking. The DfT is therefore now considering how best to address the general improvement of the TRO-making process and will provide further information once this is available.

More broadly, the Government has already taken steps to make it easier for councils to tackle pavement parking. While there is an historic ban on pavement parking throughout London, elsewhere any local authority that has taken up civil enforcement powers may introduce a ban on pavement parking where it sees fit. In 2011, Ministers gave all councils authorisation to use a sign banning parking on the pavement, removing the need to ask Whitehall first for permission.

Ministers have written to councils on several occasions, encouraging them to use their available powers to prevent parking on the pavement where it is a problem. The Department has also published guidance for traffic authorities, highlighting the difficulties that pavement parking causes for pedestrians and detailing ways that it can be prevented.

I have taken the opportunity to write to local authorities across my constituency to remind them of the importance of ensuring pavements remain clear.

CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my constituents a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. 

If there is anything you wish to raise with me over the Christmas period, please get in touch by email, and I will get back to you as quickly as possible. 

 
CHRIS' CHRISTMAS JOKE OF THE MONTH

How should you drain pasta at Christmas? 
Using an Advent Colander.

Please Note: Due to the number of constituents this email is sent to, responses directly to this email will have their contents noted. For specific casework queries, please use my Parliamentary email address, as listed above.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

 






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Chris Heaton-Harris MP · House of Commons · London, SW1A 0AA · United Kingdom

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp