Monthly Archives: August 2018

RORY WELCOMES INSTALLATION OF BARRIER SYSTEM AT THE CUMBERLAND INFIRMARY, CARLISLE

A great many constituents have contacted me about this, and so this is extremely welcome news. I’m delighted work has begun on the new barrier system, which will hopefully make a noticeable difference to those parking at the Cumberland Infirmary. This is a big step forward for patients and their families, who should no longer have to deal with the added stress of unfair parking charges at what is already an extremely difficult time. I have lobbied for this to be reviewed for a long time and am very glad a solution is now being implemented. I’d like to thank all the staff at the Infirmary who have helped to bring this about.

 

RORY CHAIRS MEETING TO DISCUSS ‘UNSAFE’ BRUNSTOCK BY-PASS

Rory has met with Brunstock residents to discuss the community’s road traffic problems.

The town is located near to a five junction stretch of road from the Linstock roundabout to Greymoor Hill. Increases in the number of vehicles, compounded by the use of large agricultural vehicles, have led to rising congestion and a serious increase in the number of near misses and ‘shunts’ at the junction. Rory has been concerned by this situation for some time and last month wrote to Highways England, requesting that they investigate options to resolve the situation.

Rory met with community representatives on Friday to listen to their experiences and their suggestions about what could be done. These included the introduction of filter lanes, putting up more road signs, making the junction more visible and making changes to the roads. Rory listened with a great deal of interest and plans to organise a meeting between Highways England and community representatives in order to take these suggestions forward.

Commenting on his visit, Rory said “The problems at the Brunstock junction have caused a great deal of concern and distress. I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit and hear the concerns of residents, and we have had a very productive discussion. I look forward to working with them and Highways England to resolve this situation”.

Rough Sleeping Strategy and Prison Leavers

Sleeping out, night after night, in a street or a park, or a doorway, is not simply cold and uncomfortable – it is lonely, and damaging to soul and body. Rough sleepers are seventeen times more likely to be attacked than the general public. They are more likely to have substance misuse problems, and many have issues with their mental health. In addition, nearly one in three female rough sleepers have experienced sexual violence while homeless.

And too many rough sleepers come straight from prison – moving from their jail cells into this outdoor life of isolation, vulnerability and addiction. On the streets, without a job, without mental health support, or a bed for the night – they are sucked back into a criminal life, reoffend, and soon end up back in prison. We must do much more to help rough sleepers, and ex-prisoners in particular, to find a house and re-establish a more stable life. It is not just good for them, it is vital for public safety.

Today (13 August 2018), therefore, as the government launches a £100 million initiative to reduce and ultimately eliminate rough sleeping across England, I am delighted that ex-prisoners are integral to this project. As part of the rough sleeping initiative we will invest £3 million per year for 2 years in a pilot scheme which will include a new team of dedicated officers, who will spend time with offenders, when they are still in jail and in the community, to ensure that they are much better equipped for life outside the prison walls.

The particular focus of these pilots will be prisoners on very short sentences – often the most difficult group to engage with. The officers will ensure that the prisoners are fully signed up to the benefits, an employment support system and that their bank accounts are setup before they leave prison. But their key task will be to find suitable housing, and to provide support for prisoners to sustain their new accommodation.

Many remarkable charities have shown how even the most frequent offenders can turn away from crime by leaving the streets. We will make this process easier by engaging much earlier with offenders – when they are still in jail– making sure that probation and local authorities understand their needs before they are released. And because female offenders are particularly vulnerable, we will be working with local areas to develop a pilot for ‘residential women’s centres’ in at least five sites across England and Wales. We will also be measuring and judging prisons on how many of their prisoners find accommodation on release.

None of this will be easy. But every time we help an ex-prisoner set up a new and better life, with a roof over their head, relationships with family, basic support, and a job, we dramatically reduce the chance of their reoffending. This is not simply saving an individual from a life of crime and prison. It is protecting all the potential victims of their crime – and reducing the burden of reoffending that costs the public £15 billion a year. Thus, preventing rough sleeping among ex-prisoners is good for them, good for the streets, and good for the public who will be better protected from the misery of crime.

RORY BACKS PENRITH AND THE BORDER BUSINESSES IN THE BEST SHOPS COMPETITION

Rory Stewart MP is calling on Penrith and The Border’s small shopkeepers to enter themselves in the Best Small Shops Competition.

The competition seeks to celebrate the creativity of independent businesses and recognise their vital role in local communities. Penrith and The Border has a huge variety of small shops in its towns and villages and Rory would like to see as many as possible get involved.

Rory said: “I would like to encourage the wonderful businesses of Penrith and The Border to put themselves forward for this competition. We are all very proud of the quality, competitiveness and community spirit of our small shops, which are the backbone of our towns, and I would very much like to see them recognised in this way”.

Entry is free and open to any small shop operating in the UK, with a deadline for nominations of 9 September. All businesses that enter will be featured on an online Indie Retail Directory.

A panel of judges from the independent retail industry will shortlist 25 of those nominated, with criteria including evidence of a small shops’ entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and action to make a lasting positive impact on their community.

All shortlisted entries will be invited to a Reception in the Palace of Westminster on 13 November, at which the winner will be announced.

The Best Small Shops Competition is run by the Independent Retails Confederation and supported by the Association of Convenience Stores.

Submit your entry

The entries for 2018’s Best Small Shop competition are now open. Submit your entry at www.bestsmallshops.co.uk.

Entries close on Sunday 9th September 2018.