Stephen McPartland MP is calling on local small shopkeepers to enter the Best Small Shops Competition, celebrating the successes of small shops and the central role they play in their local community, particularly in response to Covid-19.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "Our small shops form the backbone of our local communities, always a kind word and time for a chat with their customers. Brilliant shops like Stevenage Family Butchers at the Oval, kindly donate to local community events year after year and it helps the food is amazing. During lockdown, a lot of small shops have stayed open to help look after our local community and care for their customers, especially the elderly and more vulnerable. I am proud we have so many wonderful small shops locally and want to help them celebrate what they mean to us, so do enter the best small shops award."

Submit your entry: The entries for 2020’s Best Small Shop competition are now open and close on Friday 11th September. Submit your entry at www.bestsmallshops.co.uk.

The Best Small Shops Competition is open to any small shop operating in the UK. The competition is free to enter and all shops who enter will also be promoted to consumers through an online Indie Retail Directory. A shortlist will be announced in October with winners announced in November. The shortlisted small shops will then be in with the chance to win one of five awards, including the newly launched award for small shops response to Covid-19.

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Proud to formally open Platform 5 at Stevenage Railway Station with rail Minister @chhcalling. Another £40 million investment in Stevenage securing our place as the economic engine of Hertfordshire. @networkrail @GTRailUK pic.twitter.com/BNjpDwFwSv

— Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartland) August 3, 2020

Thank you to all the team that turned this project from an idea several years ago to reality today. https://t.co/HWWrV1HW4l

— Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartland) August 3, 2020

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An exciting opportunity to work for Stephen McPartland MP is now available in his Stevenage office as a Caseworker.

Stephen McPartland MP is supported by a small, but dedicated team which prides itself on helping him make a difference.

The role is ideally suited to someone with high literacy skills and looking for that first job on the CV to launch their career. Applicants do not require previous experience but must demonstrate drive and a passion for helping people.

The right candidate will be people-focused and well-organised with a determination to provide a first-class service. They will possess excellent written and oral communication skills, take pride in their work and have a good grasp of IT. The successful applicant will work full-time in a friendly office. The majority of their time will be spent in Stevenage, but they will occasionally need to attend the office in Westminster.

Role includes:

• Responding effectively and courteously to correspondence and enquiries from constituents
• Undertaking research and preparing reports, draft correspondence, and briefing notes on policy issues
• Analysing and evaluating research and interpreting data
• Assisting with progressing casework through liaison with government agencies
• Maintaining, updating and developing knowledge of relevant legislation
• Communicating effectively with both internal and external contacts
• Retaining records and information confidentially, in compliance with GDPR
• Dealing with telephone enquiries

Skills required:

• A genuine desire to help people resolve complaints and concerns
• Strong written, communication and analytical skills with a good telephone manner and attention to detail
• Highly organised with the ability to manage and prioritise own caseload
• A strong work ethic, reliability and a flexible approach as part of our small team
• Good IT skills with a knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook and proficient in use of Apple MACs
• Sympathise with the values of the Conservative Party

Salary: £20,000

Contract: Permanent

To Apply: please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a covering letter setting out why you are the right candidate and a CV, including your full address and contact details. Closing date: 14th September 2020, interviews may commence before the closing date.

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Very proud to be Chairman of Regulatory Reform Select Committee and we have just agreed with Government that analogue commercial radio licences which are due to expire from 2022 can be renewed for a further ten-year period. More details here:https://t.co/05O5pC7Ozm

— Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartland) July 29, 2020

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Please remember to wear your face covering. It gives other shoppers confidence, as we start rebuilding the economy. #GotItCovered pic.twitter.com/JPKwFrQh00

— Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartland) July 24, 2020

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The nominations for the NHS Parliamentary Awards are now open and Stephen McPartland MP is looking for this year's contenders.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, said: “Each year I nominate local NHS teams for the amazing work they do in the NHS Parliamentary Awards. This year I am looking for people/teams who have innovated, impressed and made a real difference to how our NHS provides care for patients.

“If you know someone who fits that description, I want to hear about them. Send your nominations through to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before 1st September so I
can nominate our fantastic local NHS heroes.”

Download your nomination form from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-parliamentary-awards/how-to-nominate/

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Eat Out to Help Out is protecting jobs. If you are a local cafe, restaurant or pub that serves food you can welcome back more customers Monday to Wednesday throughout August. Any issues let me know and do sign up here: https://t.co/CxyXQXZTlz pic.twitter.com/y3N7DAZuQP

— Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartland) July 13, 2020

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is encouraging local businesses to join forces with Airbus, the UK's largest space company. Airbus has launched Open Innovation – Space, an engagement programme designed to open up the UK space industry to Small and Medium Sized companies.

The initiative offers a new way for companies to bring much valued expertise, technology and new innovations to the space industry. If you’re a tech business that has novel solutions and ideas applicable to future satellite communications services, Airbus wants to hear from you.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "This is an amazing opportunity to partner with some of the biggest companies in the space and aerospace industry. I am very pleased to support this new initiative, which gives small business the chance to really move to the next level. Stevenage is the manufacturing space capital of UK and it is important we can link more and more local businesses into that supply chain."

Visit openinnovationspace.uk to register interest.

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