Rt Hon Stephen McPartland MP
Working hard for you
in Stevenage, Knebworth, Codicote, Datchworth and Aston

News

The National Shipbuilding strategy has been welcomed by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland. It sets out how the Government will transform the way it procures naval ships to support our maritime industry, which of course ultimately helps local defence companies.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I welcome the National Shipbuilding Strategy from the Conservative Government.  It will ensure our new warships will be built in the UK and benefit from collaboration with the best international partners. The strategy builds on the £3.7 billion investment in new frigates and ensures we have a modern, efficient and competitive shipbuilding industry, alongside the marine engineering capability required to meet our country’s future defence needs.  It helps to spread economic growth across the country and our local defence companies will benefit by being part of the supply chain."

The new approach is backed by an investment programme which will underpin a growing naval shipbuilding sector backed by a supply chain that stretches right across the UK. A £3.7 billion contract was signed in July with BAE Systems for Type 26 frigates planned to be in service from the mid-2020s, five new Offshore Patrol vessels are under construction and four new RFA support ships will be part of the Fleet in the next two years. Further competitive procurement, including of Type 31e frigates designed to meet the needs of the Royal Navy and for overseas markets, will give the opportunity to innovate and transform the UK marine industry so that it has a fully modern and skilled workforce that is highly productive.

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Young cat lover, Ella Evans, was presented with a certificate by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland in recognition of her fund raising for the local branch of Cats Protection. Ella chose to have a cat-themed party to celebrate her 8th birthday and raised £75 by asking her friends to donate money to Cats Protection North Herts instead of giving her presents.

Local CP branch coordinator, Bianca Kubler, said "Cats Protection North Hertfordshire Branch is absolutely delighted to recognise this exceptional donation from such a young cat lover. Ella is a remarkable young girl in thinking of such a generous way to help the cats and kittens in our care. Thank you Ella!"

Stephen McPartland MP said, "Ella is amazing and it was my privilege to present her certificate. It is wonderful someone so young is already so committed to helping others. I am really pleased North Herts Branch of Cats Protection thanked her in such a special way."

Ella had the idea of raising money for Cats Protection after noticing their food donation bins in local supermarkets.  Ella said, "I thought, how can I donate to Cats Protection and had the idea to raise money at my party instead of having presents.  I hope it will help more cats and kittens have a lovely life."

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Local MP Stephen McPartland visited one of the community pharmacies in Stevenage, Bedwell Pharmacy, to have his flu vaccination. The NHS Flu Vaccination Service provided by community pharmacists offers people a convenient location in which to be vaccinated, often on a walk-in basis.

Stephen McPartland MP commented, “This is an excellent service and so accessible, with no appointments required. It only takes a few minutes and many patients are loyal to their pharmacy, so everyone knows each other quite well, making it an easy experience. The scheme will help protect people from health complications through the winter months by making sure they have their flu jab.”

Neera Shah, local community pharmacist at Bedwell Pharmacy, Stevenage, said, “As a community pharmacist, I am really excited about this year’s Flu Vaccination Service. I have been offering vaccinations and other public health services for several years and my patients have been extremely positive about these. There is so much that community pharmacists and their teams can do to help people with their medicines and their health."

As part of the NHS Flu Vaccination Service, all adults aged 65 years and over, and those aged 18 years or over and in clinical risk groups, can receive a free of charge NHS flu jab at community pharmacies across Hertfordshire, often without the need for an appointment. People in at-risk groups include pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions including asthma and diabetes. Pharmacists will be administering the same flu jab as those offered by GPs, and patients’ GP practices will be notified that they have been vaccinated.

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is encouraging all local A-level students to take part in the Political Studies Association (PSA)’s Schools’ Video Competition. This year’s competition asks students to explore the question:  “Fake News: Is this the end of facts?”.

Stephen McPartland MP said, “I’d encourage all local A-level students to take part in this competition and submit their videos. The competition is a fantastic way for students to comment on today's political issues as well as develop new skills."

Groups of students are invited to submit short videos by the deadline of 30th October. Shortlisted groups will be invited to Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster to discuss the ideas raised in their video with a panel of politicians, journalists and academics.

The winners of the Schools' Short Video Competition will receive their award at the PSA’s Annual Awards Ceremony in Westminster. This year’s ceremony takes place on 5 December in London. On top of this, the winning students get a week’s work experience with the YouGov political team during their school holidays.

Full competition details for 2017 and how to enter are published on the PSA’s website at:  www.psa.ac.uk

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The local community in the Stevenage area hosted many Macmillan coffee mornings again this year. Lots of different groups got involved to support and raise funds and Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland dropped in on as many Macmillan Coffee Mornings as possible.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I am always amazed at how many local groups host Macmillan Coffee Mornings and I wish I could get along to them all.

"I attended another great selection this year and am delighted at the community spirit, optimism and passion to make a difference in our community. Lots of people, doing lots of little things that make a huge difference collectively."

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Stevenage MP, Stephen McPartland, is encouraging local community groups to apply for up to £25,000 from the Aviva Community Fund.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I know there are many volunteers who have ideas for projects to help them extend the great work they undertake within our local community groups. Up to £25,000 from the Aviva Community Fund could turn those ideas into reality."

The Aviva Community Fund awards funding of up to £25,000 for local community projects across a range of categories such as skills for life, health & wellbeing and community support. Last year there were over 450 winners and this year even more awards are up for grabs. Applications can be made until 12 noon on 10th October via https://www.aviva.co.uk/good-thinking/community-fund/ 

There will then be a chance to vote for favourite local projects, with winners announced in January.

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Aston St Mary's Church of England Primary School recently held elections for their School Council and invited their local Member of Parliament, Stephen McPartland, along to meet the pupils and present them with their badges at a special school assembly.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I was delighted to award the newly elected School Councillors with their badges and look forward to hearing more about their work. It is always very important to me that each year group has their own elected class representatives to make sure the ideas from their own classes can be put forward."

Head teacher, Julie Winwood, added,  "We are teaching our pupils one of our British values - democracy.  School Councils give pupils a voice and helps them understand how democracy can influence decision making at all levels."

The School Councillors are elected by their class to represent their views and work together to make improvements to the school.  The School Councillors work together with Julie and volunteer, Dennis Preston, who help guide the children.

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