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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, has welcomed the benefit to local homes and businesses in Stevenage and the surrounding villages from the Government's Superfast Broadband Programme. This is delivering broadband speeds of more than 24Mbps to places where commercial providers had not already reached.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "Superfast broadband is making a real impact on the way we all live, from working at home to watching TV content online, and is making a massive impact on the UK economy.

"We are very lucky to be home to thousands of jobs in science, technology and engineering in Stevenage and it is important that we have superfast access to help Britain lead the world in digital innovation."

In and around Stevenage, the Superfast Broadband Programme has connected 1,660 premises so far, with a further 2,234 due to be covered by the publically-funded programme by mid-2018. This means that over 98% of all homes and businesses will have access to broadband speeds of more than 24Mbps.

Locally, over £10.8 million is being invested within the Bucks & Herts programme. The UK Broadband Impact Study report shows that for every £1 the government is investing in broadband, the UK economy will benefit by £20.

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Her Majesty has delivered the 2016 Queen's Speech today in Parliament, which announces the Government agenda for the next twelve months.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, said, "It is a surprisingly packed agenda that will touch aspects of everyone's life. Delivering on a 7 day NHS, Prison Reform, driverless cars, a spaceport and improving life chances are all big headline announcements.

"However, plans to build a million homes provide a great opportunity locally to press ahead with delivering a new Garden City to solve housing need. It is imperative that our local councils stop talking to themselves and start talking to each other, so we can get on with a new Garden City.

"I was also very interested in the opportunities to give children in care the best opportunity in life. It will build on my local campaign to recruit 70 new Foster Carers with more details here."

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Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland has welcomed the decision by the Office of Rail and Road for additional services between London and Scotland. Stephen supported the proposal by Firstgroup, as it will directly benefit Stevenage as an intermediate stop.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I supported the proposal from FirstGroup for new services as I believe these are incredibly exciting plans and demonstrate how important Stevenage is to the economic recovery. Approval by the ORR will enable FirstGroup to begin operating five trains a day each way from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh, via intermediate stations at Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth, by 2021.

"I am delighted this builds on the fantastic services we already have; including thousands of extra seats, improvements at Stevenage railway station and direct services to Gatwick and Brighton from 2018. It is important Stevenage Borough Council’s ridiculous regeneration plans do not destroy these impressive gains I have secured and reduce services by meddling at Stevenage train station."

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PM worried about corruption - how about Brussels? EU accounts have not been given a clean bill of health for 20 years. #VoteLeave

— Stephen McPartland (@SMcPartlandMP) May 11, 2016

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Child and Youth Crime (APPG), chaired by Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, has launched an inquiry to investigate the cases of domestic violence amongst Britain’s youth. This has seen an increased level in recent years, and the issue must be investigated to help stamp out the problems.

Stephen McPartland MP said, “We have all been shocked by the mindless and violent attacks involving younger and younger people in recent years. The APPG on Child and Youth Crime is determined to investigate the reasons behind these rising levels of domestic violence involving young people.

"The Inquiry will culminate in the publication of a report later this year drawing together all of the evidence received. It is aim is to produce policy recommendations in Parliament that will make a difference, so ensure your voice is heard by submitting your evidence."

The APPG is currently seeking written submissions from key stakeholders and other interested parties on the extent, scale and nature of this problem. We also welcome suggested solutions which might contribute to a change of behaviour and improved safety for young people in their communities.

For further information about making an inquiry submission please visit www.kidscount.org.uk.

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, joined the Suzy Lamplugh Trust's campaign to highlight the impact stalking has and show support for victims, as part of National Stalking Awareness Week.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "Stalking can have a devastating impact on the life of the victim and their loved ones. There needs to be more support for victims so that they can be safer and feel safer.

"Stalking matters, and I hope that campaigns such as this will raise awareness of the threat posed by stalking behaviours. I pledged my support for victims to show that we stand with them, and that they are not alone."

Stalking will affect one in five women and one in ten men in their lifetimes, and of all domestic homicides 40% of the victims were stalked prior to death, so it is vital to raise awareness of the dangers associated with this behaviour.

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Stephen McPartland MP, campaigning in Stevenage said, "Today is Polling Day in Stevenage and your opportunity to stop the talking and start the regeneration by voting Conservative.

"Stevenage Borough Council's regeneration plan is a ‘Billion Pounds’ joke on local people. It is ridiculous to believe that local businesses and the Council will raise a billion pounds to regenerate the town centre. We all know it is never going to happen.

"This ridiculous plan is almost a year old already and actively preventing regeneration. For example, Govia have put on hold their investment in the train station, shops are leaving and all because SBC cannot give up their addiction to the £3.5 million in car parking charges, which blocks every regeneration attempt."

"The Stevenage First framework is not a regeneration plan, it is not an investment vehicle, it has not been costed, it has no access to funding and does not have my support. In fact, it is a barrier to any future regeneration of the town centre and for over thirty years SBC have launched several regeneration plans and failed to deliver any of them.

"I am working with the Government on a transformational scheme to establish a new Stevenage Development Corporation to undertake the radical regeneration our town centre needs. This has to be established under energetic and independent leadership. It would have its own planning powers and ability to compulsory purchase the property needed. The Stevenage First framework is not deliverable, as it has no support from myself, Government or a funding partner, which are all essential as any scheme would be dependent on public and private finance." 

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, has welcomed £943,000 of new dedicated funding from the Government to fill almost 18,000 potholes across Hertfordshire.

Stephen McPartland MP commented, "The state of our roads is consistently raised with me by local residents and remains a great source of frustration for drivers.

"This new funding is welcome news for families and businesses in Stevenage who rely on our roads to get around.  I have been campaigning for a long time for greater investment in road repairs, and I am encouraging Hertfordshire County Council to make full use of their allocation locally.

"In total, the government is spending a record £6.1 billion on local highways maintenance between 2015/16 and 2020/21. It shows that we are delivering on our commitment to invest in infrastructure to keep our economy moving."

The funding has been made available to councils as part of the Government’s £250 million Pothole Action Fund included in last month’s budget, which will see over four million potholes fixed by 2020/21.

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