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Marking World Mosquito Day today, Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland has joined the campaign to eradicate malaria deaths within a generation.

Commenting, Stephen McPartland MP said, “World Mosquito Day reminds us that there is one more important thing on our to-do list: making malaria no more. No one, anywhere should die from a mosquito bite and the UK can play a leading role in ending malaria deaths by 2030.

“Thanks to the huge progress of the last 15 years, 6.2 million lives have been saved. With more public, political and financial support we can get the job done, which is why I’m adding ‘Make Malaria No More’ to my to-do list today.”

Malaria has claimed more lives than any other disease in human history. Today it claims the life of a child every minute, despite being preventable and costing less than a cup of tea to treat. It is also a major cause of poverty in Africa, costing an estimated £12 billion a year in lost productivity.

In the past 15 years alone global efforts have halved the rate of people dying from malaria. The next 15 years offer an unprecedented opportunity to reach near zero deaths if local and global support is maintained.

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, congratulated local students and schools in Stevenage on their GCSE results.

Stephen McPartland MP commented on this year's GCSE exam results and the achievements of local students, saying, "I would like to congratulate the students, staff and parents who have made these results possible. GCSE's are an important milestone and a big test of local students, who have passed with flying colours.

"I know how hard many of our young people worked towards these grades and I am delighted to see our schools performances improving year on year."

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A Stevenage-based firm, Elecro, have been nominated by Stephen McPartland MP for Exported by Britain which celebrates the best of British manufacturing and export.

Elecro is a local, family-run firm, who manufacture heating equipment and a range of other products for swimming pools. Stephen visited their operation to be able to gain a good understanding of their export achievements before confirming the nomination.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "I was very impressed by the products, staff, ambition and enthusiasm of the team at Elecro. They are an incredibly innovative company and already export all over the world. Elecro are a fantastic example of a Great British company that is the leading the world in their industry and I am proud their home is here in Stevenage.

"I have chosen to nominate the Solar Radiation Swimming Pool & Spa Heater: this product provides a highly efficient way of harvesting the sun’s energy, it absorbs up to 92% of radiation that strikes the collector and delivers heat regardless of ambient air temperature.

"Elecro Engineering has grown from a small family-run business in Stevenage and built up its exports which have risen over 170% in the past 5 years and now account for 84% of turnover."

Further details on Exported by Britain nomination: http://www.policyconnect.org.uk/apmg/exportedbybritain/nominations/solar-radiation-swimming-pool-spa-heater

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Stephen McPartland MP congratulates local students and schools in Stevenage on their A-level results

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, commented on this year's exam results and the achievements of local students.

Stephen said, "I would like to congratulate the students, staff and parents who have made these A-level results possible.

"The students should be proud of their achievements, enjoy a few more weeks of summer and look forward to an exciting future full of opportunity."

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Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is raising awareness of Pension Wise. This is a new service set up by the government to offer free and impartial guidance on the new pension freedoms.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "Since April people who have worked hard and saved all their lives are now free to choose what they do with their money, but may want some support. I am pleased that the government has set up Pension Wise to provide an independent source to help point people in the right direction and make informed choices. I am delighted Citizens Advice will be delivering the face-to-face advice locally in Stevenage."

Pension Wise offers a first port of call for consumers, offering free and impartial information and guidance to people with a defined contribution pension approaching retirement.

Locally, the Pension Wise face-to face guidance is being provided by Citizens Advice who are based in Swingate House, Stevenage, and can be contacted on 01438 721760.

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Stephen McPartland Member of Parliament for Stevenage has welcomed new figures showing number of people in Stevenage claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance since 2010 fell by 1,163 - a 53 per cent drop.

Stephen McPartland MP said, "This means more people in work, with the security of a good job and a regular pay packet so they can provide for themselves and their families. It is fantastic the number of jobs being created in Stevenage by local businesses.

"Across the UK as a whole, there are almost 2 million more people in work than at the end of thirteen years of a Labour Government.

"This is down to the hard work and the determination of people here, as well as the Government's strong leadership and clear economic plan. We need to keep working though that plan – backing businesses to create more good jobs and supporting those who want to work hard and get on as part of our ambition to achieve full employment."

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School Sport Champion and Member of Parliament for Stevenage, Stephen McPartland, was invited along to Broom Barns Community Primary School towards the end of last term to see sporting action at the school as part of National School Sport Week. Head teacher, Tina Jarman, had joined Stephen in Parliament earlier in the year for the launch of the Youth Sport Trust "Unlocking Potential" Manifesto and Stephen was happy to see the activities being run at the school by Sports Apprentice Chris Kalaiarasu.

Stephen McPartland MP said, “I welcome the opportunities for young people to try their hand at new sports and to encourage active, healthy lifestyles. Evidence shows that active children are not only healthier but are able to concentrate better in lessons, and have higher self esteem and confidence.

"It has been a pleasure to visit Broom Barns Community Primary School to see the sporting action first hand and hear the pupils enthusiasm for sport in their school.”

Tina Jarman commented, “It is so important for all our pupils to be active and make healthy lifestyle choices which have been proven to benefit physical health, emotional and mental well-being."

To maintain a basic level of health, experts recommend that young people take part in one hour of physical activity every day, yet currently only 21% of boys and 16% of girls meet these guidelines. The Youth Sport Trust believe PE and sport has the power to unlock young people’s potential, helping them to be healthy and happy, succeed in life and contribute to society.

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Just before the end of term Barnwell School held their annual Community Day and Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, joined in the fun, with a friendly knock about with Paul Barnett, Head of Barnwell Middle School.

There were stalls ranging from cakes to face painting, competitions, music provided by students and the Herts Fire Service turn up not just with a fire tender but also with a cherry picker offering bird's eye views of the whole event.

The Community Day was thoroughly enjoyed by all the pupils and staff, and the weather was perfect. The event is a long standing tradition at the school which reflects the true spirit of Barnwell.

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