News

Stephen McPartland MP visited the Stevenage Furniture Recycling Scheme ahead of their 25th anniversary serving the community in Stevenage.

Stephen said, "The furniture scheme is run by local people to give direct help to others in need in Stevenage and I am glad to give my support.  Having a nice home is an essential part of helping people build their lives and the quality of furniture available at such low prices is a testament to the generosity of local people."

The Stevenage Furniture Recycling Scheme offers furniture for sale to the general public, with reductions so as to be affordable for those on low income.  The furniture and large electrical items come from donations, and a collection and delivery service is provided. For more information contact www.stevenagefrs.org.uk.

Stephen McPartland MP joined Stevenage DogWatch for their fun day at Fairlands Valley.  Stevenage DogWatch was developed with Neighbourhood Watch and encourages dog walkers to keep their eyes and ears open and report suspicious incidents to the police.

Stephen said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the day and am very pleased to be able to support Stevenage DogWatch.  It is doing some great work and helps tackle crime by providing a great partnership between the police and the local community."

Stevenage DogWatch has new members joining all the time.  If you would like to know more please contact the coordinator Sarah Sheldrick on 07792 101893 or visit the website at http://www.stevenagedogwatch.org.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is supporting the Hertfordshire Society for the Blind’s (HSB) campaign to encourage local residents to make sure they have their eyes tested regularly. Eye tests allow early signs of preventable eye diseases, such as glaucoma or problems relating to diabetes, to be picked up by opticians.

Stephen visited the Lister hospital recently to meet staff, volunteers and service users from HSB and commented, “I would urge local people to take action to protect their eye health by having early warning of any potential problems. I recently had my eyes tested even though I can see well. I am very impressed with the commitment of the staff and volunteers, who provide invaluable support to help those who are blind and partially sighted retain their independence.”

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage and member of Science and Technology Select Committee, welcomed the Rt. Hon. David Willetts MP, the Minister for Universities and Science, to perform a topping-out ceremony as a key milestone in the construction of the new Bioscience Catalyst campus.

Stephen said, "I was proud to welcome the Minister for Science to Stevenage and delighted with the massive government investment that will make our town home to 1,500 world class scientists. The medical research and innovation which will save lives in the future and transform how some conditions are treated will be developed here in Stevenage. This is a great boost for our town and ensures we will remain at the centre of a leading edge high technology economy."

The Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst is the UK’s first open innovation bioscience campus and has already resulted in £38 million of investment, including £20 million from government. It is now entering the final phase of building prior to targeted opening early next year.

Stephen McPartland MP's visited a pharmacy in Stevenage Town Centre recently to hear about the range of services being provided. Staff at the Boots branch explained that pharmacy services are much more than filling prescriptions and highlighted the preventative health services, consultations and treatments offered.

Stephen commented, “I am delighted to see how passionate the staff are about the leading role they take as a team to improve health locally. The pharmacy really is at the heart of delivering excellent care to local people and I am proud of the contribution they make to our community.”

Stephen McPartland MP has joined Prime Minister David Cameron in giving his backing to a new competition aimed at giving budding entrepreneurs based in Stevenage a unique opportunity to showcase their ideas and designs in front of thousands of visitors as part of this year’s Conservative Party conference Start-Up Hub offering the budding business leaders the chance to show off their work.

Stephen said, “This is a brilliant opportunity for local people with innovative ideas who want or have recently started up in business to raise the profile of their work and have the chance to win tangible backing to help their business grow. I am delighted that the Start-Up is being supported by several major companies, including Fujitsu and Barclays Bank who are very active in Stevenage.”

Stephen is pictured taking part in a recent seminar for students at North Hertfordshire College to explain more about setting up a small business and the encouragement the Government is giving to help make the process easier for young people who want to be their own boss.

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, hosted the launch of the Royal College of Surgeons report, “From Theory to Theatre: Overcoming barriers to innovation in surgery” in which a number of recommendations are made of how research and innovation in surgery may be increased. Stephen works closely with the Royal College of Surgeons to ensure surgical innovation to develop new treatments is given a high profile nationally.

Stephen said: “The government has committed huge investment in the development of the clinical and surgical facilities at the Lister hospital so that it is world-class. This gives increased opportunity for surgeons, clinicians and other staff to innovate and provide further benefits to local patients as well as supporting research that can be applied more widely.”

Local MP Stephen McPartland hosted the Information Society Alliance (EURIM) 'Britain: Open for Business' reception at the House of Commons to launch its first policy study on Shared Infrastructure to help keep Britain competitive in the global Information Society.

Stephen said, “I was very pleased to host this event on how we ensure that ‘Britain is Open for Business’. It is essential that Government does all it can to ensure Britain is an attractive location for companies to invest in. We were joined by Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Communications, Culture and the Creative Industries, who welcomed the event.  Stevenage, is the base for many high-tech companies, and we are helping to lead the UK out of recession.  It is essential we keep Stevenage at the forefront of the high-technology sector and ensure multinational companies continue to invest in jobs and facilities locally. I will keep raising the profile of Stevenage as a centre of high technology excellence."