Shailesh Vara MP visits Allia Future Business Centre in Peterborough

Shailesh Vara opens new offices of care provider Home Instead in Hampton, Peterborough

20 May 2022
Vara opens new Home Instead offices in Peterborough

Shailesh Vara MP was pleased to open the new offices of care provider Home Instead in Hampton, Peterborough.

Shailesh Vara MP visits Home Instead

During the visit, Mr Vara met Company Directors, Philip & Amy Kennedy and as well as touring the new offices, he met several of the staff.

Home Instead is a care provider with offices in Peterborough, Oundle and The Deepings and employs a dedicated team of over seventy caregivers. The team delivers various home care services, including companionship, home help, housing-keeping and personal care. The company has expanded considerably in recent years and strives to offer older people high quality care in their own homes, enabling them to stay within their community and near their families.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased to see Philip and Amy again and open their new offices. I was privileged to open their previous Peterborough office and it is lovely to see how the company has grown over the years, providing a vital service to the locally community.

“It is important that older people in the community have the choice of staying in their own homes and receiving the care and support they need, which Home Instead provides.”

Mr Kennedy added:

“We were delighted that Mr Vara could take the time out of his busy schedule to come and officially open our new office space. The last 2 years plus has been an extremely challenging period for everybody, so it’s lovely to be able to take some time out to show Mr Vara our new premises and hopefully mark the start of a new period of calm for both our care professionals and clients. Having a larger office ‘hub’ to work from will hopefully allow us to increase the size of our team and allow us to serve the growing demand for home care in the Peterborough area”.

Photo: Philip & Amy Kennedy holding the ribbon as Shailesh Vara MP cuts it along with other members of staff.

Shailesh Vara MP welcomes Coronavirus Community Champions to Parliament

19 May 2022
Vara welcomes Coronavirus Community Champions to Parliament

Shailesh Vara MP welcomed three Coronavirus Community Champions from his constituency of North West Cambridgeshire to a special awards ceremony held in Parliament on Thursday 19 May 2022.

Shailesh Vara MP welcomes Coronavirus Community Champions to Parliament

The event was held by all Cambridgeshire MPs, recognising three nominated Champions from each constituency. A message from the Prime Minister to the Champions was played by video.

The winners were Southfields Primary School in Stanground Peterborough, Elton Village Stores, and Post Office Stores in Abbots Ripton.

The ceremony brought together Coronavirus Community Champions from across Cambridgeshire to recognise the efforts of local individuals and organisations where they had provided exceptional support to their community during the pandemic, with nominations received from the public.

Southfields Primary School was nominated for providing food parcels to self-isolating families, as well as the hard work of their pupils and staff throughout the pandemic. Mrs Laura Martin, Headteacher for Southfields Primary School, and Mrs Yolanda Steward, Senior Assistant Headteacher, represented the school at the awards ceremony.

Mr Stephen Higgins and Mr Ravi Mathu from Elton Village Stores attended the ceremony and were nominated for making deliveries to vulnerable residents at no extra cost and for ensuring that elderly residents were consistently supported.

Post Office Stores in Abbots Ripton received an award for ensuring that deliveries reached those individuals unable to leave their homes and for providing key updates to the Chairman of the local Parish Council on vulnerable local residents. Mrs Samantha Wardman and Mr Adrian Wardman from Post Office Stores attended the awards ceremony.

Mr Vara welcomed the winners to Parliament and presented each winner with a certificate signed by all Cambridgeshire MPs.

Following the presentation, Mr Vara said:

“It was a great pleasure to welcome Community Champions from North West Cambridgeshire to Parliament.

“Throughout the pandemic, I have seen countless acts of selflessness and generosity, with many local individuals and organisations going above and beyond to support their neighbours and communities.

“This awards ceremony is a way of providing just a few of those thoughtful individuals and organisations with recognition for their efforts during this difficult time.

“I would like to warmly congratulate Southfields Primary School, Elton Village Stores, and Post Office Stores in Abbots Ripton on their awards, and I thank them on behalf of North West Cambridgeshire for their outstanding support to our communities.”

Speaking after the event, Mrs Martin said:

“It was an honour to represent the pupils and staff of Southfields Primary School at the Awards Ceremony in Parliament. They all worked exceptionally hard throughout the pandemic, and I’d like to thank Mr Vara for this award which recognises the efforts of the whole school.”

Mr Higgins also commented:

“We really enjoyed our visit to Parliament, and would like to thank Mr Vara for inviting us. The Awards Ceremony was a lovely event, and it was a pleasure to meet other Community Champions from across Cambridgeshire.”

Speaking after the event, Mrs Wardman said:

“It was a privilege to be recognised as a Coronavirus Community Champion for North West Cambridgeshire. I’d like to thank Mr Vara for welcoming me to Parliament, and for a very enjoyable evening.”

 

Photo: Mr Ravi Mathu, Mr Stephen Higgins, Mr Adrian Wardman, Mrs Samantha Wardman, Mr Shailesh Vara MP, Mrs Laura Martin, Ms Yolanda Steward.

27 April 2022
Shailesh Vara MP’s response to being put on Russia’s banned list

Following today’s announcement by Russia’s Foreign Ministry to ban 287 present and former members of the House of Commons, Shailesh Vara MP, who is on the list, said:

“I wasn't planning a visit to Russia but being put on their banned list will not deter me from speaking out against Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and its barbaric war crimes. The UK will continue to lead the way in its support for Ukraine, both with military equipment and humanitarian aid."

8 April 2022
Vara meets with Association of Local Councils

Shailesh Vara MP recently met with board members of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils (CAPALC) to discuss various local and national issues.

Shailesh Vara MP with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils (CAPALC)

As well as Mr Vara, others attending the meeting from CAPALC were Henry Clark (Chairman/ Director), Penny Bryant (CEO), Colin Saunderson (Non-Executive Director), Michael Tew (Director), and Denis Batty; all current parish councillors in Mr Vara’s constituency of North West Cambridgeshire.

The virtual meeting discussed a number of issues concerning the working of town and parish councils and how improvements can be made to increase their effectiveness.

Mr Vara thanked everyone for the great work they did during the pandemic, working with their local communities and other local councils, and for all the work they continue to do.

Also discussed was the effectiveness of hybrid and remote council meetings. Mr Vara informed the meeting that there has been a consultation on the matter and a decision on the outcome is awaited.

Other issues discussed included the lack of public transport, especially in the rural areas, and the need for closer cooperation with Huntingdonshire District Council, Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

Following the meeting, Mr Vara said:

“I was very pleased to catch up with representatives from local parish councils and discuss matters which have a daily impact on people’s lives.

“Parish councils play a critical role in our communities, and it is necessary that they have the support to carry out their vital work.

“I want to especially thank every councillor in the area for all the work they did supporting their local community during the last two years and for all they continue to do, serving and helping to make life better for all concerned.”

Mr Clark added:

“We requested a meeting with Shailesh to discuss how town and parish councils could work better. We were pleased when Shailesh agreed to give us an hour of his valuable time.

“We had a very positive discussion, including unitary authorities in Cambridgeshire, what more local councils could do for their residents, the climate emergency, remote meetings and public transport.

“Shailesh offered to take up various points with the relevant people at HDC and Westminster. At the end CAPALC thought we had had a very useful discussion and we would like to make it an annual event.”

Photo: Colin Saunderson, Penny Bryant, Shailesh Vara MP, Henry Clark, Michael Tew, Denis Batty.

25 March 2022
Vara Congratulates Ramsey Neighbourhoods Trust On Their 10th Anniversary

Shailesh Vara MP recently visited the Ramsey Neighbourhoods Trust at their Library offices in Ramsey, Huntingdonshire, accompanied by the Mayor of Ramsey and Huntingdonshire District Councillor Steve Corney.

Vara Congratulates Ramsey Neighbourhoods Trust On Their 10th Anniversary

Ramsey Neighbourhoods Trust is a charity offering community led activities and services to everyone who lives, works and volunteers in the local area. The charity works closely with Ramsey Town Council, schools, health professionals, businesses, statutory and voluntary sectors to provide a voice for people on local issues.

Mr Vara met with the Chair of the Trust, Christine Mally, Vice Chair Linda Collumbell, Communications and Grant Manager Anna Bradley-Dorman, Trust Project Manager Alison Seery and Discover Ramsey Project Manager Dr Cheryl Greyson.

In 2012, the National Lottery funded Big Local Programme awarded Ramsey over £1million to make a difference to the people living in Ramsey and surrounding villages. Known locally as the ‘Ramsey Million’, a vision was created for a ten year project. The Ramsey Million project works with the Trust in partnership with local volunteers to make decisions about allocating funds in the community.  

An exciting project shortly coming to fruition is Ramsey's new community sporting hub - The Pavilion. This new community hub, home to Ramsey Cricket Club, will provide new facilities, including a place where people can meet and be involved in a variety of community and sporting activities.

During the visit Mr Vara also took the opportunity to congratulate the team on receiving an Award for being finalists in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Awards 2021-2022. The Award was for the Discovery Ramsey project, which has been funded by Ramsey Million Big Local since 2015 to revitalise Ramsey parish.

Following the visit Mr Vara said:-

“I was very pleased to visit the Trust and meet those closely involved in its running. The Trust has been doing great work in the local community and it has gone from strength to strength over the years as it marks its 10th anniversary. The community continues to benefit from a wide range of activities and services including leisure workshops, social clubs, youth clubs, careers support and advice, as well as a café where people can meet with their dogs. I wish the Trust continued success for its next ten years.”

Cllr Corney added:-

“This was an opportunity to meet the Chair and trustees at RNT on their tenth anniversary and to see the work they carry out for our town and villages. The Trust works hand in hand with Ramsey Town Council on many projects with both supporting each other at every opportunity. They are on the verge of taking ownership of a new building in Ramsey after going into partnership with Ramsey Cricket club creating a social hub that they will run many of their projects from, including Dog Café, Bosh and Sparks to name just a few”

Ms Mally commented:-

"It was reassuring that Mr Vara was aware of both the challenges and the opportunities for Ramsey. We look forward to working together to make Ramsey a vibrant town for residents, businesses and visitors."

Photos 1: from left to right, Christine Mally, Shailesh Vara MP, Cllr Steve Corney, Alison Seery, Cheryl Greyson, Linda Collumbell and Anna Bradley-Dorman.

2: from left to right Alison Seery, Cheryl Greyston, Anna Bradley-Dorman, Shailesh Vara MP, Linda Collumbell ,Christine Mally and Cllr Steve Corney.

Shailesh Vara Congratulates Ramsey Neighbourhoods Trust On Their 10th Anniversary

23 March 2022
Vara urges Homes for Ukraine scheme to learn from the success of the settlement of Uganda Asians

Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions, Shailesh Vara highlights the success of the settlement of Asians from Uganda 50 years ago this year and urges the PM to learn those positive lessons so that the Homes for Ukraine scheme has maximum success.

Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, the country where I was born. Under Ted Heath’s Government, people across the country opened up their homes for many of those Asians, who then settled and became part of the fabric of our great nation. That British generosity is again being seen as people open up their homes for those fleeing Ukraine and coming to our country. May I urge the Prime Minister to pick up those files from 50 years ago, wipe off the dust and take on board those positive lessons, so that we can ensure that the Homes for Ukraine scheme has maximum success?

The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Yes, I think the whole country can be proud of the way the UK welcomed people fleeing Idi Amin’s Uganda. Several Members of the House, including the Home Secretary herself and her family, were beneficiaries of that scheme and that moment. This country is overwhelmingly generous to people fleeing in fear of their lives and will continue to be so.

Hansard