Shailesh Vara MP has welcomed the Government's announcement that R.D. Williams & Sons Ltd, which is based in the village of Easton in Huntingdonshire, will receive £12,500 in funding to improve washroom facilities at the site.
The funding comes from the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Match-Funding Grant Scheme, a £100 million joint investment between the public and private sector to enhance the logistics sector.
R.D. Williams & Sons Ltd is a haulage company with its base of operations located on the A14 link road between the A1 and M1 junction in Cambridgeshire.
Following the announcement, Mr Vara said:
“I am pleased that R.D. Williams & Sons Ltd have been awarded this funding. This is excellent news for them and the drivers who use their facilities. It is good to see that the Government has partnered with industry to invest in those connecting North West Cambridgeshire and the whole of the United Kingdom.”
Mr Andrew Williams, Director of R.D. WIlliams & Sons Ltd, added:
“I am very pleased that we have received government funding to upgrade our washroom facilities. This will make a massive difference to our facilities and for the HGV Drivers that use our site for overnight parking.”
Following the Prime Minister’s statement on the G20 in India, Shailesh Vara highlights Britain’s commitment to girls’ education and calls on the PM to urge all members of the G20 do their bit to ensure that girls and women are educated.
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)
Paragraph 30 of the G20 leaders’ declaration speaks of delivering quality education. Mahatma Gandhi said, and I paraphrase, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a woman, you educate a family.” The UK is certainly doing as much as it can to ensure that people across the globe who need education receive it, especially girls and women. Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that the UK will do all it possibly can to ensure that the other members of the G20, including the newest member, the African Union, do their bit to ensure that girls and women in their countries, and across the world, are educated?
The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak)
It was a privilege to visit Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Gandhi’s work. My hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of equality and women’s access to education. I am very pleased that Prime Minister Modi made this a central theme of the G20 summit, and it is something we discussed. All of us in this House should be proud of the UK’s contribution over the past several years. We have helped to educate more than 8 million girls as part of our development priority to provide all girls with 12 years of high-quality education.
Following the Health Secretary’s statement on the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crimes of Lucy Letby, Shailesh Vara seeks assurances that the parents will receive all the support they need during the inquiry process.
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)
The Secretary of State has rightly spoken of the enormous pain and suffering of the parents in this horrific case. He will appreciate, however, that during the course of the Lucy Letby trial, they have had to relive all that pain and suffering. As the statutory inquiry progresses, that pain will be continuing for weeks and months ahead. Will the Secretary of State give an assurance to the House that in the period ahead—during the course of the inquiry and beyond—these parents will receive all the support they need to get through this ordeal?
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Steve Barclay)
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right about the way that the trial re-triggered a lot of pain and suffering for the families. What I found particularly powerful when talking to them was the fact that they discovered new information during the course of the trial, including harm to their children that they had not been told about hitherto. That was particularly concerning, and clearly serious lessons need to be learned from that. In terms of the support, one of the reasons for wanting to engage with them at the earliest opportunity was to ensure we are doing all we can to support them, and that is central to how I understand the judge will look to structure the inquiry to ensure that the wishes of the families are central to the approach that is taken.
Following the Government statement on the breach of security and data protection at the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Shailesh Vara calls on the Government to ensure that the safety of PSNI officers is put first and foremost, and not be influenced by the cost.
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)
The Secretary of State mentioned the independence of the PSNI, and that funding issues lie with the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Executive, but may I press him on this issue? Will he use his considerable influence to ensure that the safety of all people is first and foremost, and not the cost? It is important that the influence he has is exerted to its fullest, because these are good people who find themselves in a very, very difficult position through no fault of their own.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris)
I like to feel that I have considerable influence in Government, but I am not sure that is completely correct. However, I will use the influence I have to do the right thing by all those who work for the PSNI. All sorts of issues have come up over the past 25 years and since policing was devolved, but policing in Northern Ireland certainly seems to look and feel better, and it is beginning to get good outcomes for those who are being policed. I can only praise the officers and say that I will do everything in their support.
Shailesh Vara MP has met with Caroline Raines, Director of Corporate Affairs at Compare the Market, which is situated at Pegasus House in Orton Southgate in his constituency.
A number of issues were raised, including the company’s operations following the coronavirus pandemic, and the impact the period had on working arrangements, staffing levels and workplace conditions.
In view of the current cost of living situation, they also discussed changes in insurance demand from consumers and the impact this has had on the organisation.
Moreover, they considered the rapid development of technologies within the industry, such as artificial intelligence and information systems, and their roles within the company.
Following the meeting, Mr Vara said:
“It was good to see Caroline again and catch-up on various aspects of this very successful company.
“Following the pandemic, there has clearly been a change in working patterns, and it was good to learn of the latest technological advances in the insurance business.
“I am pleased to see that Compare the Market is continuing to adapt to changes within the industry and was very pleased to hear of their continued development, both within my constituency and nationwide.”
Ms Raines said:
“It was lovely to welcome Shailesh to Compare the Market again and discuss such a wide range of issues, from working post-pandemic to consumer attitudes in a cost-of-living crisis, and the role price comparison sites can play to help people make better financial decisions.
“It’s always great catching up with Shailesh and we look forward to continuing our discussions with him.”
Photo: Shailesh Vara MP with Caroline Raines.
Shailesh Vara with Caroline Raines, Director of Corporate Affairs at Compare the Market
Shailesh Vara MP has met with concerned residents and local Councillors over potential drainage and environmental problems in Yaxley, arising from the Great Haddon development, adjoining the village.
During his visit to Yaxley, Mr Vara saw first-hand the potential difficulties. He was accompanied by Cllr Kevin Gulson from Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Mac McGuire from Cambridgeshire County Council, Cllr Andrew Wood, Vice-Chairman of Yaxley Parish Council, and Helen Taylor, Clerk to the Council.
Whilst previously the water flow in the area went to the north, to Stanground in Peterborough, the current arrangement, which Peterborough City Council has approved, means that the flow is directed to the south, to Yaxley.
The flow rate of water could be as high as 32.7 litres per second, which could cause serious flooding and environmental damage and would be the responsibility of Yaxley Parish Council to deal with at considerable expense.
The Middle-Level Commissioners, who manage water levels, have also expressed their concerns with the present arrangement.
Mr Vara is writing to the Leader of Peterborough City Council, Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, and the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, to ask them to review earlier decisions to avoid major difficulties for Yaxley in the future.
Following the visit, Mr Vara said:
“It is clear that the decision to change the flow of water to Yaxley has not been properly thought through and the negative consequences for Yaxley will be hugely disproportionate and very costly.
“It is noteworthy that the Middle-Level Commissioners share the concerns of local residents.
“The way forward is for all the bodies concerned, especially Peterborough City Council, who gave permission for the change, to carefully review the situation and come to a more practical and sensible conclusion.”
Cllr Kevin Gulson said:
“Thank you for meeting today to discuss the issue Yaxley Parish Council has with the disputed water outflow from Vistry homes into Yaxley.
“Without consideration to Yaxley Parish Council the water was diverted through Yaxley Parish from the original water course of Stanground Lode.
“This may require great expense to the Parish Council to avoid localised flooding with no expectation of financial help through CIL funding as Yaxley is outside of Peterborough City.”
Cllr Mac McGuire said:
“The ambitions of Peterborough City Council to be the ‘growth city’ has resulted in the communities of Yaxley and Norman Cross being treated with contempt by the Great Haddon developers.
“Unfortunately the Cambridge-centric Joint Administration at Cambridgeshire County Council has done little or nothing to protect the interests of these communities in the North West of the county.”
Cllr Andrew Wood said:
“Thank you, Shailesh, for meeting with myself and representatives of Yaxley Parish Council to discuss our concerns regarding the new housing development on our border. The possibility of a significant increase in drainage, threatening a natural watercourse and its associated fauna and flora, is something that requires urgent review.
“Little consideration has been given by the developers or Peterborough City Planning as to the impact of this on our village, together with associated highway rerouting, and with no offer of additional funding via the Community Infrastructure Levy. I hope that we can work together towards a satisfactory resolution to this threat.”
Photo: Cllr Kevin Gulson, Shailesh Vara MP, Cllr Andrew Wood, Helen Taylor and Cllr Mac McGuire.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Shailesh Vara says that if the Opposition support illegal economic migration, they should say so and not claim that young men in their 20s and 30s, arriving here from safe countries, are actually asylum seekers.
Shailesh Vara (North West Cambridgeshire) (Con)
Q9. Does my right hon. Friend agree that if Opposition Members are in favour of illegal economic migration, they should have the courage to say so, rather than claiming that young men in their 20s and 30s, arriving here from safe countries, are actually asylum seekers? (906113)
The Prime Minister (Prime Minister)
My right hon. Friend is right that the Opposition do not have a plan to tackle illegal migration. We saw that just this last week, when I think they voted over 70 different times against our stop the boats Bill. That Bill will make it crystal clear that if you come here illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed to a safe third country. That is the fair, compassionate and right way to deal with this problem, and that is what we believe in.
Residents from the village of Bainton, which is north of Peterborough, met with local MP Shailesh Vara to seek his support to persuade Cambridgeshire Police and Peterborough City Council to take urgent action to stop speeding motorists and have a neglected footpath repaired.
Mr Vara, accompanied by Cllr David Over, visited the site and saw first hand the state of the pavement and also witnessed speeding cars going through the village.
The pavement, along the B1443 from Bainton to Barnack, is a danger to adults and children alike as it is narrow and in need of repair. The problem has been compounded over the years due to development in the area, leading to a substantial increase in traffic. Despite local volunteers monitoring traffic flow and providing compelling evidence to the Police and the Council, no action has been taken.
Bainton resident Mr Andrew Totten, along with other local residents, explained to Mr Vara their frustration at the lack of action.
Mr Vara has pledged to work with Cllr Over and the local community to persuade the authorities to make the road and pavement safe.
He has written to Cambridgeshire Police’s Chief Constable, Mr Nick Dean, as well as Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, Leader of Peterborough City Council, urging them to constructively engage with local residents and work towards a solution.
Following the meeting Mr Vara said:
“It is unacceptable that nothing has been done for so many years to sort out this problem. Traffic flow is increasing, more vehicles are speeding and the condition of this narrow pavement continues to deteriorate. Yet the response from the authorities is to let the problem get worse.
“I have written to Chief Constable Nick Dean and Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, Leader of the Council, and asked them to look into the matter so that a positive solution can be reached.”
Mr Totten added:
“Residents of Bainton have been trying for a number of years to convince the authorities to take action to reduce the dangers from speeding traffic in the village.
“Proposals of a variety of traffic calming measures have been tabled with Peterborough City Council but not acted upon. Data collected by resident volunteers shows that 50% of all vehicles passing through the village exceed the 30mph speed limit, some at speeds up to 60mph. As a result pedestrians feel unsafe when walking along the narrow and restricted footpath between the villages to reach the primary school, the shop or the pub. Data collected from recently installed speed cameras which highlights speeding vehicles and whether they have valid tax and MOT is currently supplied to the police authorities who we hope will cooperate with the volunteers to find a way to use this data to convince motorists to obey the law when travelling through the village.”
Photo: Irene Walsh, Cllr David Over, Shailesh Vara MP, Cliff Stanton, Rob Mcmeish and Andrew Totten.
Shailesh Vara MP, Cllr David Over and residents of Bainton