Dear resident,

First of all, a happy new year to you all! Welcome to my latest Notes from Westminster, which aims to keep you up to date with some of the work I’ve been doing, and interesting news announcements both locally and in Westminster.

•        Our campaign to see the A555 Relief Road completed has been successful! After much pressure from local residents and Stockport Council, Ministers have confirmed this long awaited project has been given the green light:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/536816/exciting-day-for-cheadle-as-coalition-approve-road-project-hunter

•        … I have since lead a delegation to top level talks with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander to push for work on the project to start as soon as possible:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/539077/hunter-set-for-top-level-talks-with-minister-on-a555-road

•        My top priority, and the Coalition Government’s top priority, is getting our fragile economy moving again through job creation and reducing the country’s record financial deficit. The “Youth Contract” is just one measure the Coalition is taking which will help to do just this:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/537387/tackling-youth-unemployment-in-cheadle-hunter

•        Thanks to a key Lib Dem policy, state pensions will see their largest ever cash increase – fantastic news for pensioners in these cash-strapped times:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/537381/hunter-welcomes-largest-ever-cash-increase-in-basic-state-pension

•        In November, I was fortunate enough to be able to take the opportunity of paying our troops in Afghanistan a visit. We should never forget the risks our service men and women take each and every day to protect our national security, and I was touched by their selfless commitment:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/534476/cheadle-mp-visits-troops-in-afghanistan

•        January 27th is Holocaust Memorial Day. I signed a special “Book of Commitment” in memory of those who died and to speak out against racism and prejudice:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2012/550913/local-mp-speaks-out-against-prejudice-by-signing-holocaust-memorial-day-book-of-commitment

•        The festive season across are area was busy as always – marked by a series of well organised local events:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/539096/christmas-celebrations-begin-across-cheadle

•        Around Christmas time, I always hold a special Christmas Card design competition in our local primary schools. The winning design is then printed and delivered by the local Lib Dem team to 40,000 homes across the area – congratulations to 9 year old Austin Douglas of Oakgrove School, Heald Green on his fantastic winning design!

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/542089/christmas-card-competition-winner

•        I welcomed the local Air Cadets (Cheadle and Gatley Squadron) to Parliament for a tour of the building, the chance to watch a debate and, of course, the opportunity to grill their local MP!

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2012/548742/local-air-cadets-visit-houses-of-parliament

•        I joined representatives of The Stroke Association at a special campaigns event in the House of Commons to promote awareness of how the risk of having a stroke can be minimised:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/542613/mark-urges-local-residents-to-know-their-risks-to-stop-a-stroke

•        I presented Simply Books, Bramhall, with a special parliamentary certificate of recognition. This well run local enterprise goes from strengths to strength and has already picked up a series of national awards:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/542143/national-recognition-for-simply-books-again

•        After seeing success in 2011 with my “save the cheque” campaign, I welcomed the announcement that the Coalition Government is introducing measures to clampdown on unfair bank charges:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/534556/liberal-democrats-clampdown-on-unexpected-bank-charges-hunter

•        Finally, 2012 is, of course, the year of the London Olympics. Let me start, therefore, with a story about how the Olympics will be coming to our area. I hope to see many of you at the celebrations – do get in touch for more info:

http://markhunter.org.uk/en/article/2011/537851/olympic-torch-is-coming-to-town

As always, if there is ever anything I can be of assistance with, please do not hesitate to contact me directly – I am always happy to try and help.

Best wishes,

Mark Hunter MP

p.s. If you are ever interested in visiting Parliament yourself please contact John Brooks in my Westminster office on 0207 219 3889 or brooksj@parliament.uk.