·            Many residents have contacted me about “nuisance” sales calls and in response I have now launched the “No 2 Nuisance Calls” campaign to help people regain their privacy from telemarketers and spammers, an initiative that I have received much support for.

​Please take the time to join many other local residents and sign my petition.

·            This week’s announcement on the second phase of the Coalition Government’s High Speed Rail announcement is great news for our area. Backed by business leaders across the area, it will bring more jobs and boost the local economy. It will also benefit many passengers by increasing capacity, reducing travel time, and easing road congestion.

·            Great news for local schools as they are set to receive an extra £6.9m from the Coalition Government.  The cash is a major Liberal Democrat priority, targeting extra money at children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

·            The Bruntwood Park BMX track is set to become a part of the nation’s 2012 Olympic legacy as it receives £300k for an impressive upgrade ahead of the summer, including bike hire and cycling lessons. Young people in the area will undoubtedly benefit greatly from this and I am delighted that our area will benefit from the London Olympics.

·            The Coalition Government have announced that Stepping Hill maternity services will receive almost half a million pounds to improve the “personal experience” for new mums and dads. The refurbishment will make the environment more attractive through improvements to the antenatal and postnatal care environment.

·            Following an invitation from the landlord, I learned more about the range of issues faced by local pubs behind the bar at The Victorian in Bramhall village. In my view, pubs are a vital part of our local community and our local economy and, with pubs going bust all too often, politicians should do what they can to help.

·            I signed the Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, pledging my firm support for Holocaust Memorial Day, honouring those who died, and taking steps so that this tragedy is never forgotten, and is never repeated.

·            I joined with other MPs to mark our successful campaign for the DVLA to continue its partnership with Royal Mail – great news for local Post Offices. I think it is extremely important people should be able to access these services locally rather than just online.

·            The internet can be a great tool for our youngsters, but it can also have its dangers.  That’s why I wrote to local primary schools to encourage them to get involved in a special parliamentary IT competition, which promotes safe and creative internet use. There are also great prizes on offer!

·            I visited Greenbank Prep School on Heathbank Road, Cheadle Hulme, again for a special Q&A session with Year 5 pupils.  I was particularly struck by the keen interest shown by the children when it came to local and national issues.

·            Following contact from a number of constituents, I joined up with Friends of the Earth to highlight the declining bee population and the threat this poses to our food security.  As pollinators, a sharp fall in the number of bees has led to growing concerns about the impact this could have on our local environment, farmers and the eco-system.

·            As the start of the year is traditionally when people start thinking about booking their summer holidays, make sure your package is “ATOL protected” – I’ve been highlighting the new scheme to help local residents pack peace of mind when going away.

·            Following the chilly weather recently, I urged eligible residents to claim their cold weather payments, which were made available due to the cold weather across the area.  There was a cold weather “alert” in the following postcodes – M22, SK12, SK2, SK3, SK7, SK8. I’m urging those who meet the criteria and who qualify to make sure they’re getting their payments.