Turkey-Syria Earthquake
Our thoughts are with the many victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria. My focus this week has been on leading the UK’s response to support our allies and those affected.
It goes without saying the UK wasted no time mobilising search and rescue support. Within the critical first 72 hours of the disaster, we sent a 77-string team of rescue experts, which included 4 highly trained dogs.
Yesterday we dispatched a specialist planning team alongside an RAF transport plane carrying humanitarian aid, including thousands of thermal blankets. These vital items will help people enduring horrible conditions.
In the coming days we will also be sending a field hospital, including an emergency department, a 24/7 operating theatre, and accompanying clinical staff, alongside C130 Hercules critical care air support.
And we continue to work closely with the Turkish authorities and other international agencies and aid agencies on the ground to ensure we support evolving needs in what is a highly fluid situation.
The British public, as ever, has risen to the occasion with great compassion and generosity. In a few short days the appeal by the Disasters and Emergency Committee (DEC) has raised an extraordinary amount for urgent humanitarian assistance, supported by match funding donations of £5m from UK aid.
Meanwhile, back home in Sutton Coldfield, I visited our local Save the Children branch, to thank them for supporting the Disasters and Emergency Committee’s appeal to help victims of the tragedy
To donate please visit dec.org.uk
Fairfax School
Today I visited Fairfax school where I met the new Head Teacher, Sean Castle. We spoke about some of the challenges facing schools recently, including the strikes.
I also spoke to the sixth form pupils about the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey, the prime minister’s priority to bring down inflation, and my own priorities for the Royal Town over the next few years, namely the regeneration of the Town centre and Town Hall, Sutton Park and Sutton Cottage Hospital.
Sea Cadets
I attended a meeting this morning with the Royal Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets as their unit president, and Member of Parliament. The Cadets is a wonderful local youth organisation that provides outstanding training and opportunities for young people across our Royal Town and further afield.
They are driving forward with their project to rebuild their headquarters and have today presented the project to many local and national stakeholders and fundraisers. There was a very positive outcome with lots of pledges of support. I look forward to seeing this project develop to a new shipshape building. If anyone wishes to support the project in any way, please contact me.
For more information, go to: www.suttoncoldfieldseacadets.com.
Save the Children
Today I visited the Save the Children in our Royal Town to thank them for all they are doing and in particular for their support of the Turkey-Syria earthquake DEC Appeal (Disaster and Emergency Committee).
Royal town residents have been coming into the shop to support the DEC appeal, with a generosity for which or town is well known. Next week I will report on some of the others issue I have been discussing with them.
Local Cancer Support Services Saved
I welcome the news that St Giles Hospice and the Cancer Support Centre have signed a new lease agreement for up to another 12 months, meaning that both organisations will continue to support local people at the St Giles Hospice site on Lindridge Road in Sutton Coldfield.
These charities play a crucial role in supporting patients, and their families, living with illnesses such as cancer. The new lease agreements will enable them to continue to provide vital services which are a life-line for local communities, patients and their families.
To find out more about both organisations, visit: www.stgileshospice.com or www.suttoncancersupport.org
Royal Town’s Cinema
In more good news, the final hurdle in the quest to reinstate our local cinema has been cleared! The Section 106 agreement which releases money for the cinema’s upgrade has been signed by all parties, giving the project the green light to go ahead. Let the renovations commence!
I will be inspecting the cinema shortly with the owner and will report back soon.
M6 Bromford Viaduct maintenance work
Upcoming maintenance work on sections of the M6 viaduct between J6 and J5 may impact some of us in the Royal Town.
The work is due to take place from the 20th of February to 25th March between 22:00- 06:00 hours. During this time, access for emergency vehicles will be maintained and a signed diversion route will be in place.
The work will address surfacing and expansion joint defects on that section of motorway. In order to carry out the work safely, it is necessary to close the southbound carriageway completely between J6 and J5.
Apprenticeships for the Future
On the occasion of National Apprenticeship week, I am pleased to report that 8,060 new apprenticeships have been created in Sutton Coldfield since 2010. Over 5.3million apprenticeships have been created across England.
As well as driving up the number of people boosting their skills through apprenticeships, the government’s reforms are also improving the quality of apprenticeships. £2.3 billion of additional funding has been announced for 2023-24 and 2023-25–with colleges that deliver skills and training getting the most focused support. Alongside these, the government introduced T-Levels and established twelve Institutes of Technology.
T-Levels provide students with vocational options rigorous and robust as A-Levels, whilst Institutes of Technology will be the pinnacle of technical training, opening the door highly skilled careers
President Zelensky’s Visit to Parliament
There are some moments that are truly historic. The visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Parliament is one of them.
I was privileged to listen to his address in Westminster Hall – a platform reserved only for the most distinguished Heads of State - in which he praised and thanked the UK for standing side by side with Ukraine from day one of Russia’s brutal invasion.
His speech was powerful and moving. Our solidarity with Ukraine and its people was clear. The president is a symbol of incredible bravery and resolve in the face of a fearsome enemy. As the President stated, and as indeed we know from history: freedom will always win in the end.
Economic Head Start
Today's latest GDP figures show we were the fastest growing economy in the G7 last year.
The latest GDP figures show short-term challenges should not obscure our long-term prospects – the UK outperformed many forecasts last year.
The fact the UK was the fastest growing economy in the G7 last year, as well as avoiding a recession, shows our economy is more resilient than many feared. We are not out the woods yet as inflation, exacerbated by Putin’s illegal war, is slowing growth across the world, with the IMF predicting a third of the world economy will be in recession this year.
I believe the UK can be confident of having amongst the best prospects for growth of anywhere in Europe, while protecting the most vulnerable as we manage global economic pressures.
Useful Information
Forthcoming Mobile Household Recycling Centre locations:
- Tue 14/02/2023 Langley Heath Drive B76 2XB 07:00 12:00 Sutton Walmley & Minworth
- Thu 16/02/2023 The Boulevard B73 5JB 07:00 12:00 Sutton Wylde Green
- Mon 20/02/2023 Avery Road B73 6PX 07:00 12:00 Sutton Vesey
Royal Sutton Coldfield’s Orchestra: Young Soloist Concert, 4 March
