Evening Star Column - 3rd January 2012

"Happy New Year

2012 got off to a cracking start with the fireworks in London, showcasing Big Ben right from the start and focusing on theOlympics. Fellow Conservative MP Mark Lancaster was heavily involved as it was his family firm that staged the firework display. I believe Mark was involved in laying the fireworks in Parliament - a bit different from Guy Fawkes.

2012 will bring a number of exciting moments in Suffolk. The Olympic torch relay on July 5th stops at ten places in my constituency including Woodbridge and Felixstowe. I was delighted that at the last moment, a large number of schools in the constituency became full members of the Olympics Get Set network. This opens up greater chances for our schoolchildren to become more involved in the national event. I am sure there will also be many street parties across the area for the Diamond Jubilee. Planning for both is already underway by our local councils.

The New Year's honours list brought recognition to some local people who have been pioneering in helping others. The New Year also brought some new initiatives from the Government. Probably the most headline-catching was the plan to stop council or housing association tenants from sub-letting their homes and for those wealthy enough to make them pay market rents. I think this is common sense. Union leaders getting subsidised accommodation? People who live abroad for part of the year or move in with someone else? That will free up either homes or money to help those who really need help to get a roof over their heads.

Another initiative is some extra money to help councils get older people out of hospital and back to their own homes when they are well. This seems to be a particular problem in the north of my constituency and I hope we can make progress on that. The focus of healthcare is changing so more routine activities can be done at your GP surgery or at home rather than travelling to hospital. This usually produces better outcomes at a lower cost. This is one of the reasons why the Government is pressing on with its reforms to put your local GP as your co-pilot on your healthcare.

I don't tend to set New Year resolutions but there are some important targets for the year ahead. More progress on broadband (have you signed up to show your support?), localised targets on ambulance responses, the A12, restoration of hourly rail services from Ipswich to Lowestoft, new marine plans, the starting of free schools and hopefully, greater opportunities for high value jobs in our part of Suffolk. 2012 will continue to be a challenging year economically but there will be plenty to keep us smiling with moments of national and local joy. An extra bank holiday. Suffolk Olympians and Paralympians? Even England might win Euro 2012!"

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