Now’s the time when MPs get to play ‘ping-pong’ with members of the House of Lords as we approach the end of this Parliamentary term ahead of the State Opening of the new Parliament on May 18th. Before the Queen can prorogue Parliament and then reopen it to announce the Government’s programme for the coming year there is the little matter of the Housing & Planning Bill and Immigration Bill to settle.
Contentious measures have been batted back and forth between the two Houses including issues such as which 3000 asylum seeking children the UK should host and restrictions on detention in immigration centres. I have posted podcasts on my website on these difficult issues which have not surprisingly provoked a lot of emails from constituents. Now the clock is ticking and a compromise has to be reached, often requiring us to sit late into the night until someone blinks first. A strange way of making legislation?
This week I had a meeting with new DWP Secretary Stephen Crabb to make the case for looking again at transition measures to help those women born in the 1950’s who stand to lose most from the changes to state pension age entitlement. The so-called WASPI campaign has been gaining momentum with support across the parties and it is not going to go away anytime soon so I am hopeful that the new man at DWP will help find a way forward. We are also forming an All Party Parliamentary Group to show the strength of support. Again there is a section on my website about the issue which potentially affects a lot of my constituents of a certain age.
It was good to see a good turnout for the Sompting Big Local Mayday celebration at The Marquis on Sunday. Amongst the attractions there was also a stall with updates on the plans to enhance play equipment at Hamble Park, install a third defibrillator at St Peter’s Church and a very innovatory Junior Saver Scheme to encourage saving from an early age. Well done to Ray Downie and the team who are working so hard for the village.
Whichever way you cast your ballot don’t forget to vote this Thursday for your local councillors and the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner.