The MPs return to Westminster after the Easter recess brought with it a wave of Ministerial Statements and Urgent Questions, on the state of steel industry, the Panama Papers & associated discussions about tax evasion, whether MPs' tax returns should be published, whether Inheritance Tax is a good or a bad thing, and the now infamous £9.3m of taxpayers' money spent by Government on a pro-Remain leaflet. It was a noisy & heated Chamber.
---------
I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with DWP Minister Shailesh Vara MP, to discuss the issue of pension age changes for the WASPI women, born between 1951 & 1954. This campaign for recourse from the latest delays to their pension age may take some time, as the Treasury presently seems determined to hold firm to their line. I have an excellent local network of WASPI lady campaigners, and if you are affected please do get in touch.
I will continue working with colleague Tim Loughton MP and other concerned MPs to try to find a costed solution which might go some way to resolution of this thorny matter.
---------
In my role as Chairman of our new Parliamentary Group on the Armed Forces Covenant, I have been receiving a large amount of correspondence from across the UK from military families struggling with a new housing regime. I will be meeting with the Armed Forces Minister next week to discuss this in more depth and call for an arbitrator to support these families, for whom our commitment through the Covenant should be better than it presently is.
--------
Our APPG on Autism had a big turnout to discuss the problems of diagnosis times for children and adults on the spectrum, a problem which I struggled with when my son was little and we were seeking help over 10 years ago. Progress on this is painfully slow but I was pleased to hear from the Minister and his civil servants on the steps forwards they are taking. It was interesting to hear the Minister admit that one of his biggest frustrations in Government was the variability of provision & quality across the country. But not much consolation to those of us who have battled for diagnosis for family members in areas without decent professional support.
The National Autism Society launched its new film this week with an amazing young Aspergers actor: you can watch it here: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/tmi/film.aspx
-------
I caught up with some of the key players in the biomass industry, with the Royal British Legion who launched their Somme 100th anniversary pack, & with the Money Advice Service to plan how to increase educational efforts for lifelong financial management skills. Its never dull, always varied, this job!
--------
I rounded off the week with a visit on Saturday to RAF Leeming to discuss the changing provision of glider training for our North East Air Cadets. There has been no gliding for two years, but the Minister has just signed off a new programme for Tutor flying which will bring new opportunities for Air Cadets, many of whom will become brave RAF airmen & women of the future.
----------
Do share this with friends. To subscribe to My Week in Westminster, please email [email protected] with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject box.
If you would like details of local surgeries or to speak to my team, please email [email protected] or call 01665 517512.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly anytime on 0207 219 4437 or by email to [email protected]