Newsletter July - Therese Coffee MP

Please find below my newsletter for June as well as a summary of the key announcements from the Budget. More news can be seen on my website www.theresecoffey.co.uk.

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The Chancellor presented the Budget in Parliament. I think this will really help working people, increasing wages, cutting taxes, creating jobs, reducing rents, helping businesses, supporting families and investing more money into our NHS. The big news was the introduction of a new national living wage, at £7.20 per hour rising to £9 by 2020. A further rise in the personal allowance to £11,000 and the higher rate threshold to £43,000 will cut taxes for 29 million people. These are downpayments on our pledge to see the personal allowance rise to £12,500 and the higher rate to £50,000. There was also important announcements on the Employment Allowance – cutting National Insurance contributions for employers. The changes on tax credits will gradually move us from situation where 9 in 10 families received tax credits to 5 in 10. As for the limit on tax credit claims for two children, this does not apply to existing families with more than two children or indeed for anyone expecting a child. Families in Suffolk with 3 and 4 year olds will receive 30 hours of free childcare from 2017, which doubles the 15 hours they're currently offered. Changes to Inheritance Tax means that if you own a property worth up to £1m you will be able to leave it to your children completely free of inheritance tax. Fuel duty will be frozen once again and a new roads fund will means all money raised through the vehicle excise duty will be invested into roads.

For more information on the key measures in the Budget see here.

East of England Energy Group: I attended the East of England Energy Group reception in Parliament. Both the new Energy Minister, Andrea Leadsom MP, and the Business Secretary, Sajid Javid MP, were in attendance.

I met Andrea Leadsom, separately, to discuss our Green Coast and opportunities for Suffolk.

Broadband: Street cabinets have been upgraded to give fibre broadband for premises in Woodbridge serving postcodes IP12 1 & IP12 4, Garrison Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7 and Eyke, IP12 1 & IP12 4. For more information see here.

Community Hospitals: I held a public meeting in Halesworth to hear resident's views on the Great Yarmouth and Waveney CCG consultation on how care in communities and community hospitals is run. Part of the proposal involves the closure of Patrick Stead and Southwold Community Hospitals, substituting the hospital beds there with funding 'beds with care' in local care homes in the two towns. My key test for this proposal is whether the new hub-approach with NHS-funded beds in care homes will help patients. I want to ensure there is a smooth transition to the new care homes and that there is a robust plan to ensure there are enough staff to fulfil this new model. 64% of attendees either supported or broadly supported the proposals with some concerns. The consultation runs until Tuesday 2nd September 2015 and you can access the consultation document at www.greatyarmouthandwaveneyccg.nhs.uk.

Monitor: I met representatives of Health regulator Monitor to discuss investigations into the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, responsible for mental health provision in Suffolk.

Halesworth Ticket Machine: I was at the launch of the new ticket machine at Halesworth station. The new facility, which has been installed thanks to a partnership between Greater Anglia and the County Council will enable passengers to purchase tickets more easily and to pick up pre-paid tickets.

A14: I led a small delegation from Suffolk, including the Chamber of Commerce, to meet new Transport Minister Andrew Jones MP, to make the case for improvements to be made on the A14. I raised issues concerning congestion at the Copdock interchange, problems on the Orwell Bridge and access to local Business Parks.

Seafast Logistics: I visited Seafast Logistics in Felixstowe on the announcement of their being awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade. This was granted for their outstanding sales growth over the last three years. I met CEO David Halliday and his long-standing business development manager Caroline Heale.

Felixstowe Foward: I met Helen Greengrass, the Felixstowe Change Director, in charge of Felixstowe Forward. I have been pressing the case for investment in Felixstowe through my Seafront Summit, which has brought together a number of key players.

Hand in Hand Pub: I officially opened the newly refurbished Hand in Hand pub in Trimley St. Martin and spoke to licensee, Louise  Askins, about her future plans for the pub.

Education and Adoption Bill: The Education and Adoption Bill was introduced in Parliament. The aim of the Bill is to introduce new powers to speed up the process of improving schools, whether that is changing leadership, quicker conversion into academies or powers to challenge academies which do not make the necessary changes quickly enough.

Felixstowe Academy: Felixstowe Academy received another Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted. A new headteacher from the Future Leaders Trust programme has been appointed. This programme seeks out the best headteachers who will help struggling schools.

Edgar Sewter: Edgar Sewter Primary School in Halesworth received a Good rating from Ofsted with particular praise for the headteacher Miss Milk. Often primary schools have received an inadequate rating. I have asked to meet the Deputy Director of Education.

I met the Director of Reach 2 Sponsor, the new sponsor of Beacon Hill Primary School, who will start running the school in Martlesham.

Water Abstraction: I met new Agriculture Minister, Rory Stewart MP, with two representatives of the East Suffolk Water Abstractors' Group to discuss issues concerning the latest water abstraction proposals and the impact on farmers.

I met Charles Beardall, Area Director for the Eastern Region for the Environment Agency to discuss Coastal Erosion and Flooding prevention measures in Suffolk.

Felixstowe Spa: I attended the Spa Pavilion Open Day which will be re-opened again in the autumn under the auspices of NRG Theatres. The new owners are confident they can attract big names to the town and they have ambitious plans for a restaurant, bar and cafe.

Yoxford Post Office: Post Office services were reinstated in Yoxford following the resignation of the Postmaster last summer. This follows a meeting I had with the previous Business Secretary in the last Parliament who raised the issue with the Chief Executive of the Post Office. The temporary service will run out of the Village Hall every Monday andWednesday, whilst the Post Office is still seeking a permanent service.

Ebola Medal: The Prime Minister announced that a new medal will recognise the bravery and hard work of those who helped tackle Ebola in West Africa. One of those in line for the special recognition is William Pooley, from Eyke. Mr Pooley contracted the Ebola virus whilst saving many lives by making sure a hospital at the centre of the outbreak remained open. He made a full recovery in the hands of the NHS after being flown back to Britain. He has also been awarded an MBE.

English Votes for English Laws: I responded on behalf of the Government in a Westminster Hall debate on English Votes forEnglish Laws. Proposals have been put forward which state that for those matters where law-making is devolved, like education or health, then English MPs should explicitly give their consent on these matters that only affect England and which are devolved to other Parliaments and Assemblies.

EU Referendum: I voted in favour of a referendum on the Uk's membership of the European Union. The EU Referendum Bill passed its second reading by 544 votes to 53. Once the Bill has gone through its remaining stages the legislation will require the Government to hold a referendum on our membership of the European Union by the end of 2017.

I was delighted to welcome a large group of residents from the Felixstowe area to Parliament as they enjoyed a tour of the Palace of Westminster. Beforehand they had a chance to quiz me on matters in Westminster Hall.

- Supported Source Local Fortnight at the Co-op's Darsham Hamper.

- Attended the Halesworth Carnival.

- Attended the Magna Carta event in Huntingfield.

- Met the director of Felixstowe Futures.

- Attended the Currylife Business Awards and presented an award to the Blue Naan in Felixstowe.

- I met new County Council leader, Colin Noble in Parliament with my fellow Suffolk MPs to discuss the progress of broadband rollout amongst other issues.

- Met representatives from the Citizens Advice service in Parliament to discuss the insight they have about problems experienced by constituents.

- Took part in the Parliamentary Tug of War raising money for Macmillan.

- Attended a UK Music event in Parliament.

Friday 18th September – Felixstowe – 930 - 11am

To make an appointment please call the Westminster Office on 0207 219 7164.