See older posts (74 more)Loading...
30 JAN 2012
Witham St Hughs
Local MP Stephen Phillips last week paid a visit to Witham St Hughs Primary School, which is currently consulting on whether or not the school should become an Academy. As a supporter of the Government's Academies programme, which has been demonstrated to raise standards and deliver the best outcomes for children, Stephen was keen to see for himself the work that the school has been undertaking in connection with the consultation and its exciting plans for the future if the change goes ahead. Shown around by headteacher Neil Spencelayh, Stephen met with staff and pupils during their lessons and picked up a thing or two which he didn't know along the way. "Like so many schools across the constituency, Witham St Hughs is brilliantly led, delivering excellent results for all the children who come here," Stephen said. "I'm really pleased to see the governors consulting parents and the entire community on the direction that the school should take, and I look forward to hearing the outcome of the consultation exercise in due course."
11 JAN 2012
Good News
Many of those who contact Stephen's office will have come across Amy who runs the diary and makes sure that our MP is where he is supposed to be on time – a very difficult job! There was exciting news in the Westminster office this week as Amy announced that she is going to make an honest man out of her long-term boyfriend, Tony Hind, who also works in Parliament. Amy and Tony are planning to share their big day next summer. The rest of the team, Stephen, Emma and Jan, offered hearty congratulations, toasting the happy couple with a glass on the terrace of the House of Commons. Stephen said, "Amy has been with me since I started as an MP doing a fabulous job ensuring that I can do everything which is required of me. Tony is a great chap and I want to wish both of them many years of happiness together."
20 DEC 2011
Veterans' PTSD
Stephen Phillips QC MP yesterday raised the case of his late constituent, Mr Martin Pratt, in the House of Commons in order to push for more help for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mr Pratt's wife, Suzan, recently came to see Stephen in a surgery concerned by the lack of communication between the various agencies responsible for his health. Stephen used an oral question to Defence ministers to raise the issue, receiving assurances from Andrew Robathan MP that the Government was working hard to improve treatment of veterans suffering from PTSD. Commenting afterwards, Stephen said, "I was extremely concerned by what Mrs Pratt told me about the gaps in the care that her husband received. Those are particularly hard to accept given the fact that he served our country. She is a very brave woman and although it is sadly too late for her husband, she is determined that no other family should suffer the same fate as hers. I am glad to have played a small part in trying to ensure that happens."
22 NOV 2011
AGM of Sleaford CAB
Local MP Stephen Phillips was the guest speaker at the Annual General Meeting of Sleaford Citizens' Advice Bureau last week. Talking about the theme of the 'Big Society', and what it actually means for communities like ours, Stephen stressed that whilst towns and cities may have lost a sense of community cohesion, his experience is that volunteering and looking out for everyone in the community is very much alive and well in Lincolnshire. Stephen drew attention to the fact that even in these difficult times, the British people still give more than £10bn to charitable causes, but also stressed the need for businesses to do more to support local charities and the communities in which they are established. Concluding by expressing his support for the Government's policies to assist charities and community groups, matched by new funding, Stephen thanked all at the CAB for their hard work in helping those in and around Sleaford with a wide variety of issues and indicated just how this vital this work is in the current economic climate.
22 NOV 2011
Marston & Hougham Meeting
As part of his regular programme of village meetings across the constituency, Stephen Phillips met Friday evening with local residents from Marston and Hougham in the south of the constituency to explain how Government policy is affecting rural constituencies like ours and to listen to their concerns so that he can lobby ministers and other officials on their behalf. Residents raised with Stephen the effect of cuts in rural services, particularly bus services and problems with LCC's CallConnect Service, as well as a variety of other issues and questions which he did his best to answer. Stephen said, "I try to hold one of these meetings with village communities across the constituency most Friday evenings. There was a real problem in the past with politicians not listening to the concerns of those who sent them to Westminster in the first place. I believe it is important to hear what my constituents think about the direction the Government is taking so that I can do my best to influence policy in our favour."
16 NOV 2011
Celebrating Apprentices
Stephen Phillips MP last week attended the graduation ceremony for apprentices and those completing training courses run by Lagat in North Hykeham. Lagat is a local business that specialises in helping people achieve their potential through training and apprenticeships, and the ceremony celebrated the achievement of those who have made it through various courses. Stephen congratulated the graduates and presented each of them with their official certificates of achievement. "My congratulations go to all those who have achieved a qualification today", Stephen said. "Apprenticeships and training courses offer a great opportunity to thousands of people across the country to learn useful skills and show that they are dedicated and hardworking, improving their job prospects and their sense of self worth. We now have more apprenticeships on offer than ever before in Britain's history and I wish all of today's graduates who have made the most of this opportunity the very best for their futures."
03 NOV 2011
Poppy Appeal
MPs, including Sleaford & North Hykeham MP Stephen Phillips, spent part of Thursday collecting for the Royal British Legion's annual poppy appeal outside Westminster Tube Station. Joined by a piper from the Scottish Division and soldiers from the Welsh Guards, Stephen's old regiment, commuters were tackled as they emerged from the station which was manned for the whole day by teams of ex-servicemen and women, including many parliamentarians. The event, part of London Poppy day, aims to raise £500,000 in a single day, making it the largest contributor to the annual poppy appeal. Speaking to reporters at Westminster Station, Stephen said, "The annual Poppy appeal raises much needed funds for the work of the Royal British Legion, which remains just as important today as it has been since the Legion was founded. Every year, we wear our poppies with pride to remind ourselves of the huge debt we owe to those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms and to support all those who have served and are serving in our armed forces. As Remembrance Sunday approaches, I know that the whole country will want to remember the fallen, as well as those who are away from their families serving overseas."
02 NOV 2011
Speech & Language
Stephen Phillips QC MP last week met with local speech and language therapist Lisa Harding to discuss how SLT services are making a difference across Lincolnshire and in Sleaford and North Hykeham. Early-years communication is essential to children's later outcomes in education and for the remainder of their lives, and before becoming our MP, Stephen championed the cause of appropriate education for the profoundly Deaf, saving one of the last remaining sign-bilingual schools in the country from closure. After the meeting, Stephen said, "Meeting with Lisa has shown me what a critical role speech and language therapists play in the community. I was surprised to learn of the huge variety of people that Lisa works with, from children with autism to older people recovering from a stroke. It was fascinating to hear how such therapy transforms so many people's lives in our area, and I congratulate Lisa and all those in her profession on the fantastic work they do."
31 OCT 2011
Billinghay Ballon Twinning
Residents of Billinghay and the French village of Ballon spent Saturday evening celebrating the silver anniversary of the twinning of their two communities with an evening of fine Lincolnshire fare at the Village Hall in Billinghay. The event, part of four days of celebrations, was attended by local people from all over the area who heard speeches (in English and French) as to the importance of the ties between the two villages and what the twinning has achieved in the last 25 years. A fantastic series of 'petites histoires' organised by Billinghay's French Club saw a willing Stephen Phillips MP dragged around the village hall dancing to some familiar French songs to the amusement of all. Speaking at the event, Stephen commended the twinning committees of both villages and said, "Whilst some of us continue to have real doubts as to the institution which the EU has become, none of us doubts that the strong ties which exist between communities such as Billinghay and Ballon have helped to assist us all in understanding our continental neighbours better. Many residents of Billinghay and Ballon have become firm friends across the years as a result of the twinning and I wish the links continued success in the years to come."
29 OCT 2011
Children in Need
The annual Children in Need appeal is fast upon us. Local MP, Stephen Phillips visited staff and customers at Asda in North Hykeham over the weekend to join in fund-raising activities for this worthy cause, more important than ever given current straightened financial circumstances. Stephen and Pudsey Bear collected donations from shoppers and handed out Pudsey-shaped cookie-cutters around the store to the delight of children, some of whose Mums looked less than pleased at a weekend of baking ahead! "The annual Children in Need Appeal is something that I am very pleased to support here in my constituency," Stephen said. "The charity does so much to help some of the most disadvantaged kids in our country, something which is particularly important at the moment." Children in Need day will take place on Friday, 18th November with events on television and across the country to raise money for the charity.
Welcome
Welcome, and thanks for visiting my website. On 6th May 2010, I was elected by an overwhelming majority of more than 50% of voters as the Member of Parliament for the Sleaford and North Hykeham Constituency. It's a great honour to have this responsibility of fighting for this beautiful part of Lincolnshire and I hope that my website will answer any questions you have. You'll find some information about me, about what I and my party stand for and about how to get in touch. Please don't hesitate to do so: what matters to you matters to me. I'm passionately committed to serving the interests of all of our community as best as I can.
