Stephen Mosley MP at Cystic Fibrosis Week 2012 Event

Chester MP Stephen Mosley has had his lung function tested to see how the result compared with someone with Cystic Fibrosis in order to highlight the devastating impact of the disease for Cystic Fibrosis Week 2012.

The event, organised by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, indicated to parliamentarians firsthand how Cystic Fibrosis damages the lungs. The average lung capacity for an adult with Cystic Fibrosis is just 65.1% compared to someone without Cystic Fibrosis that would achieve results of 80% or more. Stephen Mosley achieved 115% on this spirometry test, an impressive score.

Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive disease with the average age of death for a person with CF of around 29 years old. Despite this, because of advances in treatment and access to clinical expertise, many people with CF are living longer than ever before.

Stephen Mosley MP said:

Stephen Mosley MP taking lung function test

“I was delighted to attend the event to show my support for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Having my lung function tested has shown me how much more effort people with CF have to make just to take a breath. I can see how arduous the burden of treatment is to try to stop lung function from declining. It highlighted to me just what a battle it is living with this condition that claims two young lives a week. I hope as many people as possible take part in an event in their area during CF Week to help raise awareness and fundraise for research and support for CF”.

Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common inherited conditions, affecting over 9,000 babies, children and adults. CF is caused by a faulty gene that causes the lungs, digestive system and pancreas being clogged with thick sticky mucus.

Claire Francis, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the CF Trust said:

“Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that is difficult to comprehend as people with the condition can look healthy and active. Through our events for Cystic Fibrosis Week we hope to show politicians how the disease effects the body and how important daily treatment and expert care is to help people live longer lives and improve their quality of life.

More information about Cystic Fibrosis Week, which runs from 29 April to 5 May , can be found at www.cfweek.org.uk

Stephen Mosley MP with Members of the England Women's Lacrosse Team

Last Wednesday saw the English Lacrosse Association launch their Bid to host the 2017 Women’s World Cup at Westminster with the help of the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson and an array of fellow MPs.

Among those present was Chester’s MP Stephen Mosley who helped demonstrate his support by signing the ‘Back the Bid’ England flag.

As well as cross-parliamentary support – which came from David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband – ELA were delighted to welcome Jeff Probyn, former England Rugby Union player and Lisa O’Keefe, Director of Sport at Sport England.

Sue Redfern, Chair of the English Lacrosse Board said:

“We were delighted with the response and support that we received from Members of Parliament and with over 10% of the House behind us, we believe that this puts English Lacrosse in a good position in the bidding process.”

Stephen Mosley MP said:

Stephen Mosley signing England flag for Lacrosse World Cup Bid

“This bid gets my support as I know the value it will bring to the sport across the country. England will do an excellent job hosting this tournament and I wish the English Lacrosse Association every success in this venture.”

The final decision will be made by the Federation of International Lacrosse in June this year. The proposed venue for the event is Surrey Sports Park, Guildford, having welcomed the Lacrosse Home Internationals in April this year and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010. 30 nations are expected to compete in the FIL Women’s World Lacrosse Cup in 2017 in comparison to the 16 countries that competed in Prague in 2009.

Stephen Mosley’s speech in National Planning Policy Debate on 26th April 2012:-

4.36 pm

Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con):

Planning is, quite rightly, a very sensitive issue. It is about conserving and improving our existing habitat. It is about preparation for the challenges and demands of an increasing population. It requires measured and well balanced consideration, both of what currently exists and of what is required for the future. But it is also about preservation and the delicate matter of safeguards. I believe that the national planning policy framework delivers on all of those important considerations

There is no doubt that the planning system needed simplifying and making more accessible, so we have moved away from a cumbersome, bureaucratic mountain of guidance, some 1,300 pages in total, to a leaner, more flexible and clearer document of some 50 pages. But it was essential that in doing so, the long-term sustainability of our planning system was not sacrificed, and that is why I am delighted that, from root to branch, the central thread running throughout the NPPF is the doctrine of sustainable development, enshrining at the heart of our planning system the principle that growth must never be achieved at the expense of future generations.

Unlike the shadow Minister, I commend the manner in which the Government’s consultation on the draft framework was conducted. The most telling tale is that those organisations that did express concerns about the draft framework, including the National Trust, English Heritage, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the long list of organisations name-checked by the Minister on Tuesday evening, have all welcomed the changes that have been incorporated into the final framework. Dame Fiona Reynolds, director-general of the National Trust said:

“All these changes improve the document and give it a better tone and balance”.

One of the most contentious issues of the planning system in my own constituency, and I am sure in the constituencies of a great many right hon. and hon. Members, is that of green belt protection. As the NPPF explicitly states, the Government attach great importance to green belts, the essential characteristics of which are their openness and their permanence. I represent a small city enclosed by green belt, and this commitment by the Government is extremely welcome news for many of my constituents. While green belts have their own character, they also play an essential role in preserving the special character of towns and cities across the country, including my own city of Chester. Green belts also represent a necessary check on unrestricted urban sprawl.

Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): Will my hon. Friend join me in urging councils that are currently consulting on potentially adding sites that are in the green belt to their local plan to stop doing so now that they have seen the final guidance? They should think, “We are not going to change the green belt because we don’t need to. Let’s look at brownfield sites first.”

Stephen Mosley: I have huge sympathy with my hon. Friend’s point of view. Green belts are there to prevent not only urban sprawl but the merging of neighbouring towns. They provide much-needed safeguards to protect the countryside from encroachment and indirectly assist in urban regeneration by encouraging the use of brownfield sites. The NPPF makes it clear that

“inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances.”

Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): I agree with everything the hon. Gentleman has said. On getting the balance right, which is part of his theme, of course developers have the right to appeal when they believe that a decision has been wrongly taken. Does he agree that it would be welcome if the Government were to consider whether, in certain circumstances, there might be an opportunity for a third-party right of appeal against developments causing concern within local communities?

Stephen Mosley: Of course they currently have a right of appeal, but it is via judicial review, which can be difficult and very expensive. Nevertheless, that right is there. I personally think we have the right balance now, but it is something we need to consider.

In addition to green belts, the fundamental importance that the framework places on all green spaces is extremely reassuring. I particularly welcome paragraphs 73 and 74, which enshrine in the planning system the intrinsic value of open spaces and playing fields. The document reads:

“Access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities.”

The commitment in the framework that all open spaces lost to development must be replaced by “equivalent or better provision” will be received warmly by everyone in this country, young and old, who recognises the importance of these spaces for our local communities.

Furthermore, the introduction in paragraphs 76 to 78 of the new local green space designations adds even greater weight to the importance of the local neighbourhood plans introduced under the Localism Act 2011. The NPPF is unequivocal in its defence of green spaces and will ensure they are there to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Representing a city steeped in history, I am obviously concerned to ensure that the importance of heritage is recognised in the planning system. Heritage should be seen not as a barrier to growth but as an intrinsic part of it.

Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): I am enjoying the hon. Gentleman’s celebration of the virtues of heritage. Will he clarify whether he voted for VAT to be put on alterations to listed buildings and churches?

Stephen Mosley: I will stick to the NPPF debate, if the hon. Gentleman does not mind.

In Chester, we do not insist on the preservation of our Roman city walls, our Roman amphitheatre, our mediaeval roads or our Georgian townhouses simply because they are old. We insist on their protection because they are what make Chester Chester. Planning is much more than a tool to cater for short-term demand. It must always consider the long-term consequences. Our heritage and historic environment are unique and irreplaceable, so I welcome the statement in the NPPF that

“Local planning authorities should set out in their Local Plan a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment”.

Also, when determining planning applications, developers and local authorities will have responsibilities to ensure that the development does not adversely impact on heritage assets or their setting. That protection will be particularly welcome in Chester, where almost every development will have an impact on our unique historic environment. The Minister and his colleagues have worked closely with English Heritage throughout the formation of the framework, and I am delighted with the importance that it places on conservation and the enjoyment of our nation’s heritage.

I welcome the importance the framework places on the need to provide quality homes. Building homes is vital to the sustainability of our country, but of equal, if not greater, importance is the type of home we build. As the Minister wrote in the forward to the NPPF,

“confidence in development itself has been eroded by the too frequent experience of mediocrity”.

All too often, both in the private and the social housing sectors, the temptation has been to cram as many homes as possible into as small a space as possible. Blocks of flats have come to symbolise housing development in Chester and, I am sure, in many other parts of the country, but that is not what people want or need. What is required and wanted are good quality family homes, yet these are the types of properties in least supply.

The statement in the NPPF that local authorities should objectively assess the need for market and affordable housing in the housing market is hugely significant. However, that is one area of the framework that could be difficult for the Minister and his Department to monitor. I encourage him to keep his sights keenly focused on the housing developments that local authorities are providing, to ensure that the housing needs of any particular area are being assessed and subsequently acted on.

As I have said, planning is a sensitive issue. The national planning policy framework lays the foundations for sustainability, growth, protection and preservation, but most importantly, it provides clarity. The NPPF is an excellent document. The consultation on which the final document was based was carried out to a standard to which all consultations should aspire. The Minister is to be congratulated, and the framework should be welcomed by all.

Next week will be the second anniversary of my election as the Member of Parliament for the City of Chester.

It has been an extremely challenging two years, both for the Government and the country as a whole. It was never going to be an easy time to govern and tough decisions have had to be made to restore sustainability to our economy.

But because of the Government’s credible deficit reduction plan, the market interest rates that we are now paying on Labour’s debt has fallen to record lows. In the midst of a global debt storm, the Coalition Government has steadied the ship and ensured that solid foundations are in place so that we can once again build an economy that is stable and in the long term interests of everyone.

Like I said this time last year, I accept that not everyone will agree with the policies that the Coalition Government have taken forward, but I am proud of the many reforms that we have already enacted.

On the economy, the Government has: cut income tax for 25 million people, including a total of 1.1 million people who will be lifted out of income tax altogether; frozen Council Tax; overseen the biggest increase in the State Pension since 1948; introduced a permanent levy on the banks that will raise £10 billion during this parliament; and cut billions in central Government waste.

On healthcare, there are now 3,500 more doctors and 5,500 fewer managers working in the NHS; we have introduced a £200 million per year Cancer Drugs Fund which has already given over 5,000 patients access to life-extending cancer drugs; and we have enacted legislation that will secure the NHS for everyone in this country for generations to come.

On welfare, we have taken steps to end Labour’s something for nothing culture by capping the amount that can be received in benefits, at the same time as making wide ranging reforms to ensure that we make work pay.

On education, we have ensured that there are many more good school places having opened the first ever Free Schools and allowed more than a thousand schools to become Academies.

The international economy remains delicate, but the UK’s economy is once again stable. The next 12 months will, I’m sure, be equally challenging, but I am confident that the many reforms we have enacted will begin to bear fruit.

Stephen Mosley MP at Twickenham for Charity Rugby Match

The Commons & Lords rugby team’s annual charity match has raised more than £10,000 for first-time beneficiaries, the RFU Injured Players Foundation, at Twickenham Stadium.

A combined team from Cannock and Rugeley rugby clubs in Staffordshire travelled south to the Home of England Rugby to take on the Commons & Lords RUFC, made up of MPs, Peers, parliamentary staff and guests.

Aidan Burley, MP for Cannock Chase, and scrum half for the Commons & Lords, had organised the parliamentary team’s opponents, who dubbed themselves ‘Chase Coalition’ and ran out 13-7 winners, scoring two tries to one.

John Owen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RFU Injured Players Foundation, and RFU Past President, was present to receive the £10,900 proceeds that included each Cannock and Rugeley player contributing £300 for their chance to play on the hallowed turf, a donation by the Commons & Lords and more than £600 from a post-match auction of memorabilia.

The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) supports people who sustain a catastrophic injury while playing rugby. The charity, which has more than 130 clients currently, provides help and support for players and their families, in the early months after the injury and in the long term.

 “It was a privilege to take part in this fantastic event for a really worthwhile cause” said Chester MP Stephen Mosley, who was joined in the Commons & Lords team by Lord Addington, and MPs Mike Penning and Aidan Burley.

 “We gave them a good run for their money, but it wasn’t to be. We all had a great day and it was brilliant that we were able to raise over £10,000 for the RFU Injured Players Foundation.”

Played in four quarters, the match began with a try for the Chase Coalition by Dave Gregory, but the Commons & Lords led when Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, caught a lineout and the ball was moved expertly for Jug Johal to score a try converted by James Faiers.

A penalty goal squeezed over by Tom Impallomeni with eight minutes remaining edged the combined Cannock and Rugeley side back in front, and delighted prop Tommy Wilson celebrated a once-in-a-lifetime try at Twickenham from a rolling maul to finish the scoring.

John Owen said: “Fund-raising days like this are so important to enable us to care for the clients of the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

“We thank Aidan Burley, MP, and all the Commons & Lords team who play half a dozen matches a year, for returning to Twickenham for this annual fixture.

“It was also a marvellous effort by Cannock and Rugeley, both to raise the money they did and to make the journey to Twickenham, and I wonder if perhaps we should rename them the Staffordshire Barbarians.”

Two teams of Year 7 schoolchildren from Cannock Academy and Hagley Park Academy were part of the fun, playing a curtain-raiser match on the Twickenham pitch.

Martin de Ridder, Rugeley RUFC director of rugby, said: “This has been a fantastic day for everyone involved.

“Catastrophic injury in rugby is very rare, thankfully, but it is great to know that if the worst does happen there is an organisation like the IPF there to help.”

Man of the match Penning was presented with a bottle of champagne by Eliott Ray of the RFU Wine Club.

Chester MP Stephen Mosley has called for local amateur film makers to enter FILM THE HOUSE, a national competition that celebrates up-and-coming amateur film producers, directors and script writers across the UK.

Film lovers of all ages are urged to get their creative juices flowing, and submit their amateur films.  

Stephen Mosley will then nominate his top film from amongst the Chester entrants to go forward to the national competition, which aims to also raise awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights, film and the creative industries.

Supported by the British film industry, FILM THE HOUSE gives entrants the chance to win a screening of their film to film industry executives at the House of Commons.

Stephen Mosley MP said: “FILM THE HOUSE is a great opportunity for aspiring film makers of any age looking to find a way into the industry. I am excited to see the films that the people of Chester can come up with, and hope to see as many submissions as possible.”

The competition is designed to promote the wealth and variety of film in the UK. Categories include drama, thriller, action, comedy, music video, documentary, as well as a separate category for under 18s which can be any genre.

The closing date for nominations is 30th June and the winners will be announced on the 30th October at a special reception and screening of the winning film at the House of Parliament. For more information on how to apply visit www.filmthehouse.com .

Chester MP Stephen Mosley has recently met with the Government’s regional growth advisor and former Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Heseltine, to discuss the Government’s landmark investment programme, the Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

The RGF is a £2.4bn fund operating across England from 2011 to 2015. It supports projects and programmes that lever private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment. It aims particularly to help those areas and communities which were dependent on the public sector to make the transition to sustainable private sector-led growth and prosperity.

Two previous rounds of funding have already taken place since the Coalition Government introduced the scheme, with 176 successful bids having received £1.4bn to deliver around 330,000 jobs.

A new round of funding is now open for bids and Chester’s MP has spoken of his desire that local businesses in Chester apply for funding to help their business, and the local economy, to prosper and grow.

Speaking after his meeting with Lord Heseltine, Stephen Mosley MP said:

“Hundreds of small, medium and large businesses are already benefiting from this fantastic scheme, either through direct funding or from the indirect consequence of supply chain expansion.

“Creating jobs and growth is one of the top priorities for Britain right now, and one of the top priorities for this Government.

“For too long the UK economy has been focused primarily on the City of London. The Regional Growth Fund is helping companies across the country to grow their businesses and create jobs.

“I would strongly encourage any business owner in Chester with a desire to expand their operations to apply for this additional round of funding.”

Companies interested in bidding should visit www.bis.gov.uk/rgf for more information and application forms.

Companies can also attend a regional event or book an appointment with the RGF team to meet and discuss potential bids.

In the North West, events will be taking place in Manchester on 24^th April and in Liverpool on 15^th May. To express an interest in attending, please email the RGF team at growthfund@bis.gsi.gov.uk or call the team on 0207 215 6758 / 0207 215 3821.

Stephen Mosley MP Speaking in Parliament

Chester MP Stephen Mosley has welcomed the promising moves towards democracy in Burma and the Prime Minister’s proposals for a controlled suspension of sanctions during Prime Minister’s Questions this week (18^th April 2012).

Speaking in the Commons, Stephen Mosley said:

“I, like the Prime Minister, welcome the strides towards democracy being made in Burma, and I welcome also his efforts to achieve a controlled suspension of sanctions. With a decision on his proposals due next week, will he ensure that measures to monitor human rights in Burma are included in the discussion?”

The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, replied:

“My hon. Friend is entirely right. While it is clear that the Burmese regime is making some steps towards greater freedom and democracy, we should be extremely cautious and extremely careful. We want to see the further release of political prisoners, we want to see the resolution of ethnic conflicts and we want to see that democratisation process continue. That is why we are pushing across Europe for the suspension of sanctions, excluding the arms embargo, which should stay, rather than for the lifting of sanctions. We now have support for that position from most other leading European countries, and I hope that we can deliver it. That would be the right thing in demonstrating to the regime that we want to back progress, and it would also strongly support what Aung San Suu Kyi has said is the right approach.”

Parliament has recently risen for the Easter Recess which, as always, gives me an excellent opportunity to get out and about in Chester.

After a scorching week or so, the weather has held up and I’ve been able to pound the streets and talk to hundreds of residents.

I’ve been out in Hoole, Garden Quarter, Lache, Upton, Great Boughton, Christleton and the City Centre knocking on doors and delivering leaflets.

If you see me on my rounds, don’t hesitate to stop me for a chat.

In addition I’ve visited local schools, attended the launch of Heritage Watch, held advice surgeries and attended civic events across the city.

I also joined local councillors Razia Daniels and Neil Sullivan for their regular street surgeries in Saltney, Westminster Park and Handbridge and met with Newton ward councillors Adrian Walmsley and Tom Parry to unveil new 30mph flashing signs on Newton Lane and Plas Newton Lane that they paid for out of their community budgets.

Our local team of councillors are doing excellent work to help their communities and they all work extremely hard for local residents.

March was also one of the busiest months I have had since the General Election, receiving well over 700 letters and emails from constituents highlighting issues ranging from dog fouling to the NHS. I do always try and respond to constituents as promptly as possible but, as I’m sure you will appreciate, in some weeks that is a lot easier to do than in others.

I was also delighted with the amount of people who responded to the Chester Residents’ Survey that I recently sent out by email and post to people across the city. I have received nearly 2,000 responses and whilst it will take a little while to respond to everyone who highlighted concerns to me, please rest assured that I am working my way through the pile.

If you would like to fill in the survey and have not already done so, it only takes a minute and can be accessed online at www.chestermp.com/survey.

In addition to surveys, I also hold regular private Advice Surgeries, take part in Street Surgeries across Chester, hold frequent meetings with local charities, businesses, schools and local community groups and can, of course, be contacted by phone, letter or email. I am also on Twitter (@mp4chester) and on Facebook.

For full details of how to contact me, please visit www.chestermp.com.