Last week I opened a debate on the regional variations in the rate of teenage pregnancies. Whilst much good work has been done to bring this rate down, we are faced with vastly different rates across the country. Telford still has above average rates of teenage pregnancy.
Teenage pregnancies are often a symptom of other underlying social issues. Whilst not all teenage pregnancies are unplanned, many are and those falling pregnant are often in need themselves. As your MP I am keen to see the big issues affecting Telford tackled and raised at the highest level.
As Telford’s voice in Parliament I take every opportunity to speak up for our town. I am ideally positioned to lobby Government on Telford's behalf in a way that no one else can. It’s the behind the scenes work combined with bringing pressure to bear in Parliament which has the greatest impact. In speaking over 60 times in Parliament this past year I have raised Telford’s train service, children’s social care, Telford Town Park, tax credits, schools, policing, broadband, buses and more.
In addition to my work in Westminster, it is also great to join with local councillors and work on a local level, to iron out issues for constituents in the communities that make up Telford. Helping people resolve their needs and concerns is a key part of my job and also one of the most rewarding.
Being Telford's voice in Westminster means I’m not able to be in Telford as often as I want. But we have a very hard working mayor and many local councillors who are able to attend and support our community events. I also have a rolling program of visits to schools, businesses, churches and community groups. One event I was delighted to attend recently was the lighting of Telford’s Beacon to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday, an event made all the more special by the truly excellent Abraham Darby Academy Show band of which I am a huge fan.
This is my first column since the news that Cllr Kuldip Sahota is standing down as Council Leader. I would like to thank him personally for his good work. He was proud to serve and sought to put local issues and local people before party political interests. As someone who came to Telford, his achievements are the perfect illustration that Telford is a place to get on and succeed. I wish him well for the future.