Coventry Observer Article - June 2005
During the month of June, my attention has continued to be on the MG Rover situation. I have participated in a several meetings about Rover as well as an adjournment debate discussing many facets of this problem. It is important to ensure that workers are retrained and jobs are created for the people displaced by the plant closure. The future of the automobile industry must continue to be discussed, and it was a feature of the adjournment debate as well.
I have continued to spend a significant amount of time working with the Government, other MPs, and other organisations on the MG Rover problem because I know how important it is to the people of Coventry. I am committed to working with all involved parties on this issue until it has been resolved to the fullest and best extent possible.
In the time before the G8 Summit, I have spent time in meetings discussing the goals of the summit and the specifics of the proposals which the UK will be putting on the table. I have chaired a parliamentary meeting of MPs with Gordon Brown, to discuss issues surrounding the G8. I have tabled several Parliamentary Questions about the issues such as debt relief for Africa and climate change which will figure prominently in the discussions at Gleneagles.
In responding to other parliamentary questions, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has stated that capital spending on schools in Coventry has increased since 2000, and money for improving behaviour in Coventry schools has also increased. In addition to this increase in money, Minister of State Jacqui Smith MP stated, “Our Secondary Strategy gives all secondary schools in Coventry access to high-quality behaviour management training materials and support from a DfES-funded behaviour management consultant. Our Primary Strategy is giving all primary schools access to high-quality training and curriculum materials to improve children’s social, emotional, and behavioural skills.” These programs are vital to improving the education system in general and in Coventry, specifically. I will continue to press for increased resources and other improvements for education in Coventry.
Bob Ainsworth, Geoffrey Robinson and I meet with Transport Minister Derek Twigg, on the issue of a station for the Arena site. Prior to the General Election the then Minister Tony McNulty received a delegation from Coventry, as a result he asked officers from the City Council, Strategic Rail Authority and his own officials to look at the situation again.
It is our view that a station at the Arena site will be an important development not just on match or event day but for the site as a whole. With the re-opening of the Coventry–Nuneaton line this is an opportunity for rail to make a greater contribution than it does to the transport links between Coventry and the outlaying areas such as Nuneaton, Leamington and Warwick.
