PRESS RELEASE 19 December 2006

MP speaks out on 'cattle truck chaos'  

Andrew Murrison today (Tuesday) in the Commons berated transport minister Tom Harris for the First Great Western's revised timetabling and rolling stock reduction for which ministers are responsible that has caused what he called 'cattle truck chaos' on FGW trains in West Wiltshire that are full up by the time they reach Trowbridge.

In his oral question to the minister during Transport Questions the MP cited the chaos on the morning of 9 December when customers travelling north were unable to board the train at Trowbridge and more ticket refunds than sales appeared to be transacted for First Great Western services.

The minister said in response that there was always turbulence when timetables change but offered no comment on rolling stock reductions. Mr Harris did however say that what rolling stock we have in the UK is very modern.

Andrew Murrison has received several letters from disgruntled West Wiltshire residents about 9 December and other occasions, on which many were forced to abandon their journeys or go by car. He has corresponded with the train operating company before on the issue and received an emollient response but has written again in the light of the anger expressed by West Wiltshire residents.

He said;

"We have had some success in reinstating the direct service from West Wiltshire towns to London Waterloo and I hope that the train operating company will prove similarly flexible in their response to problems on trains heading north to Bath , Bristol and Cardiff that appear especially acute on Saturdays."

PRESS RELEASE 18 December 2006

MP's Comments

Commenting on a press release issued by the new Wiltshire PCT about the timetable for its much awaited announcement on the future of community hospitals in Wiltshire Andrew Murrison MP said;

"The previous PCT buckled under the pressure of having to make a decision on our local hospitals and left it to the new Wiltshire-wide PCT.

"I hope the new outfit has done a better job of reflecting the aspiration of service users, my constituents, who are fearful of a scorched earth policy in which West Wiltshire is stripped of all its hospitals in favour of the already well-off north of the county. They will not be fobbed off with promises of a few extra district nurses especially as the community nursing service has been down-sized in recent years.

"A while back Warminster was promised more community nurses in return for a ward closure at its hospital. The PCT got its closure but Warminster didn't get its nurses.

PRESS RELEASE 16 December 2006

MP's festive feasting  

Andrew Murrison will be eating well today (Saturday). At 1215 he will be having Christmas lunch with the Warminster Saturday Club at Kingdown School (Sports Centre entrance). Details of the work of the Warminster Saturday Club are at www.thebridgeproject.org,uk

At 7.30pm he'll be the guest of WCR at their Christmas meal in the Assembly Hall Warminster where he will say a few words about the future of cummunity radio and express his admiration for the hard work of the local station's founder, Barry Mole and his team.

PRESS RELEASE 14 December 2006

EU Migrants - MP gets letter from minister  

Andrew Murrison wrote to Home Office minister Liam Byrne on 6 October to ask what support the government would be giving to West Wiltshire public services following the arrival of up to 3000 migrants from Poland and the prospect from next year of more people entering from Bulgaria and Romania .

Two months later, he has received a reply apologising for the delay.  In his letter Mr Byrne says that his colleagues at the Department for Communities and Local Government will;

"work closely with local stakeholders to review the impact such migration is having on local services."

Therefore, Andrew has written to the main 'stakeholders' that he has identified - the police, primary care trust, county and districts councils to ask what pressures they are experiencing and what level of uplift in resources they should be getting from the government to ensure that the services they provide for his constituents are not stretched as a result of the current large-scale migration that has taken ministers by surprise.

Whilst the local police report that Polish migrants have been law abiding, there are concerns over Bulgaria and Romania given the organized criminality associated with those countries. The MP has consequently written back to Mr Byrne about the assessment he has made of the potential impact on law enforcement in those areas where Bulgarian and Romanian migrants are likely to appear.

Andrew is unconvinced by the minister's claim that immigration officers at entry ports will be able to access EU-wide 'adverse information on individuals' given the rudimentary nature of such records in the 2007 EU accession states and the apparent treaty obligation on the UK to permit EU citizens with a criminal record to enter the UK.

PRESS RELEASE 14 December 2006

MP supports plastic beer glasses

Andrew Murrison is supporting Wiltshire Constabulary's call for late night drinking establishments to introduce plastic beer glasses.

The MP was recently given a 'Carling Extra Gold' plastic pint pot - sadly empty - as an example. He said;

"Beer glasses in the wrong hands at the wrong time can be lethal weapons as the police know very well.

"Modern plastic glasses are of high quality. They do not detract from the drinking experience but can help avoid serious so-called 'glassing' incidents. I hope more pubs and clubs will consider using them after 11pm.

PRESS RELEASE 8 December 2006

Murrison highlights vast turnover of carers in local area

Local MP Andrew Murrison today highlighted new research by leading charity Carers UK which showed that more than  4000  people face new caring responsibilities in West Wiltshire each year.  A similar number cease caring every year.

The research is released to mark Carers Rights Day on Friday 8 December 2006 - a national day of action organised by Carers UK to raise awareness of carers' rights and entitlements.

The same report also highlighted that many carers - people looking after relatives, friends and neighbours who are caring for disabled, chronically ill and frail relatives were missing out on practical support and information.

Key findings in the report show that 65 per cent did not recognise themselves as carers in the first year of caring: for a third (32 per cent) recognition took over five years.  As a consequence, one in three (33 per cent) believed they had missed out on benefits and pension entitlements, the majority (58 per cent) for over three years.

Local MP Andrew Murrison said,

"Many people choose to shoulder the burden of caring alone and their independence must be respected. We should not try to nationalise caring which is an activity that many regard as a personal obligation. However, if carers do not get the support they need when they need it they may suffer from a poor quality of life and pay a heavy price in terms of their own health and wellbeing.

For more information about Carers Rights Day or to find out if there is a local event in your area, go to: www.carersuk.org/carersrightsday

Carers UK has produced 'Looking After Someone - a guide to carers' rights and benefits' for all carers, available from www.carersuk.org or by calling CarersLine, which is able to offer advice on any caring situation, on  0808 808 7777

PRESS RELEASE 30 November 2006

Shadow health minister visits 'Min'  

Dr Andrew Murrison MP will tomorrow (Friday) tour the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases ('Mineral Water Hospital' or 'Min') in Bath . He is keen to learn about its care for patients with long term conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and osteoporosis.

The Westbury MP first visited the hospital in 1983 when he was a medical student at Bristol and recalls hot wax treatments for rheumatic disorders particularly clearly.

The Shadow Health Minister takes an interest in chronic conditions like osteoporosis which he feels are often neglected despite their high prevalence and potentially devastating consequences.

He said;

"The Min is rightly held in high esteem locally and has an impressive national reputation as a centre of excellence in the management of long-term and chronic disease.

"The hospital will want to contribute to the development of the government's plans for specialist care in the community and to extend the reach of its services. However, it will have to accommodate radical changes to the way in which care is funded as GPs and patients explore new care pathways. 

PRESS RELEASE 16 November 2006 

MP's Busy Day  

Andrew Murrison will spend tomorrow out and about in his constituency in an action packed day. At 9.00am he will be at Clarendon School for a surprise concert at the invitation of BBC Wiltshire's Heather Skull. At 10.30am he will be at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon to meet the Headteacher and tour the school. At 12 noon he will be at Moulton Bicycles in Bradford on Avon touring the workshop and chatting with Dr Alex Moulton. He will test ride a bicycle during his visit and discuss the contribution that the firm makes to UK exports.

In the afternoon at 2pm he will go on the beat with PCSO's Vicki and Julie and PC Dave Thompson (starting at the chip shop in Charles Street ).

PRESS RELEASE 10 November 2006

MP supports Legion  

Andrew Murrison will do his bit as a member of the Warminster Branch of the Royal British Legion tomorrow morning (saturday) selling poppies in Warminster's Market Place from 9am.

Andrew left the Navy as a Surgeon Commander in 2000 but was recalled in 2003 to serve in Iraq . He will lay a wreath in the county town on Sunday morning and at the war memorial in Warminster on Sunday afternoon.

He said;

"The British Legion does great work in supporting those that have given so much. It deserves our strong support."

PRESS RELEASE 10 November 2006

Hunt Begins to find Best UK Manufacturer  

Andrew Murrison MP is appealing for firms in the Wiltshire area to enter the institution of Mechanical Engineers' (IMechE) Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards for 2007. The winner of the competition, one of the most prestigious in the business world, will win the coveted title of the UK 's best manufacturer.

This is the 25 th anniversary of the awards, set up initially by a dedicated team of IMechE members and business representatives to promote and protect the heritage of our UK industry and, most importantly, share best practice.

I would encourage any firms, of any size, to enter these free awards, run in partnership with some of the country's leading business names from Barclays to the DTI's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and supported by Warwick Manufacturing Group. Each firm that enters is entitled to a free, bespoke Benchmark Report from a panel of manufacturing experts worth up to £20,000 after filling in a Self Assessment Audit.

The Report will offer a 'top tips' service to firms with invaluable advice on how to improve performance, taking size and resources into consideration. Furthermore, all MX participating companies are entitled to a free on-site diagnostic 'health check' visit of up to five days from MAS. Deadline for entries is 1 March 2007.

Finalists for the 11 categories will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony on 13 June at the Marriott Hotel in London where the winners (and overall MX winner) will be announced.

Andrew Murrison commented:

"I hope to see as many companies as possible enter as everyone is a winner. MX, now running in Germany , is now known as the international hallmark of best practice in manufacturing and we, as MPs, should be doing all we can to support MX and these companies.

For those that reach the final, they will have demonstrated that they are the elite in their field. A positive effect of this would be an enhanced local economy and potentially, more jobs for the area."

PRESS RELEASE 7 November 2006

MP attempts to juggle 'three planet' lifestyle  

Andrew Murrison MP may be used to juggling his workload but WWF challenged him to juggle three planets to highlight how everyone in the UK is using more than their fair share of natural resources, and emitting more CO 2 than the planet can absorb.

WWF held an event recently in Parliament to raise awareness about its One Planet Living ® (1) Campaign which aims to make sustainable living easy, affordable and attractive.

WWF says Government has an important role to play in helping people live within the planet's natural capacity. Our homes, our communities and our lifestyles - what we buy and consume, the energy we use and what we do with our waste, all have an impact on our environment. If everyone in the world lived as we do in the UK as a whole, we would need three planets to support us. Whilst in West Wiltshire they are living a 2.9 planet lifestyle.

Andrew said: "There is so much we can do in our everyday lives to reduce our impact on the environment. Simple steps like cutting down on using our cars for short journeys and switching our televisions off from standby can help make all the difference."

A recent report by WWF has shown that the world's natural ecosystems are being degraded at a rate unprecedented in human history. The Living Planet Report 2006 showed that we were using the earth's resources 25 per cent faster than they can be renewed.

PRESS RELEASE 1 November 2006

MP asks about troop protection

Andrew Murrison asked the Prime Minister what requests he has had from Army top brass in Afghanistan for Warrior Armoured Vehicles at PMQs today.

The PM said he didn't think there had been any.

Speaking after PMQs Dr Murrison, middle east veteran, Iraq war dissenter and former Navy doctor said;

"It's clear that there our troops are not optimally protected at the moment and that it will be some months before the government's promised new vehicles are available.

"In the meantime it would seem sensible for existing Warrior armoured vehicles to be made available and I am surprised by the Prime Minister's claim that no requests through the chain of command have been made for them.  

PRESS RELEASE 16 October 2006

WATCHDOG WARNS PATIENTS WILL SUFFER FROM NHS FINANCIAL CRISIS

Growing public concern about threat of cuts to local services

Dr Andrew Murrison, Member of Parliament for Westbury, today expressed concern at new research released by the Healthcare Commission, the Government's NHS watchdog. Its 'Annual Health Check' reveals that England 's Primary Care Trusts (which control four-fifths of the NHS budget) are failing to manage their finances properly, which will harm the quality of care and services.

The West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust was given a rating of weak for its financial management. Nine out of ten Primary Care Trusts across England were rated weak or fair; in this context, fair means "on the edge of adequate". None were given the top ranking of 'excellent'. The Chief Executive of the health watchdog has commented, " this is a worrying picture. patients' care will suffer in the end if this is not put right. There is no doubt that good financial management is linked to good quality services. "

Across the country, hospitals - large and small - are now facing closure due to financial problems, with an estimated 20,000 NHS posts being axed since the beginning of the year. The cuts come as Labour Ministers have revealed that the NHS has now run up a yearly deficit of £1,312,000,000 - the worst in its history.

Commenting on the situation, Dr Murrison said:

" I'm really concerned over the growing evidence of financial crisis in our health service and the inability of the constituent parts of the NHS to manage money competently Politicians don't help by constantly meddling. "

" We need to cut the continuing political interference in the NHS - to give staff the space to get on with their jobs, backed by a proper voice for patients and public over the running of local NHS services" .

PRESS RELEASE 13 October 2006

MP - no coffee for General  

Andrew Murrison MP, shadow minister and Iraq veteran, has voiced his full agreement with comments made by Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt. But he questions whether a senior serving officer should become so embroiled in politics.

The ex Navy MP who opposed the war in Iraq but was called up to serve as a medical officer to the Army near Basra in late 2003 said;

"If the General's analysis is that our presence in Iraq has become counterproductive we should of course withdraw.

"I agree with him that the war has stoked up international extremism and that Mr Blair was naïve, even presumptuous, to suppose he could or should hand down a liberal western-style democracy to Iraq by force of arms.

However, the MP cautioned against senior service personnel contradicting their democratically elected political masters;

"Much as I loath this government, I would say the General is standing into danger. Since our Civil War the Army has been kept out of politics and rightly so.

"If I was Defence Secretary I'd be inviting Sir Richard in for what is known in the trade as a no-coffee interview.

PRESS RELEASE 13 October 2006

MP to visit Wiltshire School of Gymnastics on their Championship weekend 

Dr Andrew Murrison will be visiting The Wiltshire School of Gymnastics in Lysander Road , Bowerhill at 1.40pm on Saturday 14th October 2006.

The Wiltshire School of Gymnastics will be running their English Artistic Gymnastic Championship for both men and women, junior and senior sections, on Saturday and Sunday. This will be the fourth time that the school has been running the event which is set to the Olympic code.

The Wiltshire School was opened by Princess Anne in February 2001 and is lottery funded.

PRESS RELEASE 13 October 2006

MP invited to speak at BCUSG Dinner Dance  

Dr Andrew Murrison will be speaking at the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group Dinner Dance being held this evening at 7pm at The Civic Hall in Trowbridge.

Judging by public demand, BCUSG is hoping that this Annual fund raising event becomes another success like last year's Ball.

Dancing will be to the local renowned Park Lane Big Band with their vocalist and their delightful group of ladies know as the Blue Floozies.

PRESS RELEASE 10 Octoer 2006

TRAIN SAVED!  

MP Andrew Murrison has welcomed today's written ministerial statement on the future of the London Waterloo to Bristol train service that serves the towns of his constituency.

In the statement entitled 'Railways: South Western Franchise' the minister says;

"The current two taints per day operation between Bristol and Waterloo will be retained throughout the new franchise."

The new franchise will run from Feb 07 for 10 years.

Andrew said;

"I am delighted by this announcement and congratulate local train campaigners that have worked hard to achieve this result."

PRESS RELEASE 9 October 2006

MP says NHyes!  

Andrew Murrison has invited people to write to him or email in support of the Opposition's campaign to support the NHS and to stop cutbacks and closures in healthcare.

Speaking after the launch by David Cameron of the Conservative party's campaign in support of the NHS (NHyes) at the King's Fund in central London this morning Dr Murrison said;

"I'm delighted that David Cameron has put the NHS top of his list of priorities. This is especially so as in West Wiltshire we are at the sharp end of Mr Brown's cutbacks - just look at what's happening to our community hospitals and the pressure that social services are under.

"West Wiltshire is handicapped by a perverse system of NHS accounting which means that we are suffering a funding double whammy - our local deficit is effectively doubled and ministers are happy to sit on their hands. In addition the government's political interference in the funding formula means that areas like ours are robbed of their fair share.

"Unless the funding formula is addressed I see little prospect of Wiltshire Primary Care Trust being able to both resolve its financial impasse and meet national healthcare standards. David Cameron's pledge today to address the funding formula is good news for our area.

PRESS RELEASE 9 October 2006

MP Welcomes British Heart Foundation's Food4Thought campaign

Andrew Murrison today welcomed the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) Food4Thought campaign, which is aimed at exposing the hidden salt, fat and sugar lurking in common foods, so children can better understand the potential damage it's doing to their hearts and health.

At the heart of Food4Thought is an advertising campaign depicting a young girl drinking from a bottle of cooking oil with the caption 'What goes into crisps goes into you'. As part of the campaign, education packs, in the shape of giant burger boxes, containing resources to help children better understand what foods are good for their health, are being sent to classrooms around the UK .

The problem of poor diet and nutrition among children is a key factor in rising levels of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

A 2004 report revealed that only 13% of boys and 12% of girls across the UK reported eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, and 10% reported eating no portions of fruit or vegetables in the previous day.

A new report for the BHF shows that half of 8 to 15-year-olds across the UK eat at least a bag of crisps a day a nd almost one in five eat crisps twice a day or more. And the case for practical cooking skills in schools is supported by the fact that 37% of UK youngsters aren't confident peeling a vegetable.

Supporting the BHF's campaign, Andrew Murrison MP said;

"Fighting obesity is one of today's key public health challenges. The work of organisations like the BHF is vital in ensuring that young people are equipped to make informed choices about healthy eating and living."

PRESS RELEASE 6 October 2006

MP presents at Air Training Corp Presentation Night 

ATC Squadron 68 Westbury is holding a presentation and celebration night on Saturday 7th October at the Conservative Club Westbury. This is to say thank you to the cadets and all those who have supported the squadron and staff.

Just over a year ago, due to the resignation of the cadets' Commanding Officer, Westbury 68 Squadron (ATC) was informed by Dorset & Wiltshire Wing Command that they would have to close. This was because no officer could be found to take over the running of the squadron and the cadet numbers had dropped due to the uncertainty for the future of the squadron. Following a campaign by cadet families, local people, Westbury Town Councillors and the Lions club, together with the support of Dr. Murrison M.P., Wing Command agreed that the squadron could continue to be run with Warrant Officer Richard Taylor at the helm.

Since taking over as Commanding Officer of the Westbury 68 Squadron the number of Cadets has risen from 6 to 25. W.O. Taylor has been able to encourage young members of the local community to become part of this national organisation. Due to his total commitment, drive and unfaltering enthusiasm Westbury 68 Squadron is now a thriving unit. In this day and age of computer games, unacceptable social behaviour and lack of community respect Westbury can be very proud of the efforts and achievements that W.O. Taylor has made.  

Dr Murrison said:

"Westbury ATC has been a real success story because of the hard work and commitment of volunteers. It is very much part of the local scene".

PRESS RELEASE 4 October 2006

Andrew calls on residents

MP Andrew Murrison will tonight be the guest of College Estate Residents Association (CERA) at Wiltshire College in Trowbridge and tomorrow will meet Warminster West Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) at Cobbett House.

The MP has been involved with tenants and residents in both areas on a range of issues. He is eager to hear about progress on issues like road and community safety and measures to improve quality of life locally.