April Newsletter
Hello and welcome to my April newsletter!
This month I have been busy across Stockport and in Westminster raising the issues that matter to residents.
The recent news that Sky plans to close 3 of its 10 contact centres has been a devastating blow for Sky employees in Stockport and the wider community. As well as meeting with representatives from Sky, I asked a Business question on this issue in the House of Commons - https://rb.gy/0ykq0v There is no doubt Sky’s profits and cost-cutting measures are taking priority over their British-based workforce and this is unacceptable. I raised this and other concerns in a letter to Sky co-signed by 6 fellow MPs.
In Parliament, during Treasury Questions, I asked the Chancellor about how the National Wealth Fund will support continued economic growth and revitalisation of local infrastructure in Stockport. Watch my full question and the Chancellor’s response here: https://tinyurl.com/43kku8jz
Before the recess, I was also able to contribute to the Easter adjournment debate. I covered important local issues including the closure of the NatWest branch in the Heatons, Sky’s announcement on the closure of contact centres, the need for more funding for schools in Stockport as well as a request for investment for flood defences in our constituency. You can read my speech here: https://tinyurl.com/3st3y2ds
I have also raised several local issues with the Government through Written Parliamentary Questions including the Passenger Assist service for rail users, bus stop standards and assistance for Kinship carers. My questions and the Government’s answers can be seen below:
Friends of Reddish South Station continue to work tirelessly to get passenger services returned to this local station. I am keen to support them with this cause wherever possible; the Government’s response to my Written Question on this issue can be seen here: https://tinyurl.com/2hw26tmn
I am also disappointed that the direct rail service between Stockport station and Manchester Airport station was withdrawn several years ago and has not been reinstated since we came out of the pandemic. Following my contribution to a debate in the House of Commons on this topic last month, I have now written to TransPennine Express to ask them to restore this vital service.
I am concerned by the decision that the Crown Post Office Branch in Merseyway will be changed to a franchised model. Following the Government announcement, I published the statement below.
It was a real pleasure to welcome volunteers from the Stockport Car Scheme to the Palace of Westminster this month. They are a wonderful local charity and have been supporting our residents for over 25 years.
I also enjoyed meeting students from Stockport Academy at the Royal Opera House in London as they took part in ‘The Big Sing’- joining schools from across the country to sing songs from Mozart’s The Magic Flute at this historic venue. This was a brilliant opportunity for all of the young people that took part.
On World Parkinson’s Day, I met with Parkinson’s UK and people affected by the condition in Parliament to hear about the brilliant support that Parkinson’s UK provides in Stockport and across the country. To find out what help is available locally via Parkinson’s UK, visit www.parknsons.org.uk or call their helpline on 0808 800 0303.
I also attended a briefing in Parliament organised by The Public Interest News Foundation on regenerating local news in the UK. It was great to meet with Mel and Amanda from the iconic Stockport Post to discuss how we can develop healthy local news networks across our country. I raised the issue of local news sustainability with the Government: https://tinyurl.com/2j8yzvs3
This month I have had the pleasure of visiting several schools in the constituency. This type of visit is one that my team and I always look forward to. The questions and views from students are always both insightful and challenging. I visited Reddish Hall School and Priestnall School.
I also visited the Houldsworth Working Men’s Club. Established in 1874, the club continues to serve our community in the heart of Reddish. The building itself is a Grade II listed community space full of history and I enjoyed catching up with the Committee and learning more about their future plans.
I met with two brilliant local charities in Stockport this month.
Jonathan and the team at EGG help people from across Stockport and Greater Manchester who are experiencing homelessness. I am very grateful to them, and it was good to catch up on their work. To read more about the support EGG offers visit their website: https://egg.charity/
I also caught up with Tina from Forward Stockport LGBT+. They do such important work in our town and I am very grateful to them.
Stockport Council has organised flood engagement sessions across our borough. Our nearest session will take place in Stockport town centre between 3pm to 7pm, on Thursday 12 June at the Merseyway Innovation Centre. More information can be found here: https://rb.gy/neab4s
Thank you for reading my April newsletter. My constituency office is open to visitors from 10:00am to 3.30pm on weekdays (excluding public holidays). I hold regular constituency surgeries as well as coffee mornings across our constituency. Please get in touch with me if you wish to discuss or raise anything.
You can contact me with the details below:
Email - navendu.mishra.mp@parliament.uk
Telephone - 0161 480 0833
Website - www.navendumishra.co.uk
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NavenduForStockport/
I hope you enjoyed the Easter weekend!
Kind regards,
Navendu Mishra MP