Publications – Laura listening to local people

Laura has published a number of reports on many subjects as a result of her work with Crawley people, over the years.

 Some of the most significant ones are available here to view.

Laura Hosts a meeting with Crawley's Sri Lankan community.

Following the recent violence in Sri Lanka, Laura organised a meeting with members of Crawley's Sri Lankan community at the House of Commons.

Recent events have caused real concern and anxiety for many in the UK, particularly those with relatives still in northern Sri Lanka. "This was an sooprtunity to bring people together, listen to their concerns and experiences, speak with the Prime Ministers Special Envoy and agree on future action." siad Laura.
"The experiences of many people are really shocking and we can all understand their anxiety but the important question to answer was; how do we move forward?

To read the report from this meeting and the letter Laura wrote to the Foreign Secretary please click here.

Laura Celebrates Women's Day by Listening to Crawley Women.

In March Laura inviterd women from across Crawley to join her for tea at the Civic Hall in Crawley to listen to their concerns, ideas and thoughts about the recession.

"The priorities women highlighted give a different and important perspective," said Laura. "They tell us that women value support in caring for children, good accesss to ehalth care for the family and training that recognises their need to ear while learning.

"Their aspiration to progress and to contibute is unquestionable."

139 women attended and a brief report of the views hey expressed on the day can be read by clicking here.

Laura Goes to Sierra Leone with VSO

In August 2008 Laura travelled to Freetown in Sierra Leone with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) as part of their 'VolPol' project to highlight volunteering work.

Laura visited the hospital and met with local volunteers and nurses to see firts hand the work they are involved with.

To read a report of Laura's visit please click on the icon here. 

Laura meets with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Laura met with physiotherapists as they visited the House of Commons to lobby MPs. Laura was the only MP to meet with the group and was happy to produce a report for them and ensure the Secretary of State for Health received a copy.
                                      

 NHS Meeting with National Clinical Directors

Laura hosted a meeting at the House of Commons to provide Crawley people with the opportunity to hear first hand and question the very senior clinical experts about the NHS changes they are driving. 

To go to the page with the full meeting report please click here.

Trident meeting with the Secretary of State for Defence

Laura invited the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Des Browne MP to meet with Party members and affilliated organisation to discuss the difficult issue of Trident replacement.

A report of that meeting is available here.

Laura hosted a Business Summit at the House of Commons the day after this years Budget.

Nearly 100 business people from the Crawley area attended the event to hear from a variety of speakers including the Economic Secretary to the Treasury - Ed Balls MP.

"I was delighted the Minister was able to attend at such a busy time for the Treasury Team. It was a great opportunity and I know much appreciated. It is also a real measure of the importance which the Treasury place on the South East Business community."
The full report from that meeting can be viewed by clicking here.

 Pensions

Laura has done a great deal of work on Pensions with people of all ages and from all backgrounds in Crawley. This includes holding a 'Citizens Panel' and inviting pensions Ministers to meet with local people.

If you would like to listen to a webcast from Pensions Minister Rt Hon John Hutton MP in which he talks about the challenges we all face please click on his pictire (right). 

A full report detailing all of the work Laura has done on this subject can be viewed by clicking here. 

Estate Agents

  With the Consumer, Estate Agents and Redress Bill on the Parliamentary timetable, Laura was keen to hear the views of Crawley Estate Agents on the regulatory changes proposed.

We are very lucky in Crawley as Laura receives virtually no complaints about Estate Agents but she knows  from colleagues that is not the case everywhere. Infact it was an ex-constituent who had problems when moving out of the area, who highlighted this issue to Laura.

The Bill aims to improve consumer protection when problems arise by requiring all agencies to register with the Ombudsman who can then adjudicate complaints. It also introduces the Home Information (or Buyers) Pack which aims to prevent time and money being wasted. 

The meeting report is available by clicking on the icon below. It has been sent to Rt Hon Ian Mccartney MP (right), the Minister responsible for the bill.

 Education in Crawley 

Laura met with teachers from Crawley schools to discuss the contents of the Education and Inspections Bill as it was coming before parliament.

The face of education in Crawley has been transformed since Labour came to power with more investment since the new town was built delivering new school buildings all over the town. Results are improving too with more students acheiving the expected results at the various key stages.

Laura is always keen to have the views of local teaching staff when legislation is coming before Parliament. This meeting was a wide ranging discussion around admissions, Trust schools, parental involvement, faith schools and extended schools.
If you would like to read the full report of that meeting please click on the link here.


Police and Neighbourhood Watch
Laura has had a long and fruitful engagement with local police and with members of Crawley's Neighbourhood Watch.

Back in March 2006 Laura arranged a meeting between herself, the police and Neighbourhood Watch up at the House of Commons.

The meeting provided a great opportunity for everyone to talk over the hard work that is going on in Crawley and the real improvements that have already happenned as well as a look at the challenges still ahead.
The full meeting report can be read by clicking on the link here.

 Smoking in Public Places

Although this was a controvercial piece of legislation it is probably going to be the single most effective public health measure ever introduced.

Laura consulted widely on this important legislation, she wrote to every Crawley landlord and circulated many hundreds of consultation forms.

The results of that work are available to view by clicking on the link here.

If you would like to read about some of the other meetings and reports Laura has done please click on the appropriate icon and the document will open in a new window.

	Report on meeting with Pensions Minister James Purnell MP and Crawley pensioners - November 2006.
	Report on meeting with Hazel Blears MP to discuss ASBOs - February 2006.
	Report from the meeting with members from Crawley's Multi-Faith community - June 2006.
	Laura's Annual Report to constituents - September 2006.
	Delivery on the Warwick Agreement - August 2006