James Wharton MP

This afternoon I visited a charity in Stockton that supports people seeking asylum in this country.  Some of the horrors which people are fleeing are hard to contemplate and, whilst it is important we have a firm policy on asylum, it is equally important that we are fair and offer refuge to those in genuine need.  It was an interesting and worthwhile meeting and I learned a fair bit about just how many people this charity looks after in this area.

 http://www.justice-first.org.uk/

As families struggle under Labour’s tax rises, with many of those who can least afford it soon to be hit by the abolition of the 10p rate, the government plans to increase taxes on petrol in October.  The fuel escalator will kick in this autumn, driving petrol prices up another 2p per litre on top of the already huge fuel tax rises we have seen under Labour.  This will leave many people struggling to meet their weekly outgoings.   Labour need to get a grip and to realise that ordinary families cannot afford to be hit in the wallet yet again by the government. 

Yesterday I spent the afternoon in Grangefield and Thornaby.  In Grangefield the two local councillors, Phillip Broughton and Aidan Cockerill, introduced me to residents who have experienced problems with antisocial behaviour (vandalism of gardens, underage drinking, abusive behaviour etc).  I will be working with Aidan and Phillip to address the main cause of the problems in that particular street, which we believe we have identified.  In Thornaby I visited a number of areas to look at the progress being made with regeneration and development and to see some of the potential problems for the future which I intend to raise over the coming months.

This morning I attended the AGM of the Friends of Tees Heritage Park at Preston Hall.  The group aims to promote and conserve the area of natural beauty along the banks of the river Tees running through and by Yarm, Eaglescliffe, Egglescliffe, Ingleby Barwick, Stockton and Thornaby.

It was a well attended and informative meeting with an update of the progress made over the past year and a significant increase in membership numbers.

The group’s website is at www.fthp.org.uk for anyone wanting to learn more about their work or considering becoming a member.

Today’s Eventing Gazette has picked up on some of my comments about the need for further regeneration in Thornaby.

http://ts17.gazettelive.co.uk/2008/04/thornaby_at_a_crossroads.html