Dear friends and neighbours,
This bulletin is a round up of my activities over the last few months up to the Summer Parliamentary Recess. I have been involved in a wide range of activities in this time, focusing on national defence, supporting our local defence & aerospace industries and the UK's support for the Ukrainian war effort.
I have also engaged in significant work on preventing anti-social behaviour in our community, displaying my support for ongoing investment in key infrastructure projects, like the Bristol Parkway redevelopment, and supporting business & economic development in our area.
Health has been another focus of my work over the past few months, from supporting charitable organisations and their activities, to understanding the challenges facing our NHS Trusts and conveying constituents' issues accessing GP services. I have had some encouraging discussions with major stakeholders in the health sector in our area and heard about the improvements being made to deliver better services for patients.
I am passionate about social mobility and believe that education is one of the most important areas that we must support, particularly technical education - providing opportunities to our young people in particular. This is why I have supported both SGS College at their Employers Conference and have supported the innovative Engineering Centre, UTC Sleeve concept, at Abbeywood School, which will provide local students access to fantastic engineering education.
Please see the content below for a summary of my recent work over the past few months, including my work in Parliament and across our area.
As always, if there is anything I can help you with, or you would like to book a surgery appointment, please contact my office (open Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm) by calling 01454 617783 or emailing jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk
I hope you find this newsletter useful and informative. As ever, you can follow my work via Facebook , Twitter and/or my website.
Best wishes,
Jack Lopresti MP
Bristol Parkway Redevelopment
I had a very informative meeting with representatives from Great Western Rail, South Gloucestershire Council and Network Rail to discuss the exciting Bristol Parkway Redevelopment Masterplan. Given the importance of parkway to our area, I was keen to hear more about future infrastructure investment here, especially for this critical piece of our public transport network.
I was encouraged to see the public engagement that had taken place d and the positive response that it generated, showing a high level of local support for the project. This is in large part due to the masterplan to put community at the centre of the development, seeing more investment and jobs come to the area. This includes a business park and new green spaces which will see Parkway become much more integrated into the local community. This will result in Parkway not only being a transport hub, but also a centre for business and an even more important asset to the wider community.
Speeches In Parliament
It is a great honour to make contributions and represent our area in the House of Commons. Please click one of the links below to see some of my questions in parliament.
CLICK HERE to watch me ask the Armed Forces Minister, James Heappey about Veterans' I.D. Cards
CLICK HERE to watch me ask the Secretary of State for Defence about the UK Command Paper
Meeting with the Ukrainian Ambassador
It was great to meet with the Ambassador of Ukraine, Vadym Prystaiko at the Ukrainian Embassy to discuss the ongoing military support for the Ukrainians in the war against Russia. I will continue to be an advocate of greater humanitarian and military support for Ukraine in fighting for their independence. The Ukrainians must be supported in the defence of their nation and in upholding the principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty, which are so vital to international order and their freedom.
Jack visits the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Honoured to have met with some of The Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital Chelsea along with Conservative Party Chairman and local MP Greg Hands, in my capacity as Deputy Chairman for Veterans.
It was also a great privilege to have been invited to The Royal Hospital annual Founders Day Parade on the 8th of June. The Royal Hospital Chelsea has been doing a fantastic job looking after some of our veterans for over 300 years. I would like to say thank you all for your service.
All Party Parliamentary Groups
As Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ukraine, I chaired a meeting of the APPG for Ukraine. We heard from Ukrainian representatives about the need for an internationally agreed legal framework to seize Russian assets for war reparations and reconstruction.
I was also able to drop into the Women in Defence All-Party Parliamentary Group hosted by Sarah Atherton MP and sponsored by the Bolt Burdon Kemp, law firm. I met with some amazing people both in the armed forces and others who are working in the defence industry.
Meeting Nick Beer from military charity British Forces Broadcasting Service in Parliament
I had a great meeting with Nick Beer. It was really interesting to hear about the great work of BFBS in supporting service personnel deployed overseas and here in the UK - as well as the support provided to their families & veterans.
Aerospace and Defence Events in Parliament
It was great to see apprentices from major Filton employers including Airbus and Rolls-Royce in Parliament in June and to hear their progress & future career plans. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of enabling social mobility and building our Defence manufacturing skills-base.
I have also attended events in parliament hosted by major local employers, BAE Systems and Leonardo.
It was great to hear more about how BAE Systems are helping to defend our nation and create jobs - especially in our constituency. It was also great to see Leonardo and discuss the ongoing support that UK defence manufacturing is providing to the Ukrainian military.
Inviting Constituents to Parliament
In June, I was delighted to welcome my old friend and local Christian leader Rob, at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Parliament in Westminster Hall.
It was also great to host Aftab and Sarah Hamid at the House of Commons for PMQs in July. Aftab is Chairman of Clifton Rugby Club, Cribbs Causeway of which I am proud to be a member.
If you would like to visit parliament please contact my office on 01454 617 783 or email me at: jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk and we will be able to arrange a date for you to visit.
Jack at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford
I enjoyed a very productive day at the Royal International Air Tattoo. I had the opportunity to meet with many of our major local employers such as Boeing, Rolls Royce and Airbus. An honour to represent our area at this event and our significant contribution to the UK's aerospace industry. I also spoke with Airbus about their proposed replacement for the Puma.
It was great to catch up at lunchtime with Maria Laine, President of Boeing UK, where we discussed Boeing’s ongoing commitment to the UK’s armed forces, in providing us with such fantastic aircraft like the Chinook.
Meeting with Royal Mail
A very informative meeting with Tara, Operations and Performance Leader at Royal Mail at the Bristol Mail Centre, to raise constituents’ concerns and issues relating to delivery frequency. I was very pleased to hear of Royal Mail’s plans to improve the local service.
Visit to the Bristol Port Company
It was great to meet with Sir David Ord, CEO David Brown and John Chaplin at the Bristol Port Company to hear about their plans for more jobs and growth in our region, as well as recent developments in the imports and exports industry. I heard that they have been providing employment for Afghans who have recently arrived on the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme, with help from the DWP.
I was also updated on the Bristol Port Company's involvement in Hydrogen South West and the transition away from fossil fuels for Net Zero - with their role in importation & potential for production. We discussed the various forms of hydrogen development and the potential for growth in this field.
Roundtable Discussion at the National Composites Centre
In June I had an interesting roundtable discussion at the National Composites Centre with MBDA, Leonardo, GKN, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Babcock. We discussed multiple issues relating to the work the NCC do to support the local defence industry to enhance the technology base in the North Bristol fringe and encourage cross-fertilisation of technology. The NCC told me that they have rapidly expanding defence support capabilities. The NCC is part of the catapult network, designed to massively progress regional technology investment and promote high-value manufacturing in the UK economy - with 1/3 of programmes funded by government and 2/3 by industry. The NCC also creates a platform for co-operation for companies reliant on advanced technology so that they can share vital technologies and reduce costs, helping to give British manufacturing a competitive advantage.
Composites developed by defence organisations at the National Composite Centre can be applied to armour, aircraft design such as the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow, and heat resistant materials which will improve performance and reliability on aircraft. The transition to composites from metalwork is already underway and the NCC and UK government are determined for UK manufacturing to be at the centre of this transition. I emphasised the importance of educational engagement by STEM field companies and the necessity to get young people engaged in science and engineering, so that we can maintain excellence in manufacturing and produce the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Tour of the New UWE Student Accommodation
Fantastic to visit the University of the West of England in June to meet with Vice Chancellor Sir Steve West and to have a tour of the impressive new student accommodation site. This extra housing will help to boost our local economy and ease local housing pressures, especially with regard to reliance on HMOs for student housing. I am looking forward to its speedy completion due in September.
Visit to RAC
This month, I visited the RAC in Bradley Stoke and saw their recently launched Mobile Mechanic service, a really effective way of responding to the needs of RAC's customers more effectively with people being able to have their cars serviced at home or at work, making things far more convenient.
I also got to hear about the great work RAC do on customer engagement so that they can understand drivers better and advocate on their behalf to improve driver experience and safety on the roads.
In addition to this, RAC have engaged in significant work with the Competition and Markets Authority to try to drive down costs for drivers. This is combined with their Fuel Watch on the MyRAC app, helping drivers find cheaper fuel, which could save drivers up to 6p a litre. This shows that RAC are working hard to provide a number of great services for consumers, demonstrating a significant level of corporate social responsibility, which I am really encouraged by.
Jack at the Wild Place Project
It was great to visit The Wild Place Project this month, soon to be renamed the The Bristol Zoo Project and discussed their plans for a new Global Conservation Science Centre which will support 600 students and researchers, and bring 55 jobs to our area. A very impressive local development.
Elbit Systems Office Opening
It was fantastic to attend the official opening of the new facility at Elbit Systems UK in Patchway. This represents their most significant investment in the UK to date at over £30 million. This investment is a tangible demonstration of Elbit's commitment to the UK and the growth of their operations.
This investment means more high-quality defence jobs and apprenticeships in our area with over 200 new jobs to be stationed at this facility.
It was also great to see Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely supporting this fantastic company and Israeli investment in the UK.
Elbit will be contributing to multiple UK defence programmes including the Challenger 3, Ajax and Boxer armoured fighting vehicles, which will provide our army with the capabilities required to be operationally effective in the future. They will also be involved in producing the electronic warfare system for every frontline Royal Navy ship.
Visits to Aerospace Bristol, Rolls Royce and Babcock
I always enjoy my visits to Aerospace Bristol to see the new exhibits, this time to see the new exhibition on Mars and the Red Arrows simulator. We had a great discussion about STEM learning and further engagement with businesses and schools. I will be working further with Aerospace Bristol to support their STEM learning programme and help them engage with the major aerospace employers in our area.
I also had a very interesting visit to Rolls Royce in Patchway where it was good to see Jim Hardy again, Head of Manufacturing at the lift works and great to meet Maddie Brougham, a degree apprentice.
In June it was nice to be back at Babcock to meet with Chief Technology Officer Dr Richard Drake, Callum Pearce and Poppy Pow, where I had an interesting discussion about their innovative projects. It was great to see such cutting edge technology being developed right here in our area, including the Skynet satellite programme. We also discussed the importance of the recent AUKUS agreement.
Jack visiting Almondsbury Surgery and Southmead Hospital
I recently met with Paula and Andy at Almondsbury Surgery to discuss primary healthcare provision. We also talked about their new access model, being introduced in July, which will enable greater access to clinical professionals at the practice through an online system.
I also met with Maria Kane, CEO of North Bristol NHS Trust at Southmead Hospital. It was a very informative conversation where we discussed improvements made to cancer care, domiciliary care and their impressive apprenticeship program with several hundred apprentices currently at the trust. I also heard about the exciting proposals for a new elective care centre with 4 theatres, which will be a major boost to their capabilities.
Championing Education and Opportunity in our Area at SGS College and Abbeywood School
Recently I was at the SGS College Employer Conference organised with Business West where it was good to see so many local employers attending. Very interesting to hear presentations from Principal Sara-Jane and Matt and Chloe from Business West, discussing business engagement and skills development.
The event helped to promote a symbiotic relationship between business and the college so that SGS can further develop their ability to provide the skills required by local employers.
The presentation by Business West, the largest chamber of commerce in the country, primarily focused on the work they are doing to support Local Skills Improvement Plans and the research they are doing to help inform these plans.
I also met with representatives of Olympus Trust, UT Colleges, The Baker Dearing Educational Trust and several other local employers. I also visited the exciting new Engineering Centre at Abbeywood School and met some students who were very enthusiastic about their future careers in engineering.
The Engineering Centre is a first-rate engineering facility, pioneering the UTC Sleeve concept, where an advanced engineering facility is located within a school. This should provide not only Abbeywood students, but students from across the Olympus Academy Trust, with the ability to gain practical experience of engineering and technical education in a purpose-built environment.
Supporting Law and Order in our community: Meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford and Local Councillors
I had a very productive roundtable meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset Police, Mark Shelford, and local councillors Ben Randles, Terri Cullen and Liz Brennan where we discussed tackling local anti-social behaviour, speeding and other issues relating to our area. We were also joined by Inspector Stuart King.
Mark updated us on the ongoing developments at Avon and Somerset Police, including their significant emphasis on action against cyber fraud - working with the South West Cyber Resilience Centre. Mark is working hard with the government to try and ensure that cyber crime is addressed with a sufficient level of resources.
We also talked about the expansion of Avon and Somerset Police force with 520 additional officers for the year, which was above the recruitment target set by government. And the youth engagement programs operated by Avon and Somerset Police, which involve going into schools and giving talks as well as the Mini Police based in Patchway, which involves young people in fighting crime and enables them to work on real-world policing operations.
You can use this link to find out more about the Mini Police - Mini Police 8-11 years old | Volunteer Police Cadets (vpc.police.uk)
Winterbourne Down Carnival
I had a great day at the Winterbourne Down Carnival in May. Brilliant support from the local community. Nice to catch up with Winterbourne Cllrs Trevor Jones & Nic Labuschagne - and also to meet Venish. The event is always very well organised by the Carnival Committee, so I would like to say thank you to all the volunteers who helped organise.
New Conservative Group leadership at South Glos Council
Great conversation with the new Conservative Group leadership team on South Gloucestershire Council, Cllrs Sam Bromiley and Liz Brennan. We discussed building more homes and improving local bus services. I’m looking forward to working more closely with Sam and Liz in the future.
Coffee Morning at St. Peter's Church
Lovely to pop into the coffee shop at St Peter’s Church Filton. The community coffee shop is open from 10am till 1pm Monday to Friday. Do drop in if you would like some very nice coffee and cake!
Stoke Gifford Fete
On the late May bank holiday I had a wonderful afternoon at the Stoke Gifford Fete. Fantastic weather and lots of community support. Thank you to all the volunteers and to the brass band.
I rounded the day off with a trip to the The Hollow Tree pub in Bradley Stoke for a pint of West Country Cider.
Jack at School Fairs and Bradley Stoke Sew - N - So's
On the 1st July I dropped into the Bailey's Court Primary School Summer Fair with my good friend Dave Bell.
I also visited the Bradley Stoke Sew N So's Quilting and Patchwork Exhibition at the Jubilee Centre. This exhibition celebrates their 10 year anniversary and it was lovely to meet the Chair, Chris Mackie. Some very impressive designs.
And I finished off a lovely day at The Pear Tree Fayre at Charborough Road School in Filton.
Jack at Patchway Platinum Party and Severnside Festival
Fantastic event at Norman Scott Park in Patchway for their Platinum Party. It was an enjoyable event with great community spirit.
I dodged the showers at the Severnside Festival at Severn Beach and spoke with some local residents who told me of their concerns regarding the Neighbourhood Plan and that funding & technical support had not yet been signed off. I have made enquiries in relation to this to gain some further information.
Presenting a Defibrillator at Frenchay Village Museum
I was delighted to visit Frenchay Village Museum again, this time to present the new defibrillator unit, generously donated by Benenden Health. Fantastic to be supported by members of the Frenchay Residents’ Association and local residents.
Jack at Mangotsfield Festival and Winterbourne Medieval Fayre
A fantastic time at the Mangotsfield Festival. Spoke to lots of people and met some amazing army cadets.
Also a lovely afternoon at the Winterbourne Barn Medieval Fayre. Great support from the local community and very interesting displays. It was great to catch up with my old friend, Councillor Trevor Jones.
Thank you to all the volunteers for two fantastic events.
Visit to Lockleaze Sports Centre and Reunion at Jack's old Army Reserve Unit
Thank you very much to Sandy Mitchell and Jeff Taylor for showing me around Lockleaze Sports Centre, a fantastic facility and a real community asset. It was very impressive!
I also attended a fantastic reunion event at my old Army Reserve Unit, 266 (GVA) Battery RA, at the Artillery Grounds Whiteladies Rd. Great to see so many old comrades again, especially on Armed Forces Day.
Resident surgeries across our area
I hold regular resident surgeries across our area. In recent weeks venues have included e.g. The St. Michael's Centre in Stoke Gifford, the Almondsbury Village Shop, Christ Church and Lincombe Barn in Downend, the Jubilee Centre in Bradley Stoke, St. Peter's Church in Filton, Coniston Community Centre in Patchway and Frenchay Village Hall, as well as my local office in Bradley Stoke.
To make an appointment for a future surgery, or if I can help you with an issue, please call my office via 01454 617 783, visit: http://jacklopresti.com/surgeries or email me at: jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk
