Page 12 - Phonebox Magazine October 2016

Out and About with Mark Lancaster MP
VIP Goes Back to School
I was delighted to welcome the U.S Ambassador for Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Ousedale School in Newport Pagnell last month.
Greeted by Headteacher, Sue Carbert, Ambassador Matthew Barzun engaged 100 sixth form students in an interactive workshop on the role of the UK and the United States in world affairs.
Ousedale School deliver a politics course for their Year 13 students which is based entirely on government and US politics and next month a group of sixth formers will be visiting Washington to enhance their studies. The visit is particularly relevant as two students have already chosen to further their studies in America, with a further six currently going through the application process. After the visit, Sue Carbert said “I was delighted to have the opportunity to host Ambassador Barzun at Ousedale, the student’s interest in world affairs has grown dramatically over the past few years and they really appreciated the opportunity to put questions to the ambassador and hear more about the United States. I am sure the experience will be one that stays with them for a long time.”
I’m so pleased the Ambassador accepted my invitation to come to Milton Keynes and I know that the students will have found his presentation extremely informative and inspiring.
Record Numbers in Work
Both Iain Stewart MP and I have welcomed the news that the number of people in work across the UK is at a record level. The rate of women in work is at the highest level since
comparable records began and according to last month’s gures there are 2.7 million more people in work since 2010.
In Milton Keynes, the number of people claiming the key out of work bene ts has fallen by 3,867, which is a 61% per cent drop since 2010.
These gures show that the unemployment rate is holding steady, average wages are growing ahead of in ation and the number of children living in workless households is down.
Local Farmers with High Standards
Meeting with local members of the NFU last month brought me up to date on a variety of matters within the local farming community. Local representatives of the North Bucks Branch and I met at Woad Farm in Hanslope. Here I listened to a range of topics, one of which was the possible outcomes from the decision to leave the EU and the departure from the Common Agricultural Policy.
British farmers are already providing the highest standards in the world and naturally they wish to continue to work to these levels, ensuring they are sustained and endorsed by government.
During this period of change it’s important that we listen to our farmers concerns. In the UK we are proud to be delivering the highest standards in the world for the consumer and I have written to the Agricultural Minister to ask that when negotiating new trade deals, these standards are taken into consideration and maintained.
We’re having a Party!
An envelope landing on the door mat from the British Red Cross has sparked an idea that has now grown into a musical birthday concert.
Clement Ule, a musician for over 20 years, saw the opportunity to celebrate not only his 40th birthday and his son’s rst birthday but also bring together his young students to perform at a fundraising concert.
Clement said, “I take great pleasure in giving children the opportunity to learn all about music and the concert will bring together many children that I’ve taught during my musical career. So, rather than have a party, I wanted to celebrate with a difference.” Proceeds will go to The British Red Cross and the concert will be held on Sunday, 23rd October at 6pm at St Paul’s Catholic School in Leadenhall.
I congratulate Clement on his work in the local community and wish him a very happy birthday celebration!
For more information please contact uleclement@yahoo.com or visit www. cousticks.co.uk
12 Phonebox Magazine | October 2016