Antoinette Sandbach Newsletter

Since the last newsletter Antoinette has...
* Attended a drop in session with the Electoral Commission to mark the centenary of some women securing the right to vote.
* Took part in the Vote 100 celebrations that taking place in Parliament to celebrate the centenary of some women securing the right to vote.
* Spoke in the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill Committee's meeting.
* Showed my support by signing Sky Ocean Rescue's pledge to reduce single-use plastic waste.
* Helped organise a Need to Sell workshop with HS2 and members from the local community at Winsford Academy.
* Promoted the People's Postcode Lottery which has now opened to applications from charities and community groups to apply for grants of between £500 and £20,000.
* Encouraged nominees to be entered into a special awards programme being organised to mark the 70th birthday of the NHS.
* Promoted free cavity and loft insulation for homes that is currently being offered by E.ON.
* Championed local business Malpas Barbeque who have been nominated for "Best Customer Satisfaction" as part of the British Kebab Awards.
* I attended a Select Committee inquiry into Carillion as part of my duties as a a member of the BEIS Select Committee.
* Is looking to hear from the local community in response to a consultation that has been launched by the Department for Transport about the Blue Badge Scheme.

Vote 100 -- Marking the Centenary Since Some Women Secured the Right to Vote

I am supporting a year-long programme of events organised by the UK Parliament to mark 100 years since the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which gave some women the vote for the first time.

The Vote 100 programme includes a wide range of events and activities commemorating the women and men who fought to achieve electoral equality.

The Representation of the People Act 1918 was a vital step towards the rights women have today, and the centenary of the Act is an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, thanks to the extreme bravery and sacrifice of the women who fought -- and in some cases died -- for equality.

Whether it's chatting about the issues over a cup of tea, or engaging with one of the many exciting events that are part of this year's UK Parliament Week, there are countless opportunities for schools and community groups across Eddisbury to get involved in this key anniversary.

I would strongly encourage women's organisations within Eddisbury to participate in the procession that is taking place on International Women's Day in Parliament Square on Sunday 4th March.

We all know that there is still more to do, and I look forward to working with people from across Eddisbury to ensure we create an even more equal society
Nominate Local Health and Care Heroes for Awards Marking 70 Years of the NHS

I am calling for nominees to enter into a special awards programme being organised to mark the 70th birthday of the NHS.

The NHS70 Parliamentary Awards, sponsored by IBM, launched in Parliament last week. It is part of a range of activities being organised by NHS England and NHS Improvement, working with a wide range of partners, to celebrate the achievements of the NHS and those who work for and with it.

The NHS is one of the nation's most loved institutions, and it is right that we take the opportunity of its 70th birthday to recognise and thank the extraordinary people -- the everyday 'health and care heroes' -- who are there to guide, support and care for us, day in, day out.

Further information on the Parliamentary Awards, including how to nominate and the criteria for each category, is available at ** www.nhs70awards.co.uk(
.

Information on the other ways in which the NHS's 70th birthday is being marked is available at ** https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs70/
Sky Ocean Rescue

I was delighted to join Sky Oceans Rescue campaign and look at ways to reduce my own plastic consumption. It is deeply worrying that there are 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans, with 8 million tonnes more ending up there every year. We all have a role to play in protecting our oceans -- that's why I have signed my pledge to** #PassOnPlastic (
and encourage others to do the same.

Blue Badge Consultation
The Department for Transport is running a consultation about the Blue Badge Scheme and who is eligible for it. A number of people have already got in contact with me asking for me to submit a response. In order to best represent the views of Eddisbury, I am keen to make sure that as many people as possible contribute to this process. If you've benefited from a Blue Badge, or someone you know has, or if you have any other views, please just reply to this email and I will take your views into account as I write my consultation response.

Vote for Local Business Malpas Barbeque in the British Kebab Awards

I am delighted that local business Malpas Barbeque has been nominated for "Best Customer Satisfaction" category as part of the British Kebab Awards.

I would strongly encourage as many of you as possible to vote for them. They have some tough competition and your support would greatly appreciated.

You can vote by using the following link: http://voting.britishkebabawards.co.uk/

HS2 Need to Sell Workshop
I was delighted to see such a good turnout for the HS2 Need to Sell workshop I helped organise at Winsford Academy.

Local people had the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the criteria that is required to be met when completing a Need to Sell application. There was also the chance for local people to sign up to a one to one session with a representative from HS2 to discuss any specific concerns.

I continue to work hard to ensure that people's concerns with their Need to Sell applications are being successfully redressed by HS2. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you in relation to this matter.

Investigating Carillion
I am currently a member of the BEIS Select Committee inquiry into Carillion. Obviously this is a serious issue and the public are rightly concerned. It is our job to hold the Carillion management to account and get to the bottom of what happened, so we can ensure that it doesn't happen again. Most recently we questioned senior managers at Carillion and their accountants about the way the company was run. While the inquiry is ongoing, I am determined to ensure that we learn the lessons from the mistakes that were made.

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