Page 6 – Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon KCB

Fallon Calls for Better Thameslink Compensation

Dear Chris Grayling

My constituents continue to suffer appalling disruption with delays of 2-3 hours on their journeys to work now quite common. Trains are cancelled every day; those that do arrive are frequently late and over-crowded.

Six weeks on from the start of a new timetable which was supposed to bring better services this is clearly unacceptable. The government needs to demonstrate that it understands the frustration caused to so many travellers. Better compensation has already been announced for passengers in the Northern franchise area who will be receiving the cash equivalent of a four-week refund. I would like you now to require Thameslink to introduce an equivalent scheme for my constituent as soon as possible.

Michael Fallon MP

Teaching Apprenticeships in Sevenoaks

For head teachers in my constituency in need of talented graduates to fill (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) STEM subject teaching roles, I would suggest you take a look at the Teaching Apprenticeship Programme (TAP). Schools can hire Teaching Apprentices and in doing so access significant Apprenticeship Levy and grant funding. The TAP handle the whole process, from sourcing, screening and recruiting graduates for shortage subjects, supporting schools to access funding and delivering a 1 year programme which guides apprentices towards Qualified Teacher Status. Graduates value Teaching Apprenticeships because they are simple to understand and provide a fee-free, salaried route into the profession.

For more information please contact TAP Managing Director Neil Gamewell on Neil.Gamewell@teachingapprenticeships.com or visit www.teachingapprenticeships.com

Minor Injuries Unit “Staying Put”

Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon visited Sevenoaks Hospital and its Minor Injuries Unit on Friday 22^nd June. He met duty nursing staff and senior management. With representatives of NHS Property estates he inspected the new £500,000 upgrade of the hospital parking and drainage on both sides of the road.

Sir Michael said: “Sevenoaks Hospital is here to stay. Investment on this scale shows confidence in its long-term future, especially when the Minor Injuries Unit has never been busier. The unit is now being used by over 17,000 people a year. Almost every family in the district must have had some-one use it recently.”

The West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group is holding a public meeting at the Stag Theatre at 1.30pm on Tuesday 3^rd July on its ideas to adapt the hospital into a “local care hub. Sir Michael added: “whatever they propose, we will not accept any cut in the services currently provided.”

Michael outside Sevenoaks Hospital with staff

Housing Target

In light of the housing target set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in Sevenoaks, Sir Michael wrote to the Housing Minister, James Brokenshire, urging him to reduce the unsustainable and unrealistic target: Sevenoaks is 93% Green Belt and 6% Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it one of the hardest hit by the new target.

Sir Michael said: “The Government’s housing target for Sevenoaks is just unrealistic and I have urged the Housing Ministry to reconsider. I have always pledged to protect the Green Belt and I will continue to do so. My hope is for a balance between the need to provide some new and affordable housing for the next generation on one hand, and protecting our villages from intrusive development on the other.”
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Letter to Housing Minister, James Brokenshire

Raising Awareness of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Often referred to as “the suicide disease”, Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a condition where any facial movement such as talking or smiling, or even light touch to the face, can bring on jolts of agonising pain.

Sir Michael this week attended a parliamentary reception on TN, a relatively rare condition which affects around 60,000 people in the UK, in the hope of raising awareness.

The Sevenoaks MP said: “At first, so many sufferers believe they are experiencing chronic tooth pain or a severe headache and end up going to their dentists and spending money on treatment they don’t need. Accurate and early diagnosing is crucial and we must make sure dentists are properly trained to deal with TN to help sufferers get the right treatment early.”

Sir Michael with constituents, Lynda Moore, who suffers from TN, and her husband, Peter, at the parliamentary reception.

Sir Michael Celebrates 35 Years

Sir Michael this week celebrated the 35th anniversary since he, and 100 other Conservative MPs, first entered Parliament. He started out as MP for Darlington in 1983, where he remained until 1992. In 1997, he became your MP for Sevenoaks.

Sir Michael was joined by 9 fellow MPs (pictured).

Back row: Sir David Amess (Basildon), Sir Greg Knight (Derby North), Sir David Evennett (Erith and Crayford), Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) Front row: Sir Christopher Chope (Southampton Itchen), Alistair Burt (Bury North), Sir Nicholas Soames (Crawley), Sir Michael Fallon, (Darlington), Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough & Horncastle), Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) — Back row: Sir David Amess (Basildon), Sir Greg Knight (Derby North), Sir David Evennett (Erith and Crayford), Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk)
Front row: Sir Christopher Chope (Southampton Itchen), Alistair Burt (Bury North), Sir Nicholas Soames (Crawley), Sir Michael Fallon, (Darlington), Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough & Horncastle), Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet)

Sir Michael: Transport Secretary Must Take Control

Sir Michael has today made clear that the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, needs to get a grip on the ongoing issue of train timetables.

During media appearances with BBC South East, BBC News and BBC Radio Kent, the Sevenoaks MP outlined that the Transport Secretary should use his ministerial powers to make peak time Southeastern services to stop at Eynsford and Shoreham on their way to and from London.

The Sevenoaks MP pushed for Thameslink to offer alternative transport solutions for passengers when rail services do not run properly, as well as a proper compensation scheme to be in line with the disruption that commuters have suffered. Answering questions in the House of Commons this evening, the Transport Secretary confirmed this would be rolled out, as would an independent review into the failings of the timetable implementation.
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Letter to Southeastern

Sir Michael has this week written to the Managing Director of Southeastern, urging him to make Southeastern trains travelling through Eynsford and Shoreham stop to pick up passengers who have experienced severe delays and cancellations as a result of the Thameslink timetable changes.

The Sevenoaks MP said: “Eynsford and Shoreham are smaller villages with fewer peak-time services into London than places like Swanley and Bromley. Southeastern services stopping at Eynsford and Shoreham would ease pressure on Thameslink and I have urged them to do that so my constituents are not further inconvenienced.”

Sir Michael: Rail Minister Needs to Step In

Sir Michael has urged the Rail Minister, Jo Johnson, to deploy more drivers who know the routes to and from London in order to ease the pressure on Thameslink’s services.

Currently, Thameslink do not have a sufficient number of trained drivers who know the routes from Kent to London, which has led to widespread delays or cancellations to peak-time services, leaving many commuters stranded. Thameslink have failed to prepare for the new timetable by not training enough drivers in time. Sir Michael will fight to ensure his constituents are not further inconvenienced.

The Sevenoaks MP said: “I see no reason why we should pay the price for Thameslink’s logistical issues and management failings. My constituents are rightly angry at how these timetables have been implemented and I will continue to press for other rail operators to deploy train drivers who know the London-Kent routes. This needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency.”

Rural Crime Survey 2018

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner wants to learn about your views on rural crime in our area.

I was pleased to see Kent Police receive additional funding, and I know some of that money will go towards SmartWater technology to mark equipment and help reduce theft, as well as the continued support for the Countryeye app.

If you want to have your say on rural crime in West Kent, then please do so here.