David Ruffley

David Ruffley MP has signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for greater help to the nation's carers.

David said, 'There are over 7 million carers in Britain today and these hard working people make up 13% of all people working full time.

'As a patron of the local Alzheimer's Society, for instance, I know of so much caring that is done by men and women of all ages.

On Friday 28 March, Bury St Edmunds Conservatives unanimously readopted sitting MP David Ruffley to stand as the Conservative candidate at the next General Election.

Chairman of Bury St Edmunds Conservatives, Eric Flack, said: 'David is a conscientious Member of Parliament. He works hard for all his constituents, regardless of their political persuasion. As a Member of the Treasury Select Committee, he challenges Gordon Brown on his mis-management of the economy.

David Ruffley has supported Arthritis Awareness Week by signing an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons. The EDM calls on the Government to ensure that the treatment of arthritis is given a proper clinical priority in the NHS.

David Ruffley MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket has described recent crime detection figures that he has uncovered from Home Office Ministers as 'worrying.'

David Ruffley said, 'I am extremely concerned that detection rates for most types of crime in Suffolk have deteriorated in the last five years. The most up to date figures show that detection rates for burglaries are down to 19% in Suffolk.

David Ruffley MP published new research today showing how Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market's pensioners are suffering from higher council taxes. For a typical pensioner couple, one third of the increase in the basic state pension since 1997 has been snatched back in higher council taxes.

Whilst the basic state pension has risen by £1,248 since 1997, council taxes across England have soared by £413 on Band D bills in the same period.

David Ruffley MP has written a strong supporting letter to Suffolk County Council asking for them to provide a grant to St Edmunds Pre School and Sunshine Club.

David said, 'I have been in regular contact with the Vice Chairman of the Committee of the St Edmunds Catholic Pre School and Sunshine Club, Mrs Suzie Haworth in trying to gain funding for this outstanding project. The Committee has worked extremely hard to secure funding from various sources including the New Opportunities Fund and the Countryside Agency.

David Ruffley will present an Investor in People Award to Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School on Friday 21 March at 3.45 p.m. at the invitation of Mrs Sue Herriott, Headteacher. The school is in Bridewell Lane, Bury St Edmunds.

The award ceremony will be attended by staff, governors and other invited guests.

Conservative victory on Annuities Bill despite Labour's attempts to block it

David Ruffley MP and his Conservative colleagues have achieved a major victory for Suffolk's pensioners by moving forward a new law for the reform of annuities. The proposed Bill debated before the House of Commons on 7 March would reform rules on annuities so that pensioners are no longer forced to cash in their pension fund for an annuity at age 75. Commenting David Ruffley said:

Suffolk would gain an additional 378 police officers under Conservative proposals announced by David Ruffley MP today. In all, 40,000 extra officers, over and above existing plans, would be recruited in England and Wales over an eight-year period, beginning in the second year of the next Conservative Government. These increases would be funded by scrapping the existing asylum system and replacing it with a rational, quota-based system for refugees. Announcing the proposals, David said: 'This radical policy will have an enormous impact on the fight against crime.

David Ruffley MP has signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling on the Chancellor to announce a duty reduction for environmentally friendly fuels which would be greatly welcomed by Suffolk's farmers.