David Ruffley

David Ruffley MP today condemned Government plans announced in the Queen's Speech to introduce new charges on local residents. The Government is introducing a Higher Education Bill to impose university fees of up to £3,000 a year and a School Transport Bill to allow councils to charge all but the poorest families for school buses.

David Ruffley MP has written to his local Chambers of Commerce about a new stealth tax which could hurt many businesses in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market.

As of 1 December, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) will create big increases in tax bills for may local shops, public houses, restaurants and bars.

SDLT hits longer leases hardest, and most high street firms need longer leases to recoup their fitting out costs. A typical will see its tax bill rise from £600 to £6000, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.

David Ruffley MP today pointed to newly published government figures showing the number of special police constables across Suffolk has fallen by 27 per cent since 1997. The figures were obtained by Conservatives in Parliament.

David said: 'No wonder that seeing the police on the beat is such a rarity. New government figures have exposed that the number of special police constables has fallen by 44 per cent across England and Wales since 1997.

David Ruffley was today elected to the influential Executive of the 1922 Committee. This follows a vacancy created by the departure from the Committee by the Hon Nicholas Soames MP.

David Ruffley has called a high level meeting at West Suffolk Hospital on Friday, 5th December. He will be meeting John Parkes, Chief Executive of the Hospital, at 10.30 a.m. to discuss hospital services which are under threat.

David Ruffley has reacted to the announcement by the Post Office of the temporary closure of Walsham le Willows Post Office by writing a letter (see below) to Steve Rayner asking what action is in hand to find an immediate replacement.

David Ruffley will perform the opening ceremony at the upgraded Sicklesmere Post Office on Friday, 20 June at 4.30 p.m., together with Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council.

David Ruffley has organised a 'Business Day' in Bury St Edmunds on Friday, 5 September.

His first call will be to Jack Sealey Ltd in Kempson Way, Suffolk Business Park, at 9.00 a.m. He will be given a tour of the operation by Dave Riches, Sales Director. The company moved to their present prestigious headquarters in 1999 following construction of their large new warehouse, the first new build on the Suffolk Business Park. Employing 230 staff, Sealey Power Products now offers one of the widest ranges of power and hand tools available in the UK and worldwide.

David Ruffley will be meeting Inspector Jonathan Brighton, Sector Commander of Stowmarket division, on Friday, 12 September to discuss local law and order issues in the Stowmarket area.

Law and order is high on David's agenda and an issue on which he receives a large mailbag throughout the year. One of the main concerns of his Stowmarket constituents at present is the anti-social behaviour which takes place in Stowmarket town centre late at night on Fridays and Saturdays. Constituents tell him that the fear of crime deters them from venturing into town at these times.

David Ruffley MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket has signed an House of Commons Motion highlighting the negative effects of the Government's ongoing interference in the care home sector.

David said, 'This House of Commons motion emphasises the concerns that I have been highlighting about the overbearing regulations that the Government has been imposing on the care home sector.