David Ruffley

On Friday 13 May David Ruffley MP is appealing to local businessmen and businesswomen in Bury St Edmunds.

Mr Ruffley will be speaking at the Farmers Club lunch at 12.45pm in Bury at 10 Northgate Street on 'The Budget and the British Economy', with a specific focus on the Suffolk economy and the very latest figures Mr Ruffley has researched.

David Ruffley will then move on to meet with the Bury members of the Federation of Small Businesses at 2.30pm.

David Ruffley MP will officially open Edmund House at West Suffolk College on 6 May. The 1950's industrial building has been converted into brand new accommodation for students and staff.

David Ruffley MP, commenting on the recent announcementby the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 2011 Budget that the Government willprovide an extra 50,000 apprenticeship places said:

'I warmly welcome these extra 50,000 apprenticeshipplaces. The Government has committed to providing funding for these extra50,000 on top of 200,000 already promised over the next four years. The totalfunding for apprenticeships in the next year will be raised to £1,328 million.In the year 2011-12 it will be raised further to £1,404 million.

On the 24th March, David Ruffley MP received a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Philip Hammond MP about potholes and local road damage.

Mr Ruffley said: 'I am pleased that the Secretary of State has written to me and is recognising that there is a problem with local roads. I am particularly concerned with the pothole damage on the A14 stretch between Bury St Edmunds and Needham Market.

David Ruffley MP will be heading back to the classroom on Thursday 31st March to address the audience at the opening ceremony of Thurston Community College's Sports Education Centre.

Mr Ruffley will then be joining Head Teacher Helen Wilson for a working Lunch to discuss the future of Suffolk schools followed by a meeting with 6th Form students at the College.

David Ruffley MP will be attending the funeral of Sir Graham Macmillan at Whiting Street United Reform Church, Bury St Edmunds this Wednesday at 12 noon.

Mr Ruffley said, 'Sir Graham Macmillan was a hugely distinguished constituent of mine who had a big role in local charitable bodies here in Bury St Edmunds. He was also the agent for Scotland to Margaret Thatcher- from whom he gained a knighthood and he was the Bury St Edmunds constituent agent for Sir Eldon Griffiths MP.

On the 29th March, David Ruffley MP questioned George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the 2011 Budget.

David Ruffley MP addressed the businessmen and businesswoman at the Stowmarket Town Centre Partnership.

Mr Ruffley said: 'There has been a £75,000 grant given by Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk County Council and Stowmarket Town Council to the local Chamber of Commerce and local traders to project Stowmarket across the region as a great destination for shoppers and tourists.

Following this weekÕs announcement by Andrew Lansley MP, Secretary of State for Health, that there will be a review of his health reforms David Ruffley said:

ÒI was in the House of Commons this week to hear the GovernmentÕs announcement that the Health Bill has been put on ÒpauseÓ until the summer.

On Sunday 13th March David Ruffley MP will be attending the Suffolk Hunt's Point-to-Point, at Ampton Racecourse.

Mr Ruffley said:

'The Hunting Act is, of course, still concerning those who wish to hunt. It is a contentious Act stirring strong emotions. In the House of Commons I have always voted against the criminalisation of hunting".