David Ruffley

David Ruffley MP has this week launched a new survey on his interactive website, www.telldavidruffley.com, seeking his constituents' views on the local bus service.

David said:

'I know from talking to local people and from the meetings I have held that problems remain with the local bus service. We also now have the additional problem of the dispute between First and the bus drivers.

'I want to know how local people feel about bus services in the area and how much improvement they feel still has to be made.'

David Ruffley MP has today again written to the Home Secretary to express his anger at Home Office plans to force Suffolk Constabulary to merge with the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire forces.

These plans were set out in a report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, commissioned by the Home Office, and published on Friday 16th September. The Home Secretary has today given his official backing by accepting the main recommendations of the report.

David said:

David Ruffley MP is concerned that Suffolk truancy figures are above the national average and higher than in Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk.

Since 1997 the Department for Education and Skills has spent £885million nationally on initiatives to reduce absence, but despite this truancy has increased. The number of pupils truanting per year has now risen by 43 percent since Labour came to power.

David said:

David Ruffley MP has voiced strong opposition to the proposed creation of a massive regional ambulance service covering six counties.

The East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust already serves 2.3 million people. The merger will create one service covering the whole eastern region- a population of close to 6 million.

David said:

'This proposal is not in the best interests of East Anglian residents. This massive regional service will deal with areas as different in geography and demographics as urban Hertfordshire and rural Suffolk.

David Ruffley MP has welcomed moves to bring University Campus Suffolk to Bury St Edmunds. This project could result in a major expansion of facilities at West Suffolk College.

Suffolk is the only county in England that has a population of over half a million and has no higher education institution.

David said:

'The UCS project is of great importance to the region and will provide Suffolk with much needed higher education facilities. This will not only enable us to attract more students to Suffolk but will also help us to retain those we already have.

David Ruffley MP has today written to Tony Blair, enclosing a copy of the Evening Star's article of 27 September, urging him in the strongest possible terms to respond to the crisis in Suffolk's health service.

David said:

'The Evening Star is right to call Tony Blair to account on the state of our health service and I give them my full support.

'The NHS in Suffolk receives nearly 20 percent less per person per year than the national average. This is inexcusable. Our hard working nurses and doctors are simply not getting the resources they need to do their job.

David Ruffley MP has reacted with dismay to Suffolk West Primary Care Trust's report for 2004/05 that was published yesterday.

David Ruffley MP has welcomed confirmation today from Royal Mail that Fornham All Saints Post Office will reopen on 28 October 2005. Following the closure of the branch in July, local residents had been concerned that it would spell the end of this valuable service. The new proprietor is successful newsagent Trevor Whitehouse of Court News in Bury St Edmunds.

David said:

' I have actively campaigned on the need for rural post offices and it gives me great pleasure that my constituents in Fornham All Saints will not be losing this essential service after all.

David Ruffley has written to the Home Secretary to oppose plans for a regional Police Force for East Anglia.

The Home Secretary has recently backed the merger of the police in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire into one regional force.

David said: 'I have written to the Home Secretary, on behalf of my constituents, who face the loss of their local Police Constabulary. I am completely opposed to any move that will reduce the level of accountability of the police to local people.

David Ruffley MP has today expressed his concern for first time home buyers, in the Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket area, because of new figures provided for him by Halifax plc.

THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT HOUSE PRICES HAVE INCREASED MORE IN THE BURY ST EDMUNDS AND STOWMARKET AREA THAN BOTH THE EAST OF ENGLAND REGION AND THE UK AS A WHOLE OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS. THE AVERAGE 5 YEAR HOUSE PRICE INCREASE FOR HIS CONSTITUENCY IS A STAGGERING 93%.

David said: 'Rising house prices are good news for existing homeowners. But my concern is for those who cannot get on the property ladder.