David Ruffley

Today David Ruffley revealed new figures which showed a rise in the total number of registered sex offenders in Suffolk from 230 in 2001/2 to 279 in 2002/3. The new official figures also show that Suffolk has higher figures than neighbouring east of England counties.

A copy of David Ruffley's letter to the Chief Constable is below.

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.

David Ruffley has signed Early Day Motion 552 in the House of Commons entitled 'Impact of VAT on the Voluntary Sector'. It calls on the Government to introduce measures to reduce or remove this crippling financial burden on charities.

David Ruffley has been campaigning for the reinstatement of hydro-therapy facilities for his constituents ever since the closure of the hydro-therapy pool at West Suffolk Hospital in September 2001.

He has been keeping up the pressure on both West Suffolk Hospital and the Suffolk West Primary Care Trust to re-open the pool as well as providing warm water therapy at council leisure centres where possible.

Following David Ruffley's visit to Needham Market Middle School in March this year when he spoke to the pupils in their assembly, he has been invited back by Headteacher, Sue Hull, so that he can have individual sessions with each of the classes in turn. David's visit will be on Friday, 18 July from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

David Ruffley MP today warned that at least 2,995 property owners in St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Mid Suffolk District Council areas could be burdened with an astonishing Council tax hike as a result of a new government Local Government Bill published in the last week.