From the Office of Julie Marson MP – Hertford and Ware

From the Office of Julie Marson MP – Hertford and Ware

In this month’s update from the Office of Julie Marson MP – Hertford and Ware.

Julie Marson MP – Hertford and Ware Trains Restored

A big issue for many people in Hertford and Ware has been ensuring trains across the constituency continue to run smoothly and there are enough of them, especially at peak times.

The pandemic has played havoc with all rail services and it has been difficult for operators to always get the number of trains needed as restrictions have been imposed and then changed.

Nevertheless, making sure we have the right train services is a priority of mine and I have put pressure on Great Northern to increase train numbers from Hertford North station. There are issues with staffing due to Covid. However, now self-isolation is set to end at the end of this month, if the data remains positive, I will want to see more trains.

Children’s Mental Health in Hertford and Ware

Another serious Covid issue is children’s mental health. It has certainly deteriorated since the pandemic started as one in six children now have a diagnosable mental health issue. Children and young people have been hit hard by the virus in terms of their education, issues of loneliness and job prospects. This is why I marked Children’s Mental Health Week earlier last month. I met up with the charity Place2Be in Parliament to support the amazing work they do across the country.

I also met with the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) to discuss the pandemic’s impact on children’s mental health, as well as its provision across our area. There are constituents’ concerns surrounding delays in obtaining CAMHS/psychiatrist appointments for young people. The HPFT meeting was productive and I look forward to progress in this area.

SEND review in Hertford and Ware

My work to support the Government’s up and coming SEND Review is progressing well. I want to see fairer funding for pupils with SEND following conversations I have had with local head teachers and schools. The latest news is I have written to ministers asking them to reassess how funding is allocated to and distributed across areas like Hertfordshire. I have also invited education minister Will Quince to visit Amwell View School in Ware with me.

Julie Marson MP British Sign Language Bill

In Parliament, I spoke on the British Sign Language Bill to legally recognise it as an official British language and bring it into the mainstream to help the more than 12 million people across the UK who are affected by some kind of hearing loss. I also supported the Taxis and Private Vehicles Bill through Committee Stage to improve travel for disabled constituents.

Finally, the 30 cherry blossom trees I secured for Hertford and Stortford continue to be distributed across our local communities. As part of a special project to celebrate the friendship between Britain and Japan, it has also become a way to thank local people for their hard work during the pandemic. I had the pleasure of planting the first tree alongside local councillors at Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre in Bishop’s Stortford recently.

Everyone can stay up to date on local news like this by signing up to my monthly email newsletter, via the homepage of my website. For all other enquiries, please email me at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.