Before I continue with this week’s column I want to pause to
reflect on the tragic events from Plymouth last Thursday. We need to stand in
solidarity with our neighbours across the Tamar, whose community has been hurt
so badly by this shooting, and it is by standing together, in strength against
this horrific act, that we can get through it. My thanks go to the emergency
services, who responded in incredibly difficult and harrowing circumstances to help
those injured and keep the area safe.
Last week saw pupils receive their GCSE A Level and other
Further Education results. This has been another very difficult and different
year of study and my congratulations go to everyone who has had their results.
I hope you will be able to use them to positively move on to the next stage of
your lives, whatever they may be.
Now more than ever, it is important that we do all we can to
invest in our future generations, and I am pleased to see positive work being
undertaken across the educational offer we have in Mid-Cornwall to ensure our
children get the best possible primary, secondary and further education that
they can.
At the end of July the Government confirmed that pupil
funding for schools in Mid-Cornwall has gone up again with an average 3.3%
increase this year, although some have seen an increase of up to 30.7%. This
further closes the funding gap between Cornwall and other, more urban areas.
We have also seen additional funding for Fowey and Treviglas
schools to address specific maintenance issues in their buildings to improve
the educational experience.
I am also delighted to see new schools opening and planned
in our constituency, including a new primary school at Tretherras, and a new
Sky Academy at the West Carclaze Garden Village.
Turning to further education, it is crucial that St Austell,
as the largest town in Cornwall, has an excellent further education offer, and
I have successfully made the case to the Government for Cornwall College’s St
Austell Campus to receive a share of a £1.5billion fund to allow it to
re-develop and renew its St Austell base.
This goes along with my work to ensure St Austell has
provision for pupils wishing to take A Levels in the town, as well as
supporting Cornwall College’s already excellent offer of vocational courses.
I will continue doing all I can to ensure our young people
get the best possible start in life, through education and elsewhere, such as
helping grow our economy with high paid, high-skilled jobs that will allow our
young people to stay and have their careers in Cornwall should they wish to.
Finally on Sunday, given the rapid escalation of events in
Afghanistan, Parliament has been recalled, and will sit on Wednesday. I will be
hoping to speak in the debate on this extremely difficult situation, where
there is no easy answer.
As always, my office is available for any constituents
needing help, advice or guidance. Please do get in touch if I can help – tel.
01726 829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk
