Ealing Cinema

Date: Thursday, 15 September, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Good news on Ealing Cinema

Angie had an optimistic meeting with Empire Cinemas CEO, Justin Ribbons, and local Ealing Cinema campaigner, Kuldeep Brar, at the House of Commons.

For nearly three years, the old cinema site has festered, with many residents wondering if Ealing would ever get its cinema back. But now, it seems that progress is being made. Mr Ribbons told Kuldeep and Angie that Empire are very nearly at the stage when they can begin work, providing that they get their final sign off on crucial planning documents. The Council appears optimistic that this may happen in the next few weeks. If all goes according to plan, this will trigger a six week period when Empire will prepare for the development. Mr Ribbons told Angie that if he gets final sign off, he hopes to be able to build the new cinema within sixty to sixty-five weeks.

After the meeting Angie said, "It was a really positive meeting. Finally, we've heard good news from Justin. As I've said before, Ealing needs its cinema! With all of our fantastic film heritage, it's a real shame that we've been left without one for all this time. It was exciting to hear the plans for the new cinema. We need some good news in Ealing in the wake of the riot, and it's in no small part due to the efforts of Kuldeep and the other activists who've pressed so hard to get Ealing back on the film map."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 020 7219 0944.

Redevelopment of The Oaks Shopping Centre

Angie Bray MP

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 13 June, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Redevelopment of The Oaks Shopping Centre

Local MP Angie Bray attended a public exhibition to see for herself what is planned for the redevelopment of the Oaks Shopping Centre in Acton.

After she had been taken through the plans by architect Alastair Macleod (pictured left), Angie said, "I wanted to come down to see for myself the plans for this exciting redevelopment, which should bring real benefits to Acton. While a new supermarket, better parking, and new, high quality homes is all good news, I have stressed how important it is that the redevelopment takes into account the shortage of school places in Ealing and Acton. It is equally important that it fits in with the character of Acton's town centre and the area around it. I have made my views clear using the comments forms provided, and will continue to raise these issues whenever I can."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 020 7219 0944.

Ealing Cinema

Angie Bray MP

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Thursday, 9 June, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Ealing Cinema

Local MP Angie Bray met with Justin Ribbons, CEO of Empire Cinemas, to ask him why it is taking so long to get our cinema back in the centre of Ealing.

For some time now Ealing has been without a cinema and residents have had to travel away from Ealing, so famous for its film heritage, to watch the latest films. A local campaign group, 'Save our Cinema', has sprung up, as residents demand to know what progress has been made towards building the new cinema that Ealing deserves.

Angie agrees that Ealing needs its cinema and that the current situation cannot go on. During her meeting with Justin Ribbons she asked why the old site had been allowed to languish for so long and just when Empire plan on building the new cinema they have promised. Mr Ribbons was very positive about the future for the cinema and said that Empire is committed to delivering one of the best cinemas in the country in Ealing. He said that, if all goes to plan, building work could begin before the end of the year. But he also said that it is essential that the Council sign off on minor changes to the plans before work can start.

After the meeting Angie said, "The simple message that I hope I got across was that it is ridiculous, as well as unacceptable, that Ealing, of all places, with its history of film, should still be without a cinema. It seems we may have to do a bit of banging of heads together – Empire and the Council – but if that's what it takes, then so be it. I have another meeting with Empire in September to chart progress, and I have made it as clear as I can that I really do expect there to have been some progress."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 020 7219 0944.

A40 Olympic route

Angie Bray MP

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Tuesday, 5 April, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

A40 Olympic route

Angie Bray visited an exhibition of TfL's plans for an 'Olympic route' along the A40 during next summer's Games, to see for herself what is planned.

TfL have been consulting local residents about their plans for a special Olympic route into and through London for athletes, Olympic officials, and the media. The A40 is due to have one lane restricted for the full four weeks of the Games, between the hours of 7am and 11pm. The plans, exhibited at the Ramada London Encore Hotel, also show proposals for other changes to local roads in attempt to control rat-running. Angie submitted her own concerns about the proposal. She pointed out that, apart from concern about major traffic jams, she also feels that the hours in which the restriction would be imposed are far too long.

Angie then took the opportunity to raise the issue with TfL Commissioner, Peter Hendy. He indicated that it might make sense to limit the hours of restriction to those occasions when Wembley is in use during the Olympics, when access around west London needs to be made as easy as possible for those directly involved in the Games.

He has, as a consequence of Angie taking this up with him, agreed to find out whether or not it is possible to loosen the restrictions when Wembley is not in use. Angie said afterwards, "I am delighted that Peter Hendy understood our concerns, and I am grateful that he has promised me he will check this out on behalf of my constituents."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 020 7219 0944.

Reassessment of incapacity benefits

Dear all,

From April this year a national reassessment of incapacity benefits will begin and letters will start arriving through letterboxes from the local Jobcentre Plus. Of the 2.6 million on incapacity benefits around 1.5 million people will be reassessed over a three year period. Fundamentally, this process is born of the Coalition Government's desire to work out, once and for all, just who is in need of permanent support. It will also help address the burgeoning costs of providing incapacity benefits, which now stand at £13bn a year.

It is a very simple, straightforward process that will finally identify who might be able to return to work and hold down a job and those who genuinely cannot. The Work Programme that this reassessment will be a part of, will offer personalised support for those found able to work as they attempt to find a job.

The Government's ambition is to get as many people back into work as possible – something that can only be beneficial for everyone. So, this process is also driven by the view that work is good and that people everywhere benefit from having a job if they possibly can.

However, people who are genuinely in need of permanent support will continue to receive support. Moreover, people who already claim Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and people due to reach state pension age before April 2014 will not be affected – and those who are subsequently offered ESA after their assessment will find it a more generous payment than is currently available.

I thought it might be helpful, in anticipation of the national reassessment, to set out how the procedure will work:

Jobcentre Plus will write to claimants to inform them that reassessment of their benefit is due. Phone calls will be made to follow up these letters with additional information and, for those with English as a second language, a letter in their native language can be requested;a medical assessment questionnaire will then be sent out, from which a Work Capability Assessment meeting may or may not be arranged, depending on the answers;if arranged, they will then be asked to attend a Work Capability Assessment meeting at which they will be asked a series of simple questions about the nature of their incapacity to work and about their ability to carry out simple tasks. a decision will then made on whether or not they should be offered ESA, or given support in finding a job. For those for whom work is not immediately possible, but may be at a later stage after recovery, continuing support will be offered until such time as they are able to transfer on to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).

Those deemed capable of work will be invited to apply for JSA. Those who are entitled to may also claim for Income Support. Those who really cannot work or have limited capability to work will move to ESA.

It is interesting to note that the process has been piloted in both Burnley and Aberdeen where 29% of those reassessed were deemed fit to work immediately while 39% could consider working with the right help.

This is not a process that should unduly worry anyone. It is a simple, straightforward procedure, built around a fair assessment with several tiers of appeal, with a final appeal to an independent tribunal. If anyone has any questions, I would be more than happy to discuss the reassessment further and can be contacted by email on:

angie.bray.mp@parliament.uk

Best wishes,

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 020 7219 0944.

Angie Bray supports community groups

Angie Bray MP

(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)

(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Tuesday, 8 March, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Angie Bray supports community groups

Local MP Angie Bray visited the Priory Centre in Acton to view the one day exhibition of Council plans for the refurbishment of Acton Town Hall. In particular, she was interested to see plans for accommodating all the community groups currently housed in the Priory Centre, but which will be moved across to the Town Hall. She met with Julie Saunders, Director of Theatre Studio West, who contacted her about her concerns that the new development will short-change the groups that have been based at the Priory Centre until now.

She pointed out to Angie that the space allocated for community services in the newly refurbished Town Hall in no way matches what they enjoy at the moment, and will likely prove unworkable. She also pointed out that it can only be reached by stairs which will make it difficult for many people to access. But their biggest worry at the moment is that plans for the Priory Centre, which include building a new primary school there, may mean that the groups are pushed out of the Priory Centre before their new home in the Town Hall is actually ready.

Angie said, "It would be unacceptable to break a promise made to the groups in the Priory Centre that they will not be required to move until their new home is ready – a promise is a promise and should be respected. Looking at the plans, I do think that Julie has a point about the amount of space being made available. It does not look sufficient to me, compared with what they enjoy at the moment. Asking them to box and cox with other organisations in the Town Hall is going to make life very complicated. These groups offer a wide variety of support services and are much valued. Even though they have to be moved, it should be ensured that they can continue to serve the community as they always have done."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 020 7219 0944.

Voting by prisoners

PRESS RELEASE...Date: Monday, 14 February, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Voting by prisoners

Local MP Angie Bray added her voice in a debate in Parliament over whether or not prisoners should get the right to vote. The debate was called after the European Court informed the Government that it should give consideration to allowing at least some prisoners, depending on their sentences, the right to participate in all elections across the UK. However, 234 MPs from all parties voted against allowing the European Court to dictate to Parliament on such fundamental constitutional matters. Only 22 MPs voted in favour.

During the debate Angie said, "Does my hon. Friend agree that it is extraordinary that we should allow judges in Strasbourg to tell us that voting is not a privilege but a right? Try telling the people who fought so long and hard to get the ability to vote in their Governments democratically that it is not a privilege. Privileges can be conferred on those of us who contribute to our communities as law-abiding citizens, but they can also be taken away."

Afterwards she said she was delighted with the result and added, "I hope this sends a clear message to the European Court that Parliament should be in charge of how we wish to conduct our constitutional affairs. My own view is that prisoners leave their rights at the door when they decide to commit a crime and they must wait until they have served their time before they can pick them up again. I sometimes think we spend far longer worrying about the rights of prisoners rather than the plight of their victims."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Angie welcomes new website informing residents of crime on their corner

Angie Bray MP

(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)

(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Tuesday, 1 February, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Angie Bray MP: Giving local communities information about crime on their street corner.

Angie Bray MP has welcomed the Government's world leading website www.police.uk which provides data maps that show crime and anti-social behaviour at a street by street level. This means, from today, everyone can see exactly what crime is happening and where - right down to the level of their street corner. If anyone has concerns about the crime they see or how issues are dealt with, they can raise them with the police.

The Government is introducing a series of measures as part of their plan to fight crime:

Slashing bureaucracy – steps already taken to save up to 800,000 hours of police time by scrapping the stop form and limiting stop and search reporting.Removing all targets and setting the police just one goal: to cut crime.Introducing directly-elected Police and Crime Commissioners to ensure that police forces respond to the needs of local communitiesProviding transparent information so local communities really know about crime in their area.

Angie said:

'I am really pleased that the Government has demonstrated they are serious about cutting the levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities. By providing crime data in an open format that anyone can access, even from their mobile phone, we can all hold our local police force to account. We can ensure they deal with the issues that actually matter to us locally not those decided by a Whitehall bureaucrat. I think this new initiative to give us all access to local crime stats, right up to our doorstep, is a great step forward in helping us understand the local crime picture and in making sure that our local police are focusing their resources on keeping the streets of Ealing and Acton safe'.

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Education Secretary visits two local schools

Angie Bray MP

(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)

(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 17 January, 2011 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Education Secretary, Michael Gove, declared himself absolutely delighted by the quality of education at two Acton schools following an invitation from local MP, Angie Bray, to visit them.

He visited on Friday 14 January and his first port of call was Twyford Church of England High School where he was treated to a selection of language lessons, performances by the school's gospel choir, the jazz orchestra and Fusion plus a sneak preview of some of the musical The Wizard of Oz which the school is staging in a fortnight. Afterwards he declared himself "bowled over" by the talent on display. He then went on to discuss with Headteacher Alice Hudson and some of her colleagues Twyford's future plans, in particular the proposal for Twyford to partner a new school in Greenford. He said he was constantly reminded by Ms Bray that Ealing has a serious need for more school places and he recognises that it makes good sense for Twyford to be in a position to pass on and share its excellent standards with another new school in the borough.

The Education Secretary then went on, accompanied by Ms Bray, to Berrymede Junior School where he was met by Headteacher Lubna Khan. This is his second visit to the school and he had asked to come back again. He toured some of the classes in action and then met staff and pupils to find out more about their views on the school. He told them that the evening before his visit he had spoken of his admiration for Berrymede School on BBC 1's Question Time! He also discussed with Ms. Khan the possibility of Berrymede going for Academy school status. She told him that this was an idea that was still being considered at the school, but that they would need to find out more about how it would work out in practice before they were ready to take a decision.

After Mr. Gove left, Angie Bray said "I was very keen to get the Education Secretary here to Acton to see some of the excellent education in our local schools. I had already taken him to Berrymede once before, but this was his first opportunity to visit Twyford. As he himself admitted, I never stop reminding him that Ealing has one of the fastest growing populations in the country and we must be a top priority for investment in more school places. I hope that he will now see that there is considerable enthusiasm for delivering the best possible education in Ealing and Acton and any new schools here can only benefit from that."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Government supports local MP in tackling Horn Lane pollution

Angie Bray MP

(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)

(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Thursday, 9 December, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Government supports local MP in tackling Horn Lane pollution

Local MP Angie Bray today again raised in the House of Commons the issue of pollution in Horn Lane. Speaking during questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) she asked specifically about the role of bodies like the Environment Agency and pressed the Government to give them "sharper teeth" so as to tackle the problem of industrial units – like those on Horn Lane - that continually flout the law by allowing activities that push pollution beyond legal limits.

DEFRA Minister Richard Benyon responded and confirmed that the Government would be offering its full support to Angie's, and local action group SHLAP's, campaign to reduce the pollution blight in the area. The Minister also confirmed that Angie has been successful in securing an Adjournment Debate on the issue, which will be held next week. The debate gives Angie the opportunity to speak directly to the Minister about the unacceptable pollution in Horn Lane and press for further action to be taken.

Angie said afterwards, "I will continue to press on this important issue so that we get some tangible results. It really is unacceptable that residents are being left, by the inaction of official agencies, to live in polluted conditions which seriously damage their quality of life."

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Angie Bray MP speaking up for Ealing’s transport needs

Angie Bray MP

(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)

(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)

www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Tuesday, 7 December, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Angie Bray MP speaking up for Ealing's transport needs

MP for Ealing Central & Acton, Angie Bray, has spoken up for the transport needs of local residents in a debate in Westminster Hall. The debate was about transport priorities in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

While transport in London has come out well from the Coalition Government's CSR - Crossrail, tube upgrades, Thameslink and extra rolling stock have all been guaranteed and are all good announcements for London – Angie contributed to the debate to make clear her view that investment in transport in London is always money well spent.

Speaking about Ealing Broadway station, Angie said, "I have a plea for the Minister. Ealing Broadway station is one of the busiest transport hubs in west London. It is also one of the most hazardous, with steep stairs, no disabled access to the platforms and a small ticket hall that becomes crowded to an incredibly dangerous degree. Please can work be expedited at that station, if at all possible? I hate to say this, but it is an accident waiting to happen."

Moving onto Crossrail she said, "The problem has been that people living in Ealing have been told for so many years that they cannot have any improvements because Crossrail is just round the corner. As we all know, however, Crossrail has been just round the corner for decades. Now that it really does seem to be on the home straight, please can there be no more delay for Ealing Broadway station? We have been waiting somewhat impatiently for the option designs for the stations, but I am now hoping to have a meeting with representatives of Crossrail in the next couple of weeks, so that we can see those more detailed options."

She also mentioned a survey conducted by a local transport group, saying, "A recent survey conducted by a local transport group showed that a very large percentage of passengers going in and out of central London from all the stations across Ealing have been finding not only that the trains are impossibly crowded, but that quite often they cannot get on them at all. First Great Western has been putting in bids for extra rolling stock for some time. I hope that as the extra rolling stock is rolled out, the Minister will have a particularly keen ear for the bids from First Great Western for extra help on some of those west London services."

Angie continues to campaign on transport issues that are important to the residents of Ealing and Acton. The next meeting of her Ealing, Acton Transport Group will be held in the New Year, in early January, and will be attended by representatives from local transport groups, and from TfL, First Group, Crossrail, and Network Rail.

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Tackling Horn Lane pollution

Angie Bray MP
(Westminster office 020 7219 0944)
(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)
www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 26 October, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Tackling Horn Lane pollution

As SHLAP stepped up its campaign to tackle pollution issues around Horn Lane, local MP Angie Bray organised a meeting at the House of Commons for a SHLAP delegation to meet with the senior Environment Agency officers responsible for London, and in particular the West London area. At the meeting former Acton Central Councillor Vlod Barchuk - who led the delegation - pressed the Environment Agency on their ability to police the pollution problem that has blighted the lives of Horn Lane residents for far too long. He expressed concern that some of the companies using the industrial site there may have been allowed to get away with activity that has pushed pollution beyond legal limits. The Environment Agency, represented by Julia Simpson, agreed that although the monitoring records show up these occasions, this can often be a month or so after the problem occurred. The added complication is that responsibility for the various companies on the site and their activities is shared between the Environment Agency and the local council - it was agreed at the meeting that this can lead to confusion.

Action points agreed at the end of the meeting were that the Environment Agency would arrange to start correlating the pollution readings which they monitor from all the companies active on the site, so as to get a clearer record of the situation. They have also agreed to more frequent visits, including one from Julia Simpson herself, to check that the companies have all properly installed their monitoring equipment.

Ms Bray has subsequently written to the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to ask for guidance on enforcement measures and how they can be used to ensure that pollution levels are kept within acceptable, legal limits. After the meeting she said "This problem continues to menace not only the quality of life, but also the health of Horn Lane residents and those living immediately around the area. I hope that we can find measures to tackle the frequent occasions in which pollution levels are going, literally, sky-high. But the real, long-term answer must be to shift this small industrial remnant, which now sits uncomfortably in what is a residential area, altogether. The arrival of Crossrail at Acton Mainline Station will provide the perfect opportunity for a complete rezoning of the area. There will be a great demand for offices and residential units, and these would surely be a much more suitable way to use what could become a very appealing location. In the meantime, SHLAP deserves huge congratulations for taking on this important issue."

ENDS
For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Local MP rises through the ranks

Angie Bray MP
(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)
(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)
www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 13 September, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release
Local MP rises through the ranks

Ealing Central and Acton's new MP, Angie Bray, has been promoted to the role of Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS). She will be PPS to the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Paymaster General The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP. Her immediate task will be to assist the Cabinet Office team with a number of Bills as they look to secure their passage through Parliament. Upon hearing of her promotion Angie said, "I'm thrilled to have been given this exciting opportunity so early on in my career as a Member of Parliament. This new position is a great honour and will give me the chance to play a role in helping the Coalition Government to get vital legislation through Parliament and to ensure that MPs are able to put their views to the Minister when they need to. I shall of course also continue to make sure that I keep the interests of my constituents at the forefront of my work in Parliament."

ENDS
For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Maintaining London's International Hub Status

Angie Bray MP
(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)
(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)
www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 13 September, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Maintaining London's International Hub Status

Local MP Angie Bray has been promoting environmentally friendly ways of maximising London's potential as an international transport hub now that the third runway is no longer going ahead. West London based company Interlinking Transport Solutions approached Angie with their plan to build a privately funded elevated light railway, LARTs (London Airports Rapid Transit System) alongside the M23 and the M25 that would link Heathrow and Gatwick airports thereby adding to their capacity. She chaired an event where the light railway plan was launched and, various stakeholders including airlines, BAA, TfL and Ealing Conservative Councillor Ian Potts were able to put questions to the LARTs team. Angie opened the meeting by saying,

"While my constituents in Ealing and Acton were delighted when the third runway was cancelled, we are all aware that we must ensure that London's status as a premier city is maintained and obviously we need to maximise what we already have at Heathrow and Gatwick, albeit without extra runways, or indeed, a change of use at Heathrow to mixed mode. That is why this project is an interesting one. It could provide a fast and efficient service taking 36 minutes from any of the Heathrow terminals to Gatwick, with up to sixty trains running an hour. This is also a green option because it could reduce congestion on the busy M23 and M25 motorways."
ENDS
For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Local MP's thoughts on the 94 bus

Angie Bray MP
(Westminster office 020 7219 7055)
(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)
www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 13 September, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Local MP's thoughts on the 94 bus

"We all know that the 94 is a treasured bus route for the residents of Southfield. It is vital that we maintain the service. However, the increase in service, particularly at night, and especially over the last six years, has seriously impacted on the quality of life for people living around the terminus. It is only right that the Council look at ways to get around this problem and Council officers, in discussion with TfL, have come up with proposals that may improve the situation:

- changing the parking arrangements for the buses;
- making general road improvements;
- introducing hybrid buses on the route, starting next month and rising up to twenty;
- consulting with residents on the possible changes;

and, most importantly, we have persuaded the Council to build in a review after a year, to ensure that any changes that come in not only improve the route, but improve conditions for residents. At that stage, it should be clear, and if there is no noticeable improvement, then it would be imperative that this is looked at again."

ENDS
For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Local MP looking out for your transport needs

Angie Bray MP
(Westminster office 020 7219 0944)
(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)
www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Tuesday, 29 June, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Local MP looking out for your transport needs

Recognising that transport is a vital issue for Ealing and Acton residents, Angie Bray MP stood for and was elected to the Transport Select Committee. The Committee examines the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for Transport and its associated public bodies. Angie will now be in a prime position to work to ensure that both Ealing and Acton get the transport improvements that are so badly needed. Foremost amongst these will be ensuring that Crossrail arrives on time and that Ealing Broadway finally gets a new station that can deal with the amount of people that pass through it every day. Angie has also joined the All Party Parliamentary Group on Crossrail and was delighted to be elected as Treasurer last week. She says,

"I am thrilled that I have been given the opportunity to study transport issues in depth, especially Crossrail. I know how important transport matters are for residents in Ealing and Acton and I now have the chance to have a real input into transport policy."

ENDS
For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Ealing's main Post Office

Angie Bray MP
(Westminster office 020 7219 0944)
(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)
www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 21 June, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

MP's delight at Consumer Focus' response

Angie Bray MP has expressed her concern that the proposed move of Ealing's main post office is already a done deal. It is an issue she has already raised in the House of Commons, with Post Office Ltd (POL) and Consumer Focus as part of her attempt to ensure that Ealing residents get the very best postal services. Today she received a reply from Consumer Focus, the watchdog that looks out for consumers' postal needs.
Consumer Focus says that it shares Angie's concern that the consultation on the move might not have been conducted properly. Importantly, it has asked POL to clarify, as a matter of urgency, the nature and extent of any work that has already taken place on the WH Smith site as it has the potential to undermine consumer and stakeholder confidence in the consultation process. Moreover, it has requested that POL confirm that, in the event of a move, WH Smith will have sufficient counter facilities and staffing to accommodate the anticipated level of customers.
In response to the letter Angie says, "I am delighted by Consumer Focus' response. It is reassuring to know that Consumer Focus recognises the potential problems involved in the change of premises. It will be very interesting to hear what response they will get from the POL. They will be updating me and I will certainly be ensuring that all who use the Ealing Post Office are also kept informed."
ENDS
For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

Proposed move of Ealing's main Post Office

Angie Bray MP
(Westminster office 020 7219 0944)
(Constituency office 020 8810 0579)
www.angiebray.org.uk

Date: Monday, 14 June, 2010 EMBARGO: None

Press Release

Proposed move of Ealing's main Post Office

Angie Bray last week raised in the House of Commons the issue of the proposed closure of a Post Office in Ealing and its move to a different location. Addressing the Leader of the House of Commons, Sir George Young, she outlined her concern that the ongoing consultation was not a proper consultation. She said:

I wonder whether the Leader of the House is aware that, in Ealing, the Post Office is engaging in yet another consultation on a major proposal to close down a post office in one place and move it to another. Even while the consultation is going on, it appears that some of the preparatory building work is taking place at the proposed site. I wonder whether we can have a further look at how the Post Office conducts some of these so-called consultations.

In response Sir George promised to raise the issue with the Secretary of State for Business.
Angie has also raised the issue with the Chief Executive of the Post Office and with Consumer Focus as part of her attempt to ensure that local Ealing residents receive the very best postal services.

ENDS

For further information please contact Hugo Sutherland on 0772 937 5831.

FORMER LABOUR SUPPORTING EDITOR OF THE DAILY MIRROR LENDS HIS SUPPORT TO ANGIE BRAY

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: 26th January 2010
Embargo: NONE

FORMER LABOUR SUPPORTING EDITOR OF THE DAILY MIRROR LENDS HIS SUPPORT TO ANGIE BRAY

The editor of the Daily Mirror from 1975 to 1985, Mike Molloy, who is now retired and lives in Ealing, has added his support to Angie Bray's campaign to become the Conservative MP for the new seat of Ealing Central and Acton.

In a letter published in her magazine, delivered to every household in the constituency and inserted into The Ealing Gazette, Mike explains why he has changed his allegiance of a lifetime from Labour to Conservative, and why Angie Bray has his vote at the next General Election.

In his letter Mike describes how under Gordon Brown's leadership, the country has become a "Frankenstein's Monster" and how under his Government "social mobility in Britain has ceased, yet there is a plush look about so many of those Labour Party grandees who have prospered in the face of their appalling record".

Angie comments, "When I first met Mike, I would have never have expected that he would be supporting me as a former editor of the Daily Mirror. But, as we got talking, he told me he no longer found it possible to vote Labour after 12 years of Blair and Brown. I'm delighted he'll be casting his vote for me and David Cameron."

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Angie's full magazine has been attached with this press release, and Mike's letter can be viewed in full on the back page.

For further details contact Rachel Stone, Agent on 0794 9279782

Printed and promoted by Rachel Stone on behalf of Ealing Central & Acton Conservatives, all at 39 Broughton Road, London, W13 8QW