East Midlands Minister asks Tory MP which services would face cuts?

Labour’s Regional Minister for the East Midlands, Phil Hope MP, has written to Alan Duncan MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and MP for Rutland and Melton, demanding to know whether he supports David Cameron’s cuts to key services in the area.

In the letter Phil Hope says:

“In 2009 we face a crucial choice: to continue to invest in key services in the East Midlands in difficult times, or to make deep cuts in public spending that would damage the East Midlands.

“As you will be aware, as part of the fiscal stimulus we recently announced that we would bring forward £3 billion of investment in housing, schools, and GP surgeries.

“I am disappointed that your party have opposed this action. It is crucial that we bring forward investment to ensure that we come out of the downturn sooner and stronger, and ready to take advantage of the upturn.”

Major East Midland’s hospital projects completed early

The Labour Government has announced that plans to build, improve, or refurbish 100 hospitals have been completed two years ahead of schedule. Three hospitals in the East Midlands have benefited from Labour’s plans, two in Nottinghamshire and one in Northamptonshire.

Phil Hope, Labour’s Regional Minister for the East Midlands and Minister for Care Services, welcomed the news that the schemes for Nottingham’s University Hospital, Nottinghamshire Healthcare and Northamptonshire Teaching PCT have all been completed ahead of the 2010 target.

Speaking today he said:
“This really is fantastic news both for the East Midlands and also nationally. It really highlights Labour’s commitment to providing a 21st century health service. This is not just about replacing old buildings but is also about improving access and choice and improving the patient experience with modernised services.”

East Midlands Labour announces Northampton South shortlist

The East Midlands Labour Party has announced a shortlist of five prospective candidates for the parliamentary seat of Northampton South.

The five prospective candidates short listed are:
Helal Uddin Abbas; Clyde Loakes; Nicole Murphy; Anjona Roy; and, Ven Subbarayan.

The result will be announced on 1st November 2008.

New Secretary of State for Transport welcomes major investment in Broxtowe

Two major investment projects in Broxtowe were today, October 10th, officially launched by Labour’s new Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Geoff Hoon.

Geoff officially opened the new T1 Phoenix Flyer bus service, which connects Kimberley, Nuthall, Awsworth and Cossall to the Phoenix tram stop in Cinderhill and he also officially opened the new £70m Giltbrook Retail Park.

On his first visit since taking up the post of Transport Secretary, Geoff praised the hard work of the local Labour MP, Nick Palmer and Labour Councillor Richard Robinson, who worked hard over the last two years to make sure that the residents of Kimberley got the bus route that they wanted.