Page 17 - link magazine

LETTER FROM WESTMINSTER 17

Things are getting better

North Swindon MP Michael Wills writes:

'Now, are you as clever as I am?,' thinks Raghar Bali, when Michael Wills
visited Abbey Meads school in October, as Nicholas Gibbons ponders what to
do next, watched by Aidon Godfrey in the background
I recently met some of Swindon's the Chancellor announced extra
nurses, pensioners and teachers to money for school repairs, and
find out what they wanted to hear funding to raise standards in
from Gordon Brown's pre-Budget schools - initiatives I am sure will
report. They told me that they were be welcomed by all Swindon
beginning to see the results of in- schools.
creased spending, but they felt that The measures the Chancellor
more could be done for pensioners announced will provide the plat-
and that investment in education form of stability for sustained in-
needed to continue. vestment in our public services.
It was with this meeting in mind They will help pensioners and
that I listened to Gordon Brown's schools in Swindon. They prove
Pre-Budget Report last month. I the Government is responding to
felt the pensioners I had met would the concerns of my constituents in
welcome the increase in the basic Swindon.
state pension to £5 and £8 and in As we concluded this millen-
the increase of £50 in the Winter nium year, may I wish all readers
Fuel Allowance to £200, meaning are a very happy Christmas and a
they wouldn't have worry about peaceful New Year.
whether they could afford to turn • Michael Wills can be contacted
on the heating as winter begins. at the Pinehurst People's Centre,
I thought about the Swindon Olive Grove, Swindon SN2 3DB.
heads and teachers I had met as Tel: 481016

A Christmas message
from South Swindon MP Julia Drown
Seasons Greetings to all readers year which everyone will finally
of The Link. agree is the new century.
I hope everyone has a peaceful Swindon has had a good year -
and enjoyable time and that we all more money for schools, for crime
get a bit of a break to recharge the reduction and for the health serv-
batteries as we head into a new ice. I am particularly pleased that
pensioners will have more money
this festive season and can have
the confidence of more support in
the future.
This year has also seen new NHS
dentists in the town, the new Peat-
moor Community Primary School
and the new hospital making
progress. It all augurs well for the
new millennium.
From the May Link, Julia with Bethany
Irving from Toothill, when at Swindon
schools day in the Millennium Dome