Earlier this week, Mayor Dave Hodgson offically opened M&J Group's new training cente at Elm Farm Industrial Estate in Bedford.
Mayor Dave said "It's a real pleasure and honour to be asked from time to time to open events and venues. I would like to thank Jack Henrickson the CEO of M&J Group for the invitation not to only attend today but to officially open M&J Group's Training Centre. M&J have provided employment and training opportunities to the local community for a significant number of years. With the incredible level of continuous funding M&J have promised, which equates to £250, 000 per annum, they have now developed an approved CITB training organisation."
Mayor Dave Hodgson recently visited The Waterfront Hotel, Spa & Golf at Wyboston Lakes Resort which has undergone a £1.5m makeover adding a modern and stylish design, plus many new feature areas.
The transformational project included a major renovation of the four-star hotel's reception, Y Spa Bistro, and outdoor terrace, as well as the re-branding and refurbishment of the brasserie and bar. Three new event spaces were also added, which can be booked either separately or together, for corporate events, private functions, events, and social gatherings.
Richard Foord will be our Liberal Democrat candidate for the upcoming Tiverton & Honiton by-election.
I was proud to serve my country in the Armed Forces for ten years and now want to serve my community in Westminster.
Richard Foord
Richard lives in Uffculme with his wife and family. He grew up in the West Country and served for ten years in the army after graduating from Sandhurst, reaching the rank of Major and receiving three campaign medals for service in Iraq and the Balkans.
On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, local MP Tim Farron secured a meeting with a Minister from the Treasury over plans to double the capacity on the Lakes Line from Oxenholme to Windermere.
The proposals would see a passing loop built near Burneside station so that two trains could serve the line every hour.
Bedford Borough Council's Town Centre Jubilee Trail has launched today (Thursday 19 May), kicking off local celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Twelve crowns have been hidden in various windows around the town centre, and the Council is inviting children and their families to explore the town while following the map to find the crowns.
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Crisis in cancer care: Third of patients facing two month waits for treatment | |
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to come forward with an urgent strategy to improve cancer care, after new statistics revealed that NHS England has yet again missed all four of its major targets for cancer waiting times. Analysis by the party shows that from January to March 2022, nearly 150,000 people waited longer than two weeks to see a consultant after an urgent referral from their GP, or an average of 1,600 per day. It means only 78% of people saw a consultant within two weeks of a GP referral, way below the NHS target of 93%. The figures also show that almost 200,000 or 29.5% of people waited longer than 28 days to get a cancer diagnosis from their specialist after an urgent referral from a GP. This means the target of 75% of people getting their diagnosis within this time was missed and that the equivalent of over 2,000 people per day missed out on a timely diagnosis. Over 6,000 (7.7%) patients waited a month or more to begin their first treatment after a decision to treat the cancer, almost double the 4% target. Meanwhile, 15,000 or over one third of people waited two months or more to start cancer treatment after a referral from their GP. This means a target of 85% of people starting treatment within that period is being badly missed by 21 points. It comes after no reference was made to improving cancer care in last week's Queen's Speech. Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron has tabled an amendment to the Queen's Speech, calling for a comprehensive strategy to be put forward on how the Government plans to meet a commitment for 80% of patients to be seen within two months by 2023. The party is also calling for the Government to hire more health staff, particularly specialist cancer nurses. Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said: "This Conservative Government has no real plan to fix the crisis in cancer waiting times. Ministers are sitting on their hands while people are being left in pain, or have to watch their loved ones suffering. "The Conservatives have taken the NHS for granted for years and have their heads in the sand over huge staff shortages. The Queen's Speech didn't mention cancer care and Boris Johnson hasn't even brought forward any new legislation to tackle this mess. "He needs to bring forward a plan now - people bravely battling cancer deserve far better than being abandoned by a Government that doesn't do enough to ease their burden." |
In Parliament last night, South Lakes MP Tim Farron voted to bring in a windfall tax on energy companies to help fund support for people struggling with rising bills.
Earlier this month it was revealed that BP's profits had more than doubled to £5bn in the first three months of this year. Meanwhile Shell had made over £7bn during the same time period.
Bedford Central Library will host two Royal Talks in the coming weeks to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
The first will take place on Wednesday 25th May at 11:30am and look at Royal Visits to Bedford.
The second will take place on Thursday 9th June at 11:30am and look at Royal Occasions in Bedford
Start Date: 8th June 2022
End Date: 26th July 2022
Purpose: Surface Dressing Site 45 Works to Include:-
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE WORKS ARE WEATHER DEPENDENT AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE