MPs’ New Year messages

• STEPHEN MCPARTLAND, Stevenage MP

2011 has been a fantastic year for Stevenage and I am delighted we have secured over �250million of infrastructure investment from the government for our local schools, hospital, housing and jobs. We have already begun to see the difference this money has had locally, with new facilities opening across the town.

The New Year will be incredibly exciting as the newly-built Marriotts, Lonsdale and Nobel schools begin to open their doors in September, the new Biotechnology Park is set to open, and building continues at the Lister Hospital.

I have more schemes under way for even more infrastructure investment in our local health service, refurbishment and expansion of many of our schools, and I will continue to focus on improving the quality of life for local people.

2011 was a great year for Stevenage and 2012 promises to be even better. Happy New Year.

• OLIVER HEALD, MP for North East Herts

I would like to wish all my constituents across North East Hertfordshire a happy New Year.

We know this is a difficult time economically for Britain and the world and we will be thinking of those less fortunate than ourselves at this time. We also think about those in our armed forces stationed abroad and particularly those fighting in Afghanistan, and their relatives, including those who have lost loved ones.

At this time of year we rely on our public services more than ever and it is right to pay tribute to their dedicated work. This has not been an easy year for Britain and we must hope for better tidings in 2012. I am looking forward to the Olympics and the Jubilee. I am sure Hertfordshire’s Olympic site for white water events will be a great success and many of us will want to celebrate the Queen’s huge contribution over 60 years.

We are lucky in North East Hertfordshire to have low unemployment, and we should thank all our successful businesses for their contribution to society. I will continue to hold regular surgeries, and always like to hear from constituents. I am particularly happy to try to help with problems and to hear views about the way forward for our country.

I take a particular interest in work and pensions issues in the House of Commons, and I am glad that the Government is putting more emphasis on training apprenticeships for young people, and that these are going to be concentrating on areas where we have skills shortages. This will enable us to fill the vacancies which are available. I also hope that we will see a start on the new lifts for Letchworth Garden City Railway Station.

I hope everyone has had a very good time over Christmas and has a better New Year.

• PETER LILLEY, Hitchin MP

Hitchin has weathered the economic problems of 2011 better than most towns, unemployment remains low, and the town centre remains vibrant.

Issues like the development of the town centre and the renewal of the town hall remain to be resolved in 2012, as does the future of the Green Belt, where there is hope that the decision to overturn plans to build to the west of Stevenage may be upheld.

Let’s hope the Olympics and Jubilee in 2012 raise spirits.