Strong Local Voice, Strong Local Champion

The Daylight Saving Bill was derailed by a small group of MPs on Friday but pressure is growing on the Government to give the bill a fair hearing. Local MP Annette Brooke has joined scores of other politicians and organisations calling for more parliamentary time to see it through.

The bill would mandate the Government to conduct a comprehensive review of the costs and benefits of putting clocks forward an hour throughout the UK, resulting in lighter evenings every day of the year. If this concludes that a change would be beneficial, the government will run a three-year trial of the new system, subject to consent from the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Even with huge support from over 140 MPs at Friday's debate, a couple of politicians were able to block the bill by simply running down the clock.

Annette said: "The will of the house was for the Daylight Saving Bill to proceed. I, and many of my colleagues, set aside Friday to attend the debate after receiving a huge number of letters of support from constituents. Despite overwhelming support, a tiny minority employed wrecking tactics to scupper the bill. It's imperative the Government give the bill more time - so it can have the hearing it deserves".

10:10's Lighter Later campaign has been leading the campaign for clock change. The campaign has the backing of over 90 organisations working on an enormous range of issues, from sport and tourism to, road safety and environmental protection. "The support we saw on Friday is pretty unprecedented when it comes to a private members bill. It's imperative the government gives the bill more time" said Daniel Vockins, Lighter Later campaign manager.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, yesterday sought assurances from the Government that Britain's tax system will be made fairer and more equitable in the upcoming budget.

She raised the issue during Treasury Questions in the House of Commons. Questions were taken by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander due to the Chancellor's attendance at the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council.

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Annette Brooke met with physiotherapists at the House of Commons last week to hear their concerns about the impact of budget constraints on physiotherapy services.

Annette was told that patients are waiting longer for treatment as NHS physiotherapy services struggle to cope with budget cuts and staff shortages.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole attended a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons, organised by Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, for the launch of their new report, Preventing Babies' Deaths: what needs to be done.

6,500 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every year in the UK. The charity's report proposes that 1,200 babies' lives could be saved every year through a combination of more research, better care and greater awareness of the risks of stillbirth and newborn baby death.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has pressed the Government to take more action in fighting and preventing littering along roadsides. Annette raised the issue during Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Oral Questions in the House of Commons this morning.

Annette first praised those in her constituency that voluntarily pick up litter, citing Canford Heath Community Litter Pickers. She then asked Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what more will she would do to empower local councils to take effective action against people in vehicles who are responsible for roadside littering. The question raised audible approval from across the house.

Local MP Annette Brooke is backing a bill to objectively look at the benefits of moving the clocks forward by one hour.

Annette Brooke, who represents Mid Dorset and North Poole, is backing the Daylight Saving Bill which receives its Third Reading in the House of Commons tomorrow. The bill calls on the Government to conduct a comprehensive review of the costs and benefits of putting clocks forward an hour throughout the UK, resulting in lighter evenings every day of the year.

Rising fuel bills are stretching household finances and people are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills.

Help is at hand through Big Energy Week (16-21 January 2012) which is being run by Citizens Advice - and has received support from local MP Annette Brooke.

During Big Energy Week you can get practical advice on cutting your fuel bills and help to see if you are getting all of the financial support you are entitled to. You can pick up a leaflet with tips and advice on cutting your fuel bills at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, today sought to safeguard the future of Wareham Middle School's playing fields. During Education Questions in the House of Commons Annette asked Nick Gibb, the Minister for Schools, if both the Department of Education and Sport England would scrutinise any proposal to sell the playing fields very carefully.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has voiced her support for the localist direction taken in the Local Government Finance Bill, which received its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday. Speaking in the Chamber last night Annette said, "I welcome the general thrust of the Bill: to devolve greater financial powers and freedoms to councils."

Annette Brooke MP is backing Meningitis Research Foundation's campaign 'Meningitis Matters' - to raise awareness of meningitis and septicaemia, and to ensure that tackling the diseases remains a top public health priority while the current NHS reforms are implemented.

Meningitis is still a serious and life-threatening disease, affecting around 3,400 people in the UK each year. Infants and young people are at greatest risk: meningitis causes the largest number of deaths amongst children under five - more than any other infectious disease.