Edward Davey MP's Edward Davey MP
5th Annual Report

Summer 2002

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My fifth annual report tries to keep you in touch with my work on your behalf, both locally and in Parliament.

Do let me have your ideas for improving the report.

For more in-depth information, you can browse my website, where you can also see my first four annual reports!

Our libraries now have free access to the InterNet - with help on hand to guide.

With best wishes,

Elderly Care Homes Campaign

Edward Davey with Cllr Rolson Davies Better care for Kingston's elderly has been an important campaign for me this year. Urgent action is needed, as 5 Kingston care homes have closed and 10% of nursing home beds in Kingston & Richmond have gone since 1998.
    This shortage of places and the high costs are real concerns for local people. Care home residents also suffer, when homes close and they are forced to move.
Local Survey
    Worse still, our recent survey of 17 homes found 9 considering closing. The reasons include low fee income from Government, skill shortages and the cost of adapting homes to meet new minimum standards.
    In Parliament I raised these issues and am pressing for a major shift in policy. Our local Council and NHS will need to build on existing partnerships so more beds are available.
NHS links
    Good elderly care will also help the NHS, freeing up beds. The Government's NHS policy will not work unless this care crisis is tackled.

Charles Kennedy with Edward Davey and police officer
"Kingston's police should be on the local beat, not forced to travel to Wimbledon if they close our Courts."
Edward Davey MP.

Save Kingston's Courts

The local fight against crime was dealt a blow when the Government said it may close Kingston's Magistrates' Courts, even though it has the busiest youth court in South West London.

I have been working with local magistrates and other Kingston campaigners to stop this attack on local justice.

At the time of writing, the final outcome remains unclear.

If we don't win, victims of crime will have to travel to Wimbledon, as will police officers, wasting their valuable time. As we already have too few police, I believe this is a key campaign. I was disappointed the Prime Minister did not step in after I asked him to do so at Question Time in the Commons.

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