Student visas, Lord's Reform, PMQs and a Radio Sheffield phone-in - all part of my week
It's not often I get cited in the 'Times of India', but their article yesterday showed the international concern over the Government's changes to the student visa arrangements, which have damaged our ability to recruit overseas students. I've been campaigning on the issue for over a year, working with our two universities and with Universities UK, and trying to build a cross-party approach to the issue. Yesterday I co-wrote an article in the Sunday Times with Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi, making the case to follow our competitors and take students out of the net migration targets.
Today and tomorrow in Parliament we'll be debating House of Lords reforms. I plan to speak tomorrow in support of reform but outlining my concern about Nick Clegg's deeply flawed proposals. You can see my views here; I'd welcome your comments. I'll be joining Wednesday's debate on Parliamentary sittings too, backing the move to modernise hours and move Private Members Bills from Friday mornings to Tuesday evenings which will give backbench MPs a stronger voice and enable us to engage in these issues without cancelling constituency engagements on Fridays.
I've won this week's raffle (or shuffle as it's called in Parliament) for Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. There are lots of issues I might raise, but please get in tocuh as I'd like hear what you would like me to ask David Cameron. On Tuesday the Business Select Committee will be discussing the Government's plans for the re-organisation of the Post Office network. Other meetings in Westminster this week cover carbon monoxide awareness, neurological conditions, the Big Lottery, High Speed Rail and an update from the new Chief Constable on policing in South Yorkshire.
You can ask me about any of these issues, or anything else, on a Radio Sheffield phone-in on Friday. I'll be live with Rony Robinson between 11am-12pm, answering his questions and taking calls from listeners so phone in if you've got any questions! You can listen at 88.6FM or online here. I'll also be meeting the newly elected Officers of Sheffield Hallam University Student's Union and discussing how we can work together over the next academic year and, later that day, I'll be catching up with Council Leader Julie Dore and her cabinet on city-wide issues. On Friday evening, I'll be joining Shadow Climate Secretary and fellow South Yorkshire MP Caroline Flint who'll be leading a discussion on 'Jobs and Growth in a Low Carbon Economy' in their excellent 'Cafe Politique' series at the Harland Cafe on John Street. Admission is free, contact 0114 2738553 or info(at)harlandcafe.co.uk for tickets. The event starts at 7pm, and all of the details are here
On Saturday, I've one of my regular open 'surgeries' and then I'll be meeting constituents in the Wostenholm Road area at a coffee morning (get in touch if you live in the area and would like to join me).
