FIONA Bruce's New Year message, 2018.

MAY I start by wishing everyone in my constituency a very happy 2018.

As a Member of Parliament a key priority of mine is to make a real difference in the daily lives of the people I serve – after all, you elect me.

So, this year I was really pleased to be successful in the campaign I led to increase the funding the Government provides for every school pupil in our local schools and I look forward to seeing how this makes a difference in the year – and years – ahead. The increase obtained was very substantial – £600 more for each pupil towards a final total of £4800.

Another really important milestone for local people this year was the decision by the Government to commit £46.8 million funding for the Middlewich Bypass – the result of a campaign by a huge number of local people over a period of almost three decades, which it was my privilege to champion this campaign in Parliament.

Not only will this reduce the chronic congestion in the town, but it will also open up employment land for 2,000 local jobs – a real boost for people living in this constituency, particularly young people who want to stay, live and work in this area, including for example, those living in Holmes Chapel or Goostrey just the other side of the M6.

I am now as determined as ever to see Middlewich Railway Station re-opened, and speak with transport ministers in Parliament about this virtually on a weekly basis.

I am also very much aware of pressures on health provision in the area, particularly mental health support, both for the young – and the not so young.

So, as patron of the young people’s mental health charity, Visyon, I am pleased that the Government has committed more funding to support mental health care for young people.

At the same time I am full of admiration for the leadership shown by Middlewich High School in the Emotionally Healthy Schools Project which has been nationally recognised.

It has also been a pleasure to see how many towns in my constituency, including Alsager, Congleton, Sandbach, and the village of Holmes Chapel, have committed to being ‘dementia friendly towns’, and to visit some of their projects.

Looking forward to 2018, one of my main focuses will be to continue pressing Government to put more resources into strengthening family life – you can see more about my work leading on this in Parliament at strengtheningfamiliesmanifesto.com Happy New Year!