NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2020

MP CARLAMember of Parliament LOCKHART for Upper Bann FEBRUARY ISSUE ABORTION This is not a topic I am willing to let fall off the radar. I will always be unashamedly pro life and I am encouraged by people of like minded beliefs in the House of Commons. Recently along with party colleague MP and Conservative MP Fiona Bruce we met with Robin Walker MP who is a Government Minister working with the Office. Whilst Mr Walker was clear that the Govt had a legal obligation to bring forward legislation on this we encouraged him to ensure that this is limited to, and does not go beyond, what is strictly UPPER BANN IS necessary with a conscience element for Doctors and Nurses to refrain. OPEN FOR BUSINESS In my first few months as the Member of Parliament LOCAL EVENTS I made a point of visiting As your MP I try to get to as many of the events I some local businesses across am invited to as possible. During February I was in the constituency. I want to all parts of the constituency at community events, reassure them that I will be charity breakfasts, coffee morning and fundraisers. their voice and make the case These are a great opportunity to meet more of my for unfettered access to the constituents and hear views on everything from UK market, and also for further investment in Northern Ireland parenting to farming to all things politics. One such to remain competitive with notable event was on Sunday 23rd February when I the opportunities afforded attended the centenary celebration in Portadown of to us by Brexit. Over the last the Boys Brigade at Thomas Street Methodist Church. couple of weeks I visited two What a milestone for the BB at Thomas Street and the of our renowned companies, great work among the young boys and men who have Hyster and Almac. Both are attended for the last 100 years. Congratulations to specialists in their respective them as they embark on their next chapter. fields and employ a lot of people in the locality. It is always good to promote local businesses FUNDING - Register for Funding E-Bulletin and I will continue to do so So many community groups, sports clubs, churches, youth and promote this area for organisations and other groups are doing fantastic work right across investment and job creation. Upper Bann. Many operate within tight budgets, relying on the generosity of volunteers and fundraising. A vast array of funding opportunities exist that could help your group. If you want to receive information about these funds, please register today for my funding e-bulletin at [email protected] Please provide your name, email address, the name of the organisation you represent and any specific funding need you have.

07833 198008 [email protected] Carla Condell Lockhart or MP @CarlaLockhart NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2020

MP CARLAMember of Parliament LOCKHART for Upper Bann WESTMINSTER UPDATE The new Parliament is now well settled in and we look forward to our first budget after the cabinet reshuffle. The day to day business of Parliament goes on and where there is a relevant input for Upper Bann and Northern Ireland I will always speak up for my constituents. There are so many lobby groups During the month I spoke on a that it is important to use my time in range of topics: London as productively as possible • Ensuring the ongoing payment to One emerging local issue is the future and ensure that when I can I am in the farmers of the single farm use of the soon to be redundant constituency meeting constituents, payment after the transition leisure centres. With the new larger businesses and community groups to period ends. centralised leisure centre opening deliver for the people who voted me in in August, this is an opportunity for to office. • Collaboration with the Northern Ireland Assembly on prevention ABC Council to utilise the existing If you have any issues, no matter how and treatment of the Corona locations to benefit the local trivial they seem to you, rest assured I Virus and financial support from community who fund them. , will represent you along with a strong the Treasury. Portadown and Brownlow all deserve team in Upper Bann. Thank you to these premises to be used wisely the hundreds of people who have • The safety of retail workers contacted me to receive a copy of this following a number of robberies at given how strategically located they newsletter. If you want to receive an shops in and around Upper Bann. are in the communities. I want to see email version please contact my office • Confirmation that the Office for them developed to promote these on [email protected] Environmental Protection will be areas and also to ensure that all areas or send me a private message on my up and running by 01/01/21 and have the necessary transport links to Facebook page Carla Lockhart MP or will have focus and responsibility the new leisure facility. other social media channels. for Northern Ireland. ONLINE TROLLING/CYBER BULLYING With the sad passing of TV presenter Caroline Flack the topic of online trolling and cyber bullying was very much brought back onto the agenda. For some time I have been calling for social media companies to act more responsibly and to place the onus on those signing up for social media accounts to present some form of identification to the platform. This is not to lock these down to people who are openly or easily identifiable, that is not the aim. There are very good reasons why some people use a pseudonym and that is fine. Where it becomes an issue is when people are subjected to relentless campaigns of abuse simply for having a counter belief to someone else. I very much welcome the should think that defending me by commitment from the Government abusing someone else is condoned. that OFCOM will have powers to It is not in my name. This is a matter great charities and agencies in enforce a duty of care on the tech I am passionate about and recently Upper Bann who can assist. Please giants to protect children and users did further media highlighting it as it contact me if you want someone to from online harm. In my case I am can lead to mental health issues for talk to and I will happily do that and the subject of daily abuse online. It is some and even to people believing also point you in the right direction never right or acceptable and no one they are not valued. We have some for professional guidance.

07833 198008 [email protected] Carla Condell Lockhart or Carla Lockhart MP @CarlaLockhart