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Today the plan to build a railway station at Kirkstall Forge has been given the green light after a lengthy campaign from Rachel, local councillors and community members. The autumn statement confirmed that the Leeds Rail growth package, including Kirkstall Forge, would go ahead.

The Government have finally given this crucial project the green light, bringing over 1,000 new homes for families in Leeds West and creating 2,400 new jobs in our community.

Rachel said:

“The Kirkstall Forge project has huge potential for our area. I’d like to thank everyone who supported the campaign, who signed the petition, and who wrote the Government. For eighteen months the government have been stalling and this project has been in the sidings. I’m pleased it’s now going to get started. I can’t wait to see the first train pull out of the station!

"We need this investment: since January, we have seen a 66% increase in long term youth unemployment in Leeds. Unemployment across Yorkshire is 10.3%: higher than the national average. With more young people out of work since the start of year we desperately need a plan to get people back to work and the economy moving. With growth being downgraded for a fourth time today, and with unemployment, inflation and government borrowing all rising this is more important than ever.”

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon added:

“I am glad that Kirkstall Forge will finally get going, and can’t wait to see this exciting scheme delivered. It will improve transport in our community and boost jobs as well.”

After a year of this Tory-led Government, the number of people unemployed in Leeds West has continued to rise – since January there has been a 66% rise in long term youth unemployment.

This Government’s economic policies have resulted in the highest unemployment rate in 17 years: a total of 2.62 million are people out of work. Over a million young people, one in five, are without a job, a figure last seen under the last Tory Government.

Enough is enough.

George Osborne has pushed his reckless financial plan for 18 months. It’s hurting, but not working, in Britain nor in Leeds West.

Labour knows that there is a better way.

That’s why Labour has set out a clear five-point plan for jobs, to help struggling families and support small businesses.

1. A £2 billion tax on bank bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people - which they would be required to take up - and build 25,000 more affordable homes. In Leeds West, this would help the 1,260 young people who are out of work, get the construction industry back to work and provide new housing for local families.

2. Bringing forward long-term investment projects: schools, roads and transport - to get people back to work and strengthen our economy for the future: securing jobs and supporting the construction industry in Leeds.

3. Reversing January's damaging VAT rise now for a temporary period - a £450 boost for a couple with children - immediate help for high streets like Armley and for struggling families and pensioners across our area.

4. A one year cut in VAT to 5% on home improvements, repairs and maintenance to help homeowners and small businesses across Leeds West, offering greater support to all the small construction firms in Leeds West.

5. A one year national insurance tax break for every small firm which takes on extra workers - helping small businesses to grow and create jobs. I’m proud that we’ve got 3,540 small businesses across Leeds West and they could benefit from a one year national insurance tax break if they take on workers – a real boost for businesses at the heart of our community.

Please read the full plan at www.labour.org.uk/plan.

Today, the new Post Office Mobile Service made its first visit to the Hawksworth Wood Estate in Kirkstall. The Mobile Unit offers a full range of Post Office services, and early feedback from local residents has been positive. Diane Henderson, pictured here being served by Andy, said she was "delighted" with the new service!

Rachel Reeves MP, whose campaigning efforts have led to the new service, said:

"I'm still working alongside your local Labour Councillors to secure a permanent Post Office for the estate, but I hope you'll agree that the Mobile Unit is a big step in the right direction. Mobile Units are normally used for rural areas, and the Hawsworth Wood service is a pilot, so it's really important that as many local residents as possible give it a try and let us know what they think."

The Mobile Unit is located outside the Co-op, and is there Monday-Friday from 10am to 3pm.

There will be a public meeting to discuss the Post Office situation and the new Mobile Unit on Friday 2nd December at 5pm in St Mary's Church Hall. All local residents are welcome.

Following the success of the first charity film night at the Armley Mills Industrial Museum in June, which raised over £600 for SHELTER, Rachel hosted a second film night at the Museum last week, again raising over £600 for the charity.

This time the audience were treated to a screening of Ken Loach's Kes, with an introduction from Kes actor, and Kirkstall councillor, Bernard Atha CBE.

Pictured: Cllr. Beranrd Atha addressing the Kes audience.

Last Thursday Rachel attended the grand opening of the communications ‘hub’ at the fantastic, new £30 million school building at Leeds West Academy.

Carol Ann Duffy was guest of honour and unveiled an artwork installation at the Academy featuring the poem Mrs Schofield's GCSE. The Poet Laureate went on to read from her collection of verse, The Bees. The academy’s new library will also be named in honour of Ms Duffy.

Leeds West Academy, built on the site of the old Intake High School in Rodley, was one of the last to be constructed under the Labour government’s Building Schools for the Future programme.

Rachel said:

“This was a brilliant event; Carol Ann Duffy was fantastic and I am so pleased that Leeds West Academy is thriving. The new building is a truly impressive environment for learning.”

Last week Labour MPs took advantage of the short Parliamentary recess to go out from Westminster to talk to people about the Party’s economic alternative.

On the day we learnt that unemployment among young people had reached 1 million, Rachel visited Essex, where she spoke to workers at the Youngman Group in Maldon before meeting local residents in Wivenhoe, near Colchester.
Rachel said:

“Our economy has flatlined for the last 12 months, unemployment is at a 17 year high and there are now a million young people out of work. David Cameron’s austerity plan is hurting, but it it’s not working. Like every other country we’ve got to get our deficit down and that means touch decisions on tax and spending cuts. But by trying to cut spending and raise taxes too far and too fast this Tory-led government is getting our economy into a vicious circle.

Just like the people I met this weekend in Leeds West, those I met in Essex were all too familiar with the challenges facing businesses and families – and recognized that we need a real plan for jobs and growth to get our economy moving again and help get the deficit down in a steadier and more balanced way. We need urgent action in the Chancellor’s autumn statement to get Britain back to work now and to build a better economy for the future.”

To find out more about Labour’s five point plan for jobs and growth visit www.labour.org.uk/plan. Rachel is pictured inspecting welding machinery at the Youngman's Factory in Maldon.

On Saturday Rachel took part in the Abbey Dash, raising money for Age UK. Rachel's official race time for the 10k run was 1hour 3minutes and 43seconds and her online fundraising total currently stands at £873.00.

Rachel said,

"I'd like to thank everyone for their support and for their sponsorship towards this fantastic cause, Age UK Leeds. I'm really pleased to have taken part and completed the run, despite the stiff legs afterwards!"

On Friday Rachel paid a visit to thebigword, an international translation and interpreting firm based in Lower Wortley.

She enjoyed a tour of their offices and the chance to speak to members of staff, to learn about the wide range of work that they are doing for many organisations, including the NHS, the Government and the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Rachel said:

“It’s great to see such a successful business thriving on our doorstep. I was really impressed with the work they do, and was very pleased to hear that they are currently training twenty local apprentices and helping to get these young people into full-time employment.“

Visiting the HOPs club in their temporary home at Hawksworth YMCA, Rachel had the chance to chat about the new mobile post office which will be visiting the estate from the end of November, and heard about plans for Christmas trips around the country.

Rachel said:

“I’m looking forward to seeing the renovations that are being done to the community centre in the Cragsides, and also heard about the plans for the church hall. The lunches, visits, holidays and activities that HOPs put on for older people in Kirkstall are impressive – I can’t wait for my next visit.”

In the past fortnight Rachel has toured four Primary Schools in Bramley to show them Interplay’s film about Bramley Baths: asking them what priorities they have for the future of the baths. Rachel visited Bramley St. Peter’s, Summerfield, Whitecote and Bramley Primaries – attending assemblies and discussing ideas for the future of the Baths.

At Bramley St Peters Rachel also took part in a ‘good work’ assembly where pupils received certificates and stickers for various achievements.

Bramley Primary gave Rachel a tour of their school before assembly where the pupils asked lots of questions about politics and Rachel’s role, as well as discussing Bramley Baths.

Rachel commented,

“It was great to be part of the school assemblies. I am really pleased to be able to show them the Bramley Baths film. The local schools have played a huge part in the campaign to keep the Baths open. From touring the schools it is clear that they are determined to keep the Baths open for school swimming lessons.”

After over a year of campaigning alongside local residents and Kirkstall ward councillors, Rachel has announced that Post Office services will finally be returning to the Hawksworth Wood Estate, in the shape of a Mobile Post Office Unit!

Whilst Rachel continues to work with the Post Office to find a permanent solution for the estate, the mobile unit will visit for a minimum of 4 hours per day, every weekday, and will offer a full range of Post Office services. The unit is fully accessible for residents with disabilities, and will begin to visit from the end of November, and will be located by the Co-op store. Normally reserved for rural areas, the Hawksworth Wood visits will be a pilot for the Post Office Mobile.

Rachel said:

“This isn’t the end of the campaign. I am pleased that there won’t be another Christmas without Post Office services on Hawksworth Wood, but it has taken too long to resolve this. I’ve received hundreds of signatures on my petition, written countless letters and met with representatives from the Post Office regularly. I’m not going to stop campaigning until we have a permanent Post Office back, but in the meantime I hope everyone will come along and give the Mobile Unit a try.”

Residents will be able to make their voices heard at a Public Meeting, to be held on Friday 2nd December at 5pm in St Mary’s Church, where Rachel will be joined by representatives from the Post Office.

The meeting was postponed from earlier in November to give residents the opportunity to try the new service.

On Friday evening, Rachel officially lit the 2011 Bramley Bonfire. Thousands of local residents came out to enjoy the bonfire and fireworks, despite the rain and mud, and everyone had a great time.

Rachel, pictured with local Labour candidate Caroline Gruen, said, "The Bramley Bonfire is a highlight of the calendar every year, and 2011's spectacular display is the best yet. It's great to see so many people coming out to take part in this fantastic community event, and I hope to see even more people next year."

On Friday Rachel visited Whitecote Primary School in Bramley to show Year 6 pupils Interplay’s great film about Bramley Baths and talk to the children about the campaign to save the Baths, the work that the Friends of Bramley Baths are doing, and to get their feedback and ideas.

Many of the pupils had taken part in July's sponsored swim, with some swimming over 50 lengths apiece, and all were keen to see the Baths stay open.

Following the film, Rachel asked the pupils what they liked most about Bramley Baths and answers included: learning to swim, within walking distance, friendly staff, can go with friends, has more than just the pool, lots of activities, can be enjoyed by any age group, birthday parties and bouncy castles and can go there in the school holidays. Rachel then asked who would care if the Baths closed and all the pupils raised their hands, giving reasons such as: there would be nowhere to go in summer, no school lessons, people couldn’t learn to swim and others who use the Baths wouldn’t be able to go anymore, especially the elderly residents who regularly use the pool.

The pupils also had great ideas about what facilities and activities the Baths could provide, such as, more clubs, competitions and activities for kids their age and more water sports and fun sessions like volleyball, water dodge ball and water basketball!

This afternoon Rachel enjoyed a fantastic lunch with the residents at the Fairfield Luncheon Club at the Fairfield Centre, Bramley. The lunch club, supported by Bramley Elderly Action, is one of four in the area and is a great source of good food at great value, as well as time and space to socialise with neighbours and friends.

Yesterday, Leeds MP and campaigners met with Government Health Minister, Simon Burns, to highlight concerns about the future of the LGI Children’s Heart Unit. In the meeting they laid out their concern that the Unit might close, leaving five million people in Yorkshire and The Humber without close access.

Following the meeting, Rachel said:

“I am glad that we have had the opportunity to talk directly to the Department of Health about our concerns and I hope we can work with them going forward to protect our Children’s Heart Unit. I am still concerned, but I am determined to secure the future of this Unit for patients and parents across Yorkshire and the Humber.”

Jon Arnold, Trustee of children’s Heart Surgery Fund and parent of heart patient, Zoe, aged 4, who also attended the meeting said:

“Today’s meeting was about presenting our concerns and those of parents and patients around the region directly to the Minister. While we recognise the initial decision lies with the Joint Committee, we want to seek reassurance from the Minister that he is fully aware of the serious concerns we have. He gave us those reassurances and we look forward to continuing our campaign ahead of the Joint Committee decision in December.”