Jon Ashworth MP is calling on the Government to change course after today’s figures show the Police numbers have fallen to the lowest for nearly a decade, including the loss of 175 at Leicestershire Police since March 2010.

The figures show that there are now nearly 10,000 fewer officers on the streets, with the majority of the officers lost coming from 999, neighbourhood and traffic response units - the officers we rely on in an emergency.

Jon Ashworth is calling for the Government to change course and implement a proper plan to cut crime, not just police officers.

Jon said: “People in Leicestershire want to see police on their streets, but these figures show the Tory-led Government's cuts mean that there are already 175 police officers already lost from our local communities, with more cuts to come.”

“Crime fell by 43 per cent with Labour according to the British Crime Survey. The same survey shows this progress has ground to a halt under the current Government during which time we now know they have cut nearly 10,000 officers.”

Jon Ashworth MP speaks in Parliament about the decision to end Glenfield’s children’s heart services and move the children’s ECMO service to Birmingham.

In the Commons debate, which was secured following pressure from Jon and other Leicestershire MPs including Liz Kendall, Jon asked: “Where do our constituents in the east of the country, between Newcastle and London, go? That is something else that many of my constituents have raised with me.”

During the debate, Jon pushed the government to publish the evidence upon which the decision to move the children’s ECMO unit away from Leicester to Birmingham was made.

Jon stated: “I accept that the Minister takes advice from experts, but given that there is one set of experts making one argument, presumably he receives advice from a different set. If he published his evidence, those of us who are laymen on health policy can try to make our own judgments as those experts scrutinise one another’s work.”

Jon Ashworth MP has today welcomed the Government’s confirmation it is to complete the electrification of the Midland Mainline and start upgrade work on the Leicester junction.

Jon has been campaigning hard on this issue alongside other East Midlands MPs, Leicester City Council’s Deputy Mayor Rory Palmer, trade unions and the business community.

Jon said: “I am pleased that the Government has finally decided to continue the electrification of the Midland Mainline. It is at present the slowest northbound route out of London and is the only main line to London yet to be electrified.”

“I have lobbied both the Trains Minister Theresa Villiers and Business Secretary Vince Cable to discuss the continuation of the electrification of the line in recent weeks. I have also raised this issue in Parliament a number of times.”

Jon is to visit a lunch club, for elderly Asian members of our community, on Friday 13 July with Councillor Manjula Sood.

Jon said: “I’m really looking forward to visiting Age UK’s lunch club for the local elderly Asian population and hopefully getting some lunch too. This is just the sort of scheme I want to support as the local MP and hope can go from strength to strength in the future.”

The Friday lunch club for Gujarati speakers has been running for over 15 years and provides culturally-appropriate food to between 30 and 35 people every week.

Councillor Manjula Sood, an Assistant Mayor at the City Council, said:“Services provided at Catherine House by Age UK are so important for Leicester’s ethnic population. Not only do the services reduce social isolation by providing opportunities to meet people, but those attending the project can also access educational, health and exercise classes.”

Jon is to visit Baby Gear’s Open Day where people can find out about the charity’s workshops and courses.

Jon said: “I’m really looking forward to visiting Baby Gear’s Open Day and meeting some of the volunteers that are essential to the success of the project. It is vital that organisations such as Baby Gear provide learning and training opportunities to vulnerable adults and the long term unemployed, especially when the economy is in a recession and the number of paid opportunities is limited.”

Baby Gear was established 32 years ago and provides good quality refurbished baby equipment to an increasing number of local people.

Maya Vansia, Project Manager, stated: “The volunteers at Baby Gear refurbish baby equipment in the workshops under the instructions of our trainers. The volunteers also have the opportunity to attend courses in various subjects that will increase their self-confidence and assist them to enter the workplace.”