Karen's first constituency surgeries of the new year covered a wide range of issues. In this article for local papers she describes some of them.
"This week I held my first constituency surgeries of 2011. The issues that people raise with me are many and varied and no two appointments are the same. By holding surgeries throughout the whole of the Staffordshire Moorlands constituency, I see the different issues that affect people living in different areas. This week I met people who needed help with a real variety of issues. From dealing with TV Licensing, to the difficulties associated with getting care plans in place for relatives; via hauliers struggling with rising fuel costs and residents concerned about overrunning road repairs that they worry will affect emergency vehicles being able to reach their homes: It was another snapshot of life in the Moorlands.
As an MP my job is to raise your concerns in Parliament and with the Government. So I will discuss with the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport the attitude of TV Licensing. If you do not own a television set, then TV Licensing should not assume that really you have one but are just trying to evade the fee. Like the many stories I hear about the attitude of HM Revenue and Customs, TV Licensing often makes people feel that they are guilty until proven innocent and, when they do, that is unacceptable.
I understand the concerns many people have about rising fuel prices and this is something I've spoken to Ministers about before. But I will keep on pushing the Government to introduce a fair fuel stabiliser or something similar that reduces duty as prices go up, to protect us against rising costs. I know personally how much increasing fuel prices affect individuals and businesses locally. I'll keep campaigning hard on your behalf to make sure your voices are heard in Westminster."