HARRIETT Baldwin was re-elected as MP for West Worcestershire last week with a majority of nearly 25,000 votes.

We asked Malvern Gazette readers to send in their questions for their Conservative MP.

Questions ranged from transport to homelessness and foodbanks – here are some of the best, with Mrs Baldwin's answers:

Emma Green: “What are your plans to sort out the train service between Hereford and Birmingham? I favour a renationalised network with guards on trains and a fully unionised workforce but, as this is sadly a pipe dream, I would be interested to know how we might make West Midlands Railway more accountable?”

Mrs Baldwin: “West Midlands Trains are completely failing my constituents.

“One of the great benefits of them not being run as a state-owned monopoly is that failing franchises can be terminated or remediated.

“Top of my priority list, following my re-election, is meeting the managing director and writing to the Transport Minister. The situation can’t continue as it is.”

Dan Roberts: “If there is a clear increase in the rise of foodbank use over the coming months and years, will you agree to sit down with the volunteers there and discuss the reasons behind this rise? Better still, will you and your staff volunteer for a shift there?”

Mrs Baldwin: “We all value the work done by volunteers who help and donate food across West Worcestershire.

“I have met some of those who benefit in my weekly advice surgery.

“My team are in regular contact with local foodbanks, and the Job Centre, as I have access to specialist teams at the Department for Work and Pensions who can help people experiencing benefit payment issues.”

Gemma Mary Roulston: “When do you think it is likely that there will be an improvement in the bus service in Malvern and Upton-upon-Severn?”

Mrs Baldwin: “The county council is currently looking again at the way it distributes its subsidies to make sure we have the right bus services. I look forward to seeing the county council’s conclusions in due course.

“Public transport has an increasingly important part to play if we are to act on climate change and reduce our reliance on motor vehicles.

“I’ve spoken up for specific services across the constituency, such as reinstating the daytime services between Worcester and Upton-upon-Severn, but the fundamental challenge is how we can encourage more people to use buses so that they become more economically viable for bus operators.

“Too often, we see large buses driving through the rural villages with no passengers, so I would encourage people to use their local bus services more and demonstrate that there is real demand for public transport.”

Inara Alferova: “A lot of people in Malvern are concerned about the welfare of the homeless.

“Malvern has had a number of tragic deaths which could have been prevented if the means to support the homeless were available.

“What steps are you willing to take to ensure these vulnerable people do not continue to suffer that fate?”

Mrs Baldwin: “We have an important long-term challenge to help people who fall into homelessness and I support Malvern Hills District Council’s work to create a specific post to assist with this work.

"I work closely with the appropriate local bodies where there are instances of homelessness in West Worcestershire, and offer support where I can.

"Nationally, the Homelessness Reduction Act has the aim of ending rough sleeping by the end of the next Parliament and it is important that, as a Government, we back pilot schemes that are able to help people when they most need support."

Lara Mason: “What are you going to do about the clear lack of specialist provision in the south-west of the county for SEN children. Specifically autism?”

Mrs Baldwin: “I’ve had long conversations with the county council and local parents and I agree that there is a real need for enhanced provision.

“I’ve called on Worcestershire County Council to bid for funds to create a dedicated free school for people with autism and have had advanced discussions with one of our local secondary schools to take this challenge on.

“I am hopeful that we will be able to make progress by offering this specialist provision for south Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

“More broadly, funding for pupils with special educational needs is being increased by £2.4 million in Worcestershire over the next two years and I’d really like to focus on this issue next year and beyond to deliver much better local provision.

“If any parent has specific problem with local SEN provision, I’d be grateful if they can get in touch and I’ll do my best to help.”

Geoff Thompson: “What have you done in the last nine years that you are really, really proud of for local people? What changes have you made?”

Harriett Baldwin: “I’m really proud of the work I’ve done to help Worcestershire schools get a fairer share of the national pot for school funding and per pupil funding at secondary schools will lift to an average of £5,129 per pupil and primary school pupils getting, on average, £4,509.

“Since I was first elected we’ve seen a new community hospital built in Malvern, a new Breast unit a £22.5 million oncology unit and I’ve helped to secure funding for better discharge facilities at the Emergency Department of Worcestershire Royal Hospital as well as £29 million to improve capacity and services across our county hospitals.

“I’m really proud of the six permanent flood defence schemes in Upton-upon-Severn, Powick, Uckinghall and Kempsey but there’s more to do.

“I’ll be pleased when the Worcestershire Parkway station opens next year and I’m proud of all the investments we’ve made in infrastructure – the improvements to the Southern Link road and the Carrington Road bridge, the road raising project at Ryall and the major work to improve broadband connectivity across the county – now nineteen out of twenty homes can connect to superfast internet connections.

“I’m delighted that I’ve help secure Post office services at Alfrick, Kempsey, Lower Broadheath and Tenbury.

“And finally, I’ve proud that a Conservative Government has delivered a strong local economy, where business can grow and thrive and where employment is a record levels.”