Dear Constituent,
Well, it’s happened. This week Labour delivered its first budget in Government, filled with broken promises and enormous tax rises across the board. Businesses, farmers, pensioners and working people are going to pay the heavy cost of the Government’s agenda of more borrowing, more debt, and more taxes.
I’m going to be using my role in opposition to scrutinise the Chancellor’s plans over the coming weeks, I will of course keep you updated through the next few instalments of my newsletters.
Aside from the bleak economic news, I’ve been busy this week in Westminster and getting involved in some great community events in the constituency.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do send me an email via [email protected], and my team and I will endeavour to help where possible.
With every good wish,
WHAT'S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
As expected, the Labour Government’s autumn budget targeted working people, small businesses, our independent education system and first-time buyers.
To summarise, the sentiments behind this Budget were not only anti-growth but also anti-employment. The Independent Office of Budget Responsibility has confirmed that this Budget will lead to lower growth, higher inflation and higher taxes for working people.
As the Leader of the Opposition pointed out in his reproach: National Insurance, up. Capital gains tax, up. Inheritance tax, up. Energy taxes, up. Businesses rates, up. First time buyer stamp duty, up. Pensions tax, up. All policies affecting the hard-working people Labour promised to protect. The only people not affected by Wednesday’s announcements were Labour’s friends at the Trade Unions.
STANDING UP FOR OUR GREEN BELT
This week in questions to the Housing Secretary, I asked what assessment her Department had made about housing targets on green and grey belt land in East Hampshire.
As I have repeated time and time again, Whitehill and Bordon are already overwhelmed by housing developments without sufficient infrastructure, now worsened by the Government’s housing targets, imposed in an area where 50% of land is protected under the South Downs National Park. The target is still based on 100% of the district, placing pressure on areas such as Whitehill and Bordon, Grayshott and Liphook.
I have been working with East Hampshire District Council too. In the Department’s answer I received confirmation from the Department that the Minister will meet me and Councillors to identify ways to relieve pressure on the areas I represent and ensure housing developments are spread equally, avoiding further pressure on already stretched services.
KICKSTARTING HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE REFORM
This week I attended the Health and Social Care Select Committee’s inaugural meeting in Parliament.
We discussed the upcoming agenda which I will share more with you in the coming weeks but adult social care is definitely high up as we approach a tough winter for pensioners after the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment.
SUPPORT FOR WASPI WOMEN
On Wednesday we heard from the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Labour Government’s first Autumn Budget in 15 years. In Opposition the Labour Party openly criticised the former Government and pledged for WASPI compensation, in Government they have been silent.
While they announced £11.8billion to those affected by the Infected Blood Scandal and £1.8 billion for those awaiting clearance associated with the Horizon Post Office Scandal, the WASPI women received not a word of support or money in their pockets.
I spoke Members of the Surrey and NE Hants campaign division who expressed their upset with the Government. I will be submitting questions to the Department for Work and Pensions and the Treasury asking why they were specifically left out from receiving the money they rightfully deserve.
CATCHING UP WITH CHARITIES
This week I have met charities in Parliament to discuss numerous issues including Dogs Trust. The former Conservative Government, supported by past and present Colleagues worked with Dogs Trust to secure an end to puppy smuggling, tail docking and ear cropping. Animals are so important to us, our families and our mental health, ensuring they are protected like we have in place protections for humans is a duty to prevent poor animal treatment.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN FARNHAM AND BORDON
LAUNCHING LIPHOOK POPPY APPEAL
I was delighted to once again join the Liphook Branch of the Royal British Legion at Sainsbury’s on Saturday at the launch of their poppy appeal. This dedicated team of volunteers will be at the supermarket every Friday and Saturday until Remembrance Weekend, raising funds for the RBL in support of veterans, military families and serving military personnel.
Local Conservative Councillors, Debbie Curnow-Ford and Angela Glass were also there to support this event, which I am pleased to report was estimated to have raised more than £1.6k on its first day.
Nationally, more than 40 million poppies are distributed during the RBL’s annual campaign, and I am proud to have contributed to a small part of that here in Liphook.
BACKING THE HOSPITAL HOPPA
You may recall from one of my previous newsletters than I met with the team from Waverley Hoppa Community Transport and heard about their vision to introduce a new Hospital Hoppa service for Farnham.
The service would meet customer demand for a reliable, wheelchair accessible, on demand transport service that can take them from their home to Frimley Park Hospital and other medical establishments.
Farnham is currently the only area in Waverley not to have a Hospital hoppa service which is why I am supporting Hoppa’s campaign to raise £37,500 so they can pilot the service for one year.
I’ve already raised this with the Leader of Waverley Borough Council, and I’ll be meeting with executives from Frimley Park Trust and the Integrated Care Board next week to talk about how they can get involved as well as other key issues around the hospital.
If you would like to be involved in this project or are interested in making a donation, please get in touch and I will gladly connect with you the Team.
DOOR-TO-DOOR IN HASLEMERE
As your MP I am committed to hearing your views and addressing your concerns; I went out in with a team of volunteers to speak with residents in Haslemere on their doorsteps. Top of the agenda was ensuring that those affected by the cut to Winter Fuel Payments are aware of the support available to them. Thanks to the support of Age UK and Citizens Advice at my pension credit surgery a few weeks ago, I was able to bring helpful guidance out with me to hand directly to those concerned about this winter.
I’ll be out again soon speaking with residents all over the constituency, so if you do see me on your street, please do feel free to say hello!
THE 2024 LIPHOOK CARNVIAL
Over the course of Saturday afternoon and evening, Liphook transformed as it once again hosted its Carnival. I arrived a little in advance of the start of the event to speak to those on the floats and speak with some of the organisers.
I know how hard the committee worked to ensure this event went smoothly and I am glad to have seen all their efforts come to fruition. I won’t write too much more about it as you can watch my montage video on my YouTube channel or social media.
