Dear Constituent,
Apologies for a slightly later newsletter this week, I have been preoccupied this afternoon with a very important Pension Credit Advice Surgery in conjunction with Age UK and Citizens Advice Bureau to highlight to pensioners across Farnham and Bordon the support and care available to them - more details about this next week.
This rounds off an incredibly jam-packed week in both Westminster and the constituency. I started the week with ministerial meetings, an oral question in the House of Commons, Parliamentary debates on the future of the NHS and VAT on private schools, a legislative committee meeting, before heading back down to the constituency for meetings and events.
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
HOLDING THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT ON WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS
On Monday, I asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, “What estimate she has made of the number of pensioners in poverty who will not be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2024-25.”
I have now had over 400 emails from constituents regarding the Labour Government’s disgraceful decision to withdraw the £300 winter fuel payments. This has been a lifeline for many over the colder months, worsened by the energy price hikes since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
I read Age UK’s report this week reporting on the 82% of pensioners who will be missing out this winter, this has incensed me.
The Secretary of State’s response was limited as expected, clearly disregarding the impact that this policy will have on struggling pensioners.
CARERS WEEK
I recognise the valuable contribution made by carers of all kinds - residential, domiciliary, paid, unpaid - many of whom spend a significant proportion of their life providing support to family members, friends and neighbours.
Over the last 14 years, progress has been made to improve rights and financial support for carers. Under the previous Government, the Carer’s Allowance was increased in 2023 by 10.1 per cent, in line with inflation, from £69.70 to £76.75 per week. The Carer’s Leave Act was also introduced to give unpaid carers the right to take unpaid leave from work to care for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives. In 2023/24, £327 million of funding was earmarked to provide short breaks and respite services for carers, as well as additional advice and support.
At the General Election, I was proud to stand on a manifesto with a specific commitment to support unpaid carers. Since I was elected I have visited care homes and care providers across the Surrey and Hampshire sides of my constituency to see how I can support them in Parliament and to meet the residents and staff to ensure that they can ask me questions directly regarding support and care.
However, I greatly sympathise with the financial hardship that many unpaid carers continue to face, particularly in combining paid work and care responsibilities. I will carefully consider any measures to support carers that are proposed by the Government at the Autumn Budget. I also believe it is important that entitlement for Carer’s Allowance and other benefits is regularly reviewed.
An estimated 5.7 million adults in the UK provide unpaid care for a friend or family member, and we must do everything we can to support them in the invaluable work they do.
OCTOBER 7 VIGIL FOR ISRAEL ATTACK... A YEAR ON
A year after the Nova music festival, the worst Israeli civilian massacre ever, it was of fundamental importance to show my support to the victims of the day as well as to the 101 hostages still held by the terrorist organisation, Hamas.
In a vigil held in Parliament, MPs from across the political spectrum gathered in an act of solidarity, to honour the lives lost and stand with those affected by the ongoing implications of tragic events. The day was an important time to reflect, unite in peace, and support healing for a nation in mourning.
What is going on in the Middle East is devastating and I am lobbying the Government to work with our international partners to push for a two-state solution for the region and ensure that no more atrocities are committed and no more lives lost.
SUPPORTING RETIREMENT VILLAGE LEASEHOLDERS
Following a constituent email regarding concerns over lease holding in retirement villages such as Radford Court in Liphook, I met Paul from McCarthy and Stone to relay pensioner concerns over maintenance and management costs and understand how these constituents can be best supported in this difficult financial mentally strenuous period.
McCarthy and Stone talked me through support systems and their intention to run a pension credit and support surgery in the upcoming month to ensure residents are not left in the cold this winter.
REACHING ACROSS THE CONSTITUENCY BORDER
A few weeks ago, I reached out to my constituency neighbour Alex Baker, the Labour MP for Aldershot, to discuss joint issues such as anti-social behaviour in the Upper Hale area we share. A productive meeting and an example that while we sit on opposite sides of the Chamber, we can collaborate on common goals… a safer and more secure area for Farnham and Aldershot.
CARBON DIOXIDE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE (DETERMINATION OF TURNOVER FOR PENALITIES) REGULATIONS 2024
But it’s not all glamour in Westminster. This week I attended my first delegated legislation committee in the Houses of Parliament, on the not so captivating subject of what regulations should be provided for the purposes of calculating the maximum amount of penalty that can be imposed on companies breaching the regulations.
If you are interested in the proposed legislation, created by the former Conservative Government but continued under Labour, please click below:
WHAT'S GOING ON IN FARNHAM AND BORDON
RURAL BROADBAND
Having access to fast and reliable broadband is a necessity in today’s world. In both Surrey and Hampshire, there are however still some residents and businesses that cannot access this vital infrastructure. I invited the Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology - Andrew Griffith MP - to Haslemere and Liphook to discuss these key issues.
For residents, reliable broadband enables people to effectively work remotely and enjoy streamed content online. Businesses - like Print + Design IT in Liphook - rely on their access to the internet to engage with clients and build their network. These are just a couple of examples why I join the Shadow Science Secretary in calling for the Government to maintain the projects the last Government started, and offer appropriate funding for new infrastructure where needed.
You can watch the clips from both Surrey and Hampshire on my YouTube channel.
VISITING THE PARISH OF BADSHOT LEA AND HALE
I met Rev’d Stella Wiseman in St Mark’s Church, Hale, after she kindly invited me to discuss some of the local issues that the local community is dealing with. The northern areas of Farnham often experience congestion difficulties, compromising their access to transport infrastructure to travel into centre of the town. I understand that this is a particular concern for elderly and disabled residents.
It was great to hear how active local representatives have been in the community on some of these issues; I will be holding a special surgery for Badshot Lea and Hale in the near future to offer my support to the local community in conjunction with local stakeholder groups.
SUPPORTING RESIDENTS OVER LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS
The biggest development in Farnham’s history – Coxbridge Farm – is intended to support the town’s growing population. However, I fully acknowledge the impact that this has on residents nearby and hold the firm position that new developments must be both appropriate and not to the detriment of the local community - particularly without specific plans to improve and increase surrounding infrastructure to support those moving into the properties, and easing the surplus demand for residents already living there.
On Tuesday, local Conservative Councillors led a motion to delay the start of works at this development due to issues with the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and the impact on residents of Hazel Road. I am disappointed the Liberal Democrats did not share these concerns. I fully support this decision to defer, and I am pleased that the developer – CALA Homes – will meet with me next week to discuss the key issues.
WRECCLESHAM ROAD - NOW RE-OPEN
Due to emergency works coordinated by Thames Water, the section of Wrecclesham Road between Weydon Lane and the A31 had been closed; I know from those that live and work in the area – including teachers at Weydon School – how much of a headache this was causing. While emergency works do happen and are necessary, I noted concerns about how long they were due to take.
After frequent contact with Thames Water, and Surrey County Council, I was pleased to see a swift re-opening of the road yesterday morning. I also received confirmation from the local authority that they would not close any other ancillary roads that may be used for diversions if any further emergency works are required. I hope this brings reassurance to local residents and those that travel to Farnham from Bordon and the areas in the south of the constituency.
