Letter from Westminster September 2024
August has flown by, and autumn will soon be upon us. I have enjoyed the summer recess, with its opportunity to get out and about in our wonderful constituency. I have seen the valuable community services delivered at the Mayfair Centre in Church Stretton and the Cavalier Centre in Much Wenlock. I have also met with officials at Severn Trent in Ludlow to see how we can further improve water quality.
Now that the office has been set up in Ludlow, with another office in the works for Bridgnorth, it has been great to start local advice surgeries, and I look forward to many more going on in the coming months. Following on from these surgeries I have launched campaigns, asked the Government questions, and achieved meaningful change in the specific situations of residents.
Readers will know that the Chancellor has announced winter fuel payments will only be paid to those in receipt of means-tested qualifying benefits like Pension Credit. Charities and constituents have raised significant concerns about the change, with an estimated 880,000 people eligible for Pension Credit not yet claiming it. Regrettably, the new government chose not to put the decision before Parliament. So, my colleagues and I signed a motion calling for MPs to be given the right to debate these changes. As per convention, the government conceded to doing so. I made my thoughts on the decision clear; we should not be depriving pensioners of this payment. After a lifetime of hard work, pensioners should get the dignity and respect in retirement they deserve.
It was fantastic to visit one of the free holiday clubs in South Shropshire, at St Lawrence Primary School in Church Stretton. Under the previous government, more than £200 million funding per year was provided to local authorities for the Half-Term Activities Fund (HAF). This provided 11.3 million days of enriching activities with healthy food to children and young people in this country. I have urged the new government to continue funding this scheme.
Additionally, our pubs in South Shropshire are hugely valued community assets. I love to nip into the George and Dragon Inn in Much Wenlock for a spot of lunch or for an evening out with my wife at The Mill at Leighton, as well as many other great community pubs. To recognise the value of our great pubs, I have called on the government to confirm it is committed to continuing the last government's package of support for pubs - including the Brexit Pubs Guarantee, which means that the duty paid on a draught pint in a pub will always be lower than its equivalent in a supermarket. The government should also continue to freeze alcohol duty and discount business rates for small businesses.
I am also campaigning for the better provision of defibrillators and enhanced training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, after meeting volunteers from Clun Valley AED Scheme. They provide a vital service in the community, responding to emergency referrals from West Midlands Ambulance Service. They have also grown a network of 35 defibrillators. When used within the crucial first few minutes of a cardiac arrest, the chances of survival increase to as high as 70%. The increased availability of this equipment could save many more lives.
Supporting our local communities is an integral part of my plan for South Shropshire. By listening to what matters to you, I can support your concerns and deliver more for our community. So please do not hesitate to get in touch if I can ever be of any assistance to you.
