With Christmas just a couple of weeks away, it is fantastic to see Erewash residents getting into the Christmas spirit by putting up their colourful decorations and lights. It’s also been a busy few weeks in Parliament and across Erewash, so here’s a flavour of my recent activities as your Member of Parliament.
King Charles III delivered his first King’s Speech since becoming Monarch. It was a privilege to be in the House of Lords, as the last time a King officially opened Parliament was in 1950. Following the King’s Speech, a debate was held over several days in both Houses of Parliament. I took part in this debate titled Building an NHS Fit for the Future and you can view my contribution here.
On 22nd November, the Chancellor, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, delivered his Autumn Statement which laid the foundations for long-term growth and demonstrated that Britain is again on the right track to prosperity. Measures announced in the Chancellor’s Statement include increasing the National Living Wage to £11.44, raising benefits and the state pension by 6.7 per cent and 8.5 per cent respectively as well as a 2 per cent cut in National Insurance for employees. I know that the measures outlined in the Statement will be welcomed by everyone across Erewash and you can read my immediate reaction here. Residents can also watch my speech on the Autumn Statement via this link.
I had the honour of participating in a number of events across Erewash over the Remembrance Weekend. On Armistice Day, I had the privilege of laying a memorial cross at Ilkeston Market Place. On Remembrance Sunday, I joined the Long Eaton Parade from West Gate to the War Memorial, where I then laid a wreath. In the evening, I joined the congregation at St Giles’ Church in Sandiacre for their Remembrance Service. More information about the commemorative events that I took part in can be found on my website here.
During the annual UK Parliament Week, I visited the 1st Sawley Scouts. UK Parliament Week is a programme of events and activities that connects people with Parliament and democracy in the UK. The Scouts asked some fantastic questions, and it was great chatting to them about my work as a Member of Parliament.
There have been numerous other events in Erewash I’ve had the privilege to attend, including bulb planting at Chaucer Junior School, opening the new community defibrillator at the Seven Oaks Pub, visiting East Midlands Homes Estates Day, being part of the official groundbreaking ceremony for the development at New Stanton Park, attending the League of Friends of Ilkeston Community Hospital’s Christmas Fayre, as well as taking part in Sandiacre Parish Council’s carols around the tree. Through my casework, I have also helped hundreds of Erewash residents and within the last month have successfully resolved 378 cases.
Other useful information:
🚌 Derbyshire County Council (DCC) have introduced £1.50 single fares for 11 – 19-year-olds across Derbyshire and Derby. More information can be found online.
🚗 It is great news that the Government is providing DCC with £176 million over the next eleven years to improve the county’s roads. Further details can be found here.
🏥 Following several complaints from residents about access to the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Ilkeston Community Hospital being by appointment only, I met with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Derbyshire Community Health Services Trust to find out why. I have been reassured this is a temporary measure only whilst new staff are recruited and will revert to appointments and open access in the new year. So, if you need to access the UTC, just phone 111 or www.nhs.uk for an appointment or other advice on what options are available for you.
🍺 Ahead of the festive season there is terrific news for the Great British Pub and pub goers, as the Chancellor announced in the Autumn Statement that alcohol duty will be frozen until August 2024. I am also urging residents to nominate one of Erewash’s pubs for the Community Pub Hero Awards. You can nominate a pub via this link.
🛍️ Last Saturday was Small Business Saturday, a grassroots, non-commercial campaign which encourages consumers to shop locally and support small businesses in their communities. It was great to get out and about supporting local Erewash businesses which are the backbone of the British economy. More information about Small Business Saturday can be found here.
🏗️ I am seeking Erewash residents’ views on a proposed development on Bostocks Lane, Risley which would see the construction of two drive-through outlets (Greggs and Starbucks). You can let me know your thoughts on the development by completing my survey here.
With best wishes, Maggie Throup MP
Member of Parliament for Erewash
P.S. My Community Office is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 9am-5pm and on a Thursday 8am-5pm. Should you have an issue I can help you with, please either phone my office on 0115 930 0521 or email me at [email protected].
P.P.S. Your friends and family can now sign-up to receive my Westminster Despatches, by visiting www.maggiethroup.com. In addition, should you know of anyone who does not have access to a computer and would like to receive paper copies of my e-news on a regular basis, then please do let me know their details (including their full name and address).
Promoted by Ian F. Gutteridge, on behalf of Maggie Throup MP, both of Unit 2 The Old Co-Op, South Street,
Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5SG.
