Christmas 2023
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I have lots of favourite things about this time of year - from spending time with my family, to seeing our local area all dressed up in lights and Christmas decorations. 

 

But one of my real pleasures is finally getting the chance to stop and think about the year that's just been.

 

I remember sitting down to write my Christmas newsletter last year, with snow on the ground and a turbulent twelve months behind us, wondering what 2023 had in store.

 

Thankfully, it’s been different. 

 

We’ve been able to knuckle down and get on with delivering our promises. We’ve halved inflation, we’ve hit our target to get 20,000 more police officers on our streets, and we’ve met our pledge to hire 50,000 more nurses in the NHS, as well as so much else. 

 

But there’s still lots more to do, including in our health system which I have been tackling over the last year as a Health Minister – in fact, I spent even more time testing it than I bargained for getting treatment for my broken ankle! 

 

We started preparing for winter earlier than ever before, and in recent weeks we’ve had some really positive updates - with waiting lists starting to fall and ambulance response times down from last year.  

 

At the same time, we’re changing the way our health system works to make it faster, fairer, and simpler. That means shifting the focus away from hospital and emergency care and into the community, where we can help people live healthy and independent lives for longer. 

 

One of the things we know makes life so much better for patients and care home residents is having loved ones come to visit. 

 

Especially at Christmas, love can be as powerful as any drug we can administer –– and that’s why we’re changing the law to make visiting a fundamental standard of care in care homes, hospitals and hospices. 


I’ve also spent the last year working really hard for our local area - from supporting people with the cost of living, to cracking down on rural crime, to working to get Faversham's swing bridge repaired. 

 

We've had some really positive updates since my autumn newsletter.

 

I have campaigned for upgrades to Brenley Corner and Blue Bell Hill ever since I became an MP, and last month we finally got the [green light we were looking for from ministers]([link removed]). 

 

There was more good news too when we found out local [tip closure plans have been put on hold]([link removed]) – a huge thank you to over 3,000 people who signed my petition. 

 

I also [wrote to Maidstone Borough Council]([link removed]) about the proposed Heathlands and Lidsing garden villages, setting out my view that we need improvements to local roads and infrastructure before new homes are built, as well as my concerns about the wider impact on our local environment. 

 

In the last couple of months I’ve also been bringing people together to work on my 5 local priorities for Faversham and Mid Kent.

 

I’m working with GPs, pharmacies and dentists to [increase the number of appointments]([link removed]) available locally. 

 

I’m working with police and local councillors to [get response times down]([link removed]) across the constituency.

 

I’m working with schools, colleges and employers to get [investment and opportunities for local pupils]([link removed]).

 

I’m working with councils, community groups and charities to [protect and restore our local environment]([link removed]).

 

And I’m working with ministers, councils and businesses to help [grow our local economy]([link removed]).

 

Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with this year to make things better locally - it never ceases to amaze me what we can achieved when we work together. 

 

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and new year.


Earlier this month I visited businesses across the constituency to mark Small Business Saturday


**Green light for Brenley Corner and Blue Bell Hill!**
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After years of campaigning, we've finally secured a commitment to upgrade these congested junctions.

[Find out more here]([link removed])


**Garden village concerns haven't gone away**
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The latest Heathlands and Lidsing plans don't address my concerns on infrastructure and the environment

[Read my letter to the Council here]([link removed])


**Great news in our fight to save local tips**
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The planned closures have been put on hold for now - thank you to the 3,000 people who signed my petition

[Read more here]([link removed])


**A win for local ticket offices after my campaign **
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Many older and disabled passengers still rely on ticket offices, and I've been fighting to protect their access.

[Find out more here]([link removed])


**Plan to free up GP appointments underway**
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I've been visiting our local pharmacies to find out if they're ready for January's roll-out of Pharmacy First.

[Find out what they'll be able to do]([link removed])


**Lend a hand with our Faversham underpass project!**

 

I'm putting together a team to fix up Faversham's underpass and get a mural celebrating the town's history installed.

 

If you'd like to contribute to the design, or you're a local artist keen to get involved, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Please email me at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])


**Keeping up the fight for broadband blackspots**
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Places like Wichling and Throwley are still waiting for a good connection, and I'm working hard to get them one.

[Read the latest update]([link removed])


**A safer crossing for Hollingbourne students**
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I'm working with Kent County Council and local councillors to get a safer crossing on the A20 for local students

[Find out more]([link removed])


**Leading the campaign for swing bridge repairs**
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Local campaigners and I are still fighting for Faversham's swing bridge - helped by the Transport Department

[Read about out recent meeting]([link removed])


**Launching our local nature recovery plan**
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We're launching nature recovery plans across the UK, and recently I was in Lenham to launch Kent's. 

[Read all about the plan here]([link removed])


**Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair back again in March**
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My annual Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair is back on 8 March - hosted with 6 other Kent MPs. Please get in touch with my office if you're thinking about an apprenticeship, or if you're a business looking to take people on. 

[Get in touch with my office]([link removed])


If there's anything else I can help you with please email me at [email protected]

Please pass this email onto anyone you think might be interested and encourage them to sign up to these newsletters on my website, [here]([link removed]).


*Copyright © 2023 Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid-Kent, All rights reserved.*
 

House of Commons, SW1A 0AA, London

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