This week, official data confirmed inflation has fallen again to 3.2% from 11.1% in October 2022 showing that our plan is working. This is welcome news on top of our cuts to National Insurance. More on this, including how much you might save, below.
Over in Thames Ditton, I am campaigning alongside user groups based at Thames Ditton Centre for the Community for them to stay at the Centre after Elmbridge Borough Council handed over the management. You can find out more, and read my letter to the Leader of the Council, below.
During Energy Questions in the House of Commons, I made the point that Conservatives deliver energy policy that makes both environmental and economic sense, with significantly fewer people in England living in fuel poverty under this Conservative government compared to the previous Labour government. You can watch my contribution below.
As ever, if you are a constituent in need of my assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Best wishes,
Dominic
The Plan is Working: Inflation has Fallen Further to 3.2%
This week, official data confirmed inflation has fallen again to 3.2% from 11.1% in October 2022. Our plan is working: inflation is falling and is now at the lowest level in nearly two and a half years, easing cost of living pressures.
This welcome news comes on top of our cuts to National Insurance. From 6 April 2024, National Insurance was cut from 10% to 8%. Combined with the cut in the Autumn Statement, this is a tax cut of over £900 for the average worker earning £35,400. This gives the average earner the lowest effective personal tax rate since 1975.
Securing the Future of User Groups at Thames Ditton Centre for the Community
I recently stopped by Thames Ditton Community Centre to meet with Boomerang Bags and Men in Sheds based at the centre. It was great to see so many people coming together and hear how much these community groups mean to local people.
Following Elmbridge Borough Council’s decision to hand over the management of Thames Ditton Centre for the Community, despite a petition signed by over 1,000 local residents calling for Elmbridge Borough Council to continue managing the centre, many of the user groups are understandably concerned about their future at the Centre.
I have written to the Leader of the Council asking for details of the proposed key performance indicators for the management company and how these will be rigorously monitored to enable hirers of the Centre to hold the company to account. I have also sought reassurances that the management board will work in the best interest of community groups to provide long-term certainty that user groups won’t be priced out the Centre. You can read my letter below.
£131,284 Government Investment for Xcel Swimming Pool
Great news that the Government is investing £131,284 in Xcel swimming pool in Walton, giving more people the opportunity to swim. The investment will fund PV panels and new pool covers, relieving financial pressure by reducing running costs. The funding is part of this Conservative Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund which has invested £80 million into 442 swimming pools across the country since last year.
Alongside the Swimming Pool Support Fund, the Government is investing over £300 million in grassroots sports facilities. This included a total of £7,731 investment for new goalposts at Molesey Juniors, Esher FC and Claygate Royals.
Under the new sports strategy, the Conservative Government is aiming to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030 to improve people’s health, both physically and mentally, to secure a brighter future for all.
In the Constituency
Rail Minister Visits Walton Station to Celebrate Government Investment in New Footbridge with Lifts
Meeting with Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, alongside Cllr John Cope
Thank you to Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, for meeting with me and Cllr John Cope at Walton Station to celebrate the new footbridge with lifts, funded by the Government’s £390 million ‘Access for All’ scheme.
The new footbridge will significantly increase accessibility at the station by enabling those in a wheelchair, with a pram, or those with heavy luggage easily travel across both platforms. The bridge is set to be open for public use in the next few weeks.
Our Plan for Esher and Walton constituency includes securing better station facilities, so it is fantastic news that improvements have been made at Walton Station. There’s still more to do across the area – we have submitted a bid for the same to be built at Esher Station.
Improving Road Safety Outside St Alban's Catholic Primary School
Visiting St Alban's recently to meet with the school Pupil Parliament
I have been working closely with staff and pupils at St Alban’s to secure road safety improvements on Beauchamp Road.
So, it is great news that after the pupil’s hard work and thoughtful campaigning, Surrey County Council are now asking for your views on proposals to enhance road safety for families travelling to and from school. The proposals include a raised zebra crossing and reducing the speed limit to 20mph.
Let Surrey County Council know your views by 26 April 2024.
I enjoyed stopping by the Parliament Shed recently to hear more about the fantastic health, wellbeing and social benefits of community-run Men’s Sheds.
Locally in Esher and Walton, we have three sheds up and running - Henrietta Parker Trust Community Workshop, Thames Ditton Men in Sheds and Princess Alice Hospice Man Shed.
It has been great to support our local sheds, having been to meet the teams at both Princess Alice Hospice and Thames Ditton. Currently, we’re campaigning for Thames Ditton Men in Sheds to stay at Thames Ditton Centre for the Community after Elmbridge Borough Council handed over the management to a private company. You can find out more about our campaign below.
Thank you to the team at the Parliament Shed for taking the time to chat with me.
Reminding Parliament that Conservatives Deliver Energy Policy That Makes Environmental and Economic Sense During Energy Questions
Prior to the previous Labour government, fuel poverty in England was at 13.5% in 1996. By the end of the Labour government in 2010, this had risen to 22%. Last year, under the Conservatives, the fuel poverty rate in England fell back to 13%.
During Energy Questions in the House of Commons, I made the point that Conservatives deliver energy policy that makes environmental and economic sense, with significantly fewer people in England living in fuel poverty under this Conservative government compared to the previous Labour government.
