Since my last update, new GDP figures have been released which show the UK economy is one of the fastest growing in Europe, having grown by 0.6% between January and March 2024. This means the UK has the joint fastest growth in the G7 this quarter - this is the fastest quarter-on-quarter growth rate in over two years. More information, including what GDP growth means for you, below.
As part of our campaign to bring contactless payments to local train stations, Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, joined me at Walton Station to discuss including train stations in Esher and Walton constituency in the next round of the contactless payment rollout. You can find out more about Our Plan to improve local transport below.
In the constituency, it has been great to support a variety of community projects, including £5,000 funding from Tesco for Princess Alice Hospice's Children Bereavement Programme and a joint project between Cobham Free School and Elysavetgrad Gallery in Ukraine where students have expressed their dreams through art. You can find out more about these worthy programmes below.
As ever, if you are a constituent in need of my assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Best wishes,
Dominic
New GDP Figures Show the Economy Has Grown by 0.6%
New GDP figures show the economy grew by 0.6% between January and March 2024, returning to growth. This means the UK has the joint fastest growth in the G7 this quarter. This is the fastest quarter-on-quarter growth rate in over two years as we stick to the plan to grow the economy.
This is all despite a global pandemic, war in Ukraine and the Middle East, and global energy cost spikes. There’s still more to do, and this is why we must stick to the plan that’s working.
Rail Minister Visits Walton Station to Discuss Bringing Contactless Payments to Esher and Walton Stations
Thank you to Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, for taking the time to join me and Cllr John Cope at Walton Station to discuss our campaign to introduce contactless payments to our local train stations.
Last year, the Government announced an extension of contactless payment to more rail stations across the South East. We’re campaigning for Esher and Walton stations to be included in the next round of the rollout, so it was great to show Huw how busy our local rail stations are and make the case for cheaper and easier rail tickets to be brought to our area.
DCMS is Consulting on the Proposed Development of the Jolly Boatman Site
The Secretary of State for DCMS has been asked to consent to the proposed development of the Jolly Boatman site under South Western Railway Act 1913. To support a decision, DCMS is consulting to seek any new information or evidence relating to the proposed development that has emerged since the Planning Inquiry decision before reaching a view.
This consultation provides an opportunity for all interested parties to present any information or evidence relating to the proposed development that you have not already submitted to the Secretary of State, and which has emerged since full planning permission was granted for the proposed scheme on 8 July 2022 following a Planning Inquiry.
£5,000 from Tesco Golden Grant for Princess Alice Hospice
It was great to join the team at Princess Alice Hospice, alongside community champions from the Tesco Stronger Starts Programme and Groundwork, in the sunny hospice garden to celebrate the £5,000 grant Princess Alice Hospice has received from the Tesco Golden Grant.
Recently, Tesco Stronger Starts Golden Grants returned. The lucky customer who picks the golden token in a selected store can choose a nominated local charity – in our case, Princess Alice Hospice – to receive a £5,000 Golden Grant.
This funding will support the hospice to deliver their Children and Young People’s Bereavement Programme. It provides support to children and young people who have a parent or close relative with a life-limiting illness.
Speaking with Local Businesses on Esher High Street
I recently stopped by independent retailers on Esher High Street to hear how businesses are doing, and better understand what more we can do to support them.
It was great to see businesses working together, alongside Esher in Bloom, to decorate the planters on the high street to advertise their businesses – I saw the team from Hummings working on theirs!
Thank you to the local retailers for taking the time to chat.
Visiting Joint International Art Project Between Cobham Free School and Elysavetgrad Gallery in Ukraine
I stopped by Cobham Free School recently to see their exhibition of drawings, following a joint project with children in Ukraine to express their dreams through art. Cobham Free School sent their drawings off to Ukraine, which are now on display at the Elysavetgrad Gallery, and drawings by children in Ukraine are now on display at Cobham Free School.
Thank you to Marharyta Yashchenko and the team at Cobham Free School for inviting me down to see the fantastic artwork!
Pop-Up Surgery in Tesco, East Molesey
My latest pop-up surgery took me to Tesco in East Molesey. I hold regular pop-up surgeries at different venues across Esher and Walton constituency to allow people, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, to raise any issues or concerns they may have.
