November’s newsletter reaches you as you may be thinking about dusting off the Christmas baubles and planning for the approaching festivities. 

 

In my household that always includes a tree which features decorations made by my sons (now 17 and 22) when they were at pre-school. Including an angel which I nickname “the nightmare before Christmas!”.

 

If you are looking for Christmas decoration ideas of your own, Blooms and Balloons are inviting local residents to the Great Hampshire Wreath Off.

 

The event will take place next Sunday and will give you an opportunity to hear about The Baton of Hope charity, an organisation which raises awareness of suicide. You can find all the details [**here**]([link removed]).

 

One of the best parts of my role as the MP is getting to meet so many of the fantastic charity groups and volunteers we have here across Gosport, Lee on the Solent, Stubbington and Hill Head. This month, I held a Volunteers’ Reception to celebrate some of those who make such an invaluable contribution to our community. 

 

It turned out to be a very special celebration because not only had our Lee on the Solent National Coastwatch Institute team just found out they had been awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service but our Gosport Men’s Shed had learned they would be receiving a Blue Plaque. The award is presented to exclusive sheds which have been in existence since the forming of the UK Men’s Sheds Association in 2013. I’m very proud that our Shed is among the biggest and most successful in the UK.

 

My team and I have made a video about the event, so you can see all the familiar faces [**here**]([link removed]). I am planning to host another Volunteers’ Reception again next year, so if you would like to nominate an organisation or individual for the guest list, please do email me at [**[email protected]**](mailto:[email protected] "mailto:[email protected]").

 

If you have someone in mind who you think has made a real difference locally, you can also nominate them for a Hampshire Changemakers Award – you can fill out the form [**here** ]([link removed])but don’t forget to do it before the deadline on 31st of December.

 

This month a new community group opened in Gosport. “Sean’s Safe Space” is a mental health support service for anyone above 18. You can read more about it [**here**]([link removed]).

 

The team at the Gosport Leisure Centre have also been doing their bit by arranging various SEN sessions every week to support neurodivergent people of all ages to access exercise and swimming activities. More on how to book a slot is available [**here**]([link removed]).  

 

November was filled with visits and activities both in Gosport and Westminster……

 

I couldn’t have been more proud of how our community came together for this year’s Remembrance Day Commemorations. I was honoured to speak at the ceremony organised by Gosport Borough Football Club and attend the Gosport Remembrance Civic Service to lay a wreath. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who organised and contributed to these events.

 

In Prime Minister’s Questions I challenged the PM on the Winter Fuel Allowance changes which leave some local pensioners missing out on hundreds of pounds worth of Government support for the sake of being £10 over the Pension Credit Threshold. You can watch my question and his response [**here**]([link removed]-).  

 

The toughest part of this month was the debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. I was keen to hear the opinions of local people and received nearly 800 responses which expressed a wide range of strongly held views. As a result, after careful consideration, my final decision was to vote in favour of the Bill, agreeing that competent adults who are terminally ill should be provided, at their request, with specified assistance to end their own life. You can see my video explaining why [**here**]([link removed]). 

 

As you will no doubt be aware, the vote was passed but this does not mean that it becomes law, as it still has to go through a number of other stages, you can follow its progress [**here**]([link removed]). 

I caught up with the Gosport St John Ambulance team, who taught me how to use a defibrillator and updated me on their work in our area.

 

I wrote a letter to voice my support for a Dental School at the University of Portsmouth. We need to establish a local education pathway for dentists who can qualify and live in the region. 
I believe it is essential to tackle constant under-provision of dental services in the Gosport and Fareham area. You can read my letter in full [**here**]([link removed]). 
I dropped by Queen Alexandra Hospital to see the brand new £52 million A&E Department, which has recently opened its doors to patients. 

 

Having helped secure the funding I was pleased get a peek at the fantastic new facilities which double the size of the old Emergency Department. 

 

I am confident this will help to reduce waiting times and speed up treatment.

I also met with the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, and the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, alongside Charlotte Fairall. We talked about the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce which the new Government have paused. We emphasised the importance of its continuation in order to meaningfully change how we detect, treat and care for children’s cancer. We made our case, and I will keep you in the loop with any news.

 

I visited Tamar House and was delighted to see the lovely team who ensure high-quality care, accommodation, support, and companionship are provided to all their residents. 
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I am aware that they currently have an opening, so you can get in touch with them
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I wrote a letter to the manager of, FirstPort, who manage 7 properties across the Constituency, to highlight constituents’ concerns over rising maintenance charges, and declining quality of service.  This is clearly not an issue unique to our area as a number of my colleagues co-signed it. You can see the letter [**here**]([link removed]). We are asking for a meeting to take these issues forward. 

 

Back in Parliament, I attended the PANS and PANDAS drop-in event and was concerned to find out about the low awareness of this condition which in turn makes the diagnosis and treatment of it very difficult. There is a myriad of symptoms to look out for and you can read more about those [**here**]([link removed]). 

 

I met with Chris Willis, the Head at the King’s Academy Bay House, for an update on progress at the school. I also congratulated Sixth Form Student Union members on their successful fundraiser for CoppaFeel!

 

I joined Pudsey Bear and the Asda Community Champion, Rachel, on their visit to Crofton Hammond Infant School. We met Pudsey’s young fans and I stayed for a delicious school dinner with my new pals as part of the School Meals Week. I also passed my thanks to the lovely dinner ladies who cater for both the Infants and the Juniors.

In the House of Commons, I asked the Minister about the impact on tailored education to pupils with EHCPs due to Labour’s business rates increases and explained that Hampshire County Council would be financially impacted with more pupils joining mainstream education as a result. You can watch my contribution [**here**]([link removed]). 

 

I raised the importance of robust implementation of the Online Safety Act, to ensure children are safe in the digital world. Social media and internet can be dangerous places for young people, and we must do what we can to protect them. You can listen to the debate [**here**]([link removed]).

 

In a meeting with the Chief Inspector for Fareham and Gosport, Marcus Kennedy, I received an update on the progress in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, hearing specifically about the Hampshire Constabulary’s recent success against local drug-related crime.

 

I am still concerned about the news of deliberate damage that was caused to the recently refurbished bus station in Gosport. This incident shows yet again how crucial CCTV monitoring is for crime prevention.

 

I was pleased to hear about the new Police and Crime Plan introduced by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, and developed as a result of a public consultation involving over 10,300 residents. You can read the plan [**here**]([link removed]).

 

In Westminster, I asked the Justice Minister to explain how many perpetrators of rape, sexual assault & domestic abuse had been set free under her Department’s early release scheme. You can watch our exchange [**here**]([link removed]).


I enjoyed my chat with Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin and the Gosport Fire and Rescue Service team about the draft Community Safety Plan. 
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You can share your opinion about their proposals 
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I asked the Defence Minister to confirm that the Government understands the vital role of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in ensuring our international security and hope that a resolution to the Department’s negotiations with the MTUs is on the horizon. See our exchange 
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I visited Haslar Immigration Removal Centre to monitor the (slow!) progress on the redevelopment of the site. 

 

I continue to stress that the Home Office must keep local people in the loop and have pushed for a public information session early next year, so I will let you know more when I have it.

I welcomed the news that arrangements are confirmed for military families in receipt of Continuity of Education Allowance when VAT is added to school fees in January but pushed for more details in Parliament. You can see my question and find out more about this [**here**]([link removed]).

 

I spoke about the disastrous impact of the Government’s decision in the Budget to hike Employers’ NICs on vital services like childcare, GPs, hospices, and care homes. You can have a look at my speech [**here** ]([link removed])and read a letter that I signed [**here**]([link removed]).
I was moved by the passion of farmers who took to the streets in Westminster this month to voice their dismay at the Government’s inheritance tax changes. I will continue opposing it in Parliament and you can sign a petition against it [**here**]([link removed]).

 

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which I chair, heard this month from the former BBC Chair, Richard Sharp, on the crucial role of the BBC World Service in the global information war. You can watch the session in full [**here**]([link removed]).

 

I raised my concerns about the gap left following the scrapping of National Citizen Service and the impact this decision might have on our youth workers. You can watch my question in the Chamber [**here**]([link removed]).

 

I popped by to meet the lovely team at Casemates Studios in the Hilsea Lines. I was impressed to see all the great work that they have done so far to bring new life to this heritage site. With rehearsal spaces, recording studios, a lovely café, and live music on Sundays, it’s a great case study of what could be done with some similar sites in Gosport. 

I also visited the Other World Escapes, a 5-star reviewed Escape Room site which is located at Gosport’s Kingfisher Caravan Park and met Gareth, the games-master creator, to hear more.

 

I pledged my support for ending the cruel trade of puppy smuggling. Dogs Trust have been doing some brilliant work to campaign on the issue and you can read more about it [**here**]([link removed]).

 

The consultation on walking and cycling in Hampshire is still open, so don’t forget to submit your responses by 22nd of December. The link to access it is [**here**]([link removed]).

 

I also visited the Hovercraft Museum and heard about their plans as part of the Daedalus Waterfront Development. The project sounds very exciting and you can read more about it [**here**]([link removed]). 

Just a reminder that my “Best Independent Shop Competition” designed to celebrate wonderful local small independent shops, restaurants and businesses is open until the 6th of December. 
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You can make your nomination 
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So that's it for November!

 

As ever, my team and I are here for any questions, thoughts or concerns you may have. Please do get in touch via [**[email protected]**](mailto:[email protected] "mailto:[email protected]")


Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE MP

167 Stoke Road 
Gosport 
PO12 1SE

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])


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