GOOD AFTERNOON & welcome to my weekly update no.303

What a glorious sunny weekend - but like the political weather the actual weather changes fast! A slightly quieter Westminster week as all eyes peeled on the Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia. Locally I met with mobile phone company Three to discuss network coverage and we have - finally - some good news for Bramley on broadband.
 

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
 

WILL 2.5% BE ENOUGH? Most of us locally strongly supported Keir Starmer’s decision to raise defence spending (although I would have preferred the savings to come from the welfare bill). But how can we use the money to grow the economy? Last week in the Daily Mail I argued that if we spend it cleverly we can become the world’s next Silicon Valley meaning that one day our investment into defence could pay for itself. But only if we channel some of the money to exciting high tech start ups like those at the University of Surrey where I spoke to students recently.
 

WELFARE REFORM AT LAST? In fairness the government is finally talking about it, more to fill in black holes in public finances than for defence. But why only £5bn or so of savings? By 2029 we could save £40 billion in real terms if we reduced the working age benefit bill to - merely - 2019 levels. That is enough money to avoid tax rises and increase defence spending and doesn’t feel unreasonable now the pandemic is behind us. Check out this recent Telegraph article written by my former chief of staff Adam Smith on the topic.
 

VAT ON SCHOOLS DEBACLE Today it has emerged that large numbers of private school teachers are being made redundant by this unnecessary and punitive new tax. Thanks to a petition, in parliament a Westminster Hall debate was held, frustratingly at the same time as the PM’s Ukraine statement so I could not attend. No sign of any blinking on the policy by the government which is very disappointing.
 

WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY

MOBILE PHONE UPDATE Last Thursday I met with mobile phone company Three to present the results of my mobile phone signal survey and push for investment into the right areas in Godalming and Ash. Our constituency coverage data is now brilliant - over 2,000 of you responded to my survey (thank you) which means I can really hold the networks to task. Some specific examples we raised include paying for parking via apps in Cranleigh and Godalming High Street, and the lack of signal along the B2128 through Wonersh and Shamley Green on the way to Cranleigh (plus many more). It was too early for Three to go into detail re network improvements as their merger with Vodafone is now confirmed but to get the merger over the line they promised £12bn of network investment so I am hopeful.
 

BRAMLEY FUEL LEAK UPDATE Last week Cllr Jane Austin met the Openreach team for an update and for once the news is positive; Openreach engineers are onsite reconnecting customers (now down to 180 impacted from 350), but there is still fuel and fuel vapour in the ground which is entering Openreach’s network. Asda and the Bramley Recovery Group continue working on the clean-up, and Bramley residents and businesses are working hard to bounce back following the huge disruption. Restoring WIFI and phone connections will be a huge win for those who have had to cope for nearly a year without it. 

A GAS LEAK IN ASH on Shawfield Road has meant more traffic carnage locally. SGN team were working overnight last night but it looks like the road closure and diversion is in place 24/7 until the 17th.  More detail from Cllr John Tonks here.

NO CALL-IN FOR BLACKWELL SOLAR FARM. Last year I supported Compton Parish Council in the call-in because it's a hugely prominent site plus a portion of the land has been recommended for inclusion in the Surrey Hills National Landscape in the recent expansion consultation. Unfortunately the Secretary of State has decided it will not be ‘called in’ and so the permission stands. Meanwhile, we still await further news of the National Landscape (AONB) expansion areas since the consultation closed in December - keeping everything crossed.

PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE Age UK Surrey are holding an event to provide information to facilitate people having early conversations about their future and those around them, including support available to look after loved ones, financial planning and more. Event on 11th March Church, Mill Mead, Guildford 11am – 1pm and one to be held online 7pm – 8.30pm on the same day.  Well worth attending - to register click here.

SUPPORT THE BRILLIANT PHYLLIS TUCKWELL As you may know, only 25% of their funding comes from the NHS and they rely on the generosity of the community to raise the rest. Local residents Michelle and Graham are supporting this cause by fundraising and collecting raffle prizes for tombolas and events throughout the year - can you help them with donations of any kind of gift – perfume, wine, beer, or any new, unopened items? If so email Michelle at [email protected].

SURGERY CALLS My first call was to a local resident about the social care provision for his wife who is bed bound. The domiciliary care is costing him huge amounts of money at a level that is totally unsustainable. He is also having to spend hours trying to get through NHS bureaucracy to make the case for continuing care which I will support him with. I then spoke to a Witley resident who has a business (seqrd.com) which makes superb platforms that help schools and parents keep their children safe online. I have been talking to DfE to see if it could get adopted nationally. I then spoke to a Cranleigh resident about an issue with Thames Water (yet again). Her concern was that the huge leak she had to deal with was not put on the TW website so there was no publicly accessible information. 

JOIN ME Want to get more involved with my brilliant election-winning team locally? Email me at [email protected] to help support our work in our community. If you would like more regular updates of my work locally and nationally, do follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), Bluesky or Instagram. Please don’t always assume I will see every comment on a post - email is a more reliable way to ensure a reply.
 

AND FINALLY…Thank you to Nicholas Grant for posting these amazing shots of 7 red kites flying in Shalford. Once hunted to almost extinction, the population has recovered and red kites can now be seen all over the UK. So impressive with their distinctive wingtips.