The more people I talk to - whether in my meet and greet sessions, my surgery appointments or when responding to my correspondence - the clearer it is becoming that many of you are worried.
You are worried about your own livelihoods, your businesses and the future of our rural way of life. The decision to increase the National Insurance paid by employers will make it more difficult for them to take on extra staff. Tesco and Sainsburys have already announced that as a result they will be laying off staff and this will unfortunately impact local people.
The increase in Employers' National Insurance is not only hitting the private sector, it is also affecting GPs, dentists and nurseries. One GP Practice told me that as a result they won't be able to employ another doctor.
Lots of constituents have told me they feel that the rural way of life is under attack. Whether that’s village pubs hard-hit by the national insurance rises, farmers facing the family farms tax, or people living in local villages facing the threat of huge developments like Highsted Park, Heathlands, Lidsing and Winterbourne Fields. For some, the Government cuts to support for maintaining historic churches, often at the heart of village communities, feel like the nail in the coffin…if you’ll forgive the phrase.
It's not only local pubs and churches, which are often the beating heart of our rural communities, that are facing huge challenges. We all know about the Family Farm Tax and business Tax which is hitting our farmers and small businesses very hard. Taken together, these policies have the potential to negatively alter our rural economy and way of life.
I've met with farmers, businesses and GPs and have taken up their concerns directly with Ministers. I promise I will continue to voice your concerns whenever you raise them with me, and I will keep using every tool in my Parliamentary toolbox to stand up for Faversham and Mid Kent. For example, I will be hosting Westminster Hall debates and presenting Private Members Bills, such as my Protection of Agricultural Land Bill, when Parliamentary time allows and when they will make a difference.
As an opposition MP it’s harder for me to influence Government policy than before, especially with this Government’s big majority. But it is possible, if you go about it in the right way. As ever, I’m fighting for you, our economy and our way of life.
