Sticking up for our local schools

As children break up for the school holidays, I will be pressing Ministers for a fairer deal for schools. 

Our schools are under siege. Head teachers have told me that rising costs are forcing them to increase class sizes, cut  A-level courses and make staff redundant. One head teacher in the constituency told me:

“I have chosen to take retirement next year just to balance the budget.”

The recent increase in Employer National Insurance - the Jobs Tax - is resulting in nearly half of all head teachers cutting teaching jobs. The National Head Teachers’ Survey found that 46 per cent of head teachers will have to reduce the number of teachers or teaching hours over the next year – while 80 per cent said they would cut teaching assistants or their hours.

And, it is not just state schools feeling the heat. The Jobs Tax and VAT on Independent Schools coupled with mandatory business rates are adding pressure on private schools as well. This is resulting in parents who are working 2 to 3 jobs with grandparents helping to pay the fees reaching breaking point. 

According to the Government's own impact assessment 37,000 private school pupils will be forced into the already stretched state system as a result – and any money raised from this tax will no longer be ring-fenced to help fund state schools. 

This means that on top of the jobs tax there will also be an additional shortfall in funding for teacher pay leading to yet more uncertainty on pay.

One head teacher told me before the schools broke up for the summer that: 

“We are not able to recruit people. This is a real crisis.”

And yet another explained:

“All we want is the best for the children, but I spend my entire time worrying about finances and not about the children.”

Let’s make no mistake these policies are damaging our children’s futures and will undermine all the achievements of the last Government which saw children in England ranked the ‘Best in the West’ for reading and maths. 

Given the size of the Government’s majority my opportunity as your MP to influence them is limited. That said, together with my colleagues we forced them into a U-turn on the winter fuel allowance and we will continue to push them for a fairer deal for schools

Sign my petition to Save Faversham Cottage Hospital after the shocking news that it was closing on Friday 4 July. Although I’ve been told it’s a temporary closure for four weeks I am deeply concerned that the future of the Hospital is now hanging in the balance without community consultation.

Pushing for solutions for Operation Brock

I am pressing National Highways to look at better solutions for the hugely disruptive Operation Brock including 'mini Brock' and deploying removing it with 48 hours’ notice instead of 7 days.

Read more here.

Continuing the fight to crack-down on ‘fleecehold’ estate management companies

I know how urgent it is to crack down on egregious estate management fees charged to both freeholders and leaseholders. That's why, I’ve written, asked questions, and even met the Housing Minister – but I’m still getting excuses instead of action.   

Read about my fight with Ministers here.

Holding the Housing Minister to account on Heathlands

If the Lenham Heath garden village of 5,000 new homes goes ahead it is vital that local views are heard. I will continue to walk with you every step of the way writing to Ministers and asking questions in Parliament to ensure your concerns are addressed.

There is more information here.

Do you support an upgrade to Blue Bell Hill?

Please tell me if you still want to see Blue Bell Hill improved by completing my survey here.

Blue Badge Battle

Denying patients with serious illnesses temporary Blue Badges is as undignified as it is unfair.

That’s why I’m supporting the Kent Messenger's ‘Blue Badge Battle’ campaign. You can read more here

Parliament voted on a Welfare Bill that started out as a savings plan… and ended up as a spending commitment. The Government promised savings. What they've delivered is the biggest rise in out-of-work benefits since the 1970s

Watch me explain this here

Who's responsible for battery safety at Cleve Hill?

With local residents understandably concerned about battery safety, I recently met with the Minister for Energy to find out who is responsible for battery safety at installations like Cleve Hill.

Find out more here.

Backing farmers and producers at the Kent County Show 

After a tough year under Labour, rural life needs our support now more than ever - so I was delighted to back Kent farmers and producers at the County Show.

Watch more here

Policy Renewal Programme on our welfare system

As Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary my team and I will be digging deep into the challenges we face to work out ways to fix them.

If you've got ideas or you’d like to help, we'd love to hear them so please click here

One year of a Labour Government

It's clear that many people – whether they voted Labour or not – are feeling let down by the Government. Their failures are something I take no pleasure in because all of us are paying the price. Read more here.