|
|
With Theo, the ridgeback who won the dog show at Walton Heritage Day.
|
|
|
Since the last edition of this newsletter, I’m delighted to have passed my £20,000 fundraising target ahead of skydiving for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices – and grateful to everyone who has donated. Of course, I still want to raise as much as possible for this cause. If you’re able, you can still donate here.
Also over the summer, I launched a local survey to allow residents to tell me their priorities for Elmbridge as we recover from the pandemic. It’s been invaluable to see so many people feeding in their views. I’m analysing all of them, and you can still contribute your views here.
Elsewhere this month:
- It was great to attend Walton Heritage Day last Saturday, which saw a record turnout after last year’s event was cancelled due to Coronavirus. Joanna Gordon at the Walton-on-Thames Trading Alliance did an amazing job organising such a successful day – with dog shows, paddle boarding on the river, and scores of stalls from local charities and independent retailers.
- I visited two local projects in Cobham – renovating the skatepark and Cobham Football Club at the Leg o’ Mutton site – which are bidding for financial support from Surrey County Council. I’m supporting their funding bids, which would make a real difference to the local area. I also visited The Garden nearby in Downside (formerly the Medicine Garden). Under new ownership, there are plans to restore and redevelop the site – including rebuilding the glass house to become a sustainable restaurant, supplied by produce grown on site.
- The team at Walton Fire Station showed me the range of fire-fighting equipment they use to keep local residents safe around the clock, and briefed me on the change of emphasis towards prevention and protection in the fire service. This has seen firefighters visiting homes, schools and care homes, briefing residents on fire risks and installing free smoke alarms. Thanks to Chief Fire Officer Steve Owen-Hughes and everyone at the station for their hospitality.
|
|
|
Elmbridge vaccination update:
102,677 residents have received 1 dose
96,398 residents have received 2 doses
(As of 22 September)
|
|
|
|
|
Photo credit: UK Prime Minister Twitter feed
|
|
|
This month, I was delighted to be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary. This is a vital role in delivering on our commitments to cut crime, reduce reoffending and protect the public.
It was a privilege to serve as Foreign Secretary – overseeing a merger of departments, the publication of a landmark review of the UK’s security, defence, development and foreign policy, and our tilt to the Indo-Pacific. Global Britain is a force for good in the world, served by the finest cadre of diplomats and development experts.
The last few weeks before moving department were a busy time for foreign policy. In particular:
- I visited Qatar – meeting with the Amir and Foreign Minister to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, and safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans across land borders. Later, in Pakistan, I held meetings with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and others about Afghanistan, including combatting terrorism, the humanitarian situation and regional stability.
- I spoke to Foreign Ministers across the world about the need for a unified approach to Afghanistan, updated MPs on the situation in the House of Commons, and gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
|
|
|
|
Volunteering at Whiteley Village recently, where staff do a fantastic job of caring for older residents.
|
|
As you may have read in the newsletter I sent last week, on 7 September the government announced a transformative new plan for social care.
Because anyone with assets over £23,250 currently has to pay for their care in full, local residents have long worried that they or their families may incur bills that they can’t predict and may not be able to afford. Unfortunately, this often forces people to sell their home – which can be particularly distressing for partners who care for someone with dementia.
The government’s new plan addresses these concerns head on:
- First, there will be a new cap, of £86,000, on the amount that any individual will have to contribute to the cost of their care – meaning an end to unpredictable or unlimited costs, and protecting homes.
- Second, there’s protection for those without substantial assets. Anyone with less than £20,000 in assets will have all their care costs covered by the state, while those with assets between £20,000 and £100,000 will receive means-tested support – never paying more than £86,000 in total. This cap will also enable insurers to step in with policies to help people to meet their costs.
To properly fund these reforms, the government is introducing a new Health and Social Care Levy. This will be charged at 1.25%, based on National Insurance Contributions, and will raise revenue for these reforms as well as more funding for the NHS (given the COVID backlog of cases). Importantly, the levy is progressive – those earning more will pay more, and the highest-earning 14% of taxpayers will pay around half of the revenue.
It was disappointing to see both Labour and the Lib Dems vote against a policy that will benefit us here in Elmbridge – without any credible alternative plans of their own.
In other news this month:
- The government announced a new and simpler system for international travel – including replacing the current traffic light system with a single red list of locations.
- Congratulations to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic Team, who finished second on the global medal table in Tokyo.
|
|
|
|
