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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my South West Surrey update No.180 The new Health and Care Levy came into force this week so I thought I’d look at what the government is doing to help with the cost of living, plus some big news nationally and locally on cancer services.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

STARTING WITH THE BAD NEWS the new health and care levy comes in this week. Although it is not popular a quick reminder that this 1.25 percentage point increase on national insurance will raise £39bn over the next three years for the NHS and social care systems ([link removed]) . Whilst I would have preferred a slightly different way of doing it (and am still not convinced we have fully tackled social care) this is a progressive tax in which wealthier people pay more: the highest 14% of earners will be paying around half of the total and the lowest two thirds will pay no more at all. I have always supported lower taxes but on this occasion have reluctantly concluded the health and care system really does need the money if we are going to get things back on track after the pandemic.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING? No government can fully insulate people from external shocks like Ukraine or Covid but a lot of things are being done. When the new National Insurance threshold comes into force ([link removed]) , 70% of people will actually pay less tax even after the Levy is taken into account. In addition the government is introducing a £150 rebate on council tax bills; a rise in the National Living Wage worth £1000 a year for a full-time worker; a doubling of the Household Support Fund; a 5p cut in fuel duty; a cut in the Universal Credit taper rate worth another £1000 to 2 million families; £144m in funding for local authorities to help their residents with energy bills; and a £140 Warm Homes Discount to those on the Guaranteed Credit of Pension Credit. And even after all this it is also worth noting that the Prime Minister hasn’t ruled out more help in the future.

CANCER SERVICES REPORT One reason why the NHS needs extra resources through the Levy is to get on top of the cancer waiting list. Things are pretty bad on that front and this week my Select Committee published a critical report on cancer services in England ([link removed]) . It found that the government is “not on track to meet its target on early cancer diagnosis” which could mean 340,000 people missing out on a crucial early diagnosis. As someone who has lost both parents to cancer this is something I really do want us to tackle so I hope the government takes note of our verdict that overall progress towards cancer objectives is “inadequate.” ([link removed])
Sajid Javid I think senses not all is right in this area given his decision to announce there will be a new 10 year plan and a Nixonian ‘war on cancer.’ Workforce shortages are a major factor in this lack of progress which is why it was good to see that the House of Lords vote back into the Health and Care Bill an amendment I’ve been pushing to make sure we train enough doctors and nurses. The House of Commons will consider this one final time after Easter when I hope there will be more joy in heaven over a government that repenteth etc…

COVID UPDATE As of 11am the Covid dashboard shows that we have had a total of 21,461,556 positive cases of COVID-19 with 169,095 confirmed deaths in the UK. There have been 40,401 confirmed cases in Waverley and sadly 304 confirmed deaths, with an estimated 1,020 active cases in Waverley. In the last 7 days cases are down 30%, hospitalisations up 4% and deaths up 12%.

That key number is 0300 200 1008 for anyone with pandemic related difficulties. Also please check out my full list of local groups ([link removed]) working to support vulnerable residents.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH WEST SURREY

HASCOMBE VILLAGE ASSEMBLY I spent an afternoon this week knocking on doors in Hascombe and Dunsfold and attended the annual village assembly in Hascombe. Topics raised included whether the new EE phone mast can be made to take traffic from other networks (I will raise with EE and Ofcom); fly tipping and litter and whether Waverley’s mobile camera could be deployed to catch offenders; planning issues and the UKOG application; the AONB extension and whether we could turn it into a Surrey Hills National Park; HGVs on Markwick Lane and (courtesy of Chris and Yvonne in the Sun Inn) visas and other help for Ukrainians (of which more below).

SOUTH WEST SURREY FOR UKRAINE Waverley, Guildford and Surrey Councils are designing an end-to-end process due to go ‘live’ in the coming week, to administer the checks required and to prioritise the safety of arrivals, sponsors and their families (with the support of the Disclosure and Barring Service ([link removed]) ). There have been some rumours that council checks delay the visa and arrival process, but DLUHC ([link removed]) have confirmed that this is not the case - councils get the information from the Government on visa applicants that are already matched with sponsors, and the visa process does not depend on the local council checks. Once the visa is approved, the Ukrainians and their sponsors make arrangements for arrival; the council checks then take place as soon as possible. DLUHC has also funded a scheme
([link removed]) which offers matching, training and support to both sponsors and refugees, and has published a welcome pack here ([link removed].) (Ukrainian translation currently being drafted). However, plans are already being drawn up in case a placement fails; for example, if there is a relationship breakdown resulting in eviction, but reassuringly, once a Ukrainian family that has a visa is homeless, this will become the responsibility of the local borough council under its normal homelessness duties.
DLUHC confirmed on 1st April that sponsors who are currently eligible for the single person’s council tax discount will still be able to claim it when hosting Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine scheme (regulations to enable this will be laid before Parliament next week), and have reassured us that billing authorities will receive the same amount of income as if there had been no Homes for Ukraine-related impact on their Local Council Tax Support Scheme claim during 2022-23. The Department for Education has also confirmed ([link removed]) that all children and young people arriving under either The Homes for Ukraine Scheme ([link removed]) or The Ukraine Family Scheme ([link removed]) have the right to access education and childcare, and is writing to Local Education Authorities (i.e. Surrey
CC) outlining the rights of Ukrainian refugee children and schools are being made aware as well. ([link removed])

CANCER CAMPAIGN PROGRESS It was a really positive week last week for my campaign for a new Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre at The Royal Surrey ([link removed]) . It started with the news that we have reached over £100k so far from 700 donors - a really extraordinary community response! Last Tuesday, I met NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard, showed her our fundraising leaflet and told her about the confirmed opening date of November next year. On Thursday, we had a reception at Hasleworks ([link removed]) in Haslemere to thank those who have donated so far - huge thanks to Helen and Matthew Bowcock for allowing us to use Hasleworks, as well as being generous donors to the campaign. Royal Surrey Chief Executive Louise Stead ([link removed]) was there and we had a briefing from the head of the cancer unit (and Godalming resident) John Stebbing, who showed us slides explaining just
how the new unit will transform services locally - as well as an artist's impression of the new centre. The Royal Surrey is now the fourth biggest cancer centre in the country - not bad for Guildford! But it is also badly needed - as highlighted in my select committee’s report on NHS England cancer services ([link removed]) . If you feel you can support the campaign, further details can be found here. ([link removed])

7,200 MORE TREES FOR WAVERLEY! Waverley Borough Council has received a grant of £45,000 from the Government’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF) ([link removed].) which launched last year and has been used to fund the planting of around 7,200 new trees in the borough. The fund, which is a grant scheme for local authorities, aims to increase tree planting and natural regeneration in mainly non-woodland areas, tackling climate change, increasing biodiversity and assisting in reducing the council’s carbon footprint. All protective tree shelters and mulch mats used in the project are biodegradable and avoid or reduce the use of herbicides for weed control, improve growing conditions and protect from damage caused by deer, rabbits and voles. For more information on local parks, countryside and green spaces, click here.
([link removed])

AND FINALLY BBC Radio Surrey wants to celebrate local people who make where we live a better place. Whether it’s caring for someone in need, being a brilliant neighbour or inspiring children in the classroom, if you know someone who is making a difference then you can nominate them for an award. There are 8 categories; volunteer, community group, fundraiser, carer, great neighbour, key worker, environment & the together award. Nominations are now open ([link removed]) and will close on the 29th April 2022 at 11pm - winners will be announced at the Make a Difference awards ceremony in September. Do follow #BBCMakeADifference on Twitter and Facebook for more details.

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