Tackling the cost of living 

Last month, I met the Chancellor to discuss the cost of living and potential measures to help with rising prices. I was pleased by the £15 billion package of measures the Chancellor subsequently announced in the House of Commons to help those struggling most. Full details of the measures, and my question to the Chancellor during his Commons statement, can be found here.
 

BBC Ukraine Parliamentary briefing

Our second parliamentary briefing from BBC journalists sharing experiences on the ground from Ukraine. I posed the questions from MPs and Peers to Jeremy Bowen and Katya Adler. They also gave an update on the situation in the region, the challenges they face when reporting, and how news can remain impartial. The BBC, and British media in general, continues to play a vital role in bringing informative and impartial news from the frontline and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the courage and hard work of their reporters.

Public Services Debate

I took part in a debate on public services and used my speech to focus on the long waits for driving licences, backlogs at the airports and the delivery of rail. Watch me speak in the debate here.

More investment for local bus services 

Some years back, our committee recommended the creation of a Bus Strategy to invest in better services. The Government accepted this recommendation and, as part of the bidding process for local transport authorities, East Sussex was awarded £41million (one of the largest funding awards). We are keeping up the pressure on Government as to how bus services can be improved. You can watch our most recent session here.

Draft Mental Health Bill

Earlier this week, the Government published its Draft Mental Health Bill, which I welcomed in the House of Commons. As things stand, 61% of those in mental health hospitals have autism as a condition, and I was pleased that the Health Secretary agreed to meet with me and other members of the Autism APPG to discuss what the Bill can do for autistic people. You can watch my question and the Health Secretary’s response here.

Rural  social housing 

In Levelling Up Questions, I raised the issue of our local housing provider Optivo selling off social housing stock to the private market. I have had many discussions with Optivo about this, and will now meet with the Housing Minister to discuss further, and how we can hold social housing organisations to account. You can watch my question and the Minister’s response here.

Rail Strike 

I am very sorry for the disruption suffered by passengers last week. We had a terrible time with strikes on Southern Rail in 2016-17.
 
We need everyone who takes pride in our railway to come together and agree a new way forward to secure its future as well as the jobs which depend on it. This means the unions and industry agreeing on reforms which invests in technology. We can make the railways even safer and more efficient whilst freeing up money to fund improvements to workforce pay and the passenger experience. Now is not the time for a series of strikes which will make it even harder to rebuild passenger numbers.

Read more in my article for The Sun here
Watch me speak in the debate here.
 

Bin Strike 

Wealden residents were impacted by a bin strike in the district. Negotiations with waste contractor and Biffa finally reached an agreement. Read more here

Wealden Citizens Advice

Last month I met with the Wealden Citizens Advice team to discuss issues which are impacting local residents.  The cost of living crisis is a worry for all those on fixed and low incomes.  I took the issues they raised with me directly to the Chancellor and I am pleased that his package of measures announced on 26 May addressed these, including staggered payments to help with budgeting. Read more about the Chancellor’s package of support here.

Optivo 

At our bi-monthly meeting with Optivo senior managers, Sally-Ann Hart and I raised the issue of property and neighbourhood care and maintenance. I am arranging a walkabout with Optivo in Sidley to find out more about the work that goes on locally to look after their tenants and properties. 

Transport for the South East 

Transport for the South East has launched a 14 week consultation on a £45 billion plan that sets out the steps to decarbonise the transport system across the region, level-up left-behind communities and facilitate sustainable economic growth in the South East. Help to secure this investment and take part here
 

Protected status for Sussex wines announced on Sussex Day 

Last week, I joined Sussex colleagues to celebrate Sussex Day. The day was even more significant this year with the Government announcing that still and sparkling wines produced in our county will be added to the list of products given geographically protected status. Our local vineyards produce some of the best, high-quality wines in England, and make such a contribution to our local economy. This protected status is thoroughly deserved.

Northern Ireland Issues

In my most recent column for the Bexhill and Battle Observer, I focused on the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. You can read the full article here

Sussex University 

I visited  Sussex University in Falmer to meet the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Students, Prof Kelly Coate and Jayne Aldridge MBE, Jayne is the University’s Director of Student Experience and was awarded an MBE in the new year’s honours list for her service to students. I was given a tour of the impressive new student centre which provides student accommodation alongside student well-being facilities as well as meeting space for independent learning and events. I then got to visit the university's ground-breaking Quantum Computing lab where I was able to move a single atom held in a vacuum made by local vacuum technology firms in Bexhill and Hastings.

Transport Committee Road Freight supply chain report 

The Transport Select Committee recently published our Road freight supply chain report. Our report called on the Government to give the supply chain and logistics sector two years to deliver sufficient drivers and facilities, including high-quality services and welfare. Failure to do so should see the Government build the facilities and train new drivers; and send the bill to the most profitable parts of the supply chain (such as the retailers and oil companies). You can read the full report here. 

US Supreme Court decison on abortion

I took part in a debate on UK abortion law following the submission of an Urgent Question regarding the recent Supreme Court decision in the USA. Watch me speak in the UQ here.

Observer Article

Sussex Day, Sussex Wine, rural development and transport were the subject of my Observer column on Friday 17 June, You can read more here 

Improving Autism outcomes meeting with NHS England & NHS Improvement 

As Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Autism, I joined the National Autistic Society (NAS), for a meeting with NHS England & NHS Improvement. We discussed the importance of improving autism diagnosis, widening access to services, and improving inpatient mental health care for autistic people. You can read more about the work of NAS and the APPG here.

Maritime 2050 inquiry 

The Port of Southampton is an important part of our regional economy, handling £40 billion of UK exports. I visited the Port, the training centre for new merchant navy recruits and the engineers and scientists at the NOC Marine Robotics Innovation Centre as part of the Transport Committee’s inquiry into the future of maritime.

BBC apprentices visit Parliament

It was a pleasure to welcome a group of enthusiastic BBC apprentices to Westminster last month and give them a tour of Parliament. This was a great opportunity to hear about their ambitions for the future and discuss the work of the BBC APPG, which I chair.

Drowning Prevention Week 

19-25th June was Drowning Prevention Week and last Friday I was pleased to be joined by Year 5 pupils from St Peter & St Paul school for a seafront water safety lesson with experienced local Royal Life Saving Society lifeguard, Dean Baker.  Read more about it here and for free resources visit: http://rlss.org.uk/dpw

Heathfield Show

Congratulations to everyone who made the 75th Heathfield Show such a great success. I enjoyed speaking, alongside Lord Lucas, on the future of farming and rural development at the Batcheller Monkhouse breakfast.

Platinum Jubilee Weekend

It was a great weekend to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I visited as many celebrations as I was able, including the all-day event in Heathfield and a special Churches Together service and tree planting ceremony at St Mary’s parish church in Battle.

Rural Roundtable 

Sally-Ann Hart MP and I hosted a Rural Rother Planning Roundtable to discuss the changing needs of the rural businesses and how good planning policy can support sustainable rural growth. Read more here

Pension Credit  - Do you qualify?

During my meeting with Wealden Citizens Advice, they highlighted the number of pensioners on low incomes who do not claim pension credit when they are entitled to it. I would urge my retired constituents to seek advice from Citizens Advice to see if you are eligible for extra support. To contact Citizens Advice, visit their national website at this link or telephone Wealden Citizens Advice on 0808 278 7811 or Rother Citizens Advice 01424 619760 to speak to an adviser.

BMX and Skateboard track launch Sidley

I was pleased to be part of the team which secured funding for the fantastic new Bexhill BMX and Skate Park in Sidley. The launch on 11 June was a day of celebration for everyone involved in this great community initiative.

Local NHS 

Residents in Sussex are being invited to join the local NHS and partners to shape better health and care for all now and for the future. A public roadshow of events, online meetings and community outreach starts this week to hear from, and listen to, people and local communities. To find out more and to get involved follow this link