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GOOD AFTERNOON and welcome to my South West Surrey update No.197. Just as everyone alive in 1963 can claim to remember what they were doing when Kennedy was assassinated, so none of us will forget what we did on Monday at Her Majesty’s magnificent, emotional and dignified funeral. The Hunt family camped out in the Mall from the early hours to get a good view, a uniquely British thing to do which I talk about in my Herald column this week ([link removed]) . Westminster has been back to relative normality over the last few days with big announcements on energy bills, the NHS and tax and I launched my London Marathon JustGiving page ([link removed]) to raise money for the new Royal Surrey Cancer Centre - please donate if you can! I also proudly swore allegiance to King Charles
([link removed]) .

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

ENERGY SUPPORT Following on from the Energy Price Guarantee ([link removed]) that will freeze the energy price cap for households for two years, the government has announced that the price cap will be frozen for businesses, charities, and the public sector for six months ([link removed]) . This Energy Bill Relief Scheme means the government (ultimately taxpayers of course) could pick up as much as a half of business energy bills for the next six months, possibly to be continued even after that. Many pubs, small businesses and charities from across South West Surrey have been in touch urging support like this so this will be warmly welcomed locally. I think it makes sense because Putin is trying to blackmail us with energy blackouts this winter so we need
to make sure good businesses don’t go under as a result.

SOS NHS The Health Secretary told parliament about her plans to save the NHS from its current crisis. Lots of measures included a new two week maximum wait for GP appointments, more money for social care to free up hospital beds, pension tax reform to stop doctors retiring early and use of volunteers as during the pandemic. I like Therese and wish her well but as I say in this Telegraph article I am worried we are not doing the fundamental reforms the service really needs ([link removed]) . If the answer to quicker appointments was more targets we would have the fastest appointments anywhere because we have more targets than any other healthcare system. It’s not more targets the NHS needs but more doctors ([link removed]) as I responded in parliament this morning. My more detailed response as Chair of the Health and Social Care Select
Committee is on this thread ([link removed]) .

NEW YORK, NEW YORK As well as holding a series of one on one meetings with other world leaders the Prime Minister used her speech to the UN General Assembly ([link removed]) in New York to urge the democracies of the world to continue cooperating in the face of Russian aggression, prioritise economic growth and increase spending on defence. She had the graveyard slot so the hall was half empty, something I experienced myself as Foreign Secretary. But no one should doubt the resolve in her words which was backed with action, including reiterating her plan to boost the UK’s defence spending to 3% of GDP. She has clearly - and rightly - concluded that weakness not strength is the biggest provocation to someone like Putin and is determined to put things right.

MINI-BUDGET Lots of speculation ([link removed]) about what the Chancellor is going to include in his ‘fiscal statement’ to Parliament tomorrow but it is going to be packed if he fulfils pledges to scrap the planned corporation tax rises, undo the increase in national insurance and abolish stamp duty. It is surely right to focus on growth but there is now an interesting tussle between the government trying to turbocharge the economy and the Bank of England trying to dampen it down to control inflation as discussed in this fascinating exchange between Mischal Husein and Sir John Gieve ([link removed]) , former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England this morning on Today (0750 slot).

GREEN SPACES CAMPAIGN UPDATE As I mentioned last week I have now written to the new Environment Secretary, Ranil Jayawardena MP, to press for the asks in my green spaces campaign. You can see the letter here ([link removed]) but to recap these are to reduce sewage discharges and designate the bathing areas in the River Wey (something we also need Waverley’s help with); to reduce the use of single-use plastics and secure National Park status for the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. On Saturday week (1 Oct) at midday I will also be doing a litter pick in Godalming, more details in next week’s newsletter.

COVID UPDATE Covid cases have declined significantly with only 1 in 75 people in England ([link removed]) in the community now having the virus. Welcome news of course - but that is still a lot of people.

The key number remains 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

MARATHON MADNESS My brother Charlie and I are planning on running the London Marathon this year to raise further funds for the new Royal Surrey Cancer & Surgical Innovation Centre. As many of you know, this is a project I started last year when I realised how serious the Covid backlog had become, but what brilliant care is on offer at The Royal Surrey. In the same year, Charlie was diagnosed with sarcoma, a particularly aggressive cancer. He has received excellent treatment from the NHS and is still here nearly three years later - but it remains a huge battle for him and his family. Anyone who feels able to support us in the marathon please do so here ([link removed]) . We have raised just over £25m for The Royal Surrey so far (and a further £173,000 so far through my local campaign ([link removed]) ), but we need another £5m over the next five years, so every little donation helps!

COVID BOOSTERS Surrey Heartlands CCG ([link removed]) have been working around the clock - 7 days a week, delivering the vaccine to local nursing homes/the housebound and vaccinating around 500 patients a day at the Artington Mass Vaccination Centre alone. At present, due to a fixed vaccine supply, they are only able to vaccinate those with a pre-booked appointment made through The National Booking Service. ([link removed]) Hopefully this will change over the next few weeks once over the initial ‘surge’ and they will be able to accommodate ‘walk-ins’, but I will keep you updated. If anyone in urgent need of a Covid vaccine is struggling to find a local appointment slot, please do let me know via email at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and I will liaise with the Surrey Heartlands Admin Team.

WORMLEY RAIL WORKS For those of you due to travel through Wormely ahead of the weekend, please be aware that there are urgent cutting stabilisation works (reducing the risk of landslip) taking place along the railway. These works will prevent future problems and to keep the railway running safely. The work will be carried out when the trains are not running but some noise disturbance is to be expected. Please note that this may also impact those around Witley Station.

UKRAINE UPDATE On 15th September the Homes for Ukraine ([link removed]) sponsorship scheme reached the milestone of being live for 6 months - and what a huge success it has been. As of Tuesday 20th September at 10.00am, the Home Office online Foundry portal shows that 1,457 Surrey sponsor households have been matched with 4,261 Ukrainians. To date there have been 2,716 arrivals in the county but trend data shows the slowing of new applications as well as arrivals into Surrey.

The local education and training group Activate Learning is looking for English teachers to lead learning workshops for refugees across Surrey. Two full-time roles have been created to teach conversational English to adult asylum seekers and refugees (including Ukrainians) and part-time work can be accommodated. These roles can also be filled by Ukrainians with good English. If you or anyone you know can help click here ([link removed]) .

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Promoted by Sean Donovan-Smith on behalf of Jeremy Hunt MP and South West Surrey Conservatives, all at 2 Royal Parade, Tilford Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6TD.

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