Welcome to my September update. This has been one of the most momentous months I can remember, with the sad death of Queen Elizabeth a real landmark in our history. At a difficult time, the country displayed the best of ourselves to the world. It was an honour, and a very moving experience, to be one of the MPs invited to attend the ceremony at which Her Majesty’s coffin was received into Westminster Hall for the Lying-In-State.
As well as a new King, we have a new Prime Minister, and I know we will all have been interested in the contents of the rescue package on energy bills for both households and business. I believe that these measures will take a lot of the sting out of the rising world energy prices, but I know it will still be a difficult winter for many people. (see below)
Operation Brock
I am very pleased to announce that Operation Brock has been removed. The less good news is that lane restrictions remain because the roadworks to make the system more flexible have now resumed. The consolation is that it will be quicker to remove the barriers at the end of future Brock periods. I will, as always, continue to make the case that the people of Ashford deserve better and I am in favour a re-introduction of the Kent Access Permit, as well as other measures to make Kent’s roads more resilient when there are problems crossing the Channel.
Energy bills
I have been contacted by many constituents in fear that they will not be able to afford their energy bills this winter. I am pleased that the Prime Minister announced a new package of measures that will help every household. Click on the link to find the details of what the measures mean for your household.
The William Harvey Hospital
I continue to campaign to ensure full Accident and Emergency services are maintained at the William Harvey, and not moved to Canterbury. I have made this case both publicly and in private meetings with Health Ministers, as it is essential that our growing town has updated medical facilities. Building work to extend and improve A&E at the hospital is currently going on, and we will see the benefits of this next year.
