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GOOD AFTERNOON & welcome to my South West Surrey update No. 203.
Not a quiet week to say the least…last week, I presented the government’s Autumn Statement ([link removed]) to parliament which was a very difficult reality check for all of us and probably the most challenging thing I have ever had to do in frontline politics. Locally I have been preparing for the public meeting on river pollution this Friday with bosses from Thames Water, Southern Water and the Environment Agency. For a moment of light relief I also turned on the Christmas lights in Cranleigh with Father Christmas who was very kind to me considering I have just put up his taxes...

WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER

AUTUMN STATEMENT Against a backdrop of massive global economic challenges this package of tax rises and spending cuts was designed first and foremost to provide economic stability, promote economic growth and protect public services. My top priority was to tackle inflation, as this eats away at everyone’s pay packets more insidiously than any tax rise, whilst providing support to the most vulnerable. Alongside the tax rises and spending cuts was £26 billion of cost of living support including raising pensions and benefits with inflation and an average £500 subsidy for everyone’s energy bills. There was also more funding for schools, the NHS and social care - the latter particularly important as too often social care gets put to the back of the queue and pressures are making things much worse for hospitals who are struggling to discharge patients.

The Prime Minister and I decided to focus the £25bn of tax rises needed on those who could afford it most. This meant difficult decisions to increase the windfall tax on energy producers and threshold changes for additional tax rate payers. We have also kept the spending review settlements for government departments rather than cutting them - but with lower growth than originally planned, just 1% a year in real terms from 2025. I have had a lot of contact with local businesses (and am meeting a group in Godalming on Friday) and to help them I announced a big package of business rates cuts to ease the transition through revaluation. I largely protected the capital budgets as they matter for economic growth - but growth is a theme we'll be coming back to time and time again given the recession we are now entering.

COVID UPDATE As of Friday 18th November, the total number of Covid cases in England in the community has continued to decrease, with the ONS now reporting that 1 in 60 have the virus ([link removed]) , compared to 1 in 40 the previous week ([link removed]) . The government’s Coronavirus dashboard ([link removed]) data confirms this decrease with cases down 15.7% in the last 7 days, hospitalisations down 8.7% and deaths down 30%. This is good news because the long tail of Covid is probably the main reason the NHS has been under such pressure - but you can help (if you haven’t already) by scheduling your Covid booster jab here
([link removed]) .

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

ROYAL SURREY CANCER CENTRE As well as the Chancellor’s support, this vital campaign ([link removed]) is lucky to have the excellent fundraising team at the Royal Surrey, my Hindhead office, and a fantastic group of volunteers led by Farnham’s Judith Storey keeping the momentum going. A huge thanks to everyone who has helped and donated so far, including most recently the Farnham Round Table ([link removed]) who organised the town’s fireworks night this year and raised £1,250. The detailed design and specification for the new centre is now being finalised ahead of the full report and proposal (including full budget breakdown), which is due in the next few months. We’ve raised over £216k which is amazing! Still a long way to go, but a brilliant start on which we can build, and raise even more next year. Our next fundraising event is an afternoon tea
([link removed]) in Godalming’s Masonic Hall. There are just a few tickets left, so don’t miss out if you’d like to come along at 2:30pm on Friday 2^nd December.

PROTECT OUR RIVERS - PUBLIC MEETING With around 2,000 people across South West Surrey signing my petition to Thames Water and Southern Water on the issue of sewage storm overflows, there has unsurprisingly been a lot of interest in my public meeting taking place tomorrow. Anyone still interested in attending (there are still a few spaces left) please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) as soon as possible. On more than 130 occasions, last year sewage was released into our local waterways for a shocking 1,500 hours, and before becoming Chancellor, I contributed to a Westminster Hall debate ([link removed]) on this issue. In 2021 we also saw 9 sewer storm overflows in Godalming and Grayswood respectively, 12 in Bramley, 29 in Farnham and a further 76 in Chiddingfold. This equates to 24 hours a day of sewage overflows for 65 days in a row which is just not acceptable. The
government has done a lot on the issue, spending £3 bn to prevent more sewage overspills across the country and committing the water companies to spend over £50 bn in the next few years. However, I would like the fines they are given to be devoted to cleaning up the rivers, and as Chancellor, I’m looking into whether this is possible. I also believe we can do more at a local level - this is why my team and I are looking at the best ways to protect our rivers, for example, by creating designated bathing areas. By doing this, the onus is placed on industry to reduce sewage pollution and continually monitor the health of our waterways. I’ve already set out an overview of this process in a letter to Waverley Borough Council (as there is widespread support for more local inland bathing sites) and I look forward to discussing this more in the coming months with WBC who have to initiate the process.

UKRAINE UPDATE It’s been 8 months since the fantastic Homes for Ukraine ([link removed]) Scheme was set up by the government, meaning many local sponsorships are coming to an end. Understandably, there are some worries for these new members of our community, especially as some landlords are requesting several months’ rent in advance. Cherry Gower (a Godalming resident and retired EFL teacher) and her team have been offering free English lessons on Monday and Friday mornings at the Baptist Church in Godalming, and are acutely aware of these struggles. As a result, Cherry is seeking new local hosts to match with visitors, and is also fundraising to help with initial rent down payments for those looking to live independently. For more information, or if you feel you are able to help, please contact Cherry via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . If you are happy to become a host, Cherry will liaise with Waverley to ensure
that all relevant checks are carried out.

LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT Perfectly timed following Small Business Saturday ([link removed]) on 3rd Dec, there’s a local Business Question Time event on Monday 12th December for those in Waverley and Guildford Boroughs. The event starts at 5pm at Charterhouse School and the aim of the evening is to explore concerns held by a range of local business owners. The session will be chaired by Peter Gordon, local broadcaster, and there will also be a speech from University of Surrey Professor, Amelia Hadfield and questions to a panel of key business leaders from a variety of sectors in Waverley and Guildford. For more information or to register your place, click here ([link removed]) . It’s also worth noting that businesses in Waverley looking to expand can access free specialist support and advice fromIncuHive. ([link removed]) IncuHive is a business incubation and
co-working organisation which offers business support, mentoring, start‐up investment, networking, training and office space. Its mentors all have backgrounds in start‐up and SME business.

AND FINALLY With just 30 days until Christmas, it was great family fun to be invited along to Cranleigh ([link removed]) on Saturday to turn on the Christmas lights with Santa. Unlike another political Jeremy in 2015 ([link removed]) , this Jeremy left dressing up as Santa to the professionals…

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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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