BUDGET RESPONSE
On Wednesday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered the first budget of this Parliament. This was a significant moment, not only because it was the first budget by a Labour government for 14 years but it was also the first ever budget delivered by a female Chancellor.
I spoke in the Budget Debate on Thursday to welcome many of the measures that it contained. I am particularly pleased that the Liberal Democrats calls for increased investment in the NHS have been listened to and that the Chancellor has pledged an uplift in spending on the health service. However, I am concerned that the increase in Employers’ National Insurance contributions, and the lowering of the threshold, represents a big increase in costs for small businesses, and particularly those in sectors such as social care, which will struggle to deliver these increases on their low margins.
I used the opportunity of my speech to press directly for funds to repair Hammersmith Bridge and for more funds to be made available for police recruitment.
Over the course of the week, I spoke to several media outlets including the BBC, Sky, and LBC about Labour's plans. Click here to hear a clip of my thoughts on the Chancellor's proposals.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
I am delighted to have been re-selected as a member of the Public Accounts Select Committee and on Monday I attended the inaugural meeting of the Committee in this parliament.
This Committee examines the value for money of Government projects, programmes and service delivery. Drawing on the work of the National Audit Office, the Committee holds government officials to account for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending.
I look forward to contributing to the committee's vital work in scrutinising government spending.
URGENT QUESTION: MINISTERIAL BRIEFING OF THE MEDIA
In the build up to the budget this week, Rachel Reeves announced, while at a meeting of the IMF, that she would be relaxing the Government's Fiscal rules to change how borrowing for investment and borrowing for day to day government operations are calculated. In doing this, she chose to brief the media before parliament in a clear contravention of the Ministerial Code.
While this might seem like a small issue, it demonstrates a distinct lack of respect for Parliament and a disregard for the importance of our political customs. The Government should not consider itself "above" Parliament and so it is frustrating to see Labour's MPs continuing the Conservative tradition of ignoring the courtesies of the House.
You can watch me raising my concerns at the Chancellor's behaviour via the link here.
TFL BUS SERVICES
Many residents in North Kingston will have noticed the worrying decline in local bus services over the past few months. Alongside service reductions to the 57 and 213, which I have spoken about extensively in the past, I've learnt that the 85 bus, which is a lifeline for many residents in Kingston Vale and Coombe Hill, has become increasingly unreliable leaving many residents stranded in Putney as they return home or unable to reach work or school.
Sadiq Khan and his deputies are keen to highlight their green credentials, however, more and more it feels as if City Hall is pushing residents out of their cars with one hand while cutting buses with the other. I do not believe that TfL quite understand the dire situation their bus network in Kingston is in and so I have requested that they meet with me to be briefed on the chaos their cuts and curtailments have caused.
POLICE FINANCING
Earlier in the month, I met with Senior Officers from the Metropolitan Police to discuss the Service's turnaround plan. During this meeting, I was very concerned to hear that the Met Police are heading for a £450 million funding gap in 2025 and that cuts they had already been forced to make, such as the sale of police stations and physical assets, had compromised their long term effectiveness.
In light of this, I am worried that the Chancellor's proposed "uplift" in police funding, meant to pay for thousands of new police officers, will be financed via finding "efficiencies" that can be made in the service.
I plan to take this matter up with both the Home Secretary and Chancellor because while there is of course inefficiency and waste in the Met, it is undeniable that the force is in desperate need of more support. While local officers work incredibly hard, the police system as a whole is at breaking point. This problem cannot be resolved solely through an efficiency drive. The Met needs a genuine boost to their resources and they need it as soon as possible.
CAMBRIAN CENTRE KITCHEN
It was wonderful to meet Sue Pendle, Chairman of the Cambrian Centre, and Karen King, their chief fundraiser last week at the opening of the Cambrian Centre's new Kitchen. This new kitchen will help their team expand their operations and it has been great to see more and more people able to use the site over the past year.
The new kitchen has opened just as the Centre has substantially increased take-up both of its community Gym and of their Wednesday Lunch Club (with usage rising by an incredible 51% and 50% respectively and it was a pleasure to be a part of the celebrations. I'd particularly like to thank the Real Junk Food Project for providing all the refreshments and I hope to visit the centre again soon.
WATER PRESSURE IN RICHMOND AND KEW
Over the past few weeks, I have been receiving reports that Thames Water have reduced the water pressure in homes across the constituency. This is causing particular problems for those on the top floor of apartment buildings or in homes on multiple levels.
I am trying to assess the extent of this reduction and to understand whether this is due to temporary works or a policy decision by Thames Water in the local area. If you have experienced a substantial drop in water pressure in recent weeks, please do let me know by filling out the form here.
PENSION CREDIT
Over the past few weeks, I have been investigating delays to pension credit applications made since the Chancellor announced that she would be means testing the Winter Fuel Allowance. So far, I have uncovered that while the Treasury has increased the number of people working to process applications, tens of thousands of people have been left waiting for more than the 50 working day target.
If you have applied for pension credit but have been waiting for more than 50 working days, please do let me know on office@saraholney.com.
COMMUNITY NEWS
KINGSTON CHESS ACADEMY
The Kingston Chess Academy is a fantastic organisation based at Tiffin Boys School offering chess lessons to 8 to 14 year olds in our community every Monday between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm during term time.
Their curriculum is designed to cater to varying skill levels, ensuring that beginners receive a solid foundation while advanced players are challenged to reach their full potential. For more information, contact John on 07850 045805 or email the office: info@kingstonchessacademy.com
NEW ALMSHOUSES IN THE CONSTITUENCY
The Richmond Charities is opening a second new block of Almshouses in Richmond in Spring 2025, for the elderly in our borough who are in need of housing, living on a limited income and who need level access accommodation.
The Elizabeth Doughty Almshouses – on Queen’s Road, Richmond, TW10, comprising one 2-bed and 11 1-bed high quality accessible and adaptable dwellings, with one specifically designed for wheelchair users. To learn more and find out how to apply, click on the link here.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
The National Archives are a wonderful resource to have in our community. Millions of original texts are housed there and over the decades tens of thousands of school children have visited to learn more about our literary, political, and scientific history.
However, while the taught sessions are offered for free, many schools still experience barriers to school trips due to the cost of travel and teacher cover. The National Archives Schools Bursary Programme has been established to enable many more students to access enriching learning experiences at The National Archives.
The scheme offers bursary's of up to £500 which can be used flexibly for travel and teacher cover costs. To learn more about the scheme and get in touch with the National Archives click the link here.
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