It’s been a few weeks since my last blog for which I apologise, so consider this a double issue! My Westminster and constituency diaries have been jam packed, following the delivery of the first Labour Budget since 2009 by the first ever woman Chancellor of the Exchequer.
This Budget had to be really tough as we focus efforts on rebuilding our economy and public services after fourteen years of Tory mismanagement and decline. As you’ll appreciate, the country faces difficult decisions on spending, welfare and tax if we are to properly address the £22 billion hole left in the public finances by the previous Government. It is in this context that this Budget’s major focus is on investment so we can get the economy moving again.
By focussing on repairing the public finances and restoring economic stability this Budget will allow us to deliver on the manifesto I was proud to stand on and one of our key priorities is to rebuild our NHS. The Budget provides an additional £22.6 billion for day-to-day spending over two years, as well as record levels of capital investment.
I am delighted that this funding will, among other things, support the NHS to deliver an extra 40,000 elective appointments per week, helping to bring down waiting lists and ensure patients are seen more quickly.
As a new government, we’re developing a ten-year plan to build a health service fit for the future. Whether you use the NHS or work in it, or both, we want to hear what you think so we’ve launched the biggest public conversation about the future of the NHS since its founding, right here in Trafford, in 1948.
Please give us your viewsby visiting www.change.nhs.uk or logging into your NHS app.
After an intense week it was good to spend a few days back in Stretford and Urmston, where I met with Manchester United Supporters Trust, and the residents of Oakfield Court in Urmston. I also visited a number of local businesses, including GAP Hire Solutions and Arco Safety Training in Trafford Park I was pleased to hear about their successes in expanding their business, and their plans for growth, particularly into Europe.
And I was honoured to join Trafford Council colleagues at the Stretford Service of Remembrance and lay a wreath on behalf of my constituents.
I am deeply proud of our armed forces personnel, veterans, and their families for the enormous contribution they make to our country. I believe we must respect their public service and recognise their sacrifices so I am pleased the Government has committed to create a new Armed Forces Commissioner, who will help ensure those who defend our country have their voices heard at the highest level.
Back in Westminster, last week began with the Defence Secretary emphasising our manifesto commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence during an Urgent Question and the Transport Secretary made a statement on rail performance. In it she set out more detail about the steps the Government is taking to deliver the biggest overhaul of our railways in more than 30 years. No time has been wasted in kick-starting the long-term reform that our railways desperately need, including bringing train operating companies under public ownership and taking action to end two years of industrial dispute on our railways. I receive numerous complaints about our local rail services and our bold plans for rail will make a huge difference to residents’ commutes.
On Tuesday, the Government was asked an Urgent Question on its decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Allowance was brought in by the last Labour government twenty-seven years ago when pensioner fuel poverty had reached crisis levels. However, as it stood the WFA was in real need of reform. While many families were struggling with fuel poverty, wealthier pensioners were still receiving this lump sum every year, and with our economy and public services on their knees, we need to make sure that we target the limited resources we do have to those most in need.
The pensions minister went on to outline some of the support that the Government is providing and will continue to provide, including the extension of the Household Support Fund and our commitment to the triple lock which will see the State Pension rise by up to £470 next year, and up to £1,900 over the course of this Parliament. There is also an extensive programme to increase take up of pension credit amongst our poorest pensioners. Millions of pounds is due to pensioners in Stretford and Urmston and I am pleased to see this being addressed.
We also heard a welcome statement from the Culture Secretary on the Government’s new national youth strategy, designed by young people, for young people. The Government has pledged an initial £85 million towards improving youth facilities, alongside allocating £100 million from the Dormant Assets Scheme, which will be used to support services, facilities, and opportunities for young people across the country.
Given the profound challenges facing our younger generation, I believe it is essential to develop a national youth strategy that is fit for the decade ahead and ensures every young person can lead a rich and fulfilling life.
Tuesday also saw the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill pass Third Reading in the House of Commons and it will now go to the House of Lords for consideration and scrutiny there. This Bill will remove the outdated right of the remaining 92 Hereditary Peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords just because their fathers did, and I hope to see it become law soon.
On Wednesday there was a concerning statement on the Future of the Post Office. As the Minister set out, the Government inherited a Post Office that is not fit for purpose, following disinterest from the previous Government, a toxic culture in head office and years of under-investment.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the post office network and the Government’s commitment to strengthening it in consultation with postmasters, trade unions and customers. I agree that doing nothing at the Post Office is not an option and I look forward to its consultation on the long-term future of the company, including on how it should be governed after a decade of decline. We have been waiting well over a year now for the Post Office to restore a service in Partington and I will continue to keep up the pressure on them to do so.
On Thursday, the housing minister confirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting local authorities, including by providing over £4 billion in new funding. This includes an additional £1.3 billion in the local government finance settlement. This will be very welcome to Trafford Council, but after £288m of cuts over the past 10 years, hard choices will still need to be made. I’ve been contacted by residents who are disappointed that the green bin charge may return, and I understand this is a further pressure on people’s pockets, but Government plans for the NHS, children’s care and the ending of section 21 evictions will mean our council faces less demands in the future.
Back in the constituency on Friday, I was delighted to meet with the new District Police Commander for Trafford, Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter. I also met with a number of constituents at my regular advice surgeries. If you are experiencing any issues with which I can assist, you can make an appointment by contacting my office on 0161 749 9120 or at Andrew.western.mp@parliament.uk