The financial statement was important for us in Hertford and Stortford. Jeremy Hunt rightly prioritised stability, growth and public services. This will have a real effect on all our lives.
I have faith in the Chancellor's ability to manage the UK economy while prioritising the things that matter to us in Hertford and Stortford. The core schools budget will increase by £2.3bn in 2023/24 and by a further £2.3bn in 2024/25. With the NHS in England, the Government is providing additional funding of £3.3bn in each of the next two years, a measure its Chief Executive says will provide sufficient funding.
I’m delighted that we are raising both means-tested benefits and pensions with inflation; this will come as a huge relief to the most vulnerable in society and those on fixed incomes. I am grateful to everyone who has written to me on these issues in recent weeks. These measures are ones I was keen to see, and I am glad that the Chancellor is providing the security that people require.
Turning to local news, I was humbled to lay a wreath at Sawbridgeworth’s Remembrance Service this year.
The remembrance period is always a special time here in Hertfordshire. With so many former wartime bases nearby, our community always hosts such fitting tributes to those who served and to those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Before Remembrance Sunday itself, I was honoured to plant a cross for Hertford and Stortford in Parliament's Constituency Garden of Remembrance. This year, I paid tribute to Wing Commander J.H. Marks from Sawbridgeworth, who is remembered so movingly in Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall. James was just 24 years old when he died. May we remember him and everyone else who has served our country. Lest we forget.
I am pleased to report that my first in-person Jobs, Apprenticeships and Opportunities Fair over in Ware was a tremendous success. I was grateful to those in Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth who made the trip over there, both attendees and exhibitors, such as Gu and Allinsons. The event linked up local people with job opportunities and advice and I really hope the event helped with getting people into new roles.
We had a great display of exhibitors on the day. Each one is kindly writing a piece, detailing what they were advertising on the day. These pieces will be published on my website in due course, so please do check that out if you were unable to come down on the day but are still interested in what was on offer.