I hope that Axis readers had a great summer. I had some time off but I was also active across Hertford and Stortford and in my new role as Employment Minister, including a visit to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham to highlight the jobs the event generated.
Over the summer I held a cost-of-living surgery at the Hertford & District Foodbank to support local people who are experiencing financial hardship.
I met with four people by appointment at the bank at Hertford United Reformed Church who are struggling for a variety of reasons with the rise in energy, food and fuel bills. The global rise in prices due to the war in Ukraine and post-pandemic supply problems is affecting everyone and will last for some time yet. I will carry on my work in this area. It is important I support people who are finding it difficult at the moment.
One area that can make a big difference is having good, well-paid employment and I am holding a free Jobs, Apprenticeships and Opportunities Fair at Ware Priory on 9 September from 10am – 2pm. Those confirmed to attend so far include Jobcentre Plus, MCP Group in Hertford, Stansted Airport, Bridget’s Tea Room in Ware, The Silver Spoon Company/Allinson’s and UK Hospitality. There will be lots of information and major jobs players there to help, advise and hopefully set some local people off on a new career.
Also, over the summer 1800 residents in Stanstead Abbotts received a letter from me about plans for a new quarry at the Briggens Estate. I am pleased Hertfordshire County Council is consulting on its new Minerals and Waste Local Plan which the quarry could be part of. However, I am against this quarry and I am very conscious of the level of construction in our local area. Whether this is 10,000 new homes in the Gilston area, hundreds of new homes in the North and East of Ware or this proposed new quarry. I urge residents to comment on the council’s draft plan at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/mwlp by 23:59 on Friday 30th September. I certainly will be.
There have been some rumours that local railway station ticket offices across the constituency could be closed. They are a vital resource for vulnerable passengers who struggle to use machines or do not have mobile phones.
I wrote to the Department for Transport to make my feelings clear this should not happen. I received a response from the Rail Minister who assured me that all those people who need to use cash to buy a ticket or do not have a mobile phone will be catered for. She also said that station staff will not be disappearing.
Finally, I have been keeping up-to-date with the latest developments at St Elizabeth’s Care Home. At the time of writing, the latest news is that those at the home have stopped the closure to enable a 30-day consultation period to commence. This offers families the opportunity to propose suggestions and solutions to avoid closure.
I hope a solution can be reached that benefits residents, families and hardworking staff alike.
I have been in contact with the home and residents’ families have already been in touch for help and support.