The last month in Westminster has been busy - the Chancellor delivered his budget for the financial year ahead. I watched this in the House of Commons and was pleased to pick out so many things as really positive news for people in Hertford and Stortford. First and foremostly, cutting people’s living costs. This is the single biggest problem I help constituents with, and it is reassuring to have a concrete plan of action put in place. Frozen tax duties, extended energy bill support and free childcare are just some of the measures that will really make people’s lives easier and alleviate lots of the pressures many, especially the most vulnerable, in our community face.
Back in Hertford and Stortford, it was a pleasure to attend the Inland Waterways Association Lee & Stort Branch’s Annual General Meeting. I spoke about the historic connection our area has with these rivers and why they and the people living on them must be protected. The club shows such commitment and passion for our waterways - it really is inspiring to see. Thank you to them for their welcome, and especially to Councillor George Cutting for his ongoing work and support.
I also spoke at the wonderful Bishop’s Stortford Rotary Club. I shared with them what it was like being an MP and working in Parliament - it was hard to know where to begin! Rotary is such a brilliant organisation that does a lot locally and I love supporting their events whenever I can. It was a fantastic event and I thank them for their warm reception.
There is even more good news on Ware town’s post office. I am keeping up the pressure on the Post Office to roll out their final preparations. I will share more updates on my Facebook page ‘Save Ware High Street’s Post Office’ as soon as possible. Please sign up to my newsletter via the homepage of my website to stay in the loop on this campaign and lots of others too.
I had a lot of fun volunteering at Ware FC on their recent matchday against AFC Dunstable. The club relies on volunteers to host fixtures and Pitching In is their clever new way to help local people find these vacancies online. I learnt how to man the turnstiles for the day and know there are lots of other opportunities going like it at the moment. It is this kind of community support that makes Ware FC such a special club - and must have something to do with their recent wins!
I am thrilled we will get a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford. This is something I have worked really hard to lobby for, both here in the constituency and in Westminster. I visited the hospital recently to see the CDC’s exact site and catch up with staff on the exciting news. Additional scans, alongside extended opening hours, will seriously improve the access to life-saving treatments that people across our area so desperately want and need. I am working with all the brilliant teams involved to make sure these new services are delivered for our community, as soon as possible.