Welcome to this weeks newsletter.
The Chancellor announced his Autumn Statement on Thursday, setting out a plan to help bring our economy back on track. It supports hardworking families and those most vulnerable during the tough times we are going though and ensure our key public services get the funding they need. You can read more details about the measure in this statement below.
I had a big success this week with the Home Secretary confirming that there will continue to be routes into policing for those without a degree. Next year, having or getting a degree would have been the only option - but I marshalled a group of over 100 MPs to make the case to the Government that non-degree routes should remain, so that those who excel outside the classroom are still able to join the police.
On Sunday, we fell silent to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our future and freedoms. I laid a wreath at Crewe Memorial Square at the memorial ceremony. I also laid wreaths in Nantwich and Shavington after the main ceremonies.
This week is UK Parliament Week, where people around the country learn about and engage with our democracy. I met with groups of young people throughout the week, including scouts and guide groups and local schools to speak about the work of an MP. Many of them asked some tough, well informed questions!
A quick reminder that my Christmas Card Competition closes on Monday. I can also announce that local business Swansway Motor Group and community group Crewe & Nantwich District Roundtable will be sponsoring this years card and provide a prize of a donation to a charity of the winners choice and donations for creative arts materials at the winners schools. Thank you to them both.
Finally, I am advertising for an Office Manager to join my busy constituency office. The advert with full details is below
Have a great weekend.
Autumn Statement
Campaign Success! Policing Stays Open for Non-Degree Route
Remembrance Sunday
UK Parliament Week
Christmas Card Competition Closing on Monday
Office Manager Role Available
Traffic Report
Autumn Statement
On Thursday, the Chancellor set out his plan for the economy in his autumn statement. There is no doubt that, along with the rest of the world, we are facing difficult challenges caused by the pandemic and Putin's war in Ukraine.
This budget has set out to tackle inflation and restore economic stability while also protecting the most vulnerable and providing key public services with the funding needed.
This includes:
- Increase of NHS budget by £3.3 Billion in each of the next 2 years
- An extra £2.8bn this year and £4.7bn next year for Social Care
- An addition £2.3 billion of funding for schools this year and next year
- Energy Price Guarantee extended until 2024 - keeping cost of energy down for all families
- £900 Additional cost of living payments for most vulnerable
- Protecting the Triple Lock Pension
- Social Housing rent increase capped at 7% - would have been 11%
- National Living Wage to increase by 9.7% to £10.42
There are tough times ahead, and difficult decisions need to be made, but this budget ensures that the most vulnerable are helped and our public services continue to get the funding they need.
Campaign Success! Policing Stays Open for Non-Degree Routes
There are many people who have the skills required to be excellent police officers, but do not have or want a degree. Lots of the public don't have degrees and police officers are supposed to reflect the communities they serve. Next year, we were due to make having or getting a degree the only way to be a police officer.
That is why I have been pushing the Government to keep pathways into policing for those who excel outside of the classroom and who didn't want to get a degree to do the job. I marshalled a group of over 100 MPs to make this case to the Home Secretary and held meetings with her and the Policing Minister. This issue was brought to my attention by John Dwyer the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire.
This week the Home Secretary announced in Parliament that she will keep routes open for non-degree police officers. I am really glad we have been successful in our campaign! I used my experience as a volunteer policeman to talk to her about the different types of people and skills you need.
Some of the best campaigns that get the best results are run behind the scenes-persuasion can be as effective as vocal disagreement!
Remembrance Sunday
On Sunday I attended the remembrance service, and laid a wreath, at the Crewe Memorial Square - marking the sacrifice made by those who have lost their lives protecting our future and freedom.
I also laid wreaths in Nantwich and Shavington after the main ceremonies. There was an unfortunate misunderstanding at Nantwich where they called for a representative not knowing I was going myself later. Nantwich Town Council have apologised-these things happen, but I thought it was important to set the record straight for such an important event.
UK Parliament Week
This week is UK Parliament Week. Schools and groups all over the country will be taking part in activities, learning about Parliament and engaging in our democracy.
I spent my week speaking with young people in local schools and groups letting them know about the work an MP does and answering their questions.
I met some local groups including Crewe 8th Rainbows and Brownies, 1st Wybunbury Brownies, 5th Nantwich guides and 16th SWC Scout Group. I'm told it sparked lots of interesting discussions afterwards!
I also went along to local schools Brine Leas, Nantwich Primary, Sir William Stainer, Malbank and Cheshire College. Some very tough questions from some very informed young people!
You can find out more about UK Parliament Week and how you can get involved here: https://www.ukparliamentweek.org/en/
Christmas Card Competition Still Open
Just a quick reminder that the competition to find the design for my Christmas card this year is open and will close on Monday
I am delighted to say local Crewe business, Swansway Group and community organisation Official Crewe & Nantwich District Round Table are encouraging local kids to get creative by sponsoring this year's Christmas Card Competition!
The deadline for entries is Monday 21st November.
Crewe & Nantwich District Round table will be donating prize money to be spent on extra special creative arts equipment to the winning pupil's schools and 2 runners up and Swansway will make a donation to the charity of the winners choice.
The Christmas Card Competition is one the highlights of my year, going through all of the amazing designs that are sent in and seeing the happiness on the face of the winner! However, this year winning will prove to be even more special thanks to Swansway and Crewe & Nantwich District Roundtable supporting us in this way. I have seen from meeting previous winners just how special it makes them feel and how it encourages creativity. This will make it extra fantastic for them and their schools.
Thanks very much!
If you have a child who is primary school aged who will like to enter please send the finished design to my office at 249 Edleston Road, Crewe, CW2 7EA or to kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk.
Above is last years winner for inspiration!
Veterans Survey
Are you an Armed Forces Veteran or a family member of one?
The Government has launched its first ever UK wide survey to get the views of veterans and their families about their experiences and using Government services. The responses will help inform the Government how the lives of veterans can be improved.
Complete it here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/surveys/informationforhouseholdsandindividuals/householdandindividualsurveys/veteranssurvey
The APPG for Veterans is also doing their own survey to understand their experiences of claiming financial support or compensation. . You can complete this one here:
Office Manager Role Available
I am recruiting for a Office Manager to help run my busy constituency office in Crewe. See below for full details.
Job Title: Office Manager
Location: Crewe and Nantwich
Salary: £30,000 to £35,000
Length of Contract: Initially 12 months fixed term
Job Details:
My Office Manager will be responsible for line management of staff in the constituency, as well as supporting with casework enquiries.
For more information please see the link below:
http://www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.aspx?jobid=86712
Application Details:
Interested applicants should email their CV (no more than two sides) and a short covering letter (no more than one side) detailing why you are suitable for the role to Natalie Fenton, Kieran's Senior Caseworker, at natalie.fenton@parliament.uk with the subject heading "[insert name]: Office Manager Application".
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East.
Middlewich Road - Full detail here: https://www.facebook.com/KieranMullanUK/posts/pfbid02eko4CMr4eijnrPk9z1K8PNfAaTNWUkctw3wLSnYVtBodc1RGYgq3LrjgKeXFEbgzl
Weston Lane (Between Mill Lane and Casey Lane) - 21st November