Welcome to this week's newsletter.
This week I met with Lord Markham, a Minister in the Department for Health, to discuss the recently announced rebuild of Leighton Hospital. This was fantastic news for the area and will ensure that Leighton can continue its vital work for decades to come.
Inflation has fallen to 7.9%. While we are not out of the woods yet, and there is still much more work to do, this is a positive sign that our plan is working. In the meantime, we are continuing to help households with the cost of living by holding down bills through the energy price guarantee and freezing fuel duty, alongside over £3,300 cost of living support this year and last.
105 jobs in Crewe and Nantwich will be created through Great British Nuclear, the Government plan to boost the UK's nuclear industry. It is great news that we are benefitting locally from this investment which not only creates jobs but helps make the UK more energy secure.
Cheshire East Council have launched a consultation on future bus services in the area. Have your say via the link below:
https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/BusC23/?s=08
The UK has officially joined CPTPP - forming the largest trade deal since we have left the EU. This is positive news, bringing new investment and forging relationships with the fastest-growing economies in the world.
The launch of Crewe LY2 takes place on 19th August at Lyceum Square.
Ly2 is a new capital regeneration project in Crewe, which has transformed the centre of Lyceum Square into a mixed-use space to host events, festivals, performances, and activities throughout the year. Why not go along if you are free?
The Government announced plans to introduce tougher sentences for murders of ex-partners. One in four murders are sadly committed by a current or former partner. No one should fear those that they are closest to; that is why it is important we take steps to protect the public and ensure victims get the justice they deserve.
The Government have published new plans to help deliver high-quality PE and sport for all pupils. This includes delivering at least 2 hours of PE for all pupils, with better opportunities for girls.
The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary apologise on behalf of the British State for the historic mistreatment of LGBT members of the armed forces. Up until the year 2000, LBGT people were banned from serving in our military. A report into this period confirmed that many experienced horrific sexual abuse, violence and homophobic bullying. This was appalling treatment of people who bravely served our country.
Applications for grants from the Adamson Trust, providing respite for children with disabilities, are currently open. Full details are available here:
https://www.theadamsontrust.co.uk/index.html
Finally, I have had Richard and Harry, a couple of local school pupils, come to my office for work experience this week. Thank you both for all your hard work.
Have a great weekend.
Leighton Hospital Rebuild
Inflation Down
Great British Nuclear
Local Bus Consultation
UK Joins CPTPP
Crewe LY2
Sentencing for Murderers of Ex-Partners
School PE and Sport Plan
LGBT Veterans
Adamson Trust
Work Experience
Traffic Report
Leighton Hospital Rebuild
This week I met with Health Minister Lord Markham to discuss the next steps of the Leighton Hospital rebuild.
Earlier this year, the Health Secretary announced that Leighton Hospital was successful in its bid to join the Government's £20 Billion hospital building programme and will receive hundreds of millions of pounds of funding.
This is fantastic news for the area and will ensure that Leighton can continue its vital work for decades to come.
Inflation Down
There was positive news this week that inflation has dropped, more than expected, down to 7.9%.
The IMF confirmed that we have tackled inflation down from over 10 per cent at the beginning of last year.
There is, of course, much more work to do, but this shows that our plan is working.
In the meantime, we are helping households with the cost of living by holding down bills through the energy price guarantee and freezing fuel duty, alongside over £3,300 cost of living support this year and last.
Great British Nuclear
This week, the Government announced the opening up of Great British Nuclear, a new plan to expand nuclear power across the country.
Companies from all corners of the UK will now be able to secure funding to develop their products and help boost our homegrown supply of nuclear and other clean energy.
This not only helps ensure we are more energy secure but will also boost the economy and create new, better-paid jobs - including 105 here in Crewe and Nantwich because of local businesses' involvement in specialist transport solutions.
Local Bus Consultation
Cheshire East Council have launched a consultation to help decide which local bus services they will support financially. If you rely on a bus service you think should be supported, make sure you have your say via the link below before the consultation ends on 6th August.
https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/BusC23/?s=08
I have met with Cheshire East and pushed hard for a direct route between Nantwich and Leighton Hospital and for a focus on reliability of services. But I encourage you to put in your priorities!
Lots of money has already been spent on buses, such as the Government's £3 Billion National Bus Strategy. Cheshire East also have £2.4 million to support routes that are not necessarily commercially viable. However, COVID has caused difficulties - many people have gotten used to things like online shopping, and we may never get the same number of people back on buses as before. But this should allow us to understand where people most feel there are gaps and what their first choices would be.
UK Joins CPTPP
As of this week, the UK has officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
This is the biggest trade deal we have signed since Brexit - joining a bloc worth £12 Trillion. All regions of the UK will benefit from the investment and economic growth this deal will bring - supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.
By leaving the EU, we are now able to make our own trade deals with countries all over the globe and form closer ties with the fastest-growing economies.
Crewe LY2
The official summer launch of Crewe LY2 will take place on the 19th August.
Ly2 is a new capital regeneration project in Crewe, which has transformed the centre of Lyceum Square into a mixed-use space to host events, festivals, performances, and activities throughout the year.
On the launch, there will be free performances of 'Out of the Deep Blue' by Autin Dance on the Lyceum Square at 2pm and 4pm. At around 2:45pm, there will also be refreshments at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre.
Sentencing for Murders of Ex-Partners
The Government have announced plans to introduce longer sentences for controlling ex-partners who murder when the relationship ends.
One in four murders are sadly committed by a current or former partner. No one should fear those that they are closest to; that is why it is important we take steps to protect the public and ensure victims get the justice they deserve.
The Government, therefore, plans to create a new aggravating factor for murder at the end of a relationship to ensure controlling ex-partners spend longer behind bars.
As you may know, ensuring victims of crime get justice has been one of my priorities since becoming an MP. I have pushed the Government to go further, ensuring that the worst criminals stay behind bars for longer, such as those who kill frontline emergency workers or die by dangerous driving.
School PE and Sport Plan
The Government have published new plans to help deliver high-quality PE and sport for all pupils. This includes delivering at least 2 hours of PE for all pupils, with better opportunities for girls.
The Government will also share new resources and findings from targeted programmes that support children with special educational needs and disabilities and encourage competition and leadership opportunities for girls.
With a growing interest in sports, particularly following the success of the Lionesses in last year's Euros, this is needed to help create equal opportunities in sports for everybody.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-plan-to-deliver-high-quality-pe-and-sport-for-all-pupils?deliveryName=DM26741
LGBT Veterans
This week, the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary apologies on behalf of the British State for the historic mistreatment of LGBT members of the armed forces.
Up until the year 2000, LBGT people were banned from serving in our military. A report into this period confirmed that many experienced horrific sexual abuse, violence and homophobic bullying. This was appalling treatment of people who bravely served our country.
The review has shed light on this shameful period and gives us an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past.
Adamson Trust Grants
Applications for grants from the Adamson Trust are currently open.
This funding is there to support organisations and charities that provide assistance with the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children.
Full details on eligibility and how to apply are available via the link here:
https://www.theadamsontrust.co.uk/index.html
The deadline to apply is 30/9/23.
Work Experience
This week I had two constituents join my office team for work experience, Harry and Richard, who both go to Sandbach School. Below is what they both had to say about their experience. Thank you for all of your hard work!
I must be honest, on my first day, I was shaking in my boots and I could barely bring myself to ring that doorbell, but when I did, I immediately felt confident as I was welcomed into the office by a flurry of smiling faces saying hello to me. During this time, I learned a variety of skills. I used a variety of office equipment, even ones I did not know existed, like the folding machine. During the week, I have learned the importance of having an office for the MP not only to help the MP himself but also to represent the people who disagree with government ideas. I feel like an office of this type is needed within the community as it helps give the constituents a voice.
During the week, I took time to take in emails in order to learn more about the problems that the people of Crewe and Nantwich deal with in everyday life. During this, I learned how people feel comfortable and willing to send in any small or large suggestion. The best thing I saw over my time here is how no matter how large or small a case was, the MP and his office would always try their best to get to the root of the problem and make sure that the constituent felt represented.
When I first came here, I thought I knew what I would be doing, I thought I would just be doing useless tasks, but I was wrong. During this week, I believe that I have actually made a difference here. I have been involved in casework and learning about social media. I have learned the importance of social media in polling and in getting information out about what is happing within Crewe and Nantwich.
Overall in my time here, I have learned the importance of this office to the people of Crewe and Nantwich; I have learned that Crewe and Nantwich are full of diversity. I have learned that there is a lot that goes into running a county, but I believe that we have got the correct people here to help deal with constituents' problems. I have enjoyed my work here, and I believe that I have learned a lot of skills that are transferable for future careers, and I believe that I will use them for a future career.
-Harry, age 15
During my time in Kieran's office this week, I gained a sense of an MP's responsibility and how many local issues he and his team have to deal with on a daily basis.
When I first walked in on Monday, I was apprehensive, but I was welcomed with an environment that was fun and happy to have me. Over the course of my work experience, I was able to complete my own research and write emails to respond to many local cases. My favourite thing to do was to help Kieran with social media posts to put on his Facebook page.
This week truly suited someone like myself who is interested in the world of politics and the way local areas are helped. I thoroughly recommend this work experience as it's not just to do with politics but also helping people in the community.
-Richard, age 15
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire East
Flag Lane, Crewe (Between Bridle Road and Castle Street) - Until 21st July
Delamere Street, Crewe (Between Flag Lane and St Marys Street) - Until 7th August
Mill Lane, Oakhangar - Until 31st October
Flowers Lane - Until 26th November
Smithy Lane - Until 1st November
Minshull New Road (Between Badger Avenue and Rolls Avenue) - Until 31st August
Turner Street, Nantwich (From the junction of Turner Street to the junction of Imperial Court) - 11th August
Church Lane, Wistaston - 4th August
Weston Lane, Shavington - 27th July