Welcome to this week's newsletter!
There’s lots of cover, so I’ll start with my recent question to the PM during PMQs, where I challenged the Government on whether any money, from the recent announcement to increase defence spending, would be used to fund the planned surrender of the Chagos Islands to China’s ally Mauritius. Sadly, he could not give a straight answer to a basic question, but I know that surrendering such strategic territory in a pivotal moment of world politics, is not a decision that is in the best interest of the UK’s ongoing security.
Earlier on this week I joined farmers and fellow MPs as we continue our campaign against this Labour Government’s Family Farm Tax. Despite over 200,000 people signing a petition, with nearly 5 months of ongoing campaigns, this Government has still shown no indication of altering the vastly unpopular policy. It goes to show that Labour has no interest in listening to the voices of people if it doesn’t align with their exact vision.
I had the privilege of Battle Town Council’s Youth Forum joining me for a visit of Parliament, followed by a Q&A session. They asked some important questions about the challenges which our local community in Battle face. I hope that I was able to give them answers they can go away and consider while representing Battle in the future.
This week, I was fortunate to have secured a debate in Parliament to discuss the benefits of deep geothermal energy—an underutilized resource with the potential to provide clean, reliable heating while enhancing our energy security. With the right support from the Government, deep geothermal could bring jobs, investment, and lower energy costs to East Sussex and other areas with untapped potential.
Last week I had the pleasure of attending a reception in Parliament organised by the Sussex Community Foundation, which was a great opportunity to meet more of the people involved in the group, including patrons, donors, and supporters.
Following my meeting with the Bexhill-on-Sea Working Age Parkinson’s Group last year, I attended the APPG on Parkinson’s meeting to discuss the challenges facing neurological cases in the NHS. The NHS long-term workforce plan refresh is a vital opportunity to invest in specialist staff and improve access to care.
Last month we celebrated National Apprenticeship week, a great opportunity for employers and employees alike. I met with James Gordon from Engineering UK, and spoke about the value of apprenticeships, and how we can make them fit for the future.
English Tourism Week will be with us soon! This is a great opportunity for tourist activities and sites to get out and share the attractions we have locally – and we really do have so many! I’ll be discussing these a little bit more in my next newsletter, but in the meantime check out VisitEngland's website in the article below to see some of the things that we have going on locally.
I was pleased for the opportunity to meet with Pancreatic Cancer UK, at their parliamentary reception, to speak about shortages of vital medications used by pancreatic cancer sufferers, which can have devastating impact for pancreatic cancer sufferers. The Government must work with NHS organisations to improve communication around what patients should do if they struggle to access these medicines, and I will continue to hold them to account over this.
March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, and in recognition of this, I joined the Brain Tumour Charity to raise awareness around how the National Cancer Plan risks letting brain tumours fall through the gaps. From my conversations with those families affected by brain tumours, I have written to the Department of Health and Social Care to raise concerns about how brain tumours are graded and how this affects access to treatment and support. I will continue to push for better awareness, research, and early diagnosis.
We celebrated World Book Day this week, supported by a charity of the same name that works with publishers to offer a selection of £1 books, ensuring that every child can access a book of some form. It’s important to help more children discover the joy of reading and build a lifelong habit that opens doors to endless possibilities.
In the constituency I met with the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce for a networking breakfast, where I got to speak with many local business owners and heard first-hand about the issues affecting them. Thanks to Battle Chamber President, Darren Buss, and Vice-President Sarah Truman for organising such a productive meeting and thanks to the team The Bull Inn for hosting.
I also visited with members and volunteers of Hurst Green’s Over-75s breakfast club last Friday. The club meets twice a month in Hurst Green Village Hall and is run by Elaine Ralph with the support of a group of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who prepare a Full English Breakfast for its members. A big thank you to Elaine and all the volunteers who give so much of their time and energy to running the club.
I thought it important join the local Ukrainian Choir, Voices of Volya, last weekend at the De La Warr Pavilion to support the launch of their fundraising book. As part of their book launch an exhibition is on display at the De La Warr Pavilion. Check out the article below for full details.
Supporting the push for broader employment opportunities highlighted in National Apprenticeship Week, I’m looking forward to being a part of the Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair taking place at the De La Warr Pavilion on Friday 21 March. Make sure to pre-register to speed up entry on the day!
And lastly, I wanted to share Rother District Council’s consultation for feedback on its proposed Housing Development Strategy, which will guide housing decisions in our area for the next five years. I encourage residents of our constituency to participate so your thoughts are taken into consideration when finalising plans.
Have a great weekend.
In this week's newsletter:
- Challenging the PM at PMQs
- Stop The Family Farm Tax March
- Battle Town Council Youth Forum Visit Parliament
- Westminster Hall Debate on Deep Geothermal
- Sussex Community Foundation
- Parkinson's APPG Meeting
- National Apprenticeships Week
- English Tourism Week
- Pancreatic Cancer UK Reception
- Brain Tumour Awareness Month
- World Book Day!
- Bexhill Chamber Of Commerce Networking Breakfast
- Hurst Green Over-75s Breakfast Club
- Voices of Volya Book Launch
- Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair
- Bexhill & Battle Residents: Have Your Say on Local Housing Development
Challenging the PM at PMQs
Last week, I asked the Prime Minister a question in PMQs. I decided to raise the Government’s recent announcement on increasing defence spending, and challenged whether any of this money would then be used to fund the planned surrender of the Chagos Islands to China’s ally Mauritius.
My question came ahead of a meeting between the PM and US President Trump.
Commitments to defence spending are clearly an important aspect of our future relationship with the US, so credibility is vital. It would then be concerning to find out that the promised boost in defence funding includes future payments to Mauritius, instead of going towards our security in Europe.
I think it is wrong for the UK to surrender valuable strategic territory in an area of the world which is becoming increasingly important. If the Government feels they must follow through with a deal, I certainly do not believe that funding should then come from our defence commitments.
This money should be prioritised for our real defence capabilities, not going into the pocket of a country which stands in opposition to the West.
Sadly, the PM was unable to give a straight answer to my yes or no question, much like he would not give a clear position to Kemi when she asked the same question.
All of us in the House, and I’m sure across the country, wanted to see the meeting in Washington D.C. to go well. It was disappointing the PM felt that he could not offer a simple answer to a basic question.
Stop The Family Farm Tax March
Earlier this week, I joined with farmers and fellow MPs to continue our campaign against this Labour Government’s Family Farm Tax, which will have dire consequences for so many small family farms across the country.
The Stop Family Farm Tax campaign has now been active for close to 5 months, since the Budget, with no indication of a change in policy by this Government.
This is despite the Conservative Party handing in a petition to 10 Downing Street, which more than 200,000 people had signed over a couple of months, showing just how unpopular this decision is!
I was pleased to join with farmers as we marched from Parliament Square, down Whitehall to the gates of 10 Downing Street.
We will continue our campaign against this decision and make sure ours and farmers voices are heard.
Battle Town Council Youth Forum Visit Parliament
It was my honour to have the Battle Town Council Youth Forum visit Parliament this week, alongside Cllr Andrew Barton and Cllr Vikki Cook for a tour and a Q&A session with me.
Meeting young people is my favourite part of being an MP, as you get to speak with the future generation and what is important to them as they grow up.
All the members of the Youth Forum have already taken that first step of wanting to get involved in politics, so we might well have had some future politicians in the room!
There were fantastic questions asked, which I know to have been written by members of the Forum themselves, about some of the challenges our local community faces. I hope that I was able to give them answers they can go away and consider while representing Battle in the future.
Thank you to the whole Youth Forum, and those Cllrs who joined, for making the journey up to Parliament to speak with me and to learn a little more about the history of democracy in the UK.
Westminster Hall Debate on Deep Geothermal
This week, I was fortunate to have secured a debate in Parliament to discuss the benefits of deep geothermal energy, an underutilised resource with the potential to provide clean, reliable heating while enhancing our energy security.
East Sussex, in particular, holds significant geothermal potential. Beneath our feet, we have hot sedimentary aquifers that could supply sustainable heat to our hospitals, schools, homes, and businesses. As we face the need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and protect ourselves from rising energy costs, deep geothermal offers a stable, year-round source of energy—just as it does across Europe.
Unfortunately, while countries like France and Germany are already reaping the rewards of this technology, the UK is falling behind. With the right support from the Government, deep geothermal could bring jobs, investment, and lower energy costs to East Sussex and other areas with untapped potential.
I will continue to push Ministers to back this vital industry and ensure that communities like ours don’t miss out on this opportunity for clean energy and economic growth.
If you would like to read the debate on Hansard, click here.
Sussex Community Foundation
It was a great pleasure to attend the reception organised by the Sussex Community Foundation in Parliament last week.
Having recently met with the charity’s CEO, Kevin Richmond, in Bexhill, this was a great opportunity to meet more people involved in the Sussex Community Foundation, including patrons, donors and supporters. This charity operates exclusively in Sussex to help fund community groups and charities across a range of causes with a focus on tackling poverty, improving health, reaching potential and acting on climate.
It was good to see some familiar faces at the event including Abi Newbury, Chair of Bexhill Town Board, Cllr Ian Hollidge, ESCC, Cllr Richard Thomas, RDC and Cllr Paul Wilson, Bexhill Town Council.
It was also good to make some new acquaintances, including Quenelda and Julian Avery, and Jeremy Field of CPJ Field & Co in Battle. They are all strong supporters and really understand the importance of SCF in supporting our local Sussex communities.
Parkinson's APPG Meeting
Last December, I had the privilege of meeting with the Bexhill-on-Sea Working Age Parkinson’s Group. Hearing their personal experiences was extremely informative. Thank you again for having me.
I attended the APPG on Parkinson’s meeting to discuss the challenges facing neurological care in the NHS. Right now, 233,555 people in England are waiting for an NHS neurology appointment, with nearly half waiting longer than the 18-week target. Workforce shortages mean access to specialist care varies significantly across the country, leaving many without the support they need.
With 1 in 6 people in the UK living with a neurological condition, including Parkinson’s, we must take action. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, affecting 153,000 people in the UK today.
The NHS long-term workforce plan refresh is a vital opportunity to invest in specialist staff and improve access to care.
National Apprenticeship Week
Last month, we celebrated National Apprenticeship Week! A week that is great news for potential apprentices and for employers.
At a parliamentary reception I met with James Gordon from Engineering UK about the value of apprenticeships, and how we can make them fit for the future. Engineering UK is a not-for-profit group, campaigning to drive more young people into engineering and technology careers. They’re doing fantastic work connecting businesses with talented individuals, leading efforts to improve how apprenticeships work and access to them.
Apprenticeships are a great path for so many different people and can change lives. You could be a school leaver who is looking for careers direction, you could be someone who wants to break into their dream industry, or you could be someone looking for a career change. Apprenticeships are for everyone!
If you want to harness your talent and unlock your potential, you should look at the National Apprenticeship Week website. You can explore fantastic opportunities from employers such as Volkswagen, Network Rail, EY, the Army and many more. They have a careers advice hub and virtual events which can give you tips and tricks to secure the right apprenticeship for you.
#NAW2025
https://nationalapprenticeshipweek.co.uk/
English Tourism Week
I was pleased to attend VisitEngland’s Parliamentary drop-in where I heard about their work to attract tourism to our area.
It is now only a couple of weeks until English Tourism Week, an annual celebration of the English tourism sector, which will take place from 14-23 March.
This year’s theme is ‘Supporting people and places to drive growth’, and I’m happy to support this celebration as there is certainly a lot to promote in our constituency.
We have some amazing attractions, such as visiting Battle Abbey and Battlefield; taking in the artwork of the De La Warr Pavilion; or exploring Bodiam’s Roman history.
VisitEngland’s website has done well to advertise these cultural activities as part of the 1066 heritage area, as well as the restaurants and vineyards we are so lucky to have – there is something for everyone!
With Spring now on the way, take advantage of days with good weather to support English Tourism Week. You can check out VisitEngland for some more information things to do - https://www.visit1066country.com/
I look forward to supporting VisitEngland as they work to increase tourism and boost our local economy through #EnglishTourismWeek25.
Pancreatic Cancer UK Reception
After a number of constituents asked me I attended Pancreatic Cancer UK's reception to talk about shortages of vital medicines used by pancreatic cancer sufferers.
More than 61,000 people across the UK rely on these medicines and, in a recent survey by Pancreatic Cancer UK, 82% of those people struggled to access their prescription on more than one occasion.
If those suffering from pancreatic cancer can't access these medicines, it can have devastating effects on their quality of life. The Government must strengthen its response to address and resolve the shortages and the impact they are having on people with pancreatic cancer, and I recently wrote to the Department for Health and Social Care to ask how they plan to address this.
The Government must work with NHS organisations to improve communication around what patients should do if they struggle to access these medicines, and I will continue to hold them to account over this.
Pancreatic Cancer UK run a helpline for anyone who is worried about Pancreatic Cancer, which you can contact via 0808 801 0707 or [email protected]. You can also learn more about the symptoms of pancreatic cancer on their website: https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/
Brain Tumour Awareness Month
March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, and in recognition of this, I joined the Brain Tumour Charity to raise awareness around how the National Cancer Plan risks letting brain tumours fall through the gaps.
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of those under 40, and every year, 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with one.
Treatment is most effective when cancer is caught early, but because brain tumours don’t usually spread like other cancers, 49% aren’t technically classified as cancerous. As a result, NHS programmes focused on early diagnosis often miss them, leading to longer waiting times for patients. Unlike other cancers, brain tumours are graded rather than staged, and because they rarely spread beyond stage 1, they are often left out of key cancer treatment programmes.
At the event, I met Oriana, whose father recently passed away after his brain tumour was misdiagnosed. She shared her story about the challenges he faced in getting a diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the urgent need for improvements in early detection and support.
We’ve also written to the Department of Health and Social Care to raise concerns about how brain tumours are graded and how this affects access to treatment and support.
The Brain Tumour Charity is calling for dedicated action in the National Cancer Plan to ensure brain tumours don’t fall through the gaps. I will continue to push for better awareness, research, and early diagnosis so that more families don’t have to go through what Oriana’s has.
If you’d like to learn more or support their work, visit: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/
World Book Day!
This week we celebrated World Book Day (6th March).
I was a big reader as a child and a teen, and I think it helps you a lot in later life! When reading is fun, children are more likely to do it. But for many, it feels like homework rather than an enjoyable escape, and sadly, only 1 in 7 parents read to their child for fun once a month or less.
This is why I’m happy to support and promote #WorldBookDay2025.
The World Book Day Charity works with publishers to offer a selection of £1/€1.50 books, ensuring every child can find something they love. With their £1/€1.50 token, kids can pick a book for free, thanks to distribution through schools, early years settings, magazines—and even in McDonald’s Happy Meals!
Let’s help more children discover the joy of reading and build a lifelong habit that opens doors to endless possibilities.
In support of this campaign, I picked up a copy of a book called “The Wolf Trials” by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, which I look forward to passing on to a young reader in the constituency.
Find out more or get in touch with the World Book Day charity at [email protected] and by visiting their website https://www.worldbookday.com/.
Bexhill Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast
It was really good to meet with so many local business owners at the Battle Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast last Friday and to hear first-hand about the issues which affect them.
Small businesses are vital to towns like Battle by providing employment opportunities, economic growth and ensuring our high streets remain an important focal point for the community.
I know that issues like parking, traffic congestion, business rates and crime affect their ability to grow and thrive which is why I am keen to support them in their bid to ensure Battle remains a thriving town in which to live and work as well as an attractive place to visit.
Thanks to Battle Chamber President, Darren Buss, and Vice-President Sarah Truman for organising such a productive meeting and thanks to the team The Bull Inn for hosting.
Do check out their Facebook linked here for news and updates.
Hurst Green Over-75s Breakfast Club
It was a real pleasure to visit the members and volunteers of Hurst Green Over-75s breakfast club last Friday. The club meets twice a month in Hurst Green Village Hall and is run by Elaine Ralph with the support of a group of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who prepare a Full English Breakfast for its members.
Having spent time chatting to everyone, it is clear to see that this social event is so important to the senior members of the Hurst Green village community. The club helps to alleviate loneliness and isolation which can be a real problem for those living in rural areas. And, for some, it is a welcome break from full-time caring responsibilities.
One of the social issues that drew me to politics was loneliness and social isolation - as a former A&E doctor seeing older patients in hospital and I saw firsthand the direct impact it had on them.
I should like to say a big thank you to Elaine and all the volunteers who give so much of their time and energy to running the club.
Read more on my website here.
Voices of Volya Book Launch
I thought it was important to join the local Ukrainian Choir, Voices of Volya, last weekend at the De La Warr Pavilion to support the launch of their fundraising book.
I expressed my ongoing admiration for the Ukrainian people and their country. Zelensky is an incredibly brave leader who deserves our support.
As part of their book launch an exhibition is on display at the De La Warr Pavilion until 15th March, with the voices of Volya performing for 20 minutes at 11am and 2pm on 15th March. To find out more click here.
Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair
I'm so pleased to be part of the Bexhill Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair, which will be taking place at the De La Warr Pavilion on Friday 21 March, from 10.30am until 3.30pm.
There will be over 50 exhibitors with jobs and opportunities in sectors including hospitality, transport, health & social care, financial services, manufacturing, engineering, construction, tourism, the creative industries and more.
Not long now so do pre-register to speed up entry on the day and read more about the fair in the link below.
Bexhill & Battle Residents: Have Your Say on Local Housing Development
Rother District Council is seeking feedback on its proposed Housing Development Strategy, which will guide housing decisions in our area for the next five years. I encourage residents of Bexhill and Battle to participate in the consultation.
This strategy will influence the type and location of new housing developments. It's important that local voices are heard on this issue.
You can find more information and share your views in the consultation by March 31st here: https://www.rother.gov.uk/consultations/housing-development-strategy-consultation/
Feedback can also be submitted by email: [email protected] or by post: Housing Development Strategy Consultation, Rother District Council, Town Hall, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN39 3JX.
