Welcome to this week's newsletter.
My Christmas Card Competition vote has started! The entries this year have all been fantastic, making the task of selecting finalists a challenge. Visit the link below to 'like' your favourite on my Facebook post.
If you don't use Facebook you can also vote on my website.
https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/christmas-card-competition-2023
A special thanks to Daniel Dunning-Cole and Scott Dunning from Charterhouse Group (https://charterhouse.group) for generously sponsoring this year's competition, with creative arts prizes for the winner's school. We are also partnering with Crewe FC again to sell the cards to raise money for Wishing Well.
Voting closes at 12 pm on Tuesday, 28th November. Best of luck to all the talented participants!
In the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor has unveiled a series of measures aimed at boosting growth and helping working people. Despite the challenges, the UK economy has shown resilience, growing the third fastest in the G7 since 2010. Key initiatives include a historic cut in National Insurance, simplifying tax for the self-employed, reducing business taxes, and an increase in the National Living Wage.
Following the announcement that HS2 will not progress past Birmingham, the Secretary of State for Transport has committed to extensive government support for Crewe and Cheshire East. Despite the disappointment, I have been focused on securing funding to drive positive change for Crewe. The commitment includes further funding and collaboration with local leaders to explore new regeneration and growth opportunities. While the decision on HS2 was not what we hoped for, let's not lose sight of the positive developments, including the £22.9 million Town Deal Fund and other significant investments shaping the future of Crewe.
This week, I have taken part in discussions in Number 10 with the Hospitals Minister on the opportunities of Deep Geothermal Energy. Leighton and other hospitals could serve as excellent pilot sites for this innovative project. The aim is to kick-start a deep geothermal industry, bringing jobs and investments to Crewe & Nantwich and the broader Cheshire area.
Finally, as we approach Small Business Saturday on December 2nd, let's celebrate our local small businesses. This week, we spotlight the Local Community Disability PA Support Service, a Cheshire East-based initiative providing crucial support for adults and now extending its services to children with additional needs.
Have a great weekend.
Christmas Card Competition
Autumn Statement
Funding for Crewe
Deep Geothermal for Crewe and Nantwich
Local History - Haslington Hall
Small Business Saturday - Local Community Disability PA Support Service
Traffic Report
Christmas Card Competition
The time has come to decide the winning design for my Christmas Card this year. Once again, primary school pupils from across the constituency have unleashed their creativity and sent in some amazing artwork. Thank you to everyone who took part - you all did fantastically. Deciding the designs to go through to the final was very difficult, but I have selected the below to go to a public vote to decide the winner - that will be sent to, among others, the Prime Minister. Vote for your winner by 'liking' the picture for your favourite on my Facebook post:
If you don't have Facebook vote online here:
https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/christmas-card-competition-2023
Thank you to Daniel Dunning-Cole and Scott Dunning from Charterhouse Group for sponsoring the competition this year. Thanks to their generosity, we are able to give creative arts prizes for the winning school and two runners up and we will also be working with Crewe FC to sell the cards to raise money for The Wishing Well.
Voting will close 12pm Tuesday 28th November. Good luck everyone!
Here are the names for all of the finalists and what I liked about them:
1. Adrian, 9 Years Old - Monks Coppenhall Academy
The bright colours, glittery letters and little gold stars combine to make a stunning card.
2. Sofia, 5 Years Old - Bridgemere CofE Primary School
The bold gold star and hand print tree caught my eye.
3. Zoe, Year 5 - Nantwich Primary Academy
I wasn't quite sure if they were penguins or snow men, but they looked cute and happy and put a smile on my face.
4. Willow, 10 Years Old - Beechwood Primary
A big bold Christmas tree, a nice traditional card-those red and green baubles must've taken a while.
5. Sahiru, 8 Years Old - Leighton Academy
The card really stood out for the quality of the craftmanship-especially the bright colours and the Santa.
6. Summer, Year 2 - Haslington Primary
More of Snowmonster than a Snowman, but the cute not scary kind!
7. Paizley, 10 Years Old - Monks Coppenhall Academy
Who wouldn't be drawn to those Grinchmas eyes! Fantastic! I also loved the list-I think Paizley covered just about all the best things!
8. Oliver, Year 4 - Nantwich Primary
The bold black border adds sophistication to this design, simplicity with added Christmas sparkle.
Good luck to everyone!
Autumn Statement
This week, the Chancellor unveiled the Autumn Statement. I understand that things have been tough, and there is still more to do, but the difficult decisions that the Government have made has meant that inflation has halved and the economy is recovering. Since 2010, the UK economy has grown the third fastest in the G7 - faster than France, Germany, Japan and Italy.
This has given the Chancellor the solid foundations needed to bring forward a package of measures that will help boost growth and put more money in the pockets of working people.
These include:
- Cutting National Insurance from 12% to 10% in January - The largest cut on NI in history, saving £450 a year for the average worker earning £35,000.
- Cutting and Simplifying Tax for the Self- Employed - Abolishing an entire class of NICs and cutting the rate of the NICs top rate from 9 per cent to 8 per cent
- Cutting Business Taxes - Encouraging businesses to invest in the UK creating jobs and growth
- Cutting Business Rates by Freezing Small Business Multiplier - Saving an average shop £1,650
- Increasing the National Living Wage to £11.44 - a 9.8% increase benefitting 2.7 million of low paid workers
- Increase in Local Housing Allowance - an average income boost of £800 for the most vulnerable families
- Boosting Pensions by 8.5% - In line with the triple lock
- Freezing Alcohol Duty - Helping our hospitality sector
- Increasing All Working Age Benefits - while also reforming welfare, helping people get into work
Find out more via the link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-statement-2023
Funding for Crewe
This week the Secretary of State for Transport has written to me, committing to “extensive work” by the Government including future funding to support Crewe and Cheshire East following the announcement that HS2 will not progress past Birmingham.
The letter confirms further funding will be made available, including through Local Integrated Transport Settlements due to be announced.
The letter explains that the Government is committed to “extensive work with the Council and other local leaders – led by DfT and DLUHC – to determine new regeneration and growth opportunities in Crewe.
The decision on HS2 was not the one I wanted. I understand why people will be sceptical about pledges from Government right now. But it is my job to try and make the most of any and every opportunity and so I have been raising the need for support and funding for Crewe in light of the decision. I have been able to raise with the Prime Minister, Chancellor and the Secretary’s of State for Transport and Levelling Up. Getting this formal commitment is the first step and I am now focused on securing funding to support it. This is something I will work with Cheshire East on and they have been able to put forward the funding figures we can use as a basis for negotiation with Government.
It is important to remember, whatever happens, positive change is coming for Crewe. We have the £22.9 million Town Deal Fund that will deliver the regeneration of Flag Lane Baths, a new Youth Zone, improvements to our pocket parks and more. We have £5 million of funding for an Institute of Technology at Cheshire College. We have £14 million Future High Streets fund as well. The decision on HS2 was disappointing, but let’s not lose sight of the positives we still have.
Our bid for the Levelling Up Fund was based around the need to change transport around the station to support it becoming a HS2 Hub. As this isn’t happening, we weren’t in a position to lobby for that bid to be funded. But as explained, I am focused on securing other funding.
Deep Geothermal for Crewe and Nantwich
I have been continuing to work on getting funding to support the kick start of a UK deep geothermal industry and this week I had meetings in Number 10 and with the Hospitals Minister. Leighton and other hospitals would be great pilot sites!
This builds on the report I published earlier in the year for the Prime Minister. Deep Geothermal has huge potential in the UK and if it gets going Crewe & Nantwich and the rest of Cheshire would be at the forefront bringing jobs and investment to the area.
I'm hoping we get a breakthrough on a funding proposal soon!
Here is the report I published:
https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/news/deep-geothermal-report-publishd
Local History - Haslington Hall
Haslington Hall is another example of a historical building which, whilst not in its original form, carries a long history dating back to the 16th century during the Tudor period. Indeed, the estates early history is tied in with the influential Vernon family, whose family’s origin in England dates back to 1066 having been involved in the Battle of Hastings with the invading force from Normandy.
The original building, a manor house, was acquired by the Vernon family through the marriage of Sir Thomas Vernon to Joan Lostock in the 14th century. However, it was not until 1545 that the manor underwent refurbishment into the larger Haslington Hall, commissioned by Admiral Sir Francis Vernon, descendant to of Sir Thomas Vernon.
Admiral Sir Francis Vernon was influential not just in the regional area. As a prominent member of the British Navy, he sailed alongside Sir Francis Drake against the Spanish Armada. Following the battle, it is claimed that Admiral Sir Francis Vernon collected timber from the ruins of the Armada, which were then returned to Haslington Hall and later incorporated into the frame of the property.
In the long period of time that separates the 16th century and 20th century, Haslington Hall would eventually become a farmhouse. Certainly, the architecture of the estate as we see it today is in line with what you might expect a traditional Tudor age house to look like. However, it’s important to note the hall underwent extensive repairs in 1931.
Sadly, the incredible long and rich history of this property, aside from the details above, is very difficult to know before WWII. In 1940 a WWII bomb was dropped on a bank vault in Manchester which held all the documents pertaining to Haslington Halls past, and with it was lost some 500 years of history. It goes to show the importance of written history in retaining what living memory cannot.
Small Business Saturday - Local Community Disability PA Support Service
December 2nd is Small Business Saturday, where we support where we celebrate the hard work of our local, small businesses - and encourage people to use them. Support your local high street!
Until then, I will highlight the work of a few local businesses. This week I am focusing on the Local Community Disability PA Support Service.
Based in Cheshire East, Cheshire (Disability) PA Support service provides support for adults with additional needs and their families. Providing independence out and about in the community, enabling young people to gain new experiences to enhance their lives. All support is designed to meet each individual’s needs. They are now expanding and are now able to offer support to children as well as adults with additional needs.
Find out more here: https://cheshirepasupport.co.uk/
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire east.
Flowers Lane – (see Leighton closures)
Mill Lane, Oakhanger - Until 15th July 2024
Radway Green Road - Until 25th November
Middlewich Street, Crewe - 27th November until 1st December
Moss Lane, Crewe - 27th November until 1st December
Lambourne Drive - 30th November
Shewbridge Road, Nantwich - 29th November
Station Road, Nantwich - 26th November
For further details of the closures around Leighton hospital, please see: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways_and_roads/roadworks/major-projects/north-west-crewe-package-nwcp/north-west-crewe-package.aspx