Welcome to this week's newsletter!
Earlier this week I met with Minister for Disability and Social Security to raise the ongoing difficulties faced by Little Gate Farm in securing funding through the Access to Work scheme. Having visited Little Gate last year, I know what a fantastic charity they are. I will continue to press for answers and work to ensure that charities like Little Gate get the support they need to carry on their vital work.
This week I also I spoke with Dr Wojciech Kasztura, from Martins Oak GP surgery, and local NHS leaders to hear about the challenges they face with their current building and plans to move. There’s a great site nearby they could move to, but they are have been some delays and some obstacles that I am trying my best to help resolve.
The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association came to Parliament, and I had the opportunity to learn more about the work they do in the community. Cadets can be a great vehicle to help achieve future career ambitions. If anyone locally is interested in getting involved with the cadets, check out the article below for information.
I was pleased to attend the ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event organised by Dementia UK in Parliament. This annual event takes place across the UK between the 1st and 8th of May, and the funds go to a great cause that is of real importance to so many people here in Bexhill and Battle. If you’d like to take part, donate, hold a fundraiser and get stuck in, visit Dementia UK’s website and join the fight against Dementia.
I had the opportunity for a Q&A session with students from Bexhill College. It was great to hear from students who are clearly well engaged in both local and national topics. It was also interesting to hear some of the issues which are most important to young people. I hope our conversation has given them some thoughts to take away.
LACA hosted their ‘Great School Lunch’ event this week where I met a number of school chefs who spoke about improvements in the quality and variety of meals that school kids have today. It’s so important that all children get healthy, nutritious food at school, but policies by this Labour Government mean that schools now face tighter margins. We must back schools and staff members whilst they support and teach our children.
Last weekend, I joined Jesus Loves Bexhill for a litter pick. Whilst out, I met with a few different business owners – a great chance to chat with some of the people who help to make sure our town centre keeps busy. Thank you to Jesus Loves Bexhill for having me along!
I'm incredibly proud of the Bexhill Academy Chess Team, who have been crowned County Champions after a fantastic performance, scoring 10 out of 12 points against some tough competition. Well done to Andy N, Luke C, Harry M, and Berk S, you’ve done Bexhill proud, and I wish you the very best of luck in the County Finals at Windlesham House!
Exciting news for schools – registration for schools to get a free tour of Parliament is now open! Schools should register with the online portal linked in the article below, before booking opens on 7th May at 10am. As slots are determined on a first come first serve basis, schools should be prepared for when booking opens.
Although the weather is now warmer, that does not mean viruses like Covid-19 have gone away. Therefore, the NHS has just announced their new round of spring booster vaccines for COVID-19. People aged 75 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system are being offered a spring dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Make sure you check out the article below for links on more information.
Before ending the newsletter, I wanted to share with you my latest Bexhill Observer article, which focuses on the new Bexhill Mental Health Hospital, which will, in the long-term, help to alleviate some of the extreme waiting times we see for referral assessments. See the link in the article to give it a full read through.
And lastly, please see the bottom of the newsletter for updated information on road closures.
Have a great weekend.
This week's newsletter:
- Meeting with Minister for Social Security & Disability
- Martins Oak GP Surgery Update
- SERFCA & GL Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations Drop-in
- Dementia UK Drop-in
- Q&A Session with Students from Bexhill College
- 'Great School Lunch' Reception
- Litter Pick with Jesus Loves Bexhill
- Bexhill Academy Chess Team Become County Champions!
- Register Now for Free School Tours of Parliament - Autumn 2025
- COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccinations
- Observer Article - New Bexhill Mental Health Hospital
- Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties)
Meeting with Minister for Social Security & Disability
Earlier this week, I met with the Minister for Social Security & Disability, Stephen Timms, to raise concerns on behalf of Little Gate Farm, a brilliant local charity that helps people with learning disabilities and autism into paid work.
Having visited Little Gate last year to see their work first-hand, I was incredibly impressed by their passion and impact.
Since then, they’ve been facing ongoing difficulties getting funding through the Access to Work scheme, which has caused serious delays and uncertainty. This funding is crucial to support the job coaching and travel training that enables their trainees to succeed in the workplace.
I’ll continue to press for answers and work to ensure that charities like Little Gate get the support they need to carry on their vital work.
Martins Oak GP Surgery Update
I joined a meeting with Dr Wojciech Kasztura, from Martins Oak GP surgery, and local NHS leaders to hear about the challenges they face with their current building and plans to move.
The surgery is already too small for the number of patients they see – and with more housing being built, that pressure is only going to increase.
There’s a great site nearby they could move to, but the main hold-up is with the Valuation Office. Their figures haven’t kept up with rising building costs and market rents, and that’s creating a real barrier to progress.
I’m pushing for the Valuation Office to review how they assess these projects so we can unlock the investment needed and make sure local patients get the space and services they deserve. GP surgeries must be able to grow with their communities.
SERFCA & GL Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations Drop-in
This week, The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association came to Parliament, and I had the opportunity to learn more about the work they do in the community.
I had the pleasure to speak to Jess, and asked what motivated her to join the cadets and what she has got out of it since joining. We also talked about how the cadets are a great vehicle to help achieve future career ambitions.
I’ve found that sometimes our young people are talked down, but I’m happy to say that in my experience they are ready to rise to the challenges put in front of them. Young people like Jess have great values, and institutions like the cadets are helping bring those out in them and make them the best people they can be.
I'd like to thank the Sussex Army cadets and Royal Airforce cadets in Bexhill and in Battle for all the opportunities they give our young people in the constituency.
You can learn more about the cadets work, and get involved through the links above.
Dementia UK Drop-in
I dropped into the ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event organised by Dementia UK.
Time for a Cuppa is an annual event that will be taking place across the UK between the 1st and 8th of May, and the funds go to a great cause that is of real importance to so many people here in the constituency.
I’ve had many constituents reach out and share moving personal accounts of how dementia has affected their loved ones. Dementia UK is doing vital work that can be a lifeline to families who need that extra bit of help when someone they know is facing dementia.
If you’d like to take part, donate, hold a fundraiser and get stuck in, visit Dementia UK’s website and join the fight against Dementia! And be sure to enjoy a cuppa and cake while you do so!
Q&A Session with Students from Bexhill College
I spoke with students from Bexhill College, as they visited Parliament to learn a bit more about democracy in the UK.
I took time to explain my own background, and what had got me interested in becoming an MP. But as I had recently visited Bexhill College, I had a longer Q&A session to answer questions from students on some of the issues most important to them.
It was great to hear from students who are clearly well engaged in both local and national topics – I hope that my time speaking has given them something to think about, and perhaps an interest to explore politics more, outside of the classroom.
Thank you for having me to speak; speaking with young people is one of my favourite parts of being an MP.
'Great School Lunch' Reception
I had a good time at the LACA Great School Lunch event, meeting school chefs who are passionate about what they do. Many said that they have seen a huge improvement in the quality and variety of school food.
It’s so important that all children get healthy, nutritious food at school. These frontline staff work tirelessly to make that happen, day in and day out.
But rising food prices and inflation are putting real pressure on school budgets and Labour’s national insurance rise is only making it harder for them.
We need to back our schools and the people who help keep children happy, healthy and ready to learn.
Litter Pick with Jesus Loves Bexhill
It was great to join litter pick group Jesus Loves Bexhill last weekend to take some time to help make sure our local streets are clear of rubbish!
I get to meet all sorts of groups motivated by different reasons to help improve our local communities - I will always do my best to get behind them in their efforts and thank them on behalf of all my constituents who I know appreciate all they do.
Whilst out I was pleased to meet some of the local business owners, including Gopikka in Homely Treatz in Western Road, Anne of the Evangelical Bookshop in the Mall, Craig in the booming House of Darts shop, and Bogdan & Anna at The Grill House.
We were fortunate to have lovely weather, and I had great company!
Thank you to Jesus Loves Bexhill for having me.
Bexhill Academy Chess Team Become County Champions!
I'm incredibly proud of the Bexhill Academy Chess Team, who have been crowned County Champions after a fantastic performance, scoring 10 out of 12 points against some tough competition.
With strong wins over St Andrew’s Prep, Brighton College B, and Lancing College Prep, the team showed real focus, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout.
Well done to Andy N, Luke C, Harry M, and Berk S, you’ve done Bexhill proud, and I wish you the very best of luck in the County Finals at Windlesham House!
Register Now for Free School Tours of Parliament - Autumn 2025
To anyone involved in a local primary or secondary school, Parliament has opened up its registration portal to book tours for schools in the autumn term (September - December). Booking will be open from 10am on 7th May.
These highly popular visits include:
- A guided tour of the Palace of Westminster
- A curricula-informed workshop in our award-winning Education Centre
- A Q&A session with myself as your local MP, or member of the House of Lords. This depends on the business of the House that day.
- Help with travel costs (eligibility criteria applies)
If you have any questions, please contact the Education and Engagement Team on [email protected], or phone on 020 7219 4496, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
To book, first you need to register an account for your school through this link. You will also find information which will help guide you through the booking process.
As there are only so many places for tours, with an online queue system of first come first serve, make sure you're prepared for when booking opens at 10am on 7th May.
COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccinations
Although the weather is warmer, viruses have not gone away.
COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions. For these reasons, people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system are being offered a spring dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
You should be offered an appointment between April and June, with those at highest risk being called in first. You will be invited to have your booster around 6 months after your last dose, but you can have it as soon as 3 months.
If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June, you do not have to wait until your birthday, you can attend when you are called for vaccination.
You will be invited for your booster, your GP may offer you the vaccine or you can book using the NHS app for Apple or Android. You can also find your nearest walk-in vaccination site from the NHS website.
Observer Article - New Bexhill Mental Health Hospital
My fortnightly Bexhill Observer article is published.
I decided to focus on the new Bexhill Mental Health Hospital, which I visited recently, and how it will help to relieve some of the pressure on our local NHS Trust.
We know that wait times for referrals on ADHD and autism assessments are very long now. This new hospital will definitely help to reduce these wait-times in the longer term.
Check out my article in full here to find out more.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Bexhill
- Cooden Drive: 3 February 2025 – 1 February 2026
- Arthur Road: 22 April – 6 May
Hooe
- Denbigh Road: 5 May
- A259: 6 May – 8 May
Westfield
- Moat Lane: 6 May – 8 May
Three Oaks
- Eight Acre Lane: 12 May
- Fourteen Acre Lane: 12 May – 14 May
Ninfield
- Manchester Road: 5 May
Brightling
- Brightling Road: 14 May
- Observatory Road: 15 May
Sedlescombe
- Crazy Lane: 24 February – 30 May
- Hurst Lane: 14 May – 15 May
Hawkhurst / Flimwell
- Demolden Lane: 9 May – 28 June
- Post Office Road: 31 March – 30 June
- Cranbrook Road: 31 March – 6 May
Broad Oak
- Old Heathfield Road: 8 May (19:00 – 22:00)
Wadhurst
- Snape Lane: 12 May – 6 June
Robertsbridge
- Church Lane: 10 May
Burwash Weald
- Vicarage Lane: 12 May – 14 May
- Witherenden Road: 13 May – 14 May
