Welcome to this week's newsletter!
The Chancellor finally announced her Budget - with multiple leaks over recent weeks and the OBR releasing their forecast before she even had a chance to stand at the dispatch box. What a mess!
Rachel Reeves has broken her promise and raised taxes again, taking us toward the highest tax burden on record. Families are already struggling with the cost of living, yet Labour has chosen to make life even more expensive while failing to deliver a plan for growth. This is a Benefits Budget paid for by hardworking people.
On a cheerier, more festive note, I’m delighted to share that the winner of this year’s Christmas card competition is Jack from Bodiam CE Primary School. His brilliant design will be used for my official Christmas card this year, including one sent to His Majesty The King. A huge well done also to our runners-up, Elise and Abigail from Chantry Community Primary School, who produced fantastic designs!
Last week, I attended the Parky Charter debate, calling for faster diagnosis and fairer access to specialist care for people living with Parkinson’s in Bexhill and Battle. I was proud to recognise our local Parkinson’s Group, whose outstanding campaigning is driving real change.
In the Chamber, I pressed Ministers again on the urgent need to unlock stalled GP surgery developments in our area. These modern facilities are vital for improving access to primary care, and I’ll keep pushing until progress is made.
I met Southern Water’s CEO to demand full accountability for the recent bio-bead pollution incident. This should never have happened - I’ll continue working closely with the Environment Agency and will support them to use every tool available to ensure Southern Water is held fully accountable for any damage caused.
It was great to speak with British drone innovators, Windracers, whose technology is supporting Ukraine by delivering supplies and vital intelligence on the frontline. The UK remains a leading partner in defending freedom and helping Ukraine protect its future.
A reminder that the Bexhill Jobs and Exhibitor Fair returns on 6 March 2026 - free for exhibitors, with limited places. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this hugely successful community event, now in its 10th year!
In the constituency, I visited Dragonflies Community Nursery and Sidley Community Garden to see the fantastic work of the Bexhill Family Collective CIC in supporting families and the wider community. Their dedication to early years provision and community wellbeing is making a real difference in Sidley.
I was also pleased to join a local Community Speedwatch session to see the brilliant work volunteers do to keep our roads safe, especially during Road Safety Week. Their efforts help tackle dangerous speeding and protect everyone using our roads.
The arrest of a prolific shoplifter in Bexhill shows how effective the DISC intelligence-sharing system is in helping retailers and police tackle crime together. Rother Police are now relaunching DISC to strengthen partnership working and keep our high streets safer.
As Christmas draws closer, join the String Quartet for festive favourites from Christmas films on 17th December at Battle Memorial Hall. All proceeds will help create Rother’s Neurodivergent Hub for children and families.
It was also exciting to hear the Christmas lights are up in Battle! Everyone seems to have had a lot of fun and helped make the town as festive as possible - thank you to all who helped.
A quick reminder that replacement works for Lychgates Close and Hastings Road footbridges over the A259 are in their final phase, with installation planned for early December. Diversions and closures will be clearly signposted, and the new bridges are expected to open on 12th December.
Lastly, please check the bottom of the newsletter for details on local road closures, as provided by third parties.
Have a great weekend.
This week's newsletter:
- Christmas Card Competition - Winner's Announced!
- Labour's Broken Promise
- Welcoming Local Parkinson's Group to Parliament & Westminster Hall Debate on the Parky Charter
- Raising the Issue of Stalled GP Surgery Development
- Meeting with Southern Water's CEO
- British Drones to Ukraine - Windracers
- Bexhill Jobs Fair - Exhibitor Registration Now Open
- Dragonflies Community Nursery
- Community Speedwatch
- DISC System to Tackle Shoplifting
- Festive Soundtracks Performed by a String Quartet
- Christmas Lights Coming to Battle
- A259 Replacement of Lychgates Close and Hastings Road Footbridges
- Local Road Closures
Christmas Card Competition - Winner's Announced!
I am delighted to share that the winner of this year's Christmas card competition is Jack from Bodiam CE Primary School. His brilliant design will be used for my official Christmas card this year, including the card being sent to His Majesty The King.
A huge well done as well to our runners up, Elise and Abigail from Chantry Community Primary School, who produced fantastic designs.
All three have won art supplies for their schools as a thank you for their hard work and creativity.
Thank you to every pupil who took part this year. The standard was incredibly high and it is the highlight of my year to look through all the entries sent in.
Wishing everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas season.
Labour's Broken Promise
Rachel Reeves has broken her promise and raised taxes yet again so that we are heading for the highest tax burden on record.
This Budget puts an extra £26 billion of taxes on working people, at a time when inflation is forecast to rise again next year and economic growth has been revised down in every single year of the forecast. It is simply the wrong approach when families are already struggling with the cost of living.
There was a better choice. Labour could have controlled spending, including tackling the huge growth in welfare costs, and used the savings to ease the tax burden. By following our Golden Economic Rule they could have made room to cut taxes and support growth. Instead, they chose the opposite.
Instead of a plan to grow the economy, support jobs or make work pay, Labour have delivered a Budget that makes life more expensive and expands the size of the state even further. Hard working people are being asked to pay more while getting less in return.
Meanwhile, Labour’s mismanagement of migration continues to impose mounting costs on the taxpayer. Budget figures now show that asylum accommodation costs are set to reach £15.3 billion over the next decade – triple the previously forecast £4.5 billion.
Labour is losing control of migration and piling billions onto the public bill. They are asking the British people to pay for their failure. Only the Conservatives have a plan to get Britain working again, grow the economy and bring taxes down in a responsible way.
Welcoming Local Parkinson's Group to Parliament & Westminster Hall Debate on the Parky Charter
Last week I welcomed Linda, Helen and Viv from our local Parkinson’s Group to Parliament as I spoke up on behalf of everyone in Bexhill and Battle living with Parkinson’s, and the incredible local campaigners who are pushing tirelessly for better care.
Parkinson's affects more people every year, including around 377 people in Bexhill and Battle.
The Westminster Hall debate on the Parky Charter was very well attended by MPs from across the House. While the strict time limits meant my speech was cut short, I was still able to highlight several important issue including the growing pressure on local NHS services and the long waits many face for diagnosis or access to specialist nurses, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.
The Parky Charter draws attention to these delays, the gaps in specialist care and the need for fair, consistent support across the NHS. It also calls for increased investment in research so that better treatments can be developed in future.
I was particularly proud to recognise the excellent work of our local Parkinson’s Group. Their commitment to awareness-raising and community support is exceptional, and their efforts helped secure 576 signatures for the petition - the highest number anywhere in the UK. It was also an important moment to acknowledge the progress being made at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, while making clear that much more still needs to be done.
Thank you again to Linda, Helen and Viv for coming to Parliament. I will keep pushing for earlier diagnosis, better specialist support, and the joined-up, compassionate care that everyone living with Parkinson’s deserves.
You can watch my speech in the clip linked below.
Raising the Issue of Stalled GP Surgery Development
In the Commons I again raised the issue of stalled GP surgery developments and asked Ministers for an update. As many will know, several long planned projects including Martins Oak in Battle, Little Common and Old Town in Bexhill, and Oldwood Surgery in Robertsbridge are currently unable to proceed.
Rising construction costs and the way primary care rents are assessed mean these schemes no longer add up financially, despite the clear need for modern, fit for purpose GP premises across our area.
I met the Minister earlier this year to discuss this in detail, but it has been some time since I last received any update on what progress has been made. Given how important these surgeries will be for improving access to primary care, I thought it was right to raise the issue again directly in the chamber today.
I will continue pressing for changes to the rental valuation system so that these much needed developments can finally move forward for the communities they serve.
Meeting with Southern Water's CEO
Following the release of bio-beads into the sea earlier this month, I met with Lawrence Gosden, CEO of Southern Water, in Parliament. He took full responsibility for what happened.
I stressed that I expect Southern Water to fully cooperate with the Environment Agency’s (EA's) ongoing investigation.
The EA has already confirmed to me that their inquiries are underway. They have set up a dedicated team to determine the cause and the impact of the pollution.
As this is an active investigation, they cannot share detailed findings yet, but it’s important to remember that the Environment Agency has the authority to prosecute through the courts, who can then assess any appropriate punishment in accordance with the offences committed. I will stay in close contact with them throughout this process.
If you do spot any bio-beads on our beaches, the EA has asked that they be reported to their incident hotline on 0800 807060, quoting reference 2440833. It is important that they have as much evidence as possible.
The EA has also said that should members of the public should report dead birds to Animal and Plant Health Authority (APHA) Report dead wild birds - GOV.UK or by calling 03459 335577. Dead marine mammals, such as seals, whales and dolphins, should be reported to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) on 0800 652 0333.
It is welcome news that Southern Water has launched an independent internal investigation, which I understand will help them identify the technical causes of the incident. However, the Environment Agency’s investigation remains the absolute authority.
During our meeting, Lawrence Gosden confirmed that Southern Water will cover all costs associated with the clean-up and there is ongoing consideration to further compensation. He also committed to full transparency with the Environment Agency throughout the investigation, which I will hold him to.
I will continue to closely monitor developments and will press the Environment Agency to use every tool available to ensure Southern Water is held fully accountable for any damage caused by this spill.
If you would like to read more about this incident, my latest column in the Bexhill & Battle Observer covers it in detail. You can read it here.
British Drones to Ukraine - Windracers
In Parliament last week, I met with the team from Windracers, a British company whose drones are helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia. Their ULTRA aircraft is used by the Ukrainian army to move supplies, support frontline operations, and gather vital information.
It was great to hear how Windracers has rapidly scaled up its work, becoming a trusted supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence and providing equipment that is already making a real difference on the ground in Ukraine.
The UK continues to be one of Ukraine’s strongest partners, and British businesses are helping to develop the innovative technology Ukraine needs to protect its people and its future.
I’m proud of what the UK has done to guard democracy in Europe, aiding the incredibly brave Ukrainians who are fighting to defend their homeland.
We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Bexhill's Jobs Fair - Exhibitor Registration Now Open
The Bexhill Jobs and Exhibitor Fair, Friday 6 March 2026, is now open for exhibitor registration! It’s FREE to exhibit but places are limited.
I'm proud to be part of the organising team of this community-led and not for profit event.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to be involved in this dynamic and hugely successful jobs fair which is now in its 10th year!
Please follow this link to the De La Warr Pavilion's website for all the details.
Dragonflies Community Nursery
Last Friday, I visited Dragonflies Community Nursery in Sidley and the Sidley Community Garden to talk to Heather Winchester, CEO of the Bexhill Family Collective CIC which runs both organisations along with a community pantry at Bexhill Family Hub.
I was so impressed with what the Bexhill Family Collective CIC has achieved for families and residents of Sidley. It was great to talk to Heather about local nursery provision and support for young families. I know from my work supporting the 1001 Critical Days Foundation just how important the early years are in a child’s development and how vital it is that families are fully supported during this critical time.
It was also great to see that the Bexhill Family Collective is supporting all generations of the local community through development of the Sidley Community Garden. Research continually demonstrates how important being out in nature is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. This garden really does belong to the community, and I hope that local residents will get involved in volunteering, using the garden, taking part in activities and making the most of this great community asset.
To visit Sidley Community Garden or get involved in volunteering contact Heather at [email protected].
Community Speedwatch
I joined a local Community Speedwatch session to see first hand the incredible work they do to keep our roads safe. Speeding is one of the biggest causes of road accidents, and this is particularly important as last week marked BRAKE Road Safety Week.
Community Speedwatch is a volunteer-led initiative where trained residents work with the police to monitor vehicle speeds in areas where speeding is a concern. Volunteers use approved equipment to record speeds and report offenders to the police. Drivers caught speeding receive a warning letter, and repeat offenders face further action.
A huge thank you to the volunteers who give their time to make our roads safer. Let’s all do our part: drive carefully, respect speed limits, and look out for each other.
DISC System to Tackle Shoplifting
Great news on the effective use of DISC for high street retailers in Bexhill from Rother Police as a prolific shoplifter, Ben Quay, was recently arrested and charged with multiple outstanding offences thanks to intelligence gathered through DISC.
Reports submitted by local retailers provided vital evidence, enabling officers to identify and track the suspect quickly. This successful outcome demonstrates the power of partnership working and the importance of timely reporting.
Rother Police are now relaunching the DISC system in Rother, a secure platform that enables businesses, police, and local authorities to share intelligence, report incidents, and stay informed.
DISC provides a secure space to:
• Report incidents and suspicious behaviour
• Share intelligence and CCTV images
• Receive alerts and updates from the police
Whether you’re a shop owner, security staff, or council officer, DISC helps the police to work smarter and safer by creating a joined-up approach to tackling crime and ASB.
Not yet on DISC? Please speak with your local PCSO or Police Officer for joining instructions.
Festive Soundtracks Performed by a String Quartet
Join String Quartet for a cosy, magical evening filled with the enchanting melodies of your favourite holiday films, played live on string instruments. This is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.
Expect iconic music from beloved Christmas movies such as The Holiday, Elf, Love Actually, Polar Express, It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone and more.
- Battle Memorial Hall
- Wednesday 17th December
- Performances at 17:30 and 19:30
- Suitable for ages 8+
All of the profits from this event will go to supporting the development of Rother’s Neurodivergent Hub in Egerton Park, Bexhill, founded by Space for Yew CIC.
This Hub will be a dedicated, inclusive space for neurodivergent children, young people and families and this event directly helps bring it to life.
Make sure to check it their Facebook page here.
Christmas Lights Coming to Battle
What an amazing community effort in Battle! Well done to everyone involved in bringing Christmas lights to the town this year.
Check out the video linked above from Sarah's Cellar showing everyone helping out to get the lights up!
A259 Replacement of Lychgates Close and Hastings Road Footbridges
National Highways has confirmed that replacement works for the Lychgates Close and Hastings Road footbridges over the A259 are entering their final phase, with installation scheduled for early December.
A full weekend closure of the A259 King Offa Way, between the A269 junctions at London Road and Dorset Road, will take place from 8pm Friday 5 December to 6am Monday 8 December. If weather prevents installation that weekend, the work will move to the following weekend.
Additional overnight closures will occur from 1 - 4 December and 8 - 12 December, running from 8pm to 6am each night.
If work proceeds as planned, both new footbridges are expected to open to the public on Friday 12 December.
Diversion routes for drivers and pedestrians will be clearly signposted. National Highways has also confirmed that the diversion strategy avoids sending traffic through Hooe, responding to concerns raised by local representatives.
Residents will receive updates through letter drops, signage, social media, and the National Highways website.
Local Road Closures (please note this information is provided by third parties):
Bexhill
- Cooden Drive: 3 Feb 2025 to 1 Feb 2026
- St Leonards Road: 29 Nov, 12:00 to 20:00
- Western Road: 29 Nov, 12:00 to 20:00
- Claremont Road: 2 Dec to 9 Dec, 08:00 to 18:00
Westfield
- Westfield Lane: 1 Dec to 4 Dec
- The Moor: 8 Dec to 9 Dec
Three Oaks
- Butchers Lane: 24 Nov, 09:34 to 12 Dec, 23:59
Crowhurst
- Crowhurst Road: 11 Dec to 12 Dec
Battle
- The Green: 29 Nov, 13:00 to 18:00
- High Street: 29 Nov, 13:00 to 18:00
- Netherfield Hill: 3 Dec, 09:30 to 15:30
Netherfield
- Netherfield Road: 8 Dec
Burwash
- Swing Gate Hill: 28 Nov, 09:30 to 15:30
Robertsbridge
- High Street: 5 Dec, 17:00 to 21:00
