WELCOME TO MY WEEKLY UPDATE no.288 Westminster has gone crazy with budget speculation with the government following the well-worn path of trying to get the bad news out of the way in order to announce some good news on the day. And we have had our own fireworks in Godalming and Ash - even ahead of bonfire night.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
GLOOMY POLITICS IS A CHOICE Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a speech today told us that it is time to “embrace the harsh light of fiscal reality”, setting our expectations for Wednesday’s Budget. If politics really is a choice, why is he choosing doom and gloom that is already hurting consumer confidence and deterring investors? Perhaps because he needs cover to break manifesto promises on tax in what I fear will be the biggest assault on British business since Dennis Healey decided to make the pips squeak. If you think I am exaggerating, IFS Director Paul Johnson says here it could be “one of the biggest tax-raising budgets ever.”
PILING UP THE DEBT It’s not just on tax…Rachel Reeves is also going to change the fiscal rules to allow her to borrow much more. No one objects to making some sensible investments (say nuclear power stations, motorways or new railway lines) but it does feel wrong when you explicitly promised not to change your fiscal rules to do so. As I have said previously, the advice I received was always that higher borrowing just keeps interest rates up for longer so I hope the pros and cons have been properly balanced.
UNDIPLOMATIC VAT The Labour government’s removal of the private school fee VAT exemption has now caused a diplomatic spat. Both the French and German ambassadors in the UK have come out against the decision as it impacts international schools. The French ambassador even went as far as to tell the FT that the decision runs counter to Labour’s desired “reset” with the EU. I know Labour doesn’t understand people with aspiration but surely they don’t want to upset the French as well?
WHAT’S GOING ON LOCALLY
SURREY SPEAKS If we do want to end the disparities between state and private education, the answer is to raise standards at state schools which has been happening - English state schools are now some of the best performing in the world. So together with Farnham MP Greg Stafford and East Hants MP Damian Hinds I have written to the Chancellor and Education Secretary ahead of the Budget to urge the Government to reconsider its disastrous proposals.
MORE DOCS FOR ASH Getting GP appointments is a major concern in Ash so there was great interest in the Ash Lodge Park site, earmarked as a potential new GP surgery, until the NHS kiboshed the idea. I now have meetings lined up over the next few weeks with the NHS Frimley Chief Exec, the CEO Surrey Heartlands ICS and Bartletts surgery to try to get to the bottom of the issue. I also want to know what Guildford BC’s plans would be if the NHS don’t use it…it would be a real shame (and actually a big failure by GBC) if the land was just handed back to developers because they fail to find a good community use for it.
SURGERY CALLS One of my calls today was to a Cranleigh resident concerned about a number of the challenges facing businesses in Cranleigh. These included a number of issues including the potential rise in business rates in the budget and the impact it would have on Cranleigh businesses, particularly not continuing with the 75% discount on high street rates that I had during my time as Chancellor as well as the multiple advantages internet retailers have over high street retailers. He also wondered about more sustainability grants and support for retailers from Surrey County Council. I will take up these issues with both the Chancellor and the council.
SCHOOL BUS WOES Chandler CofE school parents are understandably very disappointed with the news that Surrey County Council will cease its bus transport. I have written to SCC to understand why and what can be done. They are saying the service can only run if it aligns with Rodborough start and stop times which doesn’t now happen as Rodborough has changed the timings of its school day. I am trying to broker a solution.
DID YOU KNOW? Over 2,720 people have now directly donated to the Cancer and Surgical Innovation Centre (CASIC) campaign of which 86 gave more that £1k, 50 people over £500 and 1,208 people have given over £50. This is brilliant and has helped to bring our total to date to over £560,000…But…we need more please! One of the easiest ways is to buy a ticket to the afternoon tea being on Friday 8th £22 in Elstead at the village hall. For more details visit:ticketsource.co.uk/royal-surrey-charity or by call 07932 411108.
SAVE BLACKHEATH PUB A few months ago you will remember I joined Blackheath Village Society in opposing the application for conversion of the former Villagers pub in Blackheath from a public house use to a residential use. Waverley’s planning committee voted to approve the change of use but now Blackheath villagers have come back fighting and are crowdfunding to get this quashed via a judicial review of the decision - click here for more information or if you would like to donate to saving a genuine local institution.
HALF TERM FUN For those looking to entertain the family this week, here’s a round up of great local ideas: Pumpkin Week at Secretts in Milford will help spook up your halloween. Or head to the fantastic Flower Fairy exhibition starting this week at the Watt’s Gallery. Or click here for a list of Bonfire Night events across Surrey.
ASH BRIDGE OPENING Great news for Ash residents because 23rd November is now set as the opening weekend for the new bridge. Ash residents have chosen the name too - ‘Chester Bridge’ after local benefactor Dr Henry Morris Chester who way back in 1895 suggested a bridge here. Only 129 years later it is happening!
SURECARE LAUNCH Thanks to Shahid Younis and his team for inviting me to the launch of Surecare Guildford and Woking which offers domiciliary, respite and live in care. We know that in-home care and support can help prevent prolonged hospital stays which eases pressure on the NHS but it is also the type of care most of us would prefer. So it was wonderful to hear the stories of Debbie Nelson whose mother Madeline is thriving now she has the right support at home as well as a fantastic carer called Jessica whose care and pride in her work shone through.
JOIN ME Want to get more involved with my brilliant election-winning team locally? Email me at [email protected] to help support our work in our community.
AND FINALLY… after the fantastic light display a couple of weeks ago I am afraid this Suffolk lady had an aurora borea-miss when she found the lights were not what she had hoped…..
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