On 4th July, I celebrated my first year as the Member of Parliament for South Shropshire. I am grateful to the thousands of residents who have contacted and supported me in my first year as our community's champion in Westminster. Together, we have successfully opposed restrictions to winter fuel payments, prevented the closure of post offices, and supported local assets like our community pubs, historic churches, and village halls. Having spent over forty years in the Marches, I am delighted to have already been re-adopted as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for South Shropshire.
In June, I welcomed the government’s climbdown in its restrictions on winter fuel payments. The decision means that those who reach State Pension Age by 21st September 2025 and have an annual income of £35,000 (or below) will benefit from the payments. In Parliament, I voted against botched plans to reduce welfare support, sharing in the debate my experiences of receiving welfare support. Ministers should adopt an approach that will deliver a welfare system that is affordable, sustainable, and helps people back into work wherever possible.
Last month, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her Spending Review. She set out how the government will spend around £600 billion in each of the next few years. I am concerned that decisions in the Spending Review do not pay enough attention to the needs of people living in rural areas like South Shropshire. The government’s spending plans, which include an extra £113 billion for infrastructure, are mostly focused on urban areas. I do not believe that rural areas like ours, which contribute £250 billion to the economy each year, are receiving enough support. It is my mission to change this for the better in the years ahead.
I have consistently championed investment in our community hospitals as an integral part of rural healthcare provision in South Shropshire. Yet, I am concerned that hospital capital maintenance budgets could be cut by up to a fifth next year following the recent Spending Review. As such, I have urged the Chancellor to extend funding for rural healthcare provision. This would enable further upgrades in South Shropshire, such as the immediate need for upgrades at Ludlow Hospital and the need for a new rebuilt hospital at the Eco Park.
As a veteran, I was proud to support Armed Forces Week in Shropshire. It was a vital opportunity to pay tribute to the selfless service of the Armed Forces community, including their loved ones. Together with other charities, the Royal British Legion has transformed the prospects of veterans for the better. I was delighted to meet with them in Parliament to celebrate the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC). I also attended Shropshire Armed Forces Family Fun Day at Shrewsbury Castle. Home to over 4,000 veterans, they represent nearly a tenth of households in South Shropshire. I am calling on local businesses, charities, and organisations to pledge their support for our veterans and salute our forces by signing the AFC.
Small Charity Week celebrates the role small charities play in local areas. Despite their huge impact, small charities are often under-funded and struggle for visibility. Nearly half have said rises in employment costs, including April’s hikes in National Insurance Contributions, will negatively impact them. I am committed to supporting our local communities, and so I have launched a Community Support Finder tool on my website. This details the latest support available for charitable organisations in South Shropshire and beyond.
Village halls play an integral role in rural communities like South Shropshire. Last August, I called on Ministers to unlock funding the last government had committed to upgrade these venues, many of which were built after the First World War. I am glad that Ministers have accepted my request to provide further funding for upgrades at more venues. More details are available on my website.
