Stuart Anderson MP has called on the Government to put communities and young people at the heart of the Autumn Budget, which is expected to be delivered later this month by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak MP.
On the 30th of September, Stuart made a formal submission to the Spending Review based on a survey of local priorities which 365 constituents had responded to. In his submission, Stuart set out 25 practical ways in which the Government can deliver on its agenda to level up opportunities for people across Wolverhampton South West.
Stuart’s recommendations cover five key areas, including the economy; crime and community safety, the natural environment; health and wellbeing; and young people. Stuart called on the Government to use the fundamental review of business rates to build on the support made available via business grants and enable high street retail as well as hospitality venues such as pubs to flourish in the years ahead. He has also said that the Government must deliver, at pace, key schemes such as the Levelling Up Fund to maximise the potential afforded by shovel ready projects for local people as the recovery from COVID-19 gets underway.
Stuart has also urged the Government to back the police with resources needed to keep our citizens safe and empower communities to work with local authorities to combat issues such as anti-social behaviour and road safety through an extension to the Safer Streets Fund or a new community ideas fund. Stuart’s submission also urged the Government to provide further protections for the natural environment. Ideas he promoted include a new fund to connect more people with nature and continued help for vulnerable residents and pensioners through Winter Fuel Payments, Cold Weather Payments, and the Warm Home Discount. Stuart has also called on the Government to reform the National Infrastructure Levy to deliver the infrastructure that is needed to deliver more inclusive communities, such as sensory play equipment.
In addition, Stuart has called for more investment in the NHS in order to treat diseases like cancer, improve GP and emergency care services, and to deliver more staff. He has also urged the Government to double down on its support for veterans and their families as well as informal carers. Stuart has said that the Government must create better opportunities for young people who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 by releasing more money for youth services from the Youth Investment Fund.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “My formal submission to the Chancellor’s Spending Review sets out 25 practical ways in which the Government can deliver on the priorities that matter to local constituents. From securing our economic recovery to protecting our environment, and from levelling up educational opportunities to championing health and wellbeing, my recommendations set a clear plan to build a city with communities that are stronger, healthier, and more prosperous than before. We must deliver on these priorities so that we can secure our recovery from COVID-19 and unlock our nation’s potential.”
Creating Economic Opportunities
- Continue supporting people to get back into work while ensuring that help is available for the elderly and most vulnerable.
- Drive investment in key sectors of the economy to unlock more private sector investment.
- Level up opportunities for people in areas where it is most needed with key schemes such as the Levelling Up Fund.
- Deliver fiscal steps that enable high street retail as well as hospitality venues to flourish in the years ahead.
- Enable pubs to become the vital community hubs that they were before the restrictions necessitated by COVID-19.
Building a Safer and Cleaner Wolverhampton
- Back the police with the resources that they need to keep our citizens safe and deliver on the Police Uplift Programme.
- Prioritise improve road safety and a more effective response to anti-social behaviour as part of the Safer Streets Fund.
- Communities and councils must be empowered to collaborate more closely on local issues and reinstate civic pride.
- The Lower Tier Services Grant could be extended for an additional year.
- A new community ideas fund to support locally developed schemes that combat issues such as litter and fly-tipping.
Championing Health and Wellbeing
- Develop more joined-up, integrated care that is more responsive to the needs of local people.
- Extra investment in treating diseases like cancer, GP services, and emergency care services as well as more staff.
- Back measures to tackle homelessness, improve public health, and reform social care with the resources it requires.
- Double down on support for veterans, service personnel, and their loved ones.
- Support informal carers with the right support to help them carry out their caring roles.
Protecting Our Natural Environment
- Reform the National Infrastructure Levy to deliver the infrastructure that local neighbourhoods need.
- A new fund for community garden initiatives, including pocket parks and allotments, to connect people with nature.
- Support as many homes as possible to be EPC Band C by 2035 with clear processes and incentives.
- Continue to invest in Winter Fuel Payments, Cold Weather Payments, and expand the Warm Home Discount.
- Invest in renewable energies and support start-ups to pioneer new technologies such as carbon capture.
Creating Better Opportunities for Young People
- Recruit more providers in efforts to deliver more adult education and lifelong learning programmes.
- Expand the Condition Improvement Fund to ensure that all young people have access to good educational facilities.
- Incentivise more businesses to hire apprentices and help them to progress in their chosen fields.
- Release more funds via the Youth Investment Fund and launch a local artists development fund for the arts and culture.
- Invest in the infrastructure that young people will need to excel in life, including more affordable housing.