On the last day of Parliament before Christmas, the Government published its Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement. I have been campaigning for more equitable funding, particularly due to concerns that the current settlement will result in higher council tax and reduced local services. As it stands, Shropshire Council is now set to face a significant reduction in government funding over the next three years, which will make it much more difficult to deliver basic services to residents. I was glad to have the opportunity to raise these concerns directly with Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness. This is a principal priority of mine going into the new year, and I will keep piling on the pressure in Parliament to secure meaningful change.
My Shop Local campaign in 2025 saw nearly four and a half thousand constituents sharing their views on how to support our local high streets. I have listened to these views and laid out three campaigns that I believe will make a difference: I will be campaigning this year to secure free parking, to cut business costs, and to clean up our high streets. Working together with local community partners, I am excited to see what we can achieve. The recent changes to the Family Farm and Business Tax demonstrate what a difference it makes when the whole community gets behind one cause. In the Commons Chamber, I have thanked all the South Shropshire farmers and businesses for their tireless campaign, and though more still needs to be done, I know from conversations with farmers across the constituency that the changes announced in December have come as a huge relief.
It is a great honour to serve as the UK's representative on the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council, and through this role I am able to get a good idea of what needs to be done to bolster our national security. Our nation now faces multifaceted and serious threats, the likes of which have not been seen for decades. We are at a crossroads, where we can either continue down the path of decline in our armed forces or take the difficult decisions needed to ramp up spending and fund them in a way that responds appropriately to the nature of these threats. I have raised my serious concerns about committing to a deployment of UK troops in Ukraine if we do not have a clear strategy to fund and support our armed forces. I will be firing on all cylinders over the next few months to make sure MPs across the house are aware of the harsh reality of our current security situation. The changes that need to be made for the defence of the United Kingdom may be radical and, in some cases, unpopular in the short-term, but the outcome will be far worse if we simply refuse to confront them.
I have six priorities for South Shropshire in 2026. I will seek to unleash rural prosperity, which in practice will involve standing up for our high streets and campaigning for lower business rates. I will work to enhance public services alongside local partners, including raising support for our community hospitals. I will continue to champion our farmers. My work to support local communities will see me travelling across the constituency and fighting for our churches, village halls, leisure facilities, and post offices. I will protect our countryside against overdevelopment and continue working to improve water quality. Finally, I will invest in infrastructure, ensuring that our roads, transport networks, and community facilities get the funding they need. Me and my team are going into 2026 with renewed energy and an ironclad commitment to my guiding principles - to listen, support, and deliver for all my constituents in South Shropshire.
- Upcoming Surgeries: 16th January in Church Stretton; 30th January in Bridgnorth.
Upcoming MP Coffee Mornings: Friday 6th February in Ashford Carbonell Village Hall from 11.30am -13.00pm.
