Following my operation, I am grateful that I have been able to make a gradual return to activities, holding advice surgeries in Church Stretton, Highley and Bishop’s Castle. It has also been excellent to visit many schools across in South Shropshire from Newcastle-on-Clun to Dorrington and to Clee Hill. As a parent, I want to do everything I can to ensure our children get the very best start in life. Our teachers and support staff are amazing role models for young people and must be supported.
When it emerged that the water quality at the River Teme bathing site in Ludlow had been deemed ‘poor’, I called on Ministers to make urgent improvements. I then met with the Environment Agency and attended an event marking the launch of an innovative, new scheme to improve data available to the community and identify sources of pollution. It is welcome that Ludlow is the centre of this pioneering work. I hope to see a marked improvement as a result. I also raised the proposed 'River Onny Pipeline' project, which I am monitoring closely. I am also in conversation with residents and Severn Trent about this development.
Crime has a devastating impact on lives in South Shropshire. The Police must be equipped with the resources needed to keep our communities safe. This year, West Mercia Police is due to receive an extra £11.9 million compared to last year. However, a huge deficit is left due to inflation, demand, and increased costs from hikes in employer's National Insurance Contributions (NICs). The £4.2 million needed to cover increases to NICs represents the equivalent of over 80 police officers. Under the previous government, the number of police officers rose to 149,769 – the highest number on record. I am worried that September's headcount is already down 883 officers. I hope that these issues are quickly addressed.
I am delighted that Ludlow Train Station now has step-free access, after my predecessor Philip Dunne secured investment from the Department for Transport for new lifts. It was excellent to attend the opening. Accessibility is a key part of daily life for many residents. If you don't consider it, you're basically saying to them 'you cannot travel this way'. I want to help secure more investment into infrastructure in South Shropshire. I helped secure £6,000 for road safety in Morville. This follows a meeting I convened in November with key partners including Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion. The funding is for new Vehicle Activated Speed signs in Morville. It is part of a wider strategy to improve road safety in the village, which includes an extension of the speed limit and gateway improvements.
I am thrilled that two local businesses have been shortlisted for the Countryside Alliance Awards, known as the 'Rural Oscars'. It is testament to the hard work and dedicated efforts of both Ludlow's 'All the Seasons' and Vine & Co from Church Stretton. I urge everyone to throw their support behind them before public voting closes on 6th April 2025. Pubs like The Queens in Ludlow also play a vital role in the rural economy, supporting hundreds of jobs. Yet, they are deeply concerned about their prospects under this new government following tax hikes which will cost them thousands of pounds. I was glad to nominate Tim and Jane Vaughan to attend a roundtable in Parliament with Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith MP. Their valuable insights will help us to be a strong and effective opposition.
It is also concerning that a record number of councils have had to seek extra financial support from the government. It follows a massive shake up of local government funding, which has stripped rural councils of over £100 million direct funding. I have written to Ministers on four different occasions to request a fairer settlement for rural areas like ours. I will continue to campaign for more equitable funding that recognises the unique challenges of delivering public services in remote communities like South Shropshire.
