8th May 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. I want to take the time to remember all those who have served and continue to serve to protect our freedoms.
To mark the occasion, I am also calling on residents to support efforts to conserve the White Ensign at St Laurence's Church for future generations. The flag was dedicated by the town to sail on HMS Ludlow during the Second World War. It serves as a direct link to Ludlow’s war generation, who made so many sacrifices for the freedom that we today enjoy.
I am pleased to support our current servicemen and women as part of my ongoing time with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. It was great to see recently how photographers have been trained for reconnaissance within RAF Cosford at the Defence Photography Unit since 1963.
Residents often feel left behind by the big cities when it comes to investing in infrastructure. I have given my support to exciting plans for direct train services to London developed by Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway.
This would greatly benefit our area, with almost 500 residents using the train each day to get to work. It would also deliver increased connectivity between our county with both Wales and London - meeting the need in the Union Connectivity Review for greater investment in rail frequency and capacity.
Securing access to affordable childcare can also be a real struggle for many families in South Shropshire. As a parent, I know how difficult this can be. I am disappointed that South Shropshire has missed out on funding for school-based nurseries.
Across the West Midlands, only half of early years providers that applied for funding have been approved. With more than 700 families in our constituency, I have called on Ministers to recognise the extra costs involved in delivering and accessing childcare in rural areas like ours. They should proceed with further funding as soon as possible, with rural areas receiving a fair share of support.
Village halls play an integral role in rural communities like ours. I was delighted to cut the ribbon on a new kitchen at Willey Village Hall and visit new facilities at Cardington Village Hall. Both projects were sponsored by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), with funding from the last government. I am glad that the new government has accepted my request to provide further funding for upgrades at more venues.
I am thrilled that family-owned Vine & Co family general store in Church Stretton has also been crowned the best village shop in the Midlands in the Countryside Alliance Awards. I look forward to welcoming them to the final taking place in the House of Lords in June. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for this fantastic local business.
Flooding causes both mental and financial stress for residents, costing farmers £1 billion just last year. Support is only activated once fifty properties are impacted. This means that smaller and more isolated rural communities often lose out, as there are fewer properties at greater distances from each other.
I welcome that Ministers have accepted my request to consult on improving the funding mechanism to deliver more effective flooding support. I am pleased we have also secured almost £5 million for local areas including Culmington, Bridgnorth, and Bucknell.
It was great to be back in Parliament after my long recovery following multiple operations on my foot. I was welcomed back by the Speaker and had the opportunity to get back to business – standing up for South Shropshire.
I quickly took the chance to raise support for community hospitals with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. I look forward to continuing this work in Parliament for constituents.
