It is great to be back in the constituency for the summer recess after a very busy few weeks in Westminster.
Since my last update, I have been concerned by several proposals that the Labour Government are proceeding with, including VAT on school fees and changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. I know my constituents have real concerns about these changes, and therefore I have written to HM Treasury to urge them to reconsider.
I was pleased by the assurances I received from Royal Mail after raising my concerns about the Midlands Super Hub due to reports that Royal Mail are standing down their trains. I am assured that they will continue to use rail, but it is just that their own trains are at the end of their operational life and need to be decommissioned. I also sought confirmation that this would not have a negative impact on jobs, traffic, and the environment and Royal Mail have assured me that there are no planned job changes, there will be a less than 1% increase of traffic around the Hub and that this change will be broadly neutral in terms of carbon emissions. I will continue to monitor this closely to ensure that this is the reality on the ground.
I am in the process of planning a HS2 site visit with my neighbour, Sarah Bool MP. I have already met with several constituents and constituency groups to discuss these issues, and I have more coming up over recess. I will continue to do everything I can on this, as I appreciate the impact this is having on the lives of my constituents.
I am still operating with very minimal staff, but we continue to maintain quick response times but please do bear with us while we are sorting everything out as quickly as possible.
We will continue to work over the summer recess while the House of Commons is not sitting, and I hope to see many of you around the Daventry Constituency over the next five weeks. If you need any help or advice at all, please do get in touch via email on [email protected]
