In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, he announced National Insurance Contributions will be cut from 12% to 10% for paid employees starting January 2024. Locally in Esher and Walton constituency, the average employee will receive a tax cut of £589 a year, benefiting 50,000 people.
Christmas is a time of giving and helping those across our communities who may need a little extra support. I recently stopped by Tesco in Hurst Park where the team are encouraging customers to pick up a few extra items with their shopping to donate to the Tesco Winter Food Collection.
I understand how upsetting the closure of community centres across Elmbridge has been for our local community, especially in the build up to Christmas when festive activities had been arranged. This has been heightened by the lack of clear communication from Elmbridge Borough Council.
Our Plan for Esher and Walton constituency includes getting more potholes repaired. We have already had success in getting roads like Walton Road and Dennis Road in Molesey resurfaced, but there is still more to do.
I enjoyed marking Parliament Week with residents and staff at Adelaide House, answering questions about the role of being an MP and what the government is doing to support the social care sector, which is still subject to some Covid restrictions.
Last week, the Foreign Office published its White Paper setting out the UK’s approach to global development. This paper focusses on using Official Development Assistance (ODA) to leverage private sector investment to boost funding for climate finance, mitigation and adaptation.
Thank you to Surrey County Council and Surrey Police for meeting with me and local parent, Julia Charlton, to assess road safety outside Ashley Primary School in Walton.
It was good to catch up with Lorraine and Chris Platt, Co-Founders of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, at their new office in Hampton Court to welcome the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill which was recently confirmed in the King’s Speech.