Dear Constituent,
It’s been another busy week both in Westminster and across the constituency.
In Parliament, I spoke out against Labour’s decision to push ahead with higher National Insurance contributions that will hit our care sector hard - especially hospices, pharmacies and home care providers. I highlighted the impact this will have locally, including on Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.
Back home, I met with businessowners in Farnham to discuss ongoing disruption from the town centre works. I’ve pushed Surrey County Council to adjust traffic light sequencing, while calling out Waverley Borough Council’s damaging decision to raise parking charges during this difficult period.
I also continued supporting the Hindhead Royal British Legion Club in its rent dispute, raised housing concerns with a developer in Liphook, and enjoyed speaking at Greatham’s wonderful Spring Flower Show.
If there’s anything you’d like to raise with me, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – whether it's a local matter, a national issue, or something more personal: [email protected].
With every good wish,
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
LABOUR DOUBLE-DOWNS ON CARE TAX
I was the last to speak before the Government forced through its rejection of vital Lords amendments - amendments that would have shielded the care sector from devastating new costs. Let’s call this what it is: a tax on care. A tax on dying. And Labour is pushing it through with full knowledge of the consequences.
The rise in national insurance contributions will hit the care sector hardest - hospices, home care providers, pharmacies, and GPs. As I said in my speech, these aren’t faceless businesses, but anchors in our community. Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is undergoing a vital rebuild, and Shooting Star Children’s Hospice does incredible work supporting some of our most vulnerable families. Like many care centres across the country, they now face impossible decisions about what services they can afford to provide under the new taxes.
Labour MPs love to show up for a photo-op at these places, arms around staff, singing their praises - then walk into the voting lobby and take money away from them. It's shameful. This care tax isn’t just bad policy - it contradicts everything the Government claims to stand for. If they believed it was right, they wouldn’t be hiding it from review.
BACKING HINDHEAD’S ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Over the last few months, I have been engaged with the Royal British Legion Club in Hindhead over an ongoing dispute with their landlord - the Royal British Legion - over a proposed rent increase.
I visited the Club earlier this year to hear more about this as well as some of their ambitions with their outdoor space; on Tuesday, I joined a debate on the role of the Royal British Legion where I raised this issue and called on the Government to work with the RBL to support clubs and branches across the country.
CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS AND SMEs
In other news, IAB UK, the trade body for digital advertising, is on the lookout for Digital Advertising Champions - small businesses that have successfully used digital advertising to grow. This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses in Farnham and Bordon to gain free, expert advice on making the most of their advertising budgets.
By submitting a case study of how your business has used digital advertising, you will:
- Receive free, tailored expert advice on how to unlock digital advertising’s capabilities to take your business to the next level.
- Get the chance to be featured in a nationwide report as an example of best practice, gaining recognition and visibility for your business.
- Be able to share your views on what’s important to your business and what more support you need to succeed.
I know there are many brilliant businesses in our community that deserve to be recognised and supported. If you run a local SME and want to take advantage of this opportunity, you can find out more here: https://www.iabuk.com/digitaladchampion
HOW I AM RAISING YOUR CONCERNS IN PARLIAMENT
By following each link you will be able to see the answers I have received from the departments.
Written Answers - Department for Health and Social Care (10 Mar 2025)
Gregory Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase funding for research into Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood; and what plans are in place to develop predictive methods or preventive measures for this condition.
Written Answers - Department for Health and Social Care (25 Mar 2025)
Gregory Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to decrease waiting times for (a) urgent and (b) routine cardiology appointments in Surrey and Hampshire.
Written Answers - HM Treasury (13 Mar 2025)
Gregory Stafford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people who have instructed solicitors and are in the process of completing property transactions to apply previous stamp duty rates.
Search for speaker:Gregory Stafford - TheyWorkForYou for more…
WHAT’S GOING ON IN FARNHAM AND BORDON
FARNHAM’S TRAFFIC ISSUES
I recently met with businessowners on Downing Street to hear directly how the ongoing town centre works are affecting them - and their concerns are absolutely valid. Congestion has worsened significantly since the temporary traffic lights were installed, particularly for traffic coming out of Downing Street.
I’ve raised this issue at the Farnham Board meeting and have followed up with Surrey County Council, who I know are working to find practical solutions, including reviewing the light sequencing and using traffic data to make evidence-based adjustments. But while Surrey continues to engage, Waverley Borough Council is actively making matters worse.
Instead of supporting local businesses during a disruptive period, Waverley’s Liberal Democrat leadership has hiked parking charges - discouraging visitors and punishing traders who are already feeling the strain. The Conservatives have been calling for a period of free parking to encourage shoppers back into town. Waverley’s response? Upgrading the machines that take your money.
I’ll continue pushing for changes that ease pressure on businesses and keep people moving - but Waverley needs to wake up and do its part too.
I encourage everyone to sign up to the Farnham Infrastructure Programme’s newsletter which provides updates on the latest stage of the scheme.
RAISING HOUSING CONCERNS IN LIPHOOK
Each month I spend some time knocking on doors to speak to residents about any issues or concerns they may have. It is always lovely to meet new people, so on Saturday I visited a new-build estate in Western Liphook to say hello to newly-moved in residents.
I discussed a huge range of topics with people, but while I was there I was shocked by the state of the roads and the estate in general, so I wrote to the developer’s Chief Executive expressing my concerns on behalf of residents the moment I can.
Yesterday I received a response from the regional director, who will now be visiting the site over the coming days to see for himself the concerns I raised. I understand that legal issues may have delayed the completion of some key improvements, but that is no excuse for the homeowners.
I will be continue to monitor the situation closely.
ECONOMICS, CINEMAS AND COVID: BBC POLITICS SOUTH
Regular viewers of the BBC’s Sunday morning broadcasts may have seen me on the red sofa discussing the impact of the Chancellor’s Emergency Budget, the cinema industry and the long-lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
If you were otherwise engaged on the weekend and interested to hear our discussion, you can watch it back online on BBC iPlayer.
GREATHAM’S SPRING SHOW
I joined a lovely event at Greatham Village Hall on Saturday afternoon as the village held its Spring Flower Show.
While I was there I had the opportunity to speak with residents about village life, as well as give a short speech commending the outstanding work of those involved with organising the event.
A huge well done to everyone who entered this Spring - including the outstanding entries from Greatham Village Primary School.
THIS WEEK’S CASEWORK BREAKDOWN
As a flavour of some of my work directly assisting constituents this week, I was contacted by a lady who had received a large lump sum payment from HMRC that she was not expecting, so I have written to HMRC to check that the payment is correct. I have also made enquiries with the DWP regarding a constituent’s PIP entitlement and I also continue to have regular contact with both Surrey and Hampshire County Councils about various issues.
I also recently spoke to a resident who was experiencing problems with cars parking directly outside of the entrance to his house, making it difficult for him to enter his property. I said I would write to the Council on his behalf to find out if there are any enforcement options which could alleviate this issue.
As always, you can view the breakdown graphic of the general topics of my inbox below.
