Dear Constituent,
It’s been another packed week in both Westminster and the constituency.
In Parliament, I’ve been focused on two major areas: scrutinising the Government’s new NHS 10 Year Plan as part of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, and holding the Labour Government to account over its growing list of broken tax promises. Both raise serious questions - not just about policy, but about delivery and impact on communities like ours.
Closer to home, I’ve continued raising your concerns on everything from broadband rollout to road safety, and from NHS complaints to localised business disruption. I’ve also had the chance to meet students on work experience in Westminster, speak with broadband providers, visit some fantastic local events - and source a very decent fruitcake at the Tilford fête.
As ever, thank you to all those who’ve been in touch with casework, policy questions, or invitations to local events. Every conversation helps shape the work I do - both here and in Westminster. Please do reach out if there’s anything you’d like to raise with me: [email protected]
With every good wish,
WHAT’S GOING ON IN WESTMINSTER
PRESSURE ON THE HEALTH SECRETARY
This week, the Health and Social Care Select Committee brought the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting MP, before us for a scrutiny session following the publication of the Government’s ‘NHS 10 Year Plan’. The 169-page document outlines ambitious proposals, including welcome innovations such as advances in genomic sequencing, which could transform how we detect, prevent, and treat disease.
However, while the vision is commendable, many of these ideas have been floated before - often without sustained delivery. The purpose of our scrutiny was therefore not to debate the ambition, but to question the credibility of implementation.
I raised concerns around the continued disruption caused by the junior doctors’ strikes, an issue which, we were told, would be resolved under this government. Yet it remains a growing problem, undermining both patient care and staff morale.
I also challenged the glaring lack of a meaningful social care strategy in the plan. At last year’s Labour Party Conference, Wes Streeting himself made a clear and important admission: “We can’t fix the NHS without fixing the crisis in social care. And we can’t fix social care with out the people who work in it.” He was absolutely right. Unfortunately, the government’s 10 Year Plan falls short of delivering for either.
If we are to secure the future of the NHS, we must also confront the structural and workforce challenges facing our social care system - otherwise, we risk repeating the cycle of under-delivery yet again.
A RELENTLESS TAX ASSAULT
I challenged the Labour Government’s tax agenda on Tuesday - not because of party politics, but because I see the consequences playing out here at home.
Behind every policy change are real people feeling the squeeze: local employers forced to freeze hours, high street shops shutting their doors, charities burdened with costs that should be going to frontline care. When a children’s hospice has to divert £90,000 away from support for families just to cover higher National Insurance contributions, something is seriously wrong with the direction we’re headed.
These aren’t isolated effects - they’re part of a pattern. Tax changes to farms and family businesses aren’t just technical tweaks; they threaten local livelihoods and long-term resilience. Rising vacancies in Farnham’s high street. Growing pressure on schools following Labour’s VAT raid on education. Cuts dressed up as reform. Costs passed on to those least able to absorb them.
Time and again, I’ve said that decisions made in Westminster must reflect the lived reality in places like ours. That means backing small employers, protecting vital services, and resisting tax hikes that hit working people hardest. That’s what I stood up for in the Chamber this week — and what I’ll keep fighting for on your behalf.
LOCAL BROADBAND SUPPLIERS IN PARLIAMENT
As we all know, access to fast, reliable broadband isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. Whether it’s for work, education or simply staying connected, too many people across our area still face patchy coverage and frustrating delays in rollout.
That’s why I took the opportunity to meet directly with several key broadband providers in Parliament this month, including Grayshott Gigabit, CityFibre and Openreach, to raise the issues you’ve flagged with me and to push for better answers on where improvements are needed most.
It’s clear that no single provider holds all the cards, which is why better coordination between telecoms companies, councils and residents is essential.
LOCAL STUDENTS VISIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE
It was a real pleasure to welcome Anwyn, Arune, and Patrick to Parliament as part of a work experience placement. They had the chance to see Westminster in action - from sitting in on my Health and Social Care Committee session with the Secretary of State, to touring the Vote Office and the Hansard team, who record every word spoken in the House of Commons.
We also spoke in detail about my role as an MP and the work I do both in Parliament and back in the constituency. The students attended debates and events early in the week, giving them a broad picture of how decisions are made and scrutinised.
It’s incredibly important that young people are given opportunities to engage with politics and public service. I’m proud to support that by offering insight and experience to local students whenever I can.
HOW I AM RAISING YOUR CONCERNS IN PARLIAMENT
By following each link you will be able to see the recent answers I have received from the Government.
Written Answers - Department for Business and Trade (7 Jul 2025)
Gregory Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he next plans to conduct a national security assessment of (a) British Steel and (b) the wider UK steel industry.
Written Answers - Department for Health and Social Care (10 Jul 2025)
Gregory Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve NHS support for children and families with severe food allergies.
Written Answers - Home Office (7 Jul 2025)
Gregory Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the information on gov.uk on the support available to asylum seekers.
Visit Parliament’s Written Answers website for more…
WHAT’S GOING ON IN FARNHAM AND BORDON
SPEAKING TO FARNHAM TRADERS
I spent time with traders on Downing Street in Farnham, hearing directly from the businesses most affected by the town centre works.
There was a real sense of pride in the community - but also a consistent message: they feel that footfall is down, costs are up, and the recent parking charge increases have made things harder. Waverley Borough Council points to data suggesting otherwise, but it’s vital that we listen to the lived experience of shopkeepers, café owners and small traders to guide our collective response.
They want Waverley to reverse the parking increases and to show leadership by using the powers it already has to support them through the disruption.
The law is clear. Under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, Waverley has the discretion to provide targeted business rates relief in cases of localised hardship or disruption. Councils elsewhere have used this power in response to construction works, regeneration projects and falling footfall. Waverley has the legal basis to do the same.
Readers will know I’ve also written to the Valuation Office Agency as a backstop, asking them to consider whether a temporary reduction in rateable values is warranted in the most affected areas. But the primary responsibility lies locally.
Farnham’s small businesses have shown real resilience over the last few years. I am looking forward to receiving a response from Waverley that I hope will demonstrate their commitment to the town.
TILFORD VILLAGE FETE
It was a scorcher of a day, but that didn’t stop the community turning out in force for the Tilford village fête on the weekend.
I had a great time meeting local groups - from enjoying a chat (and a very decent pint) with Tilford Brewery, to learning more about bees with the Farnham Beekeepers. The Tilbourne Players also gave me a preview of their upcoming Wind in the Willows production, which I’m sure will be a treat.
It was particularly good to speak with volunteers from All Saints Church, the team at IB Family Chiropractors, and members of the Tilford Women’s Institute - from whom I sourced an excellent fruitcake! I also had the chance to meet some of the local Farnham Army Cadets, who were a credit to their uniform and community.
Fêtes like this don’t happen without the time and dedication of local organisers and volunteers. A big thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success.
JOINING LOCAL CHOIR AT THE PHOENIX
I recently had the pleasure of joining the Hampshire and Surrey Hills Men’s Choir at the Phoenix Arts Centre in Bordon. It was a brilliant evening of music, camaraderie and community spirit - and a great reminder of how much local arts and culture enrich our area. Thank you to everyone who made me feel so welcome.
RURAL GRANT SCHEME FOR EAST HAMPSHIRE
I'm pleased to support East Hampshire District Council's Rural Grant Scheme, which is now open for its final round of applications.
The scheme is funded through the Rural England Prosperity Fund and provides capital grants between £5,000 and £50,000 to local community groups and rural businesses. It’s designed to back projects that strengthen village life, support rural tourism, and help local enterprises grow.
Over the past two years, this funding has made a real difference to organisations across East Hampshire - from new community facilities to upgraded outdoor spaces. If you’re thinking about a project that could benefit your part of the constituency, now’s the time to get involved.
- Applications close at 4:59pm on Wednesday 27 August
- For more information or to apply, email: [email protected]
DROPPING INTO WAVERLERY SING
I stopped by St Andrew’s Church last week to say hello to those taking part in The Waverley Sing - a community choir workshop bringing together people from across the area. It was good to see such strong local participation and to catch up with the organisers about how the event came together. Groups like this do a lot behind the scenes, and I’ll continue to support efforts that make cultural activities more accessible across the constituency.
THIS WEEK’S CASEWORK BREAKDOWN
The casework I receive covers a wide range of issues - and while I always do my best to resolve matters positively, that isn’t always possible. Sometimes what I can offer is clarity, an explanation, or simply persistence in making sure a constituent’s voice is heard.
It often takes time to unpick a situation fully, but it’s always rewarding when we do achieve a good outcome - particularly for those whose lives have been disrupted by an injustice.
This week has been no exception. I’ve been dealing with concerns around speeding and road safety, child safeguarding, overgrown trees, private pensions, NHS complaints, and adult social care, to name just a few. Each has been raised with the relevant authorities or Ministers, and I’ll continue to follow up until proper responses are secured.
