64th Weekly Newsletter
This week’s prime ministerial trip to China was all about optics: Sir Keir Starmer pitched a “sophisticated” reset with Beijing. But with warnings from our allies that closer ties with China are dangerous, and real questions about security and human rights barely answered, many are asking whether this diplomatic theatre delivers lasting economic benefit or simply headlines.
At home, Labour has belatedly announced a U-turn on business rates relief for pubs - a welcome move for some - but it leaves the rest of the hospitality sector and our high streets out in the cold as costs continue to rise steeply under current policy settings. Relief limited to pubs is widely seen as piecemeal and too little, too late for hotels, restaurants and cafes facing crippling rate hikes and uncertainty.
Greg
FEATURED THIS WEEK
Specialist education at its best
The Abbey School shows just how strong specialist provision can be when it’s properly supported, from practical life skills to excellent new facilities. I’ve already raised specific points from the visit with the County Council, with wider issues feeding into my work on SEND nationally.
Firearms licensing in rural communities
New shotgun licensing rules are being floated with no clear evidence they’ll make the public safer. I’ve pressed Ministers to stop knee-jerk policy making and recognise how essential firearms are to rural livelihoods and everyday countryside management.
Building better SEND support in Surrey
Cllr Jonathan Hulley is responsible for SEND and schooling in Surrey, so we discussed both specific issues families have raised with me, alongside plans to expand and improve provision across our area. I’ve been working closely with Jonathan about some large-scale local investment - with news expected soon.
Medical training reform
Too many UK-trained doctors are being blocked from progressing as patients face longer waits and cancelled care. I backed changes to put merit, UK training and patient outcomes first - warning against using training reform as leverage in pay disputes.
THE DEBT QUESTION FOR WEST SURREY
Many readers will be aware that Labour are reorganising Local Government both in Surrey and Hampshire - but there is a big issue for the soon-to-be West Surrey Council: debt. Woking has enormous unsecured debt which the Government has at least acknowledge - as they put it - “cannot be managed locally”. I repeatedly pushed the previous Secretary of State (Angela Rayner) to take action and she confirmed £500m of support to deal with this.
But the reality is that’s not enough - and Waverley could end up paying for it. I wrote to the new Secretary of State earlier this month and have now been told that any future support is subject to looking at how we could manage the debt “locally” - debt that, in my view, is not ours. I have already responded in an effort to force the Government to think about what is doing here. This is not a simple issue to solve, but they must not choose the easy way out - and make us pay.
CHILDREN AND SMARTPHONE USE IN SCHOOLS
Concerns about children’s use of smartphones, both in school and beyond, are raised with me frequently by parents. I recently met with Farnham resident Jason, founder of Orbiri, who first contacted me after attending my public meeting in Bordon last year, where many families spoke openly about the pressures smartphones and social media are placing on children and school communities.
We discussed how clearer standards and sensible usage limits, applied across whole school communities and shaped by parents themselves, could help create a healthier balance for children. I was encouraged to hear that this locally developed approach is now due to be trialled in several schools. While there is no simple answer to this challenge, I am keen to engage with practical, thoughtful ideas that can support families, protect children’s wellbeing and help schools focus on learning.
THIS WEEK’S CASEWORK 'WINS’
I held another constituency surgery today in Liphook, where I met several residents to discuss their circumstances. One individual requires assistance in relocating to a property better suited to their accessibility needs, and I will be writing to the Council to ensure the matter receives appropriate attention. I am also pleased to report that the young mother and her child, whom I wrote about last week and who had been without essential utilities, have now had their services fully restored.
After contacting the Land Registry on behalf of a local resident, I was delighted to learn this week that a long-delayed and much-needed document has now been received. In addition, I have been undertaking a detailed review of the property management company FirstPort. I continue to represent constituents experiencing longstanding issues with the company, and I am making this a priority in order to support residents as effectively as possible.
This winter has been particularly harsh on our roads, so it is no surprise that many residents have contacted me about potholes, especially in the Liphook, Bordon and Hindhead areas. I am making urgent enquiries to ensure these concerns are firmly on the relevant authorities’ radar.
