Happy New Year – more funding for Adur and Worthing!
I hope everyone had a wonderful break with friends and family over Christmas and a great start to 2026.
On Christmas Eve, I visited Worthing Hospital to thank the staff who were working over the festive period, including the maternity ward and the teams you do not always see but play a key role for patients – such as the brilliant porters, security team, caterers, phlebotomists and housekeepers. Thank you to all those who cared for us over Christmas.
I got some festive cheer from carol services at St Mary de Haura in Shoreham and St Michael’s and All Angels church in Southwick, and selecting the wonderful winning entries of Electric Storm Youth’s gingerbread house competition.
I also met with West Sussex Mind at the Corner House in Southwick to hear more about the services they provide all year round to support local residents.
I am delighted that after having campaigned for fairer funding for our area, the Labour Government is massively increasing funds for our councils. After years of cuts, Adur and Worthing will share an additional £5.3m, and West Sussex will receive an extra £176.9m before 2029.
Deprivation and housing costs are finally being taken into account when allocating money to councils, so that money goes to areas where it is needed. And when local councils are reorganised in the years ahead, that extra money will stay in our patch.
Now that Parliament has returned, I look forward to working with everyone across East Worthing and Shoreham to reduce the cost of living, cut NHS waiting lists, and bring investment to our community so we can continue to make our area the best it can be!