Back to Parliament
After a long and sunny recess in Adur and Worthing, Parliament returned this week.
Schools also returned this week, and to help support families, several of the Labour Government’s policies come into force, including cutting the cost of school uniforms by capping the number of branded items required, opening more free breakfast clubs, and expanding free school meals to more children.
This is welcome news for families as the new school year begins.
We additionally announced a crackdown on cowboy builders, with new measures to provide greater security for local residents when completing home renovations.
This new Government-supported scheme will help residents identify and hire traders with confidence and protect their money in a trusted place until key building milestones have been achieved.
This is an important step forward, as I know too many residents who have carried out renovation works and have experienced real problems, leaving them with financial stress and unsafe homes.
To support families even further, the Government announced the largest expansion of council and affordable homes in decades, through a record £10 billion of investment to deliver more than 70,000 homes across England.
As last week marked the end of the summer recess, it was good to talk to many residents at their doors across Southwick and Shoreham with our wonderful local councillors. I then wrapped up the week with my regular advice surgery for residents in Southwick.
Thank you to all the organisations, businesses, charities and residents who have met with me over the recess. I hope everyone has had a great summer!