Launching our Child Poverty Strategy
To give children the best start in life, the Labour Government has launched its new Child Poverty Strategy which will lift 550,000 children out of poverty – the biggest reduction of child poverty in a single Parliament.
In the House of Commons Chamber, I was glad to raise that nearly 1,300 children across East Worthing and Shoreham will benefit.
I also welcomed our new Budget and reflected on how last year’s Budget has benefited locals, including falling NHS waiting lists, a free breakfast club for pupils at Holmbush Primary Academy and a minimum wage increase.
Additionally, the Government announced that from 2028, the new Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority will receive £38 million annually for 30 years, to deliver more homes, better high streets and support for small businesses. The authority will operate under the new Sussex Mayor, who will now be elected for the first time in 2028 to prioritise establishing the new council that will replace the West Sussex, Adur and Worthing councils.
It was a delight to welcome the owners of local businesses, Chintz & Wood and Toby Tiger, to Parliament to celebrate their selection as two of Small Business Saturday’s 100 small businesses.
At home, I met posties at Worthing’s delivery office, before meeting the talented winners of my Christmas card competition. I then visited Brighton Forward’s college in Shoreham to meet with their students, before holding my advice surgery in Worthing.
I had a very festive weekend, starting with door knocking in Gaisford, before going to the Christmas Tree festivals at St Michael’s in Lancing and St Mary de Haura in Shoreham!