Many pensioners are due to lose their Winter Fuel Payments this year as part of a new government policy. I voted against the government’s plans to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment. Over 17,000 pensioners across East Surrey are set to lose up to £300 if the government’s plans go ahead.
Up to four-fifths of pensioners under or on the fuel poverty line will lose their support, just as energy bills are going up.
Although this is being put forward as a cost saving measure, it is not likely to raise any money and I don’t think enough has been done to ensure pensioners in fuel poverty can make it through the winter.
The Conservatives will continue to campaign against this damaging policy.
As we approach winter, you might have seen me and my staff out and about in East Surrey delivering posters to local services and pinning them up on parish council notice boards.
That is because I have restarted my campaign to get the word out on how to apply for pension credit. Many pensioners are not aware that if you are in receipt of Pension Credit, you will also receive Winter Fuel Support, a free TV licence, a Warm Home Discount, and much more.
Please check your eligibility or ask a friend or family member to help you check whether you can access this critical support.
To apply for Pension Credit, all you need is your National Insurance number, your bank details, and information about your savings. To check if you are eligible please call 0800 99 1234, or apply online at gov.uk/pension-credit.
Whilst delivering pension credit information to Netherne-on-the-Hill, I took the opportunity to catch up with Maria and Anthony from the Netherne-on-the-Hill Residents’ Association after the village became part of the East Surrey constituency. Thank you to both for giving me such a detailed update on life in the village. Netherne is lucky to have such dedicated people representing their wonderful community.
After we discussed challenges with the lack of a regular school bus service to and from the village, I took their concerns to Metrobus to look at possible solutions. I am grateful to Nick and Mark from Metrobus who have assured me that they are committed to looking at these issues and trying to find solutions. I will keep you all updated with any further developments.
One of the highlights of the month was attending the opening of the new pool at St Mary’s School in Oxted. The students braved the rain and put on one of the best relay races I’ve seen. Seeing them swim in soggy sombreros is certainly something I won’t forget.
Cllr Cameron McIntosh and I weren’t as brave as the children and hid under the provided cover. In our defence, the pool was heated, but the rain was not. I want to thank Cllr McIntosh, the wonderful team at St Mary’s, and everyone involved in the project for all their hard work to deliver this pool.
I also wanted to thank Inspector Lindsey Whatley, the Borough Commander for East Surrey, for taking the time to meet with me recently to discuss residents’ concerns including worries about anti-social behaviour, traffic control measures, and traveller sites.
Whilst being updated on the relocation of the police headquarters, I told the inspector that keeping the front desk service at Caterham was very important to people in the town.
After the shoplifting roundtable a few months ago, I was pleased to hear the parish council’s work to install CCTV cameras in Oxted was having such a positive impact. I’m also grateful to the officers who have done so much to tackle multiple criminal gangs who were shoplifting on our high streets. There is still more to do, but our fantastic police officers are making good progress.
I’ve also been continuing my campaign against the government’s tax on independent schools, which will affect one in four children in Surrey. I spoke in Parliament to raise three major concerns about the government’s plans to do so. Firstly, this will hit tens of thousands of children with SEND, secondly, it will also hurt all children in the state sector who will face larger class sizes and lastly it won’t raise any money. This is a purely ideological decision which has been rushed out ahead of any impact assessment of how it will affect children.
This is about children’s outcomes first and foremost. The government is yet to respond to the letter of Surrey Conservative MPs asking them to rethink this tax.
