Westminster Report

BY David Burton-Sampson MP for Southend West & Leigh.

 HAPPY New Year to one and all.

 The weather may not have been promising but I am sure there is a brighter future ahead for all of us in 2025 and my promise is to work hard for you to achieve that.

 I attended two final Carol Services to celebrate Christmas in the last few days of 2024.

 The service at Our Lady of Lourdes was held in aid of Southend YMCA and Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. I also enjoyed Southend Pride’s Queer Carols at St Mark’s Church the following day.

 In all, I have been happy to join ten carol services in the festive season, all of them different and wonderful in their own way.

 I also completed my last ward visit of the year, in St Laurence Ward, with Southend City Council Leader and local councillor, Daniel Cowan.

 This included a visit to J. Noble Butchers Ltd where, in keeping with the festivities, I got the chance to help with making the Pigs in Blankets! Thanks to all those there, who were so welcoming.

 I have been visiting wards in my constituency regularly to speak to councillors, whatever political party they belong to, to see if there are any problems that I can help with and to keep in touch with what’s going on in Southend West and Leigh.

 This year, as some of you may know, we are working on Southend’s first City day. It marks the anniversary of Southend being granted city status in 2022. The celebrations on March 1st will bring the seafront and the High Street to life with performers, displays and activities for all the family.

 It will be a marvellous event and will, of course, pay tribute to the memory of Sir David Amess, who worked tirelessly to achieve city status for Southend.

 In parliament, before we broke up for the Christmas holidays, I spoke in the debate introducing the Water (Special Measures) Bill. I raised the rising number of sewage spills in our estuary and called for an end to the scourge of sewage in our coastal waters.

 I am delighted at the government’s plans for breakfast clubs in primary schools. The government is tripling investment in breakfast clubs to more than £33 million for 2025-26.

 I discussed how these clubs will help reduce child poverty and help parents get back into part time work in the House of Commons.

 I have also spoken in a debate about proper provision for SEND children, a cause close to my heart and one that many of you have been in touch with me about.

 Although the government earmarked £1 billion for SEND funding in the budget, we recognise that there is a lot more to do to bring wholescale reform and I will keep campaigning until it’s achieved.

 This year I pledge to keep backing our hospital and I will fight to improve services there. I will carry on working with local police to make Southend’s streets safer and we will continue our water summits to hold those responsible for sewage in our estuary accountable to us all.

 As we move into the New Year, this government will deliver investment and reform to create better jobs, with higher wages and more money in people’s pockets.

 We want to rebuild Britain, get the NHS back on its feet and deliver a stable economy, so that you feel better.

 We inherited unprecedented challenges, with crumbling public services and crippled public finances, but we will deliver a decade of national renewal through our five missions: economic growth, fixing the NHS, safer streets, making Britain a clean energy super-power and opportunity for all.

 I am looking forward to representing you at Westminster in 2025 and meeting so many more of you. If I can help in any way, please get in touch.

 Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous New year.

 

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