I am humbled and honoured to have been given the opportunity to serve in the Government under prime minster Rishi Sunak. As Minister of State for Development, I look forward to working with the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, to continue promoting the UK’s values on the world stage.

I want to thank everyone for your kind messages of support. Politically and economically, this is one of the toughest times I can remember. But I do have faith that Rishi Sunak’s leadership and judgment will deliver the stability and prosperity we need.

I want to confirm - as I have always tried to do and live up to - that my first, second and third priority is to do my very best for Sutton Coldfield and all my constituents. I never forget that it is you who elected me to serve your interests at Westminster and to look after our Royal Town.

Unfortunately. as a Minister I am not able to speak or ask questions in Parliamentary debates except for the subjects for which I am responsible.

I also have to resign as Chair of the various All-Party Parliamentary Groups I have been closely involved with, including Assisted Dying and War Crimes. I am sorry to have to let these roles go for the time being as each Group represented an issue close to my heart. I am particularly sad to step down from the APPG on Levelling Up Birmingham. I have spoken to Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, to assure him of my best wishes and continuing support for the important work the Group does on behalf of Sutton Coldfield and the wider west Midlands.

All that being said, I will of course be taking up issues which affect the Royal Town and my constituents who live there directly with Ministers and colleagues where appropriate.

Online Safety

Today, the government announced more support for vulnerable people to spot disinformation and boost online safety, keeping elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people safe online.

The most vulnerable people in our society are most at risk of being defrauded or misled online so we must do more to protect them.

That is why we have set out additional support for the most vulnerable groups as part of our three-year Online Media Literacy Strategy to protect vulnerable groups from misinformation online backed by funding granted to 17 bodies focused on improving media literacy among vulnerable and ‘hard-to-reach’ groups.

This will help those who may need additional help to stay safe online and protect themselves from being victims of misinformation and fraud.

NHS Staff Boost

Yesterday, the government published new data that shows we have a record 1.2 million staff working in our NHS, meaning better care for patients as work to tackle covid related backlogs continues.

It is a priority to ensure the NHS is not only fully funded but fully staffed. This data shows the NHS Long Term Plan to boost recruitment is making progress with over 3,700 more doctors and 9,100 more nurses since August 2021. It is welcome news.

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Update

The WMCA Board is set to agree how the £88.4m allocation for the west Midlands (plus the £25m or so of local funding that is being added to top up the pot) will be spent over the next three years. It is being proposed that 50% of the money will focus on supporting local businesses, with the other 50% to be directed by Local Authorities to focus on local communities and skills. They will look to start getting the money out the door ASAP – particularly for our businesses, who need it most.

Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council

This morning I had a meeting at Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council to discuss where we are on progress on the town centre upgrade, Cottage Hospital and primary care in Sutton, Sutton Park and finally the plans for this year’s Remembrance Day Parade.

I will report in next Friday’s message on the detailed arrangements for Remembrance Sunday throughout the Royal Town (in King Edward’s Square, Walmley and Four Oaks).

Falcon Lodge Community Hub

I visited Falcon Lodge Community Hub where I met a number of community groups providing essential services in Falcon Lodge and the Royal Town.

First I met the local Police Neighbourhood team together with recently elected local Councillor Richard Parkin, to discuss local policing matters, where Richard is working so hard for people in the community.

My second stop was to see members of the Parents Ambassadors of the Lodge, one of the Royal Town’s local upcycling groups, whose youth leader is Lee Croft. Upcycling clothes and second-hand items is a good way of preventing waste. I understand that as much as 250 tonnes of reusable goods can be diverted from the waste stream, and avoid ending up in landfill, through this initiative.

As you can see from the photos, the group were holding their Halloween party. I am assured that Lee Croft, pictured in the wedding dress, has no plans to marry Councillor Richard Parkin!

Finally I met the team from Food for Hope, a community based distribution centre - or ‘food club’ - that was set up to provide affordable food in the community and also stop food waste. Anyone can join the club as a member for £1 and purchase a tray of food for just £3. The newly found scheme, which is run by volunteer and founder Tracey Adams, also supports staff at Good Hope Hospital.

For information about joining and opening times, please email info@hopefood.org.

Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 7th November 2022 of the Council’s Mobile Household Recycling Centre in Sutton Coldfield.

Mon 07/11/2022 Welford Road B73 5DP 07:00 12:00 Sutton Vesey

Tue 08/11/2022 Calder Drive B76 1GG 07:00 12:00 Sutton Walmley & Minworth