Autumn Statement

Yesterday the Chancellor set out his plan to restore stability and tackle inflation in the Autumn Statement. The priority is to protect public services and help the most vulnerable struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The statement recognised that the only way to achieve long term, sustainable growth is by gripping inflation, balancing the books and getting debt falling.

The latest unemployment figures for Sutton Coldfield, released on the same day as the Chancellor’s statement, tell an encouraging story. Over the past year the number of claimants has fallen by 440, including in the past month. I am confident that the Chancellor’s measures will further stimulate this downward trend.

The terrifying economic headwinds our country faces means that tough but fair choices had to be made. I welcomed the decision for an equal split between tax rises and spending cuts. I always argued that for an economy to grow, both sides of the balance sheet need to be managed. We cannot afford unfunded tax cuts, just as we cannot justify unfunded spending increases.

I believe the Chancellor’s statement has struck the right balance, which will have the effect of protecting public services with an extra £11 billion for the NHS and schools, helping those in need and investing to boost growth.

Remembrance Sunday

Last Sunday our whole country remembered the men and women in our armed forces who perished in defence of our freedoms. As is customary in the Royal Town, I joined Mayor Jan Cairns to lay a wreath at the King Edward’s Memorial along with our Deputy Lieutenant John Craggs (who will shortly be retiring and whose service in that role is greatly appreciated).

Following the ceremony at the memorial, I joined veterans and younger participants back at the Royal British Legion where the Royal Town Mayor and I presented Mr Gary Truelove with a special award for commanding more than 25 annual parades on Remembrance Sunday. The contribution that he and his family have made to the Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets over very many years has been unparalleled.

I also took part in the church service led by Rev’d John Routh.

Remembrance Sunday ceremonies never fail to move me. The passage of time makes the occasion all the more poignant and necessary. We commemorate the fallen soldiers not only in two world wars but in all military operations past and present, to whom we owe the greatest debt of gratitude.

Never forget. Always remember.

Annual Dinner of the Sutton Coldfield Conservatives

We are preparing for tonight’s Annual Dinner of the Royal Sutton Conservatives. This great occasion will take place in the splendour of the Moor Hall Hotel for the dinner. A flagship event for Sutton Coldfield Conservatives, our guest speaker tonight is former prime minister, Theresa May MP. We are much looking forward to her reflections and to welcoming her to our Royal Town. A full report and pictures will be provided next week.

Botched Bin Collections

I’ve received quite a few complaints from constituents in the Royal Town about the poor and unreliable state of the waste collection service, which includes missed collections, failure to return bins to the correct place and disregard for the special needs of some locals. I understand that this a problem also experienced across Birmingham.

I am pleased that following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, failings at Birmingham City Council have been identified and that the Council is working to put in place an action plan to improve the service.

More information can be found here:https://www.lgo.org.uk/information-centre/news/2022/nov/ombudsman-issues-third-critical-report-about-birmingham-s-bin-collections

Tesco Winter Food Collection

The Tesco Winter Food Collection is back and will be taking place between Thursday 1st December and Saturday 3rd December in the Royal Town. I visited the Royal Town’s store during Tesco’s previous collection, which was very successful. The initiative is being organised in conjunction with the Trussell Trust and FareShare.

The collection is being held to gather long-life food to help the two charities in their work within communities across the UK. During the collection, Tesco customers will be asked to donate long-life food items to help support the charities, with Tesco topping up customer donations with an additional 20% donation to the charities in cash to aid them in their work.

Tesco would welcome volunteers - previous initiatives have shown that where collection points are manned by volunteers there is an increase in food donated. People can find out more and volunteer for the collection here: The Trussell Trust or Fareshare.

Helping Communities Fund

The Helping Communities Fund (HCF) has been relaunched with a further £189,000 on offer to help communities in the west midlands.

It is made up from money which has been seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and is used to allow communities to invest in their neighbourhoods to improve safety

The purpose of the scheme is to support locally based projects which aim to make a positive difference, and which make the West Midlands a safer place to live, learn or work. All funded projects will contribute to crime prevention & reduction, and community safety in the local area. For more information, please visit: Helping Communities Fund - West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner (westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk)

Ministerial Round Up

As the relevant minister in the government, I answered 2 debates in the House of Commons this week on the subjects of Ethiopia and the persecution of Christians. The role of a Minister in such debates is twofold: first, to address the subject matter broadly, explaining what the government has done and is doing to address it. Second, to reply to specific points, concerns and questions raised by MPs speaking during the debate.

Ethiopia

This debate took place against a backdrop of a two-year long brutal conflict which has had catastrophic humanitarian consequences. However, following the signing of a peace agreement earlier this month, there are signs of hope:

“There is finally a path towards peace and prosperity for the people of Ethiopia. During two years of fighting in the north of the country, thousands of people have been killed. There have been human rights violations and abuses on an appalling scale, as has been set out during this debate, and some 13 million people have been left in need of humanitarian aid. It has been one of the world’s most destructive conflicts.

The peace agreement signed on 2 November by the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front is an opportunity to bring a permanent end to this conflict.

This is a comprehensive agreement which, if implemented in full, can be the basis of a lasting peace. However, it will require sustained, magnanimous and restrained leadership on all sides, and support from Ethiopia’s friends across the international community. The UK Government have offered our support to the Ethiopian Government and the African Union. So far, the early signs are promising. Since 2 November, we believe that fighting has largely ceased, and the agreement signed on 12 November demonstrates commitment to implementation.”

The full reply can be read here: The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Mr Andrew Mitchell)

Persecution of Christians

Following Red Wednesday, a day to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians, I emphasised the Government’s commitment to championing freedom of religion and praised the work of local church leaders – including in our Royal Town – who are dedicated to this important cause:

“I express my admiration and praise for the faith communities across Birmingham who work so impressively together and to great effect and success. The royal town of Sutton Coldfield makes an enormously constructive contribution to such important issues. In the royal town, we have the Bishop of Aston, who makes a great contribution and resides in my constituency.

Like this House, the Government believe that violence against any person because of their religion or belief is wholly unacceptable. Although this debate particularly highlights the plight of persecuted Christians, we do not forget or in any way diminish the experience of those persecuted for holding other religions, beliefs or no religious beliefs at all.

The Government are committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for everyone—something enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights and in our own organisational values.”

The full reply can be read here: The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Mr Andrew Mitchell)

Useful information

Mobile Household Recycling Centre (MHRC)

Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 5th December 2022 of the Council’s MHRC in the Royal Town:

• Mon 05/12/2022 St. Andrews Road B75 6UG 07:00 12:00 Sutton Trinity
• Tue 06/12/2022 Fourlands Avenue B72 1YY 07:00 12:00 Sutton Wylde Green
• Wed 07/12/2022 Longley Avenue B76 9AL 07:00 12:00 Sutton Walmley & Minworth

Christmas Community Games on Monday 19th December