Weekly Message to Constituents 238 - Budget of broken promises

1 November 2024

In the Constituency

Budget of broken promises

Wednesday’s Budget contains broken promise after broken promise and unleashes an enormous tax and borrowing spree.

Time and time again during the General Election, Labour promised they would not raise taxes on working people, but they have imposed a £25 billion tax on working people by increasing National Insurance – as they raise the tax burden to the highest level in our country’s history.

The Government promised they would not increase borrowing, but they have hiked borrowing by billions of pounds in every year of the Parliament, which the OBR says will push up inflation and mortgage rates – hammering working people.

And they have – in the Chancellor’s own words – ‘fiddled the figures’ by ditching her fiscal rules and allowing debt to spiral.

Sutton Coldfield’s business community will be deeply concerned by the extra costs being piled onto them by this budget. Businesses of all sizes will be worried about the increase in National Insurance payments they will have to make, along with the rise in the minimum wage.

The painful truth is that the previous government said it, but nobody wanted to believe it. We knew that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves had always planned to raise taxes and let borrowing rip. We knew that their numbers didn’t add up. They knew it too. They just did not have the courage to tell the British people at the election.

Getting ready for Remembrance Sunday

Above: Preparations are being made for this year’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

I am very much looking forward to our Remembrance Sunday commemorations next weekend - starting with the service in our town church Holy Trinity and concluding following the march up to the war memorial in King Edwards Square - followed by our annual and most enjoyable gathering at the Royal British Legion.

The Service of Remembrance will take place at Holy Trinity Parish Church at 9.45am, followed by a parade to the War Memorial at King Edward Square.

At 11am civic dignitaries, the Royal British Legion, representatives of the Sea, Navy, Armed Forces Cadets, other Military Groups, Civilian Groups, Schools, Uniform Organisations, and residents will observe the national two-minute silence at the War Memorial followed by wreath laying.

For those unable to attend, the Church Service will be live streamed to the Holy Trinity Parish Church Facebook page.

Please note that road closures will be in place at King Edward Square from 6pm on Saturday, 9th November and around King Edward Square / Anchorage Rd, along High Street, Mill Street and Holland Drive from 10:30am until midday on Sunday,10th November.

Very many thanks in advance to Adrian Harvey for so generously providing free parking at the Townhouse Hotel for residents of King Edward Square.

Our Royal Town Mayor and I will be laying wreaths on behalf of the Town as we commemorate those who have given so much to protect our country down the years.

Last few tickets available to hear former Chancellor at annual dinner

Above: This year’s Conservative Association annual dinner is at a ‘new’ venue – the ancient New Hall Hotel.

The countdown continues to the Conservative Association annual dinner in Sutton Coldfield – and there are just a few seats left for what will be a fabulous occasion.

Each year, this proves to be a spectacular evening of political insights, friendship, fun and excellent food!

Our speaker this year is a highly distinguished parliamentarian and an experienced Cabinet Minister - former Chancellor of Exchequer, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, Member of Parliament for Godalming and Ash.

The black-tie dinner will be held at New Hall Hotel and Spa,on Friday 15th November.

Tickets cost £55 and are available from Jack Annett at Jack.Annett@conservatives.com

You can find full details in the ‘further information’ section at the end of this message.

Choral Society to perform this month

Above: Royal Sutton Coldfield Choral Society in action.

The brilliant Royal Sutton Coldfield Choral Society is marking the centenary of Gabriel Faure’s death with a concert on Saturday, November 16th with a programme including his popular Requiem, using the composer’s original 1897 orchestration.

Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust are helping to fund four concerts by the Society, contributing to the Royal Town’s rich cultural life.

The present choir grew out of an evening class formed in1969 and was re-constituted as the Sutton Coldfield Choral Society a year later. It normally performs two large-scale classical concerts a year, usually in May and December, accompanied by a professional concert orchestra and soloists.

The upcoming concert is to be held at Emmanuel, the Parish Church of Wylde Green, at 7.30 pm. Tickets (£15) may be booked on 0121 354 6999.

You can find full details in the ‘further information’ section at the end of this message.

Cancer Support Centre launches fundraising Christmas Draw

Above: With Trevor Saadi, Chair of the Trustees of Sutton Coldfield Cancer Support Centre and (inset) raffle tickets for the centre’s big Christmas Draw.

The Cancer Support Centre in Sutton Coldfield has announced details of its annual Christmas Draw - offering the opportunity to win top prizes while supporting a life-changing cause.

I am honoured to be Patron of the Cancer Support Centre, which is based in the same building as St Giles Hospice in Lindridge Road.

The Cancer Centre is there to support local people - they may have just received a diagnosis, be about to have surgery or receive hospital treatments, be currently undergoing conventional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, have been discharged after finishing treatment, be approaching one of the many follow-up appointments, or be supporting a loved one on their journey.

I urge you to get involved in the raffle and help support this vital local service.

With an array of prizes donated by generous local businesses, the raffle promises winners a delightful holiday season while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer.

Tickets to enter the Christmas draw are available online at Cancer Support Centre Raffle for just £2 each or £10 for a book.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Centre or at upcoming Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce events.

Local businesses have generously contributed a range of prizes, including:

A Reiki Treatment from Unicorn Therapies
A Massage from Serenity Anima
Ultimate Body Ritual Tropic Skincare Pack from Joy at Tropic Skincare

Beyond pampering, the raffle prizes also include memorable experiences and practical gifts, such as:

Four Main Enclosure Tickets to Warwick Racecourse
A £50 travel voucher from Broads Travel
£50 voucher for Chung Ying, Birmingham
Afternoon tea for two at Waterside (Wheats)
Meal for two at The School House in Weeford
Sunday lunch for two at The Belfry
Family voucher to Lucky Tails Alpaca Farm
Segway adventure for two from Segway Events
Carpet cleaning for three rooms by Sutton Carpet Cleaning
Four-ball golf round at Walmley Golf Club
Four-ball golf round at Harborne Golf Club
Electrician for a day from 1752 Electrical Services

The excitement culminates on Friday 13th December at 2pm,when the grand prize draw will be held at the Cancer Support Centre.

Supporters are invited to attend the draw and celebrate the occasion with the Centre’s team and volunteers.

Funds raised from the Christmas raffle directly support the Cancer Support Centre, enabling the delivery of vital services and support to those affected by cancer within Sutton Coldfield and surrounding areas.

The Centre offers compassionate care, counselling, therapies, and guidance to patients and families, easing their journey and improving quality of life.

For more information, please visit the Centre’s website or call in for tickets.

Give your feedback on Charitable Trust newspaper

Above: Have you had your copy of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Charity News?

Over the last two weeks, 40,000 copies of a special new newspaper have been delivered across Sutton Coldfield.

Funded by Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, the Royal Sutton Coldfield Charity News is a one-off publication which aims to give local charitable, voluntary and community groups the kind of valuable coverage they once enjoyed in our much-missed weekly newspapers.

The free 16-page newspaper includes dozens of local groups and captures the rich and diverse variety of voluntary and charitable organisations that exists in Sutton Coldfield.

It also highlights the important work of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, which has supported local people since Tudor times, now giving out annual grants of around £1.5 million.

Their work covers everything from helping individuals buy school uniforms to supporting major local charities.

Now, as it considers possible future publications, the Trust wants to know what you think of the newspaper. Every group that took part in the publication will be receiving a survey, to gauge the reaction they have had to their inclusion.

If you would like to have your say, you can email your thoughts to suttoncharitynews@outlook.com

in the Commons

Discussing Africa’s future

Above: The humanitarian crisis in Sudan was among the topics covered in the summit.

I was honoured to speak on the plenary panel at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London titled, “Africa’s Place in the World: Growing Autonomy, Influence, and Domestic Challenges to Democracy.”

We examined Africa’s rising economic and political confidence and its call for fairer global financial reforms.

I also took the opportunity to highlight the UK’s contributions to Africa’s development and brought attention to the severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan, stressing the urgent international action needed to prevent nearly 13 million people facing starvation this winter.

Speaking at the annual US-UK Parliamentary Reception

Above: the annual event celebrates what is often referred to as the ‘special relationship’.

As Vice-Chairman of the BAPG it was a great pleasure to speak at the annual US-UK Parliamentary Reception in honor of the U.S. Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency Jane Hartley, and members of the British-American Parliamentary Group.

This event celebrated the deep and enduring friendship between our two nations, and I was delighted to join Mr Speaker, the UK Minister for North America and fellow Parliamentarians in marking this special occasion.

In my remarks, I spoke about the vital partnership and shared values that unite the UK and US, emphasizing the strength and importance of our ongoing friendship.