Last week the Chancellor delivered the Autumn Budget and Spending Review, setting out the Government’s plans to support the economy as it continues to recover from the pandemic.

The West Midlands has been given a billion pounds of funding to expand the region’s tram, train, bus and cycle networks and support an environmentally friendly transport revolution.  Andy Street and the West Midlands Combined Authority secured the money from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement fund. The funding will enable work to progress on the Royal Sutton Coldfield town centre regeneration plans.

Following the Chancellor’s speech, Andrew spoke in the first day of the Budget debate. Andrew welcomed a significant boost to transport funding for the West Midlands as well as other measures that will benefit Suttonians.

Andrew Mitchell MP said “I welcome the Chancellor’s strong commitment to the West Midlands in the Budget. The money that has been provided through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement fund will help transform many local transport plans across our region and will be vital as we progress our town centre regeneration strategy.

Money from the fund will enable Sutton Coldfield to start major work on our town centre renewal. The plan is all set, and taxpayers’ money is now needed to address some of the key transport issues. This funding will make all the difference.

The skills agenda is vital for local businesses and it was good to see it feature so centrally in the Budget. The Prime Minister singled out Andy Street, our West Midlands Mayor, for his work on boot camps for digital retraining; a great example of innovation in the West Midlands which is now being rolled out nationally. These types of projects are incredibly important if we are to capture the vital growth that is required to ensure that we can secure new jobs and high-quality inward investment in the West Midlands.

House building is another priority locally, with demand for new homes increasing so I also welcomed significant Government investment in the building of new homes on brownfield sites.

We are looking for a £200 million accelerator in the West Midlands so that we can ensure that new homes are built while at the same time protecting our green belt. Locally we have one of the biggest house building programmes in the country at Langley, on Sutton Coldfield’s green belt. It is important that we focus on brownfield development, with houses built in the right places.

In the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield we have four particular priorities: the town centre, the Cottage Hospital, our Royal Park and the Town Hall. They all require, for the development and the aspirations that we have for them, a little bit of taxpayers’ money, and I am glad to see a number of regional and national announcements in the Budget that will have a positive impact locally. “

Some of the key announcements for the West Midlands included:

• (Announced ahead of the Budget) The West Midlands has been handed a billion pounds of funding to expand the region’s tram, train, bus and cycle networks and drive a green transport revolution.  Andy Street and the West Midlands Combined Authority secured the money from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement fund.
• £1.05 billion for Birmingham City Council over five years to transform local transport networks, for schemes such as the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill metro expansion and Sprint Phase 2.
• Over £270 million of local roads maintenance funding between 2022-23 and 2024-25 and over £40 million for smaller transport improvement priorities through the Integrated Transport Block for Local Authorities in the West Midlands not receiving City Region Settlements.
• £196 million for eleven projects through the first tranche of the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund – including £19.9 million to improve the A457 Dudley Road in Birmingham, £16 million to regenerate the Goods Yard in Stoke-on-Trent, and £20 million to develop a City Learning Quarter in Wolverhampton.
• 10 new Community Diagnostic Centres will be built across the Midlands, expanding diagnostic capacity across the country whilst targeting investment at areas of deprivation.
• £400 million of new funding for the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund.
• The West Midlands will also benefit from: a share of the £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund – focused on helping people into jobs and supporting businesses across the UK; £560 million funding for the Youth Investment Fund and National Citizen Service; and £5 billion for Project Gigabit, rolling out gigabit capable broadband for homes and businesses across the UK.

Andrew Mitchell MP visited the John Willmott school to meet staff and sixth form pupils, including many students who are new arrivals to Sutton Coldfield.

The sixth form at the school has grown significantly and has doubled in size to 100 pupils in recent years with the school adding further academic subjects to the curriculum including geography and history.

Fewer than half of the current cohort were born in Sutton Coldfield and the school has seen a lot of new arrivals from Hong Kong, Nigeria and Portugal with some families making their school applications before they arrive.

During his visit Andrew met the school captains Yasmine, Reuben, Harry & Morgan who are studying a wide variety of subjects.

Andrew spoke about his role as a Member of Parliament, his focus on Sutton Coldfield and some current local issues. He was quizzed by pupils on subjects including the ways in which MPs can represent their constituents, support for asylum seekers, regeneration of our local town centre, assisted suicide and apprenticeships.

Andrew Mitchell said, “It was good to be back at the John Willmott school and to have the opportunity to meet the current sixth form and brilliant school captains. The school continues to grow from strength to strength and it was excellent to see the ways in which the staff are supporting pupils, particularly those that are new arrivals to our Royal Town.”

A Sutton school has paid a moving tribute to its founder by naming a newly-refurbished building after her.

Janice Rankin founded The Shrubbery, Sutton’s oldest independent school, in 1930, in the Walmley home where she lived with her family.

And last week Sutton MP Andrew Mitchell officially opened the refurbished building – now called Rankin House – cheered on by the entire school.

Mr Mitchell said:

“Miss Rankin was a true educational pioneer and much-loved by the pupils she taught over many decades.

“It was a privilege to open Rankin House and to see how the school she created nearly a century ago is thriving in the 21st century.”

Miss Rankin, who died in 1997 had only one pupil when the school first opened, a little girl called Eileen King, teaching her in a single classroom in the now listed house.

Headteacher Amanda Lees said:

“We are really grateful to Mr Mitchell for coming along and helping us celebrate Miss Rankin’s achievements, and the children really enjoyed learning about how she created their school.”

Shrubbery CEO Craig Johnson said: “It was great to see Rankin House opened – the refurbishments include everything from a new reception area and security system to wood panelling that celebrates the heritage of this historic building.

“However, Rankin House is just the start of exciting investment in The Shrubbery as the school prepares for its second century of educating local youngsters.”

Andrew Mitchell MP has paid tribute to his longstanding friend and colleague Sir David Amess MP who was murdered last week while attending a constituency surgery in his Southend West constituency.

Andrew Mitchell said “David was an incredibly kind and thoughtful colleague. Arriving at the House of Commons 4 years after him in 1987 I was immediately struck by the trouble he took to ensure that new colleagues felt welcome. For the last 8 years he and I had neighbouring offices in the House of Commons and we regularly spoke on a wide range of issues including animal rights and our love of our dogs, particularly during the annual Westminster Dog of the year competition.

When Jo was murdered, I reviewed the security in my office in Sutton Coldfield and updated the arrangements for the safety of staff and colleagues based on expert security advice. I am satisfied that those changes were proportionate and remain the right approach for my office in the Royal Town.

I have been the MP for Sutton Coldfield for over 20 years and as I walk through the Town each week people frequently recognise me and stop me for a chat, often outlining their views for and against the Government or their concerns about particular issues and events. That is the very essence of representative democracy and I believe that this must not change.

It is the greatest honour to represent those who send us to the House of Commons to serve their interests and I have no intention of changing the way I try to look after the good people of Sutton Coldfield and the proximity and openness that goes with that.”

Andrew’s full tribute to Sir David:

The description on everyone’s lips of our friend David is that he was kind.

I first encountered that kindness when I arrived here 4 years after him in 1987, nearly 35 years ago. He took trouble with new colleagues who followed him and made us feel welcome when he saw us in the tea rooms or the corridors.

And, for the last 8 years he and I have had neighbouring offices on the third floor of 1 Parliament Street, where each year at Halloween, when anyone walked near his office the sound of a cackling ghoul would ring out along the corridor

At other times of the year a life size cut out of Mrs Thatcher would dominate the passageway ensuring we behaved ourselves and at Christmas he would put up a huge blow-up father Christmas and promote a festive atmosphere for all our staff that work so hard in 1 Parliament street.

We both competed in the Westminster dog of the year competition or to be more accurate his beloved pugs and my springer spaniel did.

There were lots of issues where David and I did not necessarily agree but it never for a moment got in the way of our friendship. He was a staunch Brexiter, it took me rather longer to appreciate the benefits of this great change, but he was not easy to pigeon hole politically. For example, he was one of the 26 on this side of the House that voted against the Government recently on the issue of international development policy.

He was disinterested in office and therefore much happier in this place as a result. Above all he served his constituents. He was the Secretary of State first for Basildon and then for Southend.

They took Jo Cox and now they have taken Sir David, it feels very much like they have taken the best of us.

Like others in this place, I can remember exactly where I was when I heard that my friend and mentor Ian Gow had been murdered by terrorists.

I can remember where I was when the bomb in the grand hotel went off that killed our colleague Sir Anthony Berry, where I was in Sutton Coldfield when I heard the awful news about Jo Cox and then on Friday the devastating news as I left Bishop Walsh school in the Royal Town after speaking to the sixth form there.

And the question I believe we should ask is this, what would those friends and colleagues murdered in the course of carrying out their democratic duty say? What would Sir David say we should conclude about those steps we now take as democratically elected representatives. This was an attack on the political process itself but above all on the political family of which we are all part even if at times we furiously disagree with one another.

And I believe they would say, be careful, be prudent but do not change that open, close and approachable relationship we all enjoy with our constituents. Otherwise the bad people have won.

When Jo was murdered like everyone else, I reviewed the security in my office in Sutton Coldfield and updated the arrangements for the security of staff and colleagues there.

But it is an honour, perhaps the greatest honour to represent those who send us here to serve their interests and I for one have no intention of changing the way I try to look after the good people of Sutton Coldfield and the proximity and openness that goes with that.

I do not think Sir David would wish it any other way for any of us.

Today like everyone else I am thinking of his wife Julia and his 5 children of whom he was so proud and I mourn the loss of a friend, a Father, a Husband and great servant of Parliament and of those he represented in this place.

Andrew Mitchell MP met Henrietta Brealey the new CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce followed by a meeting with Mike Bushell, the Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID Manager.

Henrietta, who is the first female CEO in the history of the Chamber, discussed concerns about business trading including increasing costs for local businesses, VAT rises and supply chain issues. She was largely upbeat about the number of businesses that have begun to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic.

Andrew also met Mike Bushell and had a conversation about the future of the Royal Town’s Business Improvement District and the importance of supporting local businesses as part of the work to regenerate Sutton Coldfield town centre.

Andrew Mitchell said:

“It was good to speak to Henrietta and Mike about our local economy and the challenges facing local businesses as we emerge from the pandemic. It is vital that we support businesses across the Royal Town and I am raising a number of concerns directly with my Ministerial colleagues. With our Town Centre regeneration plans moving forward I am optimistic that the future is bright, but we must ensure that local businesses have the support that they need to flourish.

Photo: Andrew Mitchell MP in his constituency office with Henrietta Brealey

Andrew Mitchell MP has thanked all those involved in the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall vaccination programme as the total number of vaccinations reached 100,000 on Friday.

Andrew worked with a wide range of stakeholders to help open the Town Hall as the main vaccine hub for the Royal Town earlier this year. It has become one of the most successful local vaccine hubs in the region.

Andrew Mitchell said:

“I would send sincere thanks to the brilliant Dr Rahul Dubb and all the Town Hall vaccination team. Sutton Coldfield Group Practice are running their most ambitious Covid and flu vaccination programme yet from the Town Hall, with boosters and flu vaccinations offered at the same time where appropriate and subject to local supply.

“On Friday I visited the Town Hall and saw the 100,000th jab completed by the team. This is really a remarkable achievement.

“We wouldn’t have hit this milestone without the excellent drs, practice team, volunteers, town hall staff and our town council who all came together earlier this year to open the Town Hall as a vaccine hub.”

Dr Rahul Dubb said:

“I am forever grateful to the staff at Sutton Coldfield Group Practice who are now in their 11th month of running this programme for Sutton Coldfield residents.

“We have worked in partnership with the most fantastic of volunteers who have given up much of their time in difficult weather conditions too, to ensure our community is vaccinated as quickly as possible.

“Thanks go to the Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield Town Council and the Birmingham and Solihull CCG for the continued team effort!”

Photo: Andrew Mitchell MP celebrating 100,000 jobs with Dr Rahul Dubb and those involved in the Town Hall vaccine team, l to r: Steve, Lisa, Andrew, Rahul and Shiva

To mark World Alzheimer’s Month, Andrew Mitchell MP joined Alzheimer’s Research UK at an event in Parliament to show his support for funding dementia research. The aim of the event was to highlight the importance of the government’s manifesto promise to double funding for dementia research, known as the “Dementia Moonshot”.

In the UK nearly 1 million people are living with dementia, and it is one of the leading causes of death. Not only does dementia cause harm and heartbreak to millions of families, but it is also placing huge strain on our health and social care system. The economic cost to the UK of caring for people with dementia is estimated to grow from £24bn in 2014 to £59bn by 2050.

Andrew Mitchell MP said:

“I was delighted to join Alzheimer’s Research UK to show my support for their work to help find preventions, treatments and, one day, a cure for dementia. It is vital that we increase investment in dementia research, and I know how important this issue is for many in Sutton Coldfield.”

David Thomas, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, added:

“A big thank you to Andrew for taking the time to join us and support dementia research during World Alzheimer’s Month.

“Dementia is one of the biggest global health crises we face. In 2019, the government made a manifesto promise to double funding for dementia research to £160m a year and speed up progress in clinical trials. Now is the time to deliver on this pledge.

“The response to COVID-19 has shown us what science can achieve with increased investment and momentum. And we’re confident that, with the right support, we can make the life-changing breakthroughs that are so needed for people with dementia.”

Andrew Mitchell MP has visited the Royal Town’s Oxfam charity shop on the Parade to support Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the environmental benefits of giving clothes a longer life, while helping beat poverty around the world by providing vital funds for the charity.

The campaign has seen thousands of people pledge to only buy second hand clothing for the month of September.

Fast fashion is increasing demand for the textile industry, which accounts for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and an average consumer throws out 31.75kg of clothing every year. If these clothes were donated or recycled instead of going to landfill, they could save the same greenhouse gas emissions as driving a car for about 800,000 miles. Extending the life of individual items of clothing by an extra 9 months can reduces someone’s carbon, water and waste footprint by as much as 20-30%.

Andrew Mitchell MP said:

“Second hand September is an excellent initiative and I enjoyed speaking to the team at our local Oxfam shop about their work which not only saves a lot of clothes and homeware from landfill but also raises crucial funds for Oxfam’s charitable work around the world. Approximately £29m is raised each year from selling clothing in Oxfam shops.”

Andrew Mitchell MP visited Tesco New Oscott Extra to support the Tesco Health Charity Partnership collection which is raising money for Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK.

The campaign is one of the first in-store fundraisers since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic and Tesco has teamed up with these three national charities to raise vital funds for their work.

The event ran from 13th until 26th September and saw huge numbers of Tesco customers making a donation by rounding up the amount they spend in stores to the nearest £1 at all self-service checkouts as well as supporting in-person collections within the store.

The collection forms part of Tesco’s five-year partnership with these charities which was established in 2018.

Following his visit Andrew said:

“I would like to send my thanks to the team at Tesco New Oscott for all their hard work fundraising this month and to all the customers that so generously supported the campaign to raise money for these important charities. The pandemic has seen many fundraising campaigns put on hold so it was great to see Tesco resume their in store fundraising once again.”

Andrew Mitchell MP visited the Townhouse on the High Street to mark National Hospitality Day.

The day is a nationwide celebration of the UK’s brilliant and resilient pubs, bars, restaurants and their suppliers across the country. 

The new initiative has been organised by a coalition of the main industry charities that have supported those people working in hospitality that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. 

Following his visit Andrew said:

“It was good to visit the Townhouse to mark National Hospitality Day. The pandemic has hit the hospitality sector particularly hard over the last 18 months and I was glad to be able to pop in to say thanks to the Townhouse team for all that they have done to support our local community, including offering their parking spaces free of charge to those attending for a Covid vaccine earlier this year. It was great to see the Townhouse bustling again and I hope that our local hospitality businesses will continue to thrive once again as we see business begin to bounce back after what has undoubtedly been an incredibly difficult period.”