Worthing West to Westminster

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Welcome to news and updates of Parliament and the constituency.

Every November, we see the end of another year in sight with the swift move from the frivolities of Halloween and Bonfire Night to the sombre services of Remembrance. By the end of the month, Christmas lights and trees have appeared around our villages and town. Festivities have begun.

Recent Worthing Herald and Littlehampton Gazette articles can be viewed here. Themes have included service, charity and freedom of democracy.

In Westminster, we had briefings and discussions on important economic topics including the Autumn Statement. We now prepare for the first King's Speech, setting out the Government's agenda next year. I hope to be present with King Charles III in Westminster Hall to unveil the memorial to the Queen's lying-in-state.

Serving Worthing West as Member of Parliament, I know well and much admire the outreach work of the numerous community and faith groups across Worthing and Arun. As the weather worsens and the nights become colder, they fill the gaps in support where we in Westminster have been unable to react with the necessary speed and sensitivity to help individuals in all situations.

Many will know of the hard work my dedicated small team put in to help those facing some of the most harrowing of life's challenges. They work tirelessly, dealing with a wide range of high-pressure situations and issues such as those facing the threat of homelessness and destitution. Constituents praise them rightly.

I am immensely proud of their work. They fully deserve the great appreciation for what they do. Countless constituents helped by their hard work will share in wishing them well. They are dedicated and they persevere.

At the start of December, reflect on the harrowing situation in Ukraine as Russian aggression continues to wreck homes and cause death and destruction. At home, the threat of energy insecurity and cost-of-living crisis continue to remain on the minds of many. These issues matter. I remain actively engaged in any and all efforts to help ease the burden on our most vulnerable at every opportunity.

Below are updates about campaigns and activities in Worthing, Arun and Westminster over the past month.

This content comes directly from me to each valued member of our community.

Whilst the challenges may change, the opportunities to help and to be engaged with worthwhile causes will continue.

Updates from Arun and Worthing

Constituent Advice Session in Rustington

I am grateful to the local residents who joined me for my Drop-in Advice Surgery in Rustington alongside Cllr Shaun Gunner and Cllr Alison Cooper. Constituents raised a number of important issues including pay for nurses. We also discussed local problems from persistent anti-social behaviour. I continue to act on the concerns raised and feed these concerns back to local and central government when necessary. More is being done; financial resources have grown over the past decade and plans to increase funding in the future will continue to have my support.

Remembrance Day in Worthing

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, we paused and paid silent tribute to all who served and sacrificed so much for us. We will not forget them. Worthing often displays its proud community spirit of familiarity and respect. It is on days like this when we see the extent of that spirit. I was proud to be with those laying wreaths. Children, parents and grandparents gathered as a community to share a moment of silence in remembrance of all who have served in conflicts across the world. All generations are together. Thank you to those who organised the event.

Remembrance Sunday in Arun Communities

On Remembrance Sunday, I attended services and laid wreaths at the Kingston Gorse and the East Preston war memorials. At Remembrance Services and Ceremonies across the constituency and in Westminster, and whenever I pause to read names on Memorials, I recall that the purposes of politics include the responsibility to reduce conflict and to prevent civil war in nations across the world. Peace should not have to be the result of bloodshed. Democracy matters. I encourage all to consider this as we witness the atrocities in Ukraine. Death and destruction seldom follow fair open elections.

Oscar Romero School Awards Evening

I was very pleased to speak at the awards evening for St Oscar Romero Catholic School's GCSE Prize, held in the Pavilion Theatre. Students and staff spoke. I was deeply impressed by their intelligence, maturity and keen aspiration. The students already knew how the saintly archbishop Oscar Romero, namesake of the school, had given his life for the oppressed. They were interested to hear about my time spent with him in the lead-up to his assassination in 1980. Hundreds chose the name St Oscar Romero to replace the school title 'Chatsmore' in 2020.

Southern Water Storm Overflow Cooperation

We met with Katy Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at Southern Water's headquarters in Worthing, to discuss resilience planning and to view their response room. We share an interest in avoiding simple and common issues. The challenge with surface water removal and storm overflow continues. We recognised the need for greater cooperation between our local councils and utility services. Let us do what is necessary, across all levels of government and industry, to protect our bathing waters and aquatic environments. Let us work together to cut overflows and leaks.

Review of Primary School Provision in Worthing

There is a direct link between the overprovision of places and the funding of our schools. An overprovision of school places creates an unnecessary competition for pupils that leads to some schools losing vital funding with the ebbs and flows of local population within generational dynamics. I have been active with local heads and parents to make more sensible arrangements. West Sussex County Council are consulting on primary school places in Worthing. Please respond. When change comes, it should be for the benefit of pupils, their families, supporting their teachers.

Cooperation to Combat Illegal Caravanning

I attended a virtual roundtable with Sussex Police and Sussex councils on shared responses to incursions of unauthorised caravanning and associated illegal activities, and the disturbance felt by the local settled community. The summer of 2022 was particularly difficult both in terms of the number of incidents as well as anti-social behaviour above levels in previous years. The police and local authorities continue to cooperate to ensure we achieve the best possible results. I have also written to the Chief Constable asking whether any further changes to the law and regulation would be helpful.

Updates from Westminster

Supporting Our Mental Health Workers

From the time I served on the Council of Mind, the National Association of Mental Health, I have tried to emphasise the importance of recruiting good people to work in the various categories of social work professions, assisting across the mental health field. I pay tribute to those who day in, day out, and all hours of the day, cope with some of the challenging situations in trying to help people, some who feel desperate. I urged the Minister to give them much-needed support and to increase recruitment. The shortfall in mental health professionals impacts all areas in our communities.

Parliament's Garden of Remembrance

As Father of the House, I was honoured to be amongst the first to plant a memorial cross in the garden on behalf of our communities here in Worthing and Arun, and to recognise 'The Day that Sussex Died' at the Battle of the Boar's Head, in the Parliament Garden of Remembrance. This annual event, led by the Speaker of the House of Commons, marks the start of the week of remembrance in Parliament, including the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph, which culminated on Remembrance Sunday with images of falling poppies being projected onto Big Ben.

Autumn Statement 2022

I have confidence that the Chancellor is taking the national interest approach: doing the right thing to help the country and not necessarily for the party's gain. The Chancellor has presented a realistic response to tough global economic challenges, with a compassionate conservative approach. Key announcements include increased funding for our schools and the NHS by an extra £11 billion over the next two years and uprating benefits in line with inflation and keeping the pensions triple lock. We know that there is more to do and further work for the Chancellor at this time of need.

Help for our High Streets

Calls for a reduction in business rates have never been more urgent. The future of our high streets and our town centres is at stake. I support the Retail Jobs Alliance campaign to 'cut the shops tax'. The Worthing Town Centre Initiative (WTCI), who act in support of local businesses, know that they have my support in urging the Chancellor to act fast to prevent the collapse of our high streets. Ahead of the Autumn Statement, I put the concerns of local businesses and the WTCI direct to the Treasury. Business rates and VAT must be fair and supportive of our economy.

Fighting for Frozen Pensioners

I spoke on GB News about the complete scandal that are the frozen pensions of thousands of British pensioners living in Commonwealth countries across the world. These British pensioners live in countries without reciprocal pension agreements. Their state pensions are frozen at the rate when they left the United Kingdom and so fall in real value year on year. Too many are now living in poverty despite paying their national insurance contributions in full. To go on doing nothing is an insult to these thousands of British pensioners who have worked hard for what they rightfully deserve.

Combatting Famine in East Africa

Oxfam and I discussed the urgent need to respond to the hunger crisis in East Africa. When famine threatened the region in 2017, it was quick and resolute action from the UK that helped stave off the worst-case scenario and saved thousands of lives. Yet again, there is a looming threat of famine worsened by a lack of action from the global community. The UK can and should continue to be a leading figure in international aid. We must not lapse in our commitment to responding to natural disasters such as famine and other causes of global hunger across the world.

Supporting the Trophy Hunting Ban

Residents have written requesting that I support the Trophy Hunting [Imports Prohibition] Bill. Fellow West Sussex MP Henry Smith knows that I fully support the aims of his Bill. Over many years, I have been a strong advocate for the protection of animals and have authored and signed Early Day Motions and open letters calling on greater protection for wildlife. My request to would-be trophy hunters: please replace your gun with a camera. Shoot the best picture you can, leave the animal alive. My request to the Government: do what is necessary before it is too late.

Contaminated Blood Debate

For several years, we have been vocal in calling for the Government to grant an inquiry into the scandal and to bring justice to the sufferers and the families and loved ones of those who sadly passed away. During the debate I sponsored at the end of November, I was able to discuss my deeply personal connection with the contaminated blood scandal. It has been over 32 years since I first started working with the Haemophilia Society to try to get proper recognition of the effect of the contaminated blood scandal. The Government is beginning to respond in the right way, more must be done and fast.

Justice for Park Home Residents

I joined a mass gathering of Park Home demonstrators in demanding an end to 10% sales fees. We converged on 10 Downing Street to deliver a blunt message demanding reform of this massively scandal-hit sector of the retirement housing market. We later welcomed an impressive number of MPs to a roundtable discussion. The greatest scandal is the 10% exit fee on sale taken by the site owners. Some years ago, we campaigned vigorously for the exit fees in retirement housing to be dropped by the Office of Fair Trading. A 10% fee on Park Homes is a scandal. Cut pitch fees too.

Should you or anyone you know need urgent assistance with any issue you are facing, my team and I continue to be available to help. If you wish to get in contact, details for my team and me are available here.

Do invite any friends and family members who might wish to receive these monthly updates to join my mailing list via: http://eepurl.com/gtt3pb

An archive of my previous newsletters can be accessed here.

My team and I wish you all the very best of health and happiness,

Sir Peter Bottomley MP
Member of Parliament for Worthing West

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Sir Peter Bottomley MP · House of Commons · London, SW1A 0AA · United Kingdom