- Henry Smith MP has welcomed news that people in Crawley will benefit from the long-term decisions taken by the Government at the Autumn Statement for Growth.
· The Autumn Statement for Growth 2023 cuts people’s National Insurance contributions, delivers an £11 billion business tax cut, cuts business rates for small business and gets more people into work by reforming welfare.
· This Autumn Statement takes the long-term decisions to reduce debt, cut taxes, reward hard work and back British business – making people and businesses better off.
· Heart Sussex and More Radio among UK radio stations to be protected thanks to a new Bill in Parliament.
· The Government has introduced the Media Bill, which guarantees viewers and listeners in Crawley can still access quality British content on TV and radio as technology changes.
· This will mean people across Crawley can continue to access and enjoy great British radio for generations to come.
· The majority of people across the country travel by road, but potholes can cause misery for motorists – from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow and dangerous journeys.
· That is why the Government is investing a total of £8.3 billion of redirected HS2 funding to resurface roads across the country – the biggest ever uplift in funding for local road improvements.
· This investment will be transformative for every region across the country, creating smoother, well-maintained and safer roads for all.
Small Business Saturday takes place on December 2nd 2023. Originating in the USA, it started in the UK in 2013 and seeks to highlight small business success and encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses in their communities.
I believe in a valued workforce and fair pay. For the public sector, we have independent mechanisms to determine annual pay rises, but sometimes agreement cannot be easily reached with trade unions and in some cases, it feels like there is a wider political agenda at play. I note that almost without fail, while the Conservatives are in government, Labour politicians support every industrial dispute going, regardless of the merits or otherwise of any individual strike.
Ahead of Armistice Day, Henry Smith MP has planted a wooden cross to honour the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces from Crawley, in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance in Parliament.
· Operating costs of swimming pools and leisure facilities, alongside general inflationary pressure, have increased considerably over recent months, placing swimming pools and leisure facilities at risk of closure or significant service reduction.
· That is why the Government has launched the Swimming Pool Support Fund, with swimming pools and leisure centres across England set to receive a share of £20 million Government funding – with K2 Crawley benefitting from over £290,000.
· This funding will allow people across the country to stay fit and healthy, contributing to the Government’s aim to cut obesity rates and cut waiting lists.