Monday morning and my first port of call this week was at the DGH, specifically to meet staff in the paediatric department.
There have been changes to the way services are delivered and with that some concern from parents and challenge to decision-makers. Having had a child with complex medical needs myself I get the concern and I’m on it.
There’s an independent review to come but so far, I am pleased to report that the feedback from the frontline is positive.
On arrival at The Commons, I attended a statement by the Secretary of State on the newly published Ombudsman review into the handling of communication around pension changes for women born in the 1950s.
Around 4700 women in Eastbourne were affected by the change which saw their pension age change twice and crucially, as the Ombudsman found, without due information or engagement.
The government is considering the report.
I will continue to champion these women in Parliament. It was very kind of the WASPI movement to give me a shout out when the report was published. I am proud to have backed them and I honour their campaign locally and nationally.
I’ve also worked locally and nationally on support around the cost of living and I hope we are starting to turn a corner. Energy prices are due to fall next month to their lowest in two years. Inflation has also fallen sharply again to 3.4%. This will ease some of the pressure on Eastbourne households. It was 11.1% in October 2022 due to post-pandemic supply issues and the war in Ukraine. The state pension is increasing by 8.5% next month too.
The £20m we secured for regeneration projects in Eastbourne has already inspired a rush of brilliant proposals, there is so much untapped potential in our town and I can’t wait to get started! But, I will. First step is the appointment of a Chair and Board members.
Until then, landing £450,000 from the government’s Community Ownership Fund last week to save Meads Parish Hall is one to celebrate and, the news just today, that Brighton University’s Sports Centre has been saved for the community is hugely positive news.
The sun is struggling to break through, but Spring is still happening and I wish everyone a very Happy Easter.
