My Plan: Levelling-Up and Cost of Living
Since first being elected MP in 2010, I have always looked for opportunities to bring investment into the area. I want us to have the best public services and facilities possible. There have been several recent funding allocations for the Moorlands which will help to ensure we have the services we need.
Levelling-Up
In April 2024 I welcomed the news that Staffordshire County Council has set out their plans to use £6,376,000 to repair and resurface roads in the Moorlands over the next two years. I know how important the state of our local roads are to constituents, that is why I am delighted that the Government is sticking to the plan to improve journeys for drivers.
In February 2024 I welcomed the news that Staffordshire would receive £285,903,000 in funding to level up local transport. The money will go towards improving public transport which will reduce congestion as well as fund upgrades to local bus and train stations.
Staffordshire Moorlands is set to benefit from £58,975,00 of new funding as a result of the Government’s long-term investment into grassroots sports. Over 1100 new projects will receive funding to improve facilities such as changing rooms, pavilions, state of the art 3G football fields, goal posts, and floodlights. With these new developments, access to sport and physical activity for local communities can improve.
As well as an investment of £165,859 into Biddulph Valley Leisure Centre which will help improve its energy efficiency and keep running costs down.
The Government’s Levelling Up Fund is just one of a number of sources of money, so I have been pleased to be able to support the bid made by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for improvements to Leek. I lobbied hard, including asking the Prime Minister directly at Prime Minister’s Questions to support the bid, so was thrilled when it was announced in January 2023 that just over £17 million has been awarded to us. This success was only possible thanks to the Town Council and District Council coming together, and then asking for my support as the MP. I pushed really hard to secure this bid.
In April 2023, I also welcomed a £410,353 investment from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund which provides extra funding for councils across the country to grow local tourism and support rural businesses looking to start-up or expand. Rural areas hold unique opportunities for growth and with the right investment and support we can harness that potential to create jobs and help deliver on our priority to grow the economy, so I am pleased that this investment has been secured for the Moorlands.
Investment in sport is also crucial and I am therefore pleased that the Government have provided £95,348 to transform sports facilities in Staffordshire Moorlands to get more people active and nurture future sporting talent.
There have been several other funding announcements, such as the funding to improve buildings for Biddulph High School and James Bateman Middle School, as well as £4.5 million to fix potholes in Staffordshire. I will always work hard to secure funding for our area, and I will continue to look for opportunities.
Cost of Living
I understand the financial pressures that households are facing and will continue to work with my Parliamentary colleagues to ensure the Government continues to help ordinary households up and down the country.
I made my view clear to the Ministers that the Triple Lock should be reinstated for pensions, and I am pleased that the Chancellor has announced that it will be maintained throughout 2024-25. Pensioners have further continued support by the Government, with the Basic State Pension increasing by the biggest ever increase. In the Spring Budget it was also announced that there would be further cuts to the National Insurance tax taking it from 10 to 8 per cent from 6 April.
In the Autumn Statement 2023, the government announced further cost of living support for 2024-25, building on the already provided support which will continue to help people across the Moorlands.
I am continuing to follow developments on the rising cost of living and constituents can be assured that I will ensure Ministers are aware of the situation many people face.