It is six months since the general election and as we head into 2025, I’m sure everyone will be hoping for better times ahead. However, there are significant challenges to delivering the security and prosperity people want to see.
And that applies not least on the economy. Only this week there was another survey showing business confidence has plummeted following the Budget and is at its lowest level for two years. The £25 billion a year hike in national insurance that comes into effect from April is already undermining investment and hiring plans with prices expected to increase.
Talking to local employers, they are facing significant increases in their costs and with higher business rates also coming for shops, pubs, and leisure businesses, many are just trying to survive. We all want to see the economy growing and incomes rising and in the face of such concerns there is still time for the government to listen and change course. Let’s hope they take it and I’ll continue to represent local businesses and challenge the government on its economic plans.
2025 must be the year progress is made on the new QEH. After pressuring Labour to reverse its position and take QEH out of the review of new hospitals and back the last government’s decision to make QEH a priority scheme, I will keep championing the need to get on with the plans. It has been frustrating not to see actions that match the Health Secretary’s claim that the government gets the urgency.
Later this month I’ll be meeting the Health minister leading the new hospitals programme to push the government once again to approve QEH’s plans and release funding so we can make progress to that 2030 deadline. As the new Community Diagnostic Centre, Endoscopy Unit, and West Norfolk Eye Centre all show, new facilities that harness technology can help staff to deliver better care for patients. The new health hub in South Lynn will add to the modern facilities in our area.
In the autumn, the latest project in the £25 million Town Deal is set to be completed with the doors opening to the new library and community hub in the old Argos building. As well as more books available in the modern library, there will be services and facilities in one place for local people, businesses, and community groups.
Along with the exciting plans for St. George’s Guildhall theatre, riverfront, and active travel, collectively these projects are about boosting our town and wider West Norfolk. And we will also begin developing plans for the further £20 million of long-term funding for towns.
So despite the challenges and mistakes this government is making, it is time to be optimistic and focus on achieving positive changes locally. I’ll certainly be continuing to stand up for our area campaigning for better infrastructure, supporting local schools, investing in our police force, reducing waiting lists and more NHS dental appointments, improving our rivers and coastal waters, rolling out gigabit broadband, and much more in the months ahead.
Over the last few years I’ve met with so many of the people, groups, and firms making a difference to our community to take up issues or promote their work. I’m looking forward to continuing that this year and my diary is already filling up so please get in touch if you have an issue or cause that you think I can help with.
