Wishing everyone a very happy and peaceful New Year. Telford is set for a fantastic 2016.
Here in Telford, with a more secure economy, employment is rising, the number of new businesses has grown, youth unemployment has halved, weekly pay has increased, and family spending power is up. You only need to visit one of the busy retail parks, or take a trip to Southwater, to know that Telford has a vibrant and successful future ahead.
From April people will get to keep more of the money they earn as tax cuts come into effect. For the elderly, there is the largest increase in State Pension in a decade. We will see more apprenticeships, more free childcare, and funding for our NHS rise to record levels.
I am keeping up the fight to make sure Telford’s healthcare needs remain top of the agenda. With our growing population, greater health inequalities, good road links and the fantastic women and children’s unit, Princess Royal Hospital is the best location for the new critical care unit planned for the County.
A rapidly growing new town faces its share of challenges. We need to ensure our infrastructure and connectivity keeps pace with the needs of our growing population and new businesses. We must keep the green spaces that give Telford its unique rural-urban identity, yet at the same time help people get onto the housing ladder.
Despite progress, here in Telford there are pockets of entrenched disadvantage and poverty. There are children growing up in families where no one has ever worked, where family instability, poor housing, addiction and mental health difficulties, are harming life chances. This Government is committed to tackling the root causes of poverty with targeted help for those most in need. There is more to do. I have secured a debate in Parliament on 7th January to ask the Government to do more to support families to ensure fewer children grow up in care; children in care are almost guaranteed to live in poverty.
Throughout its proud history Telford has never had it easy. But this experience has gifted Telford with a spirit of resilience, a willingness to find solutions and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Together with a stronger economy, these qualities will pay dividends for Telford in 2016. With warmest wishes, and I look forward to serving Telford in 2016.