Earlier this week, Liz Truss became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and, whilst she was not the person I supported in the leadership contest, I am confident that she has the vision and stamina to take our country forward through the challenges largely brought about by President Putin’s warmongering in Ukraine.
Our new Prime Minister has promised to focus on three pressing priorities which we all too keenly feel here in Hastings and Rye. Firstly, our economy needs to grow, and we must help to get people who are not already in jobs working. In June, I wrote to the then Work and Pensions Secretary, Therese Coffey, about my concerns that, despite the high level of job vacancies in Hastings and Rye, we had 20.8% of working age people - one in five people – on out-of-work benefits by choice, for whatever reason this may be. I argued that more needs to be done by providing the right incentives, support, and work coaching, and this can all be delivered within the Universal Credit system. I therefore welcome the Prime Minister’s focus on getting Britain working again by growing the economy, rewarding hard work and boosting business-led investment, especially in the areas that need it most.
Secondly, the energy crisis and the increased cost of bills and living must be tackled. Liz Truss has promised to take action as I write, and I look forward to seeing and scrutinizing her plans to deal with the cost of energy for both households and businesses, as well as securing our future energy supply in the long-term. I would like to see a focus on ramping up of investment in renewable energy including offshore wind and green hydrogen.
Finally, she has also committed to improving out NHS services. It was encouraging to hear the new Health Secretary’s ABCDs plans earlier this week which focus on prioritising ambulances, backlogs, care, and doctors and dentists.
I also expect the new Prime Minister to continuing the levelling-up agenda, get a better grip on illegal immigration and crime, as well as strengthen our wonderful Union of four nations. Most of all, however, I expect her to do what she promised and deliver, deliver, deliver for the residents of Hastings and Rye, and I will do whatever I can to help her achieve this.