Summer 2024 Update
I am pleased to bring you my Summer 2024 Update. As ever, if you would like to sign up to my mailing list, you can do so on this page or by emailing [email protected].
Dear constituent,
It is a privilege to be writing to residents again after being re-elected as MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner in July.
It was a tough election campaign, and I know the results in this constituency defied rather than mirrored the national picture. I am incredibly grateful to those who, in the ballot box, put their trust in me. Needless to say, I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of all constituents, however they voted, locally and in Westminster.
I wanted to update you on what has happened since the election and up to summer recess. My regular monthly newsletters will resume again in September.
If you would like to keep up to date in between newsletters, I would encourage you to visit my website or Facebook page.
Consultation on Alzheimer's Drug
Back in April, I ran the London Marathon in support of the Alzheimer's Society. At the time, I spoke of the encouraging clinical trial results for two types of drugs - lecanemab and donanemab - in slowing the progression of the disease. I have since welcomed the recent announcement that lecanemab has been approved for use in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease by the MHRA.
However, I am disappointed by NICE's initial recommendation that the drug should not be available on the NHS over concerns about the cost of providing the treatment. While I understand the need to provide good value for money for the taxpayer, I deeply empathise with the disappointment many will feel about this decision, especially those who have been waiting since lecanemab's promising trial results were first announced.
NICE is holding a public consultation on its draft guidance, and all responses will be considered before final recommendations are made. The consultation is open until 20 September, and those who would like to contribute should do so here.
In the Constituency...
Local Health Matters
Following Labour's first few weeks in government, questions have emerged about the future of local health projects. Having been elected on a manifesto committing to a programme including renewing Hillingdon Hospital, I have worked with colleagues since 2019 to secure funding for its redevelopment. Ahead of this year's election, we saw shovels in the ground and work underway at the site.
However, the Chancellor's statement on public spending and the so-called 'blackhole' has raised uncertainty about the future of the project. I questioned Rachel Reeves in the chamber on the availability of funding, but her response was predictably disappointing and provided no reassurance. This is despite MPs approving funding for such projects only the week previously when voting on departmental expenditure for the Department of Health and Social Care. This totalled £12.655 billion and included the funds for the new Hillingdon Hospital.
I have picked this up as a matter of urgency by writing to the Chancellor. I have also invited neighbouring MPs to work cross-party to ensure that funding remains available so the work that is already underway can and will continue.
You can read my letter to the Chancellor here, and watch my question in the chamber here.
There has been some welcome news, however, on the Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital site. I have received confirmation from the Department of Health and Social Care that work is expected to re-commence on the project this autumn. This was in response to my letter to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, following delays that occurred after the new Government's election.
I will be continuing to follow developments closely to ensure that work restarts in autumn as promised. Given the years of hard work that have gone into this, we cannot afford any further setbacks to the delivery of this vital healthcare hub.
You can read my letter to the Health Secretary here and follow the campaign on Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital here.
Surgeries
There was only a few weeks between the results of the election and summer recess, but it was back to business with surgeries. I am grateful to the teams at Bucket List in Eastcote, Café Amici in Pinner and Cofix in Northwood for hosting me.
If you would like an appointment to meet with me at a future surgery, or if you require any assistance from my office, please get in touch via 0203 545 2462 or
Summer BBQ at the Queen's Head, Pinner
I was pleased to attend the Queen's Head Summer BBQ in July to celebrate the opening of their new and impressive garden space.
It was great to hear from Sean White, proprietor of the pub, how many job and apprenticeship opportunities this project has created locally. This is really welcome news, particularly given the challenges faced by the hospitality sector over the past number of years.
A further added local touch was Meat Like It Used to Be, an independent butchers in Pinner, supplying the catering for the day. When I met with owner Bridget previously, she informed me of the opportunities she had provided by expanding the team.
It is great to see local businesses going from strength to strength. Long may it continue.
ORCHYD at St Martin's, Ruislip
It was a pleasure to meet with Mark and Corrie from ORCHYD (Organisation of Ruislip Churches Holidays for Youngsters with Disabilities) at St Martin's in Ruislip.
The charity runs annual residential holidays for children and young people with disabilities, usually over the first two weeks of August, as well as day excursions over the rest of the year. It was a great opportunity to hear more about the project and to see it in action.
During my visit, Mark and Corrie gave me a tour demonstrating how the church hall is transformed into a live-in residence for children over that two-week period. It was also heartening to hear how local businesses in Ruislip support the project, whether that is by supplying breakfast food or additional toiletries.
Most importantly, I had the opportunity to meet with some of the fantastic volunteers who do amazing work and make the whole project possible. Of course, there can never be too many volunteers, and I would urge residents who might be interested to visit the ORCHYD volunteering page.
Annual Speech Day with Reddiford School, Pinner
It was great to attend Reddiford School in Pinner's Annual Speech Day as guest speaker, which was held at Merchant Taylor's School just over the constituency boundary.
I had the pleasure of awarding some amazingly talented pupils from my constituency with prizes, cups and shields in recognition of their hard work throughout the year. Having visited on a number of occasions over the past four and a half years, I know what a brilliant school Reddiford is.
I also used the opportunity to catch up with teachers. As one of six mainstream private schools (and numerous private SEND settings) in the constituency, there are concerns about the introduction of Labour's taxes on education and the impact it will have on parents and pupils. I will continue to be a voice in Westminster on this issue and others impacting my constituency.
Crime Survey: City Hall Response
Earlier in the year, I invited residents to take part in a survey on crime and policing. In response, I wrote to the Mayor of London to share residents' concerns.
Rather disappointingly, but unsurprisingly, I received a response, not from the Mayor himself, but from his deputy, Sophie Linden. The letter outlines the funding that City Hall has put into policing and protecting communities, but there is no focus on Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, nor on the London suburbs in general. This just ratifies the concerns residents wanted raised in the first place.
Of course, the Government's pledge to put an extra 1,300 extra neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs on the streets is welcome. However, it is imperative that areas of outer London see the benefit. Currently the plans are light on detail, but I will be following this issue closely and holding both City Hall and the Government to account where necessary.
You can read the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime's response here.
Announcement: Step-Free Access at Eastcote Station
I have welcomed TfL's announcement that Eastcote will be one of twelve stations prioritised for step-free access, improving travel across our tube network for residents who require additional assistance.
This comes after many years of campaigning to see more step-free access rolled out across our tube network, particularly in areas of outer London. We have had success in the past locally, with step-free access installed at Ickenham Station.
TfL have confirmed that design work is in progress, which builds on the feasibility work that started last year. Northwood has also been announced as one of seven further stations undergoing an assessment for step-free access feasibility, and I look forward to hearing more news about that in due course.
In Parliament
Following the General Election, Parliament started afresh with MPs sworn in and the King coming to deliver a speech to the assembled legislators. Following my swearing in as your MP, I was delighted to have been asked to act as the Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
I have always championed our local community, and I will work constructively with the Shadow Ministerial team to scrutinise national policy and ensure that we, as a party, put forward positive policies to address the challenges we face.
The speech outlined what the new Government hopes to achieve in the coming months and notably included a range of measures that the previous Government had begun to deliver. However, it did bring through a series of controversial measures.
King's Speech
This is the first real test for the Labour administration as some of its more impactful pledges were brought through. Chief among these pledges was housebuilding targets. We know that in this country there are one and a half million properties with permission granted; rather than focus on delivering these, Labour has made the choice to go after the greenbelt. This is deeply concerning and one of the new policies that I will be scrutinising heavily in the coming months.
The other policy that I have reservations about is the introduction of VAT on Private Schools. Here in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner we have six important private schools, which provide a vital service to many, especially those with SEND requirements.
It has recently come to light that the Government is planning to introduce this levy from January 2025 and details are set to be announced in the October budget. The technical note also states that any fees paid from 29 July 2024 for the term starting in Jan 2025 will also be subject to VAT meaning many of those who chose to pre-pay their vees will also impacted. This change is contrary to previous assurances that is would be Dec 25. The sum it raises is paltry when spread across the state sector even assuming maximum tax yield.
My Conservative colleagues and I will continue to provide much-needed scrutiny to this Government and oppose harmful legislation by any means at our disposal in parliament.
I was eager to put my opposition to these policies on the record during my first speech following the election. While most of my remarks focused on immigration, I made sure to register the concerns of my residents with these proposals.
You can watch my speech here.
State of the Economy
The new Government has inherited a strong economy. We have seen a string of positive economic news in recent months with inflation remaining low and GDP confirming strong growth.
Almost immediately after the King’s Speech, MPs approved almost £500 billion of spending for Government departments. This is a routine procedure that gives departments the certainty to proceed with the delivery of services.
However, what has become clear following this is that Labour had not accounted for the steep hikes in public sector pay as they caved to the Unions for the months of harmful strikes. Labour is recklessly attempting to shape a narrative to justify future tax increases. Worryingly, they have scaled back on capital projects such as the hospital building programme.
As I mentioned earlier, a lot of work has gone into securing the redevelopment, yet work is now at risk because of the new Government’s reckless start to its tenure in power. I will continue to hold Labour to account on this incredibly important issue for constituents.
If you require any assistance from my office, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Kind regards,
David
