This month saw history made at the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla. I was incredibly honoured to be one of the Members of Parliament drawn from the ballot to attend the Coronation in Westminster Abbey and represent our community of Sevenoaks and Swanley.
We were all asked to arrive very early and there was a lively atmosphere from the start, with everyone chatting, sharing stories, and revelling in the excitement of what was to come.
I know many of you were gripped to your TVs to watch the service and will have your own favourite moments, but what I was struck by was the sense of modernity and inclusivity that was deeply woven into the service. It was a wonderful day.
Over the bank holiday weekend, I also had the pleasure of joining the Sevenoaks Town Council Big Afternoon Tea Celebration on Sevenoaks High Street. It was brilliant to see how many people had turned out to mark the occasion within our community, and I was so impressed with the on-street entertainment, stalls, music, arts & crafts. My kids made some great crowns! A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in the organisation. It was a fitting tribute to such an historic occasion.
Alongside my role as MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley, I also serve in the Government as the Minister for Pensions. I work every day to support our current pensioners and deliver for the record number of people across the country now saving for retirement. Some of the work I’ve done this month I’ve outlined below.
Within this role, I am absolutely committed to ensuring people have access to the support and guidance needed, including plans to boost the take-up of Pension Credit to help the most vulnerable pensioners.
I am so pleased that 1.4 million people are already benefiting from Pension Credit nationwide – of which (as of August 2022) 1,360 pensioners were from here in Sevenoaks, however we also know more could benefit who have not yet applied. We must change this.
I am therefore urging anyone reading this to check whether they, or someone they know, might be eligible for Pension Credit. You can do this by visiting the Pension Credit Calculator or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
I am currently in the process of planning a drop-in event on 16th June for local pensioners to find out if they are eligible for Pension Credit. If this would be of interest to you, or someone you know, please email my office at [email protected] to register your interest.
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Below is a snapshot of what we have been working on. If there is anything I can do to support you, please get in touch.
- This month I welcomed the Rail Minister Huw Merriman MP, to Sevenoaks station to discuss my campaign for contactless ticketing to be extended locally. Like many of you, I am a regular commuter from Sevenoaks station, and I’m keen to reduce the extra hassle that queuing up for your ticket, picking the right fare and then locating said ticket on your journey home brings. I have been campaigning for contactless ticketing to be introduced locally since my election and it was great to today show the Rail Minister first-hand the benefits it would bring to local passengers. I am determined to make it happen.
- As part of the visit, I also had the pleasure of showing the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, the restored Bat and Ball rail station. The station is a superb success story of how a facility once run down and a magnet for antisocial behaviour including drug dealing, can be improved immeasurably by foresight, planning and the hard work of local Sevenoaks Conservatives.
- I was kindly invited by Sue and Jules Green to formally open the Salters Heath Business Centre, the wonderful new facility for businesses within the stunning countryside on the edge of Sevenoaks. Last year I was able to help Sue and Jules obtain an energy supply to the site, so it was great to look around the centre which is spread over seven buildings and embraces the site’s agricultural past. This is a brilliant use of a brownfield site, and with the restoration and enhancement of buildings it is a fantastic addition to the area. My congratulations to Sue and Jules. I wish them every success.
- It was great to visit the Sevenoaks Climate Fair where I had the opportunity to speak to a number of the stall holders, which ranged from Sevenoaks Allotment Holders Association to The Eco Pantry and the innovative Team Repair whose programme helps children learn key science, technology and repair skills.
- It was a pleasure to attend the reopening of EA Sevenoaks Leisure Centre. The centre is a vital community asset for all of us across Sevenoaks and it was brilliant to see hundreds of people of all ages flocking through the doors once again to enjoy the open day, which was full of free activities and taster sessions. I would also like to take this moment to say an enormous thank you for all the hard work that has gone into getting us to this point. I was told by Everyone Active that they had never reopened a leisure centre within such a short space of time. If you haven’t yet visited the centre, please do pop down, meet the team and book yourselves into one of the many classes taking place.
- Due to the very serious accidents which have taken place at the junction of the A21 with Sevenoaks Road, myself and Gareth Bacon MP for Orpington met with Transport for London officials to seek improved safety measures and to voice the concerns of local people with regard to: the closing off of the right turn from the A21; not having received notification of the commencement of the works; and problems with the Emergency Order. TfL confirmed there will be a consultation regarding the road, and I will be responding to it to share local view - although I also encourage all residents to do the same so we can ensure your views are considered. In the meantime, there is currently a link for residents to share their comments here.
- At the recent Coronation Big Tea in Sevenoaks, I had the opportunity to meet with the wonderful Police Cadets who were helping to steward the event and ensure everyone had a safe time. Anyone between the age of 13-17 can volunteer to be a cadet and those aged 18 upwards can volunteer as cadet leaders. Our local cadets are based in Swanley and meet on Thursday evenings between 6.30pm and 9pm. For anyone interested they can find out more information here.
- It was great to speak with both Clic and Hospices of Hope at one of my recent surgeries. Clic is a brilliant Sevenoaks small business co-founded and co-owned by Leanne and Hospices of Hope are a charity based in Otford who do amazing work providing palliative care and pain relief to people in countries with limited end of life care provision. If you would like to meet with me at an upcoming surgery, please do get in touch with my office.
- To mark #FosterCareFortnight, I was joined by several local foster carers to hear about their work looking after children in care. I was blown away by their kindness and generosity, and it was great to hear the positive feedback about the support from Kent County Council. During the meeting, we had some really insightful conversations, and I have written to the Children’s Minister, Claire Coutinho MP, to share the feedback and suggestions. If you would like to know more about how to get involved in fostering, please do visit Kent Fostering for more details or call 03000 420 002.
- As Minister for Pensions, I addressed the Conservative Home Savings, Pensions & Investments Conference. Boosting adequacy, increasing fairness, and improving predictability are at the heart of what I want to achieve as Pensions Minister. And, I am wholly and unapologetically on the side of pension savers. To watch my speech, please visit here.
- As part of the Alzheimer's Society’s #DementiaActionWeek, I met Eamonn Dobynn, who lives with dementia in Sevenoaks. He spoke with me at length on how he copes day to day, and I was so inspired by his desire to help others in this situation. Improving Alzheimer’s outcomes is made easier through early and accessible diagnosis, and it was great to learn more about the work which Alzheimer's Society are doing to promote accurate high-quality diagnosis.
- And finally, it was great to join the BBC Question Time team and discuss the Labour London Mayor's disastrous ULEZ extension plan. We all want cleaner air, but evidence shows that expanding the ULEZ will not lead to better air quality in outer London; instead, the proposals will punish those who can least afford it. It must be stopped. To watch the clip, please visit here.
