Henry Smith MP, Crawley Bulletin, December 2015
As I look back on the last twelve months, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas and successful 2016.
If I am able to assist in the New Year, please do not hesitate to contact me, either by calling my office on 01293 934554, writing to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or by emailing me directly via: [email protected]
National Security: Welcoming the Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review. The Ministry of Defence will spend £178 billion on equipment over the next ten years; an increase of £12 billion on previous plans.
Crawley Hospital: Met with management about a multi-million pound project to invest, upgrade and transform care provision at the West Green site.
Autumn Statement: Welcomed the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirming the Office for Budget Responsibility – which, like the Bank of England, is independent of party politics – forecasting higher tax receipts, lower debt interest, with a £27 billion improvement in the public finances.
Visit to Kurdistan: Spent time on the front line in the fight against ISIS/Daesh, a number of weeks ahead of the Parliamentary vote on the UK extending military strikes from Iraq to Syria.
Our democracy: Joined local students at the new Parliamentary Education Centre. This year commemorates 750 years since the De Montfort parliament and 800 years since the sealing of Magna Carta, which began the emergence of the House of Commons and democracy as we know it today.
School Funding: Presented our Crawley Fair School Funding petition in the Commons. Welcomed the Chancellor’s commitment to introduce a fair school funding formula and I continue to work alongside West Sussex MPs on this matter.
Government childcare commitment: Welcomed commitment from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury updating the House of Commons on Government plans for free childcare.
Community Ball Court: Joined with Crawley Town Community Foundation staff, BTEC students, and club first team players and management at the launch of the relaid 3G pitch at the Community Ball Court at the Checkatrade.com Stadium – thanks to £42,000 of Biffa Award funding.
Sussex Police: Praised local officers working to counter extremism.
National Citizen Service: Presented certificates to young people completing the Crawley Town Community Foundation’s NCS Autumn Programme at their graduation ceremony at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.
Small Business Saturday: Visited Proposals and The Music Company, in Northgate on Small Business Saturday, on 5th December. The Government has exceeded its target of ensuring a quarter of procurement of the procurement budget is spend with small firms.
Crawley Town Supporters Alliance: Praised the CTSA’s community work in the House of Commons.
My best wishes for Christmas!
Henry