Henry Smith MP – Westminster Report – February 2024
Backing our police to keep us safe
One of the key commitments in the manifesto which I stood on at the last General Election was that of an additional 20,000 police officers throughout the country.
The effects of this target being not only met but exceeded will be felt nationwide.
As a result, there are a record number of officers – 149,572 – in England and Wales; over 3,500 more than the previous peak.
Crawley police numbers have remained stable over the past decade and there are now 439 new police officers in Sussex; my thanks to each and every one for their service to the community.
The Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, has undertaken vast amounts of work to keep local people safe, and last month saw Sussex Police and Sussex’s Neighbourhood Watch Federation sign an updated Memorandum of Understanding as they agreed to continue their collaborative working together.
I welcome a Sussex Police funding increase of £25 million – 6.8 per cent – for 2024-25.
Further action to keep people safe will come through the Criminal Justice Bill which commenced its journey through the parliamentary process last year.
This legislation sees tougher action on knife crime including establishing a power to seize, retain and destroy bladed articles found on private property; measures to increase the maximum penalty for the sale of dangerous weapons to those under the age of 18; as well as the creation of a new criminal offence of possessing a bladed article with the intent to cause harm.
Work to tackle fraud and economic crime will include prohibiting possession and supply of ‘SIM farms’ with no legitimate purpose.
Tougher prison sentences will be introduced for those who pose the greatest risk to our society.
This will include statutory aggravating factors at sentencing which will capture people involved in grooming gangs, or who murder a former partner at the end of a relationship. The punishment must fit the crime.
Victims of crime must be able to see the perpetrator receive justice. The Bill will enable judges to order an offender to attend their hearings with up to two years behind bars for any who refuse.
Strengthening social housing for people who play by the rules: Over the last 14 years, more than 696,000 new affordable homes have been delivered across England, including over 172,000 for social rent.
Social housing is always a finite resource and through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 the powers of the Regulator of Social Housing have been strengthened, and the ability of residents to seek redress has been enhanced with new powers for the Housing Ombudsman.
It is right for Government to always ensure that social housing is utilised in the most effective way possible to see that those who truly need it are supported, as are those who play by the rules.
I am acutely aware of the importance of having a system whereby hard-working people who make a contribution to this country are able to secure a home in their own local area.
The Housing, Planning & Building Safety Minister has briefed me on proposed reforms to social housing eligibility, and how local housing authorities such as Crawley Borough Council decide to allocate social housing stock where demand exceeds supply.
This will include a UK connection test: a requirement to be lawfully resident in the UK for 10 years in order to be eligible for social housing. Proposed exemptions to this rule would be those arriving through safe and legal resettlement routes and the Ukrainian temporary visa schemes.
A local connection test will prevent people from being allocated social housing if they have not had links to the local council area for two years, such as through where they live or where they work.
Through improved consistency, more people will be able to access social housing not only in the area in which they call home but where they need it: enabling links to family and community to be maintained.
It is only fair that such support is offered to those who do play by the rules and people who have unspent convictions for certain criminal anti-social behaviour offences, as well as certain civil orders, will be disqualified from social housing for a defined period.
There will also be a disqualification period for those who knowingly or recklessly give false statements when making an application for social housing.
These proposals are under a public consultation which closes on 26th March.
Enhancing cancer outcomes throughout the country: Cancer can strike anyone at any moment. The thoughts of the country are with King Charles III following the announcement from Buckingham Palace of his own cancer diagnosis.
It is poignant that His Majesty made clear his hope that this disclosure may assist understanding for all who are affected by cancer.
Most, if not all, families throughout the country have had some form of experience of cancer: if not having the condition themselves then through providing practical and emotional support.
Ahead of World Cancer Day, 4th February, I met Radiotherapy 4 Life in Parliament to reaffirm my support for the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign.
Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells, may be used in the early stages of cancer or after it has started to spread, and has an important role to play in enhancing patient outcomes.
Government has invested £162 million in the five years to 2021 in radiotherapy equipment, enabling replacement or upgrades of approximately 100 radiotherapy treatment machines: equal to around a third of such machines.
We know that cancer can come at any age and, whilst rare, it is the leading cause of death in children aged one to 14, and one of the biggest causes of death in young people in the UK.
It is a welcome step that the Government has confirmed the launch of the Children & Young People Cancer Taskforce: an important opportunity for action and will consider genomic treatments, new diagnosis tools, research and innovation.
The inquiry will look at DNA testing and treatment, and a focus on access to high-quality personalised therapies, new treatments and personalised medicines.
Early diagnosis is a cause I have long-pursued, including when I chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Blood Cancer. This new Taskforce will also look at how children can have the best chance to beat cancer through earlier diagnosis as well as improving training, exploring how AI can further support the workforce, and raising awareness so people come forward sooner.
The Taskforce has the opportunity to deliver real and lasting change to improve cancer services by bringing together Government, NHS, cancer charities and clinicians.
From April 2023, Crawley Hospital diagnostic testing capacity has been increased and the number of patients needing to travel to East Surrey Hospital for CT scans, MRI scans, x-rays, ultrasounds, as well as blood tests and respiratory tests has reduced.
This comes as planning continues for the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Crawley Hospital.
The Sussex Health & Care Integrated Care System have confirmed that in its first 12 months, 30 per cent more patients who need a diagnostic test and live in Crawley will be able to receive one at Crawley Hospital: with this percentage increasing each year.
Standing with Ukraine: On 24th February the world marked the second anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
British support for Ukraine is long-standing. The UK-based training programme has trained over 52,000 Ukrainian troops since 2014, with a commitment to train a further 10,000 troops by mid-2024.
Two years ago the UK was the first country to send tanks, minehunter ships and long-range missiles to Ukraine, and the Government encouraged American and European allies to do the same.
Britain has donated a squadron of Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks, two minehunter ships and Storm Shadow cruise missiles to assist Ukraine in defending itself.
UK support over the last two years has included 20 AS90 self-propelled 155mm battle-ready guns and over 10,800 anti-tank missiles.
As part of my work on the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee this month I met Polish officials in Warsaw, including the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister.
It was clear that Poland considers Britain the main European supporter of not only their nation and Ukraine, but the rest of the former Soviet sphere too.
The UK is playing a leading role in terms of security, personnel and diplomacy.
I had the privilege of meeting UK military commanders and paid tribute in Parliament the following day to their vital work supporting Britain’s allies such as Ukraine and Poland.
Given Russian air incursions I was grateful for confirmation from the Defence Secretary over Britain’s commitment to NATO air defences.
In Parliament I was clear that this must be our nation’s course of action: not only to defend Ukraine in the face of aggression from Russia, but to ensure that democracy in this country and throughout the continent is strengthened.
Let us continue to give Ukraine the tools so they can finish the job.
Alexei Navalny: This month provided further confirmation that Putin’s disregard for human life is not only clear to see across his country’s western border, but in his own country as well, following the death of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Navalny died as he had lived: with the Russian regime visibly threatened by the prospect of freedom for its people.
We know that if Putin is successful in Ukraine he would not stop at Kyiv. Such a scenario would not only have unspeakable effects on the people of Ukraine, but also a clear threat to our own security in this country.
The UK needs to be at the forefront of ensuring that all NATO members join this country in paying the minimum of 2 per cent of GDP on defence to help ensure our security in the face of aggression. I welcome assurances I received in Parliament from the Europe Minister that Britain will continue to make this point to our allies.
Buy British: Pleased to see Aldi are supporting the campaign I am backing for a Buy British section on supermarket online stores.
School funding: Total funding for schools across Crawley will increase by more than £4.9 million in 2024-25, as education funding reaches almost £60 billion.
Foreign national offenders: Questioning the Justice Secretary about the effect of foreign national offenders on the backlog of Crown Court cases.
Pharmacy First: The Pharmacy First approach uses the skills of our pharmacists to treat more people in the community without the need for a GP appointment – speeding up their own care as well as reducing pressure on local GP services. More than 280 pharmacies in Sussex have signed up to Pharmacy First ensuring that local people can access care.
Council funding: Local authorities play a vital role in our communities, providing crucial local services that people rely on, but we know the effect of Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine have increased cost pressures. It is welcome news that Crawley Borough Council will have an additional £800,000 next year while West Sussex County Council will receive an extra £56.3 million. These additional funds will help our local leaders take long-term decisions to deliver a brighter future locally.
Disability Action Plan: Sets out 32 practical steps to transform the lives of disabled people to ensure all can participate fully in society.
NHS Dental Recovery Plan: Outlines a package of measures to deliver 2.5 million additional NHS dental appointments where they are needed. This is backed by £200 million of new Government funding, and goes to expand preventative care for younger children to help reduce tooth decay.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: A key part of securing the decarbonisation of long-haul aviation and the pathway to Jet Zero – net zero aviation by 2050 – will see an enhanced role played by Sustainable Aviation Fuel with significant effects on the future of Crawley, Gatwick and UK aviation. Our country can do more to enhance the development of SAF in the UK.
Animal Offenders Register: We know the likelihood of those who are cruel to animals to commit other criminal and unacceptable behaviour towards people. In Parliament I am calling for the introduction of an Animal Offenders Register to help prevent further cruelty.
To keep up to date with my work standing up for Crawley please visit: www.henrysmith.info
Henry Smith
Member of Parliament for Crawley
