Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 29th July print edition.
The school holidays have arrived, and I firstly want to wish teachers, school staff and of course all the pupils in Burton and Uttoxeter a very happy and restful summer break. I want to congratulate in particular those who have been working towards exams and are now looking forward to starting a new school or college in September, I hope you have a great summer before taking your next step.
Parliament is now on recess, but this has been a busy parliamentary term too. The Government has passed new legislation to give the police the powers they asked for to breakup disruptive protest groups like Just Stop Oil. The Small Boats Bill has also made it onto the statute books, despite opposition, ensuring that the Government can deliver on its plan to tackle illegal immigration and stop the boat crossings.
In March, the Government hit its manifesto commitment to recruit an additional 20,000 new police officers, including hundreds more here in Staffordshire. And just last week, the UK officially joined the CPTPP trade bloc. This represents our biggest trade deal since Brexit, helping businesses here in Burton and Uttoxeter benefit from tariff-free access to some of the world’s fastest growing economies.
Following a busy time in Westminster, scrutinising legislation and putting questions to ministers, I’m looking forward to being out and about over the summer in Burton and Uttoxeter, meeting residents and hearing about their priorities for our area. I continue to be your local champion and stand up for the issues that matter for you both locally and in Westminster. I will be hosting street surgeries over the coming week’s but if you have a particular issue you would like to raise with me, please don’t hesitate to get in touch in the usual ways.
