Henry Smith MP March 2015 Resident’s Bulletin
The recent record low youth unemployment in Crawley did not happen by accident.
Across the UK, the employment rate has grown the fastest in the G7. Here in Crawley, the unemployment rate has fallen by more than 60% since 2010.
I am pleased that the actions of the Government are having an effect and have taken the UK from the biggest deficit in the EU to the fastest growing economy in the G7, including Germany and the US.
Around 1,000 Crawley companies have benefited from the £2,000 Employment Allowance.
The Start-Up Loans scheme has helped 66 Crawley people open their own businesses. Nationally, there have been 25,000 of these loans, worth £130 million – and over 32,000 new jobs.
Additionally, the New Enterprise Allowance has helped 40 people in Crawley leave benefits, and start their own business.
I have consistently voted in favour of an in/out UK/EU referendum. Independent polling suggests that two thirds of business leaders back the call for a referendum.
I was pleased to see the new MRI scanner at Crawley Hospital recently.Since 2010, services have been returning to our town.
State pension: Supporting Government safeguards for our senior citizens.
Campaigning against APD: Following the announcement of further highways investment in Crawley, I continue to campaign against Air Passenger Duty – a welcome start that the Chancellor has announced it will be abolished for under 16s.
Supporting local theatres: Welcoming Theatre Tax Relief worth up to 25% of qualifying expenditure on some productions.
Falling unemployment: Crawley people and companies benefiting from Government initiatives – but more to do.
EU referendum: Continuing my call for an in/out UK/EU referendum – if given the honour of being re-elected as Member of Parliament for Crawley, I will continue to vote in the House of Commons for our whole country to have a say.
New Crawley Hospital facilities: Pleased to see the new MRI scanner at Crawley Hospital. More doctors and nurses serving patients in our town and across the country since 2010.
VE Day commemorations: I have written to Crawley Town Hall and local schools, hoping that the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day is marked in Crawley.
Beer Champions: Delighted to be named a Beer Champion by the British Beer & Pub Association and the Society of Independent Brewers, following my campaigning for recent cuts in beer duty and support for pubs.
Local parking boost: Good to see new measures ensuring fairer treatment for Crawley drivers, including a 10 minute grace period when parked in a council-owned car park.
Register to Vote: Please make sure you are registered to vote at the general election on 7th May 2015. For information on obtaining a postal vote, please visit: www.henrysmith.info/get-postal-vote
Cricket nets for Crawley: Working with Crawley Eagles Cricket Club to hit Town Hall bureaucracy for six and ensure £50,000 of funding for our town!
Macmillan Cancer Support: Pleased to meet with Macmillan staff in Westminster and give my backing to their new report.
Help to Buy: Welcoming the figures showing that 154 Crawley families have been helped onto the housing ladder through the Help to Buy scheme. For more on the scheme, please visit: www.helptobuy.org.uk
Royal British Legion Industries: Given backing in Parliament for Crawley-based RBLI, who operate the Work Programme across West Sussex.
UNICEF UK: Met actor and UNICEF UK Ambassador Michael Sheen to give my support to the Children in Danger campaign
Nature Bill: Co-sponsored a bill in Parliament calling for biodiversity targets and would require local councils to maintain local ecological network strategies.
Counter-terror policy: Received support from the Home Secretary in a debate on counter-terrorism measures.
Earth Hour: Supporting this year’s WWF UK Earth Hour, on Saturday 28th March at 8.30pm.
Flagging up infrastructure plaques: Welcoming the news that taxpayer contributions to Government-funded infrastructure projects will be signified by the Union Flag. This followed an announcement in January that new driving licences will also include the flag.
Follow me on my website, on Facebook, via Twitter, and on YouTube.
Finally, if you feel I have been a strong and dedicated advocate for Crawley over the last five years, I would be delighted if you would be able to support my re-election campaign. If you are interested in getting involved, please visit: www.henrysmith.info/get-involved
While Parliament will be dissolved on 30th March ahead of the general election on 7th May, I am on hand to provide assistance to anyone in Crawley who needs my help.
From 30th March, please use henry4crawley@aol.com to email me – all Parliamentary email accounts will be disabled for the duration of the election campaign
Never hesitate to let me know if I can help
Henry