Monday October 12th: Met with local Crawley letting agents and landlord to discuss the pitfalls of introducing rent controls; this would see a reduction of housing supply for tenants.
Attended, alongside the Tilgate Forum, the launch of the new West Sussex Highways Software for Southgate Avenue Traffic lights. This should see an improvement to vehicular flow in the area.
Took to the floor of the House to state my objections against Labour’s plans to extend Welsh NHS cuts across the United Kingdom.
Tuesday October 13th: As part of my duties working with the Department for Communities and Local Government, I am extremely pleased to help pilot, through legislation, an extension to the Right to Buy Scheme. This will afford many more people the opportunity for home ownership.
Voted in the House for the Immigration Bill. This aims to making working without permission illegal as well as requiring public service staff to speak English.
Wednesday October 14th: Welcomed Gatwick’s biggest airline, easyJet’s, announcement that they will be creating an extra 1,140 cabin crew and pilot jobs over the coming year – many will of course likely be filled by Crawley residents.
Extremely pleased to read the ONS figures for September, which show Crawley unemployment down to 1.5% and the UK’s average earnings up by 3%.
Alongside my colleagues in Westminster voted, successfully, to pass the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill through its second reading. This further transfers decision making from Whitehall to local authorities.
Thursday October 15th: Together with the Secretary of State for Transport I visited the newly opened Thameslink Traincare Centre in Three Bridges. Thameslink will be providing greater capacity train carriage as part of a £300 million investment, which will also see 150 engineering jobs created.
Friday October 16th: Delighted to meet with Megan Carrol, Crawley’s finalist for Miss Teen Great Britain. Megan beat a host of other entrants to make it to the final, representing our town. I wish her all the very best at the pageant which takes place later this month.