Elsewhere, I was delighted to join the Stone Town Mayor to officially open Stone Spuds on the High Street. Anyone on social media will know that jacket potatoes are rapidly becoming a cult classic and it’s great to see a new food business on the High Street which I hope will be a success for many years to come.

Meanwhile, I was deeply disappointed to learn of proposals to develop dozens of houses on land off High Hill in Essington, as well as a Care Home. Our green spaces continue to be attacked by developers and the Government, and I will do everything possible to ensure that any attempts to further erode green spaces in Essington and across Staffordshire is stopped.

In addition, I was pleased to visit MyDentist in Stone who are accepting new NHS patients. I know that many of my constituents are struggling to access NHS dentistry and I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Practice Manager to discuss their approach and how that can be implemented elsewhere. I will continue to work with Government, stakeholders, and local providers to improve access to dental care.

Lastly, it was such a pleasure to meet the team at Nationwide in Penkridge as the building society continues to be heavily involved in the community. As well as pledging not to close any branches until at least 2030, Nationwide have also installed bleed kits and defibrillators outside many of their branches. I look forward to continuing to work with Nationwide on community-based initiatives moving forward.

PSA Test in Great Wyrley

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer amongst men. 64,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, whilst approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Tragically, more than 12,000 men die from the disease annually with 99% of cases found in men aged over 50, with the highest rates in those aged 75 to 79.

Testing is a useful diagnostic tool and can provide reassurance to people and also give healthcare professionals a useful indicator as to whether further treatment is required. Many constituents have written to me regarding universal PSA testing, but it is important to note that there is a risk of overdiagnosis due to some prostate cancers growing so slowly that they would never cause symptoms or shorten a man’s life. Therefore, I believe that the NHS has the correct approach in offering a test for those aged 50 and above due to the increased likelihood of diagnosis, as well as offering tests for those with symptoms.

I undertook a PSA test at Cornwell’s chemist after recently celebrating my 50th birthday. The team at Cornwell’s are fantastic and offer a range of services including travel vaccinations, blood tests, and flu jabs. Further information can be found by visiting: Services | Cornwells Chemists. For information regarding PSA tests, please visit: PSA test - NHS

Opening Stone Spuds

Stone has joined the jacket potato craze. Millions of social media users flock to pages such as Spud Bros and Spud Man to view their latest creations. I was delighted to open Stone Spuds on the High Street alongside the Town Mayor.

The store opened behind Blame Frida on Friday, 24^th July and is open Monday-Saturday 12p-6pm. Do check it out and support local business.

Fighting development in Essington

Here we go again. Yet another application in Staffordshire which could see dozens of houses built and a care home on land off High Hill, Essington. Dwello Partnerships have launched a speculative application which will change the character and identity of the village.

Few issues generate as much concern from residents as green belt protections. We are proud of our countryside, and we must do everything we can to protect it for future generations to come. I am committed to preventing communities from merging together, protecting wildlife, and ensuring that infrastructure is not overwhelmed.

Essington has already experienced significant change over recent years, and it is undeniable that additional pressure has been placed on roads, GP services, schools, and other infrastructure. I seriously doubt that Dwello Partnerships have considered the needs of the community and I would be staggered if they plan to invest in local infrastructure.

I will be doing everything I can to oppose this development, and would encourage you to respond to the consultation by visiting:

Access to NHS Dentistry

Finding a dentist that accepts NHS patients can be just as difficult as dealing with toothache. I have heard some horror stories of people resorting to self-treatment because they cannot find a practice that accepts NHS patients or waiting lists are too long. This is completely unacceptable.

The problems affecting NHS dentistry have developed over many years and include difficulties recruiting and retaining NHS dentists, an outdated dental contract that many practitioners believe does not adequately reward NHS work, and growing demand for services. The result is that too many practices are unable to take on new NHS patients, leaving many people without access to the care they need.

I believe the Government must prioritise reform of the NHS dental contract to make NHS practice more attractive, improve the recruitment and retention of dentists, and ensure that funding is directed towards improving access for patients. It is also important that integrated care systems are given the flexibility to address local shortages and improve provision in areas where access is particularly poor.

In July, I visited MyDentist on Stone High Street. The practice is currently accepting NHS patients which is fantastic news for local people, but I know that this is not a universal choice for others. I am committed to improving access to NHS dentistry, and if you are experiencing difficulties please do contact me and I will assist in anyway I can.

Supporting Nationwide Community Initiatives

I was delighted to visit Nationwide in Penkridge. Not only are the building society committed to ensuring all branches remain open until at least 2030, but they also work tirelessly across the community to deliver services such as Dementia Clinics.

The Penkridge branch has recently installed a defibrillator and a bleed kit outside.

Whilst I hope that neither need to be used, I am sure it is of great reassurance that both devices are located in the centre of the village.

My thanks to Nationwide and the Penkridge team for all their work across Staffordshire.

As ever, my team and I are always hard at work helping constituents. If there is anything that I can do to be of assistance, please do not hesitate to email gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 01785 847027.

There are also some very big questions that still need answering. Here in Staffordshire, families face the prospect of once again being blighted by HS2. On defence, serious doubts remain over how it is all going to be paid for, with the Government’s own Investment Plan appearing to have a £5 billion black hole, and no real answer as to whether enough has actually been committed to keep our country safe.

All of this will now land on the new Prime Minister’s desk. But it would be good, too, if he could start to tell us plainly what he intends to do, and what it will mean for the people I represent here in Staffordshire.

In the meantime, life in Westminster goes on, and there is no shortage of issues being raised.

Standing Up for Victims of Crime

Like many of you, I was appalled to learn that the Government’s early release scheme, which they call the “earned progression model”, will see some of the most serious offenders let out of prison earlier than they should be. Keeping the public safe is the first duty of any Government, and I am simply not convinced that Ministers are taking that duty seriously enough.

Under this scheme, those convicted of serious sexual and violent offences, who would once have served two-thirds of their sentence behind bars, will now be let out at the halfway point. In other words, rapists and child groomers walking free earlier than before. When I pressed the Minister in the House of Commons to go back to his department, look again at all those who appear to be getting this early release, and make sure that anyone convicted of rape or child grooming is excluded from the scheme, he simply could not give me that assurance.

This is not good enough. Countless victims across the country will be terrified to hear that the very people who harmed them may soon be walking free, and the Government must urgently make clear that this will not happen.

So, I have tabled a series of written questions to the Justice Secretary. I have asked exactly which sexual offences are excluded from the scheme, how many victims in our area were given advance warning through the Victim Contact Scheme, and, crucially, how many people convicted of rape and of sexual offences against children are due to be released across Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge over the next five years.

The people I represent have every right to know the answers. Please rest assured that I will keep pressing the Government at every turn, stand up for victims, and do all I can to keep dangerous criminals off our streets and our communities safe.

Supporting the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

I know that many of you will have been touched, in one way or another, by pancreatic cancer, which remains one of the deadliest common cancers we face. Sadly, for far too long it has been overlooked and underfunded, with only three treatment developments in the last century.

I was glad to meet with Pancreatic Cancer UK at their reception in Parliament and back their campaign, ‘Demand Survival Now’, which is calling for better access to clinical trials and life-extending treatment. As things stand, 7 in 10 people with pancreatic cancer receive no treatment at all, just 1 in 10 are diagnosed in time for surgery, and only 12 per cent are ever given the chance to take part in a clinical trial. This simply is not good enough.

As such, I have written to the Minister, Sharon Hodgson, at the Department of Health and Social Care, calling for every eligible patient’s tumour to be tested at the first opportunity, so that patients can be matched to trials and offered more personalised treatment. I have also pressed the Government to link patient records automatically, so that those who are eligible can be fast-tracked onto clinical trials.

I will continue to stand alongside Pancreatic Cancer UK and push the Government for better funding and faster treatment. Closer to home, the Cross Keys in Penkridge are already doing their bit, donating the proceeds from their coffee mornings to Pancreatic Cancer UK and Penkridge Scouts. It is a reminder that, while the fight against this disease is a hard one, it is far from hopeless.

Working on Safer Maternity Care

I found the recent Ockenden Review into maternity and neonatal services at Nottingham deeply upsetting, and it made for a very difficult read. It is the largest maternity inquiry in NHS history, and it found that more than 500 mothers and babies suffered potentially avoidable harm, including 162 potentially avoidable deaths.

Sadly, what happened in Nottingham is not an isolated case. We have seen the same thing in Morecambe Bay, East Kent, Shrewsbury and Telford, and far too many other parts of the country. There have now been a whole string of separate reviews and investigations, and yet the same mistakes keep happening and families keep being let down.

That’s why I stood up in the House of Commons to press the case for a full public inquiry. It was only when the failings in Mid Staffordshire were examined through a public inquiry that we finally got to the truth, and I firmly believe that nothing less will do here. The Secretary of State has said that he has an open mind, and I will keep pushing him to go further. I have also tabled a number of written questions to the Health Secretary on how the extension of Martha’s Rule to maternity services will work in practice, whether it will be properly funded, and how quickly families will be able to get an urgent second opinion when they fear something is wrong.

I want to pay tribute to my constituent, Mr Hender, whose bravery in campaigning on this issue is the reason I took it up. I will continue to press the Government for a full public inquiry, so that every family gets the answers they deserve.

As ever, if there is anything I can do to be of assistance, please do not hesitate to email gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 01785 847027.

Elsewhere, it was great to visit Augean Ltd in Essington who are a leading organisation that provides waste management services across the UK. With 22 sites across the UK, it is very welcome to see the business invest in Staffordshire and I welcome their continued commitment to the area.

Meanwhile, I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Will Hurley, the CEO of the International Parking Community. I have been inundated with complaints from residents regarding the over-zealous behaviour of private parking operators with motorists visiting Boscomoor Retail Park in Penkridge and Quinton Court Shopping Centre in Great Wyrley seeing a spike in fines issued. I am committed to continuing to work with industry and others to ensure motorists are not unfairly penalised.

In addition, I very much enjoyed attending Stone Food and Drink Festival. It is always such a special date in the calendar and a real opportunity to celebrate the very best food and drink Staffordshire has to offer.

Lastly, it was wonderful to visit K9 Anytime which has a site in Weston. The luxury dog venue puts pet care at its heart with dietary tips, exercise programmes, and even a hotel to ensure that your dog receives the best treatment. Further information can be found by visiting: Services | k9anytime

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Celebrating Community in Brocton

The AGM provided the opportunity to thank Parish Councillors for their dedication to community service, which includes scrutinising planning applications, looking after green spaces, and providing support to community groups.

Parish Councillors are often unpaid and are the first tier of local Government. As well as attending meetings, Parish Councillors often volunteer in their free time by organising litter picks, and putting on various shows for the community to enjoy.

Brocton Parish Chairman, Robin Bates said: “Brocton Parish Council are grateful to Sir Gavin for finding time to attend our Annual Parish Meeting.

“He touched on subjects that are high on the priority list for both residents and the Parish Council including boundary changes and possible reorganisation of the police by merging with the West Midlands – neither of these are particularly welcome.

“High on the agenda of both the Parish Council and residents were the problems at Brocton Crosslands and lack of mobile phone service in the area. Sir Gavin promised to do what he can on both counts.”

I was grateful to the Chairman and Clerk of Brocton Parish Council for inviting me to their AGM so I could firstly thank Parish Councillors for the tireless work they do for Brocton and the local community.

Parish Councils are very much embedded in the community, often giving up their free time to improve the local area as well as representing parishioners by scrutinising planning applications and ensuring residents have a voice at both a local and national level.

I am committed to assisting the Parish Council resolve some of the issues that were highlighted and look forward to work with them and community groups in the near future.

Meeting Augean representatives in Essington

Future energy use and environmental matters are at the forefront of national debate. Therefore, I was pleased to meet with Augean Ltd – a national company with 22 sites across the UK, including a base at Hilton Hall in Essington.

Founded in 2004, the organisation is a leading waste management company that provides services across several industries in the UK.

The group offers a comprehensive range of waste services including reuse, recycling, recovery, treatment, transfer, disposal, and specialist industrial services.

Augean’s commitment to sustainable waste management is rooted in their extensive expertise in understanding the chemical and physical interactions of waste materials. They are committed to conducting onsite and off-site operations in a responsible manner and have high standards of health and safety, environmental, quality management and customer service. All of their sites are very rigorously controlled by regulators like the EA, SEPA in Scotland and HSE

Richard Brooke, CEO of Augean said: “The Augean team enjoyed meeting Sir Gavin and showed him how our Essington office assesses waste for treatment and disposal at 22 sites around the country. We were able to brief him on some of the most challenging policy issues that the company faces.

“We discussed the importance of dredging canals in the Black Country and Staffordshire to maintain watercourses and prevent flooding and how the Government’s new tax on stabilisers used for the disposal of dredging’s will increase flooding risk.

“We agreed that nuclear, oil and gas must have a prominent role in our energy mix.”

Global energy insecurity is having a major impact on industrial waste services and thus increasing economic impacts for businesses across the UK and in turn employees as well as communities.

The Government must rethink its energy policy and move away from ideological decisions that stymies growth and leaves the UK at a disadvantage compared to other countries.

I was delighted to meet with representatives from Augean and look forward to working with them to ensure further major plants are not closed and that demand for industrial waste services is not affected further.

Standing up to Private Parking Providers

I recently met with the Chief Executive of a leading industry body to discuss concerns regarding an increase in parking tickets across Staffordshire – particularly in Great Wyrley and Penkridge.

Will Hurley, the CEO and founder of the International Parking Community (IPC) reiterated shared keenness for private parking companies to operate fairly, and ensure that fines are proportionate.

The IPC are one of two DVLA accredited trade associations for the private parking industry. They ensure members abide by a Code of Practice, which includes ensuring adequate signage as well as mandating access to an independent adjudicator should the motorist contest a fine.

I also raised the issue of frequent fines for motorists on the Boscomoor Car Park in Penkridge and the Quinton Court Shopping Centre in Great Wyrley. Dozens of motorists have been penalised due to ANPR camera errors on Boscomoor, whilst customers of businesses on the Quinton Court have still been fined despite registering their vehicle.

Will Hurley said: “Constructive discussions with MPs are an important part of ensuring that private parking is an effective piece of infrastructure for the UK. I was pleased to meet with Sir Gavin Williamson MP and his team to discuss private parking, the issues affecting local people, and the importance of clear standards, fair process and effective oversight.

“The International Parking Community (IPC) keeps standards across the sector under continual review and welcomes engagement that helps improve understanding and outcomes for motorists.

“Where concerns are raised about the fairness of a parking charge, they are taken seriously. Motorists who believe a charge has been issued in error should appeal, first with the operator, and if still not satisfied, to the independent adjudicator.

“We look forward to continuing to work constructively with Sir Gavin and his team for the benefit of motorists in Staffordshire and across the UK.”

I recognise the need for a structured and efficient private parking sector. When managed properly, private parking offers convenience for shoppers visiting businesses, and provides the latter with increased custom by ensuring a swift turnover of vehicles as well as preventing spaces being clogged up by commuters.

However, I am deeply concerned regarding the number of motorists impacted by unfair fines in Staffordshire – particularly at the Boscomoor site in Penkridge and the Quinton Court Shopping Centre in Great Wyrley.

At the Boscomoor site in Penkridge, motorists who visit twice a day have seen their time on the car park accumulated instead of being treated as a separate visit, whilst businesses on the Quinton such as the hairdressers have had issues with registering customers who later receive a fine, despite following due processes for an extended stay.

This is highly inconvenient and stressful for people, and whilst I welcome such reports have become fewer, it is still important to grip the issue and ensure those who follow the rules are not threatened with fines or court action.

Therefore, I was delighted to meet with Will Hurley and was very reassured to know that the IPC are committed to encouraging good practice amongst their members.

I look forward to working with Will in the future to ensure that private parking is a benefit to communities across Staffordshire.

A Taste of Staffordshire

The Stone Food and Drink Festival is a must visit to sample some of the finest food and drink that Staffordshire has to offer. The 21st edition of the festival was held at Westbridge Park and ran from the 8th until 11th May. Entertainment included live music, a fun fair, circus, and free cookery classes for children.

Nelly Ghaffar who featured on Season 15 of the Great British Bake-Off was present, as well as chocolatier Paul A Young (known for appearances on This Morning and Saturday Kitchen) and food stylist Juliet Sear. Local street food vendors, brewers, and other businesses were on hand to showcase their products and promote their respective brands.

As ever, I would like to thank Stone Town Council, volunteers, guests, and businesses for their efforts in organising such a special event.

Visiting K9 Anytime

I visited a haven for dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds with K9 Anytime being the place to be for our four-legged friends.

Established in 2015, K9 Anytime, which has sites in Weston and Shifnal, challenges the antiquated standard of canine care by stimulating dogs physically, mentally, and socially through safe socialisation, unbounded play, fulfilling exercise, and ensuring care is tailored to individual dogs.

Every aspect of a dog’s care is meticulously planned with day care services and grooming provided as well as nutrition needs and even a pet hotel to treat your canine friend.

I was able to witness every stage of a dogs stay at K9 anytime, including taking a look at some of the activities to keep pets entertained.

Tom Haynes, Director of K9 anytime said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Sir Gavin to K9 Anytime and share the journey we’ve been on over the past decade, alongside our plans for the future.

“As a growing, family-run business, we’ve invested heavily in creating a space that sets a new standard for canine care, and it was great to have the opportunity to showcase that in person.

“We’re very grateful for the time taken to understand both the business and the wider challenges facing local businesses — that level of engagement is hugely valued.”

As a nation of dog lovers, we are always looking for the best care and experiences for our dogs. At K9 anytime, owners will experience nothing short of the very best from experienced staff who go above and beyond to ensure that dogs live their best life.

From the finest food, which is tailored to a dog’s diet, through to activities to keep dogs healthy and entertained, K9 Anytime covers every possible aspect of a dog’s life.

Mentor Link

Children’s charity Mentor Link are looking to recruit new Volunteer Mentors, who can spare 1-2 hours a week to help children with social and emotional issues. The children may be struggling with engaging in education and attending school, suffering with anxiety, low self-esteem, friendship or relationship issues, and need a listening ear to help make a difference!

If you feel you can help by volunteering, please contact Mentor Link on 01299 822336 or email enquiries@mentorlink.org.uk

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

I challenged both organisations over the unacceptable delays and the lack of any meaningful, long-term clarity. Some of you who were passing took the opportunity to share with them the hardship this is causing for residents who are living through this daily. Unfortunately, the closest to a completion date they were willing to provide was “late summer”. As STW have now completed their work, it is now down to the CRT and Arcadis, the consultants they have chosen to design the repairs.

As frustrating as this is, the CRT have now agreed to provide more frequent updates. It is an inescapable fact that the repairs will take time, however, providing regular updates and having an end in sight will provide much needed certainty. On my end, I have written to the Chief Exec of Staffordshire County Council requesting that the plans, once received, be prioritised in order to avoid any further delays in the work commencing.

Whilst the repairs must be of the highest standard, the perfect must not become the enemy of the good. Your suggestions which will make repairs fit for the future, such as a weight limit, must be considered. If you have any further suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Over seven hundred households responded to my survey, which just goes to show how pressing this is. In addition, many more people living further afield have got in touch about this. Going forward, I will be providing updates to you via Substack. For those who do not have access to email, they will still receive letters.

I would like to thank you for all your support so far and please rest assured that I will continue to keep you updated and the pressure on the CRT until the bridge is reopened.

Elsewhere, I was delighted to open the new Post Office in Featherstone. Previously, residents would need to travel to Shareshill and further afield to access cash or carry out tasks such as sending parcels and exchanging currency. This is highly welcome and I know how much of a difference the service will make to the community.

Meanwhile, I was delighted to meet with the General Manager of the Morrisons supermarket store in Stone. In partnership with Kellogg’s, Morrisons are offering free breakfasts for children throughout the school holidays. This is a brilliant initiative, and I hope many can benefit from a healthy start to the day.

Lastly, it is extremely welcome news that a planning appeal to build a medical incinerator in Hixon has officially been withdrawn. This is a real victory for our community and is testament to the hard work of campaigners and residents. I am thrilled with this decision, and I can assure you that I will always stand shoulder to shoulder with residents against inappropriate developments.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Fighting back against potholes

Potholes. They are everywhere. Some the size of craters, others could be mistaken for a swimming pool during bouts of torrential rain and residents are rightly confused as to who decides what road defects are prioritised for repair. Enough is enough.

I have launched a pothole reporting tool (link at the end) to demonstrate to the County Council that action must be taken to end thousands of pounds of damage to our vehicles and personal injuries that have been caused by road defects. From Penkridge to Stone and Brewood to Great Haywood, road defects are blighting our communities.

Please take the time to fill in my survey so we can demonstrate our strength of feeling: https://tinyurl.com/mrxwky39

Opening a new post office in Featherstone

I was delighted to open the new post office in Featherstone which is conveniently located inside Village Food and Wine & Express Ltd.

I have campaigned alongside the Parish Council and local residents to see the post office return to Featherstone which will assist with banking needs as well as exchanging currency. Residents will also be able to send and receive parcels.

The post office will be open for 58 hours a week (Monday to Friday 8am until 6pm and Saturday’s from 8am until 4pm) providing residents with flexibility and convenience.

Didar Singh, who will run the service said: “People are delighted that Featherstone Post office is open for banking, and other mail services. It is important for people to have access to cash.”

It is extremely welcome and reassuring to see that postal services have returned to Featherstone.

Prior to this, the village did not even have a cash machine – meaning residents would need to travel to Shareshill or further afield to access cash.

With the increasing nature of digital banking, I have long been concerned that access to cash is slowly being diluted – a major problem and inconvenience for vulnerable and elderly residents. I welcome that more post offices and banking hubs are being opened across Staffordshire to close the digital divide and offer alternatives to online banking.

I would like to thank Didar and the team at Village Food and Wines for delivering a service which I know is greatly appreciated by residents.

Championing Morrisons and Kellogg’s Breakfast Clubs

I was pleased to see the benefit of Morrisons and Kelloggs’ breakfast scheme by visiting the former’s branch in Stone.

Families visiting a Morrison’s café can enjoy a free ‘Kellogg’s Breakfast’ which includes a bowl of cereal and a portion of fruit. Children and adults can choose from favourites such as Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, and a free apple or banana.

Matt Khan, Senior Trader for Morrisons Café, said: “We know school holidays can put extra pressure on families, from the cost of food to the loss of everyday routines. By extending our partnership with Kellogg’s across all school holidays, we’re doing more to make it a little easier for families to enjoy a balanced breakfast together. It’s about offering practical support, a welcoming space, and helping parents and grandparents through what can be challenging periods throughout the school year for many.”

Andrew Ridge, Social Impact Manager at Kellogg’s said: “For nearly 30 years, Kellogg’s has supported school breakfast clubs with cash grants to help provide children with the start to the day they need. Our research highlights the critical gap that can be left during the school holidays, when many of these vital breakfast clubs are not running. That’s why we are proud to partner with Morrisons to help families access a simple, balanced breakfast across every school holiday this year, when support is needed most.”

I was delighted to meet with the General Manager of the Morrisons branch in Stone to see firsthand how the leading supermarket chain serves the community.

It is extremely welcome to see the breakfast partnership between Morrisons and Kellogg’s which will greatly benefit families in Stone and beyond.

Morrisons is a significant employer in Stone, and they regularly demonstrate their community commitments through initiatives such as breakfast clubs and fundraising for vital local causes.

I would like to thank the whole team at Morrisons for their investment in Stone, which has demonstrably improved job opportunities and the local economy.

Celebrating the withdrawal of Hixon Incinerator Application

It is fantastic news that Sol Environment has announced the withdrawal of an appeal to build a medical waste incinerator in Hixon.

The initial proposals planned to create a ‘clinical waste treatment facility’ within an existing industrial building off Church Lane, which would have seen 3,504 tonnes of hazardous waste being incinerated at a high temperature.

I launched a petition against the proposal due to environmental concerns and the close proximity of the site to St Peter’s C of E Primary School. Signed by over 200 residents, the petition urged the County Council to reject the initial application – which they did at a meeting in October 2025. However, the applicant announced their decision to appeal but has now decided to withdraw their objections.

I have worked tirelessly alongside residents to ensure that the application was stopped – including attending a peaceful protest walk last September, meeting campaigners, attending briefings, and liaising with organisations affected including the primary school.

This is a fantastic victory for Hixon residents, and I am absolutely thrilled that this application has been withdrawn. I cannot emphasise how disastrous it would have been for the health and wellbeing of residents and the imposition this incinerator would cause.

Campaigners brought forward a compelling argument and acted with good faith throughout the process, despite very real fears for their children and the area they are proud to call home.

This goes to show the power of communities and how when working together, residents and organisations can make material benefits that will benefit future generations to come.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Over recent weeks, many of you have raised concerns about Plan 2 student loans, and rightly so. The average student on a Plan 2 loan leaves university with £53,000 worth of debt, which can quickly balloon to over £100,000. Student finance was meant to open doors for graduates, and yet, with young people unable to buy their own homes, invest, and start families, it has turned out to be an albatross around the neck of an entire generation. This must change.

In particular, I believe that student loan interest should be set using the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rather than the Retail Prices Index (RPI). CPI is the official measure used by the Bank of England and is widely regarded as a better reflection of real inflation, whereas RPI tends to overstate price increases due to its outdated methodology. In short, if CPI is a good enough measure for tax and benefits, it’s good enough for graduates.

I also believe that we must go further in providing young people with alternatives to a university education. As Secretary of State for Education, I backed an expansion of apprenticeships as a way to improve productivity, build a skilled workforce, and create genuine opportunities for young people. University is not for everyone, and it is certainly not the only path to a meaningful career.

Saddling young people with eye-watering debts before they have even begun their working lives is more than unfair: it amounts to a levy on ambition and on the future of this country. The Government has made bold claims about “breaking down the barriers to opportunity”. I urge them to put their money where their mouth is and fix the student loans system now.

Strengthening our Democracy

Did you know that 2.7 billion Commonwealth citizens are granted the automatic right to vote in British elections? Under the British Empire, all subjects had voting rights if they resided in Britain. This practice continued once the Empire unravelled into the Commonwealth, and, despite the advent of mass immigration, it remains to this day.

It’s time for this to change. That’s why I have tabled an amendment to the Government’s Representation of the People Bill to remove Commonwealth voting rights and in doing so, ensure our democracy is fit for the 21st century.

Unofficial estimates suggest that at least 3 million Commonwealth citizens are currently eligible to vote in Britain. This is not just a few people here and there; it is a number that has the potential to drastically alter electoral outcomes.

Moreover, allowing Commonwealth citizens to vote in our elections risks pouring fuel on the sectarian fire that is already tearing through large parts of Britain. Foreign nationals may feel a stronger loyalty to their national, ethnic, or religious identity than to shared British interests.

Ultimately, removing Commonwealth voting rights is a matter of common sense. The right to vote is linked to the social contract and it enables those with a stake in society to have a say in how it is run. Allowing vast swathes of non-citizens to vote undermines this principle, threatens social cohesion, and further tugs at the already fraying fabric of British democracy. Let’s bring our franchise into the 21st century, and end Commonwealth Voting Rights.

Boosting Energy Security

Elsewhere in Parliament, I joined colleagues in raising urgent concerns about the Government’s energy policy. The North Sea continues to supply around half of our gas needs, yet Ministers are blocking new licences and key projects like Rosebank and Jackdaw. The result is higher energy bills for families, growing uncertainty for businesses, and increased reliance on imported gas.

With the world becoming increasingly volatile, it is more important than ever that we pursue an energy policy backed by the facts, rather than by ideological daydreams and fantasy economics. Instead of banning new licences and importing gas from abroad, we could be using our own resources, creating jobs, and taking in £25 billion of tax receipts. It is simply a no-brainer.

As your MP, I will continue to push for a sensible energy strategy that prioritises domestic production, protects jobs, and lowers bills for both businesses and families. Approving new North Sea projects and removing punitive green levies would not only strengthen our supply but also ensure Britain is in control of its energy future. It’s time to replace ideological posturing with policy that actually delivers for Britain.

Supporting End-of-Life Care

Finally, I know that many of you are concerned about the state of palliative care. Staffordshire has the third highest percentage of the population using palliative care in the country. While many of our hospices provide an outstanding level of care for their patients, they are also facing deep financial challenges, which have forced them to roll back their services right when they are most needed.

That’s why I was delighted to meet with Marie Curie and show my support for their Great Daffodil Appeal. In 2024/5, Marie Curie delivered 76,499 episodes of care across the country, and its Companion Volunteers supported over 2,000 households. The Great Daffodil Appeal aims to boost awareness of Marie Curie’s work, raise funds for the care they provide, and keep end-of-life care within reach of every family.

I will continue to do all I can to support hospices across Staffordshire, push for better funding from the Government, and ensure that nobody has to face the end of life alone.

Meanwhile, my office and I are hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

This Saturday, I will be hosting a coffee morning at the Haling Dene Centre, Cannock Road, Penkridge, ST19 5DT starting at 10am.

This is a free event and tea and coffee will be available. I look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

As ever, if I can be of any assistance, then please do not hesitate to email gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on 01785 847027.

Elsewhere, I welcomed the opportunity to visit the Spar store in Great Haywood to discuss the impacts of retail crime as well as the absolute need to support small businesses who are being deeply impacted by Government policies such as increases to National Insurance and the Minimum Wage. I will continue to be a strong advocate for small businesses and urge the Government to ensure they can thrive in our communities for many years to come.

Meanwhile, it was a pleasure to visit the Acton Gate McDonald’s outlet and meet with the team who work incredibly hard to serve thousands of customers each month. I welcome McDonalds’ commitment to providing young people with their first taste of employment as well as their economic contribution to the UK.

Also, I was pleased to meet with the Deputy Manager of the Boat Inn Pub in Penkridge. The closure of the bridge on the Cannock Road has had an extremely negative impact on the business with the pub heavily reliant upon passing trade. I continue to urge the Canal and River Trust as well as other key organisations to work together and ensure the road is fully opened.

Lastly, it is reassuring that the ‘cancer bus’ will return to Stone High Street on Monday, 23^rd March. Staff will be on hand to provide advice and signpost people to services should they require. It is so important that we continue to detect cancer at the earliest possible stage, and I would like to thank the Staffordshire and Stoke Integrated Care Board for providing this vital service.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Celebrating significant Hitachi Investment

I recently visited Hitachi Energy’s new £20 million purpose-built building on Beacon Business Park in Staffordshire.

The ground-breaking facility marks the company’s next stage of growth in the UK, with the new facility set to create hundreds of jobs in addition to retaining the 400 staff that are currently based at the Stone site. The sustainable design of the facility will also include a New Innovation Area as Hitachi continues to deliver critical energy infrastructure to customers across the country.

Founded in Japan in 1910, Hitachi operates globally across key sectors including digital systems, power/energy, railway systems, healthcare, and industrial machinery.

Laura Fleming, Country Managing Director for Hitachi Energy in the UK and Republic of Ireland said: “We are very excited to continue building our long legacy in the Staffordshire area. Our new campus will have a strong local economic impact, as well as enabling us to pioneer technologies that will be crucial for the UK’s future energy system in becoming more sustainable, secure, resilient, and affordable. It will further expand our ability to become resilient, through home-grown energy, and make energy more affordable.

“2026 sees momentous expansion through the opening of new offices in Glasgow and in Staffordshire, building on its success in 2025 and additional project office in Inverness. The investment decisions show our commitment to key customers and partners in helping to deliver the critical infrastructure needed to deliver UK energy targets and will provide an economic boost in the UK.

“Being able to provide for our existing employees a new campus that meets our growing needs is truly exciting, as is the opportunity that it will bring to new talent joining our industry.”

It was such a pleasure to visit Hitachi’s new site at Beacon Business Park and to learn more about their exciting and innovative plans for Staffordshire. This is a significant investment in our area which will greatly boost the local economy as well as boost employment.

It is estimated that three billion people globally benefit from Hitachi’s technology. This is an incredible statistic which outlines the company’s influence in diversification as well as fulfilling our energy needs with sustainability at its heart. I am grateful that Hitachi has chosen Staffordshire for this wonderful facility, and I look forward to seeing the finished facility in the near future.

Combatting Retail Crime

I am calling for the Government to drastically look at legislation surrounding retail crime after meeting with a business owner in Great Haywood.

Narinder Randhawa, who owns the Spar in Great Haywood, told me about instances where individuals have stolen items, intimidated staff, and damaged goods inside the store but later received fines of less than £200 despite causing thousands of pounds of losses for the business.

Retail crime in the UK has reached record highs, with figures suggesting 519,000 shop theft offences recorded in the year up to September 2025. Incidents, including violence against staff have surged, leading to over £2.2 billion in losses.

I am also calling for the Government to urgently remove the current £200 threshold for shoplifting, which means that thefts under that value are treated as summary-only offences and not prioritised by police. As well as retail crime, Narinder and I discussed rises in National Insurance, Minimum Wage, and how business rates support does not extend to retail.

Narinder said: “I was pleased to meet Sir Gavin Williamson and discuss very frankly how worrying the business environment is. My business has been hit by rising costs and occasional incidents of retail crime, causing thousands of pounds of damage. I am glad Sir Gavin listened – I look forward to his support in the future.”

The rise in retail crime is an epidemic that is damaging trust in communities and causing severe consequences for small business owners. I was alarmed to hear of how Narinder has been affected by retail crime including loss of revenue as well as having to deal with abuse and violent threats.

I am urging the Government to ensure that legislation reflects the severity that these offences can cause – particularly small businesses who find it incredibly difficult to absorb the losses that this criminal activity causes.

Also, the Government must listen to small businesses and urgently reform business rates as well as reversing the damaging measures announced in the recent budget that are strangling growth, causing businesses to close, and affecting the local economy.

I will continue to champion small businesses across Staffordshire and be their voice in urging the Government to change course.

Visiting Acton Gate McDonald’s

I visited the McDonald’s outlet on Acton Gate to meet with staff and take a look at behind the scenes of the UK’s most popular fast-food restaurant.

Founded in 1940, McDonald’s is the world’s largest restaurant chain, operating in over 40,000 locations across 120 countries – serving 68 million customers daily. In 2023, McDonald’s supported over 210,000 jobs in the UK and generated over £7 billion in economic output as well as supporting a diverse range of supply chains.

The outlet on Acton Gate opened its doors in March 2021 and its 100-seater two-storey branch is ideally located near Junction 13 of the M6.

I was delighted to meet with the wonderful team at the Acton Gate McDonald’s who work incredibly hard to serve thousands of customers each month with the golden arches’ iconic menu.

I have always been a huge admirer of McDonalds’ diversification and recognise their significant contribution to the UK economy and their support of supply chains in many different sectors.

One of the most impressive aspects about the brand, is their commitment to giving young people their first taste of employment as well as providing progressive career opportunities tailored to individuals.

I look forward to many future visits to the Acton Gate outlet and would like to thank staff for their hard work.

Pressing for the full reopening of the Cannock Road

As many of you will be aware, on New Year’s Eve part of the culvert by a bridge on the Cannock Road, Penkridge caused a 15-feet wide hole to appear at the side of Lock 38 on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. This has caused significant disruption to the nearby Boat Inn pub as part of the Cannock Road has been closed due to safety concerns – significantly affecting business and causing a downturn in visitors.

Due to the pub’s location, and its deep-rooted links to motorhome and barge trade, the Boat Inn has suffered economically as a result with owners left fearing when trade will return to normal. As well as having an impact on business, residents are also facing delays and detours to access the village which has created understandable frustration.

I am urging the Chief Executive of the Canal and River Trust to meet with me as a matter of urgency so we can discuss immediate solutions.

Cancer Awareness Bus

I welcome the return of the cancer awareness bus to Stone which will be parked up on Market Street near the library on Monday, 23rd March.

The service, delivered by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB), supports earlier cancer diagnosis, prevention and screening awareness, particularly in communities where access to healthcare may be challenging.

Members of the public can visit the bus during the day of the 23rd of March and speak informally with NHS staff about symptoms, screening eligibility, and when to seek help.

The wheels are in motion for the cancer awareness bus to return to Stone which will give residents a vital opportunity to speak in confidence to staff about any concerns they may have.

We know that cancer is highly likely to affect ourselves in some way throughout our lifetime – whether directly or via family and friends. Therefore, it is vital that we use all tools at our disposal to identify and treat cancer at its earliest possible stage.

I would like to thank Staffordshire and Stoke’s ICB for their work in this area, and hope that Stone residents can make use of this service should they wish to do so.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Alongside rural communities throughout the county, I have been demanding that the Government apologise to farmers across Staffordshire over the uncertainty and distress they have caused. Their actions continue to deeply affect the viability of the sector and the UK’s food security. I am urging the Government to row back on their farming assault before it is too late.

Elsewhere, it was a pleasure to visit the SI Group’s European Innovation Centre in Coven. The SI Group is a leading global developer and manufacturer of performance additives, process solutions, and chemical intermediates with facilities across world. I very much look forward to seeing the company’s continued growth and how this will benefit Staffordshire.

Securing new bus services in Wheaton Aston

I am pleased that I have been successful in campaigning for the return of bus services to Wheaton Aston, travelling to Penkridge, Codsall and Wolverhampton.

Holding discussions with the Chief Executive of Stafford Borough Council have resulted in a 3-month trial of two new services, to Penkridge (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and to Wolverhampton. These routes will provide access to Penkridge Market, as well as a connection to Bishop’s Wood and Codsall Rail Station.

I have been contacted by many constituents who were concerned that the lack of services could lead to people being isolated, and that it discouraged use of public transport.

I would like to emphasise that continuation beyond the trial depends on there being sufficient passenger numbers to demonstrate value for money. Therefore, it is important that we all make good use of the routes.

Demanding the Government apologises to farmers

I have demanded that the Government apologise to farmers across Staffordshire after Labour’s slew of measures continue to deeply impact the viability of the sector as well as food security.

The family farm tax has dealt a hammer blow to farmers with many expressing their deep concern that they will not be able to pass their farm onto future generations. Other possibilities include scaling back expansion plans, reducing produce, and even cutting jobs.

Under successive Conservative Government’s, farmland was exempt from inheritance tax under a policy called ‘Agricultural Property Relief (APR).’ However, in the Budget the Chancellor announced that she will end this exemption by restricting APR.

This will mean that from April, a tax of 20% will apply to agricultural assets over £1 million. Many farmers earn less than the minimum wage and have faced soaring energy costs as well as fertiliser and feeding bills.

The Family Farm Tax is not the only policy to hit farmers. The Government has also decided to accelerate the phase out of direct payments to farmers under the Basic Payment Scheme. It is estimated that all recipients will see the base amount of their payments cut by 76% this year.

I have called for the Government to apologise to farmers during recent Parliamentary questions, with Minister Dan Tomlinson declining to do so.

Farmers are being continuously let down by punitive policies which are threatening the viability of the sector and causing chaos for our food security during geopolitical uncertainty.

Labour are refusing to listen to the alarm bells that are being sounded by farmers and organisations including the National Farmers Union who are all calling for the Government to urgently row back on their attacks.

Visiting the SI Group in Coven

I visited SI Group’s new state-of-the-art European Innovation Centre, which is located on the Four Ashes Estate near Coven.

The SI Group is a leading global developer and manufacturer of performance additives, process solutions, and chemical intermediates with facilities across the USA, India, and China. The products and services produced are essential to enhancing the quality and performance of industrial and consumer goods within plastics, rubber and adhesives, fuels and lubricants, oilfield, and pharmaceutical industries.

The new European Innovation Centre (EIC) is equipped with advanced tools and resources to support a wide range of research activities. With a focus on plastics and rubber application development, as well as analytical characterisation, the EIC will serve as a collaborative hub for addressing technical challenges as well as driving sustainable innovation in partnership with customers and industry leaders.

Robert Kaiser, VP Strategic Marketing and Managing Director - EMEA at SI Group said “Together with our five additional Innovation Centres, we’re building a robust, globally connected R&D network that enhances competitiveness, delivers advanced solutions tailored to regional needs, and supports the long-term growth of our business.”

I believe that the SI Group’s continued expansion and exciting future plans for its Staffordshire facility is very welcome news which can only greatly benefit the local economy as well as boost employment.

With over 16,000 employees worldwide, the SI Group has a reputation for innovation and providing its workforce with diverse opportunities to grow in a personal and professional capacity.

The EIC will provide further opportunities for the SI Group to expand and advance their range of services. Whilst the public may not be aware of their work, everyday products that contain plastics and rubber are often influenced by the SI Group in someway.

I very much look forward to seeing the company’s continued growth and how this will benefit all of Staffordshire.

As ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

While many of us will be enjoying some down time over the next few days, farmers across the country will continue to work hard to ensure that our tables are full of high-quality homegrown food on Christmas Day. However, the past year has been more challenging than ever for our farmers, as they face the fallout of Labour’s family farm tax.

That’s why I once again joined farmers as they descended on Westminster with their tractors to protest against this cruel tax. This vindictive policy is not yet in full swing; however, it is already wreaking damage: according to the Office for National Statistics, over 7,000 farms have closed since Labour took power.

Even the Government know that this tax is deeply damaging. Their own review found that changes to inheritance tax are “the single biggest issue regarding farming viability” and that farmers have been left “bewildered and frightened of what might lie ahead”. The Prime Minister admitted that he is aware that some farmers are considering taking their own lives to avoid his tax raid. And yet, most Labour MPs still voted in favour of this policy.

I am grateful for everything that farmers do, especially at this time of year. I will continue to vote against the family farm tax at every possible opportunity, and I will not stop speaking out about the harm it is causing in Staffordshire and across the wider country.

Protecting Jury Trials

Like many of you, I was incredibly disappointed to hear of the Government’s proposals to scrap jury trials. Our legal system is founded on the basis that no free person will lose his liberty except by the “lawful judgement of his equals”. Jury trials are the way in which ordinary British people consent to and participate in the criminal justice system, and are a fundamental safeguard of our rights.

Moreover, I do not believe that getting rid of jury trials will solve the current difficulties facing criminal courts, as the Government claim they will. The Criminal Bar Association, the Bar Council and the Law Society have all warned that these proposals have not been properly tested or evidenced, and will do nothing to improve backlogs.

These are all facts that the Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy, recognises himself: in June 2020, he warned that “jury trials are a fundamental part of our democratic settlement” and that “criminal trials without juries are a bad idea”.

I am determined to not let the Government sign away a right that British citizens have held since Magna Carta and I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to resist these proposals.

Supporting Considerate Firework Use

As 2025 comes to an end, many will be looking forward to ringing in the new year at a fireworks display. However, while fireworks can be a source of joy for many on these dark nights, they can also cause significant injury and fear to other people and animals.

Over the last few months, many of you have written to me to express your concern about the harmful effects of fireworks on animals and vulnerable people. As a dog owner myself, I am all too familiar with the fear that loud and unpredictable noises can cause for our pets.

As such, I met with a number of charities, including the Dogs’ Trust and the RSCPA, to learn more about how fireworks can be used responsibly. I also wrote to the Government, outlining your concerns and making some suggestions about how to improve the regulation of fireworks. Please rest assured that I will continue to work with ministers to make sure that fireworks are a source of fun – not fear.

For further information on using fireworks safely and considerately, do have a look at the following websites: My safety: fireworks – GOV.UK Organising non-professional fireworks displays – GOV.UK

Finally, I was delighted to have the opportunity to attend a drop-in event organised by the Royal National Institute of Blind people. An estimated 3,700 people in Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge live with sight loss, and each year, roughly 190 people begin to lose their sight. Unfortunately, access to support remains a postcode lottery, leaving those suffering from sight loss living a life on pause.

It is essential that people are given the right support to be able to live confident, independent and full lives. I will continue working alongside the RNIB and health services to ensure that everyone is able to live a life in full colour.

As ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

In the meantime, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Elsewhere, I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Chairman of Coven United and Under 18’s Manager to discuss the importance of grassroots football as well ensuring that facilities are upgraded so play can continue during the winter months. I look forward to supporting Coven United in the months and years ahead.

Moreover, I was delighted to visit Bishton Hall in Colwich and meet with TV antiques expert Charles Hanson. Bishton Hall is rich with history and hosts events all year-round including antiques fairs. It really is a great experience, and I would highly recommend a visit.

In addition, it was truly humbling to visit the Commonwealth War Graves site on Cannock Chase. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission work all year round to ensure that the site remains an important place for reflection and to honour the lives of those who gave their tomorrow for our today.

Lastly, it is extremely concerning to hear of reports which suggest that the future of Shareshill Church is under threat. Churches are hugely important to local communities offering people a place for quiet reflection as well as hosting life changing events including weddings and christenings. I will work tirelessly alongside local residents, elected representatives, and campaigners to try and secure the church’s future.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Clarity over fire service funding

I am calling for the Government to urgently clarify future funding for the fire service after Staffordshire Fire and Rescue raised concerns regarding the impact of potential cuts.

The Government is currently determining how funding from the Spending Review will be allocated with fire services particularly in rural communities fearing cuts to personnel as well as station closures.

According to modelling commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council, standalone fire and rescue services face £102 million real term cuts due to Government grant reductions. This is equivalent to a loss of 1,500 firefighters.

Staffordshire Fire Service Group Manager, Jordan Money said: “It was a pleasure to meet Sir Gavin and discuss the current financial challenges facing the service. We also explored the journey the service has undertaken over the past decade, including our current wide range of initiatives delivered to make our communities as safe as possible.”

The fire service is a critical part of our emergency response. They do not respond just to fires, but also to road traffic collisions, flooding incidents, rescue missions, and so much more.

As well as their emergency critical functions, fire staff provide important safety awareness to schools and residents, install and monitor smoke alarms, as well as provide training courses to young people across the country.

Therefore, it is crucial that the fire service is adequately funded to enable their core functions to continue as well as additional responsibilities which benefit communities. I am concerned that failure to do so will see stations close and loss of personnel.

I am calling on the Police and Fire Minister to urgently address this issue and for fire services to be adequately funded.

Campaigning for access to improved grassroots sport facilities

We know that sport has great mental and physical benefits and participation particularly for young people, is crucial to their development. Therefore, I am keen to support grassroots organisations including Coven United secure suitable sites that have adequate facilities that enable play to continue all year round.

It is wonderful to see the evolution of Coven United Football Club with teams from Under 8’s through to U18’s, it is a welcoming environment for young people of all abilities. Many academic studies have demonstrated that grassroots football has an enormous impact on the mental health of young people, as well as boosting confidence and honing transferable skills which can be used in later life through education and employment. Moreover, according to research conducted by the Football Association (FA) in 2019, grassroots football contributes £10 billion annually to the UK economy whilst saving the NHS £43 million each year.

Therefore, it is crucial that clubs like Coven United are supported to thrive. I look forward to working with the club to help funding facilities improvements including floodlights and so much more.

Visiting Bishton Hall

It was wonderful to visit Bishton Hall in Colwich and meet with TV antiques expert Charles Hanson who now owns the historic building.

The Hall dates back to 1750 with the first recorded resident being Miss Charlotte Sparrow (she founded Colwich Primary School in 1827) who was born in 1786 and died in 1876 – she lived at Bishton Hall for all her life. The Hansons became owners in 2019.

The Grade II listed building hosts events all year round, whilst people can visit the tea rooms as well as the gardens and attend auctions held by Charles Hanson who is best known for appearing on Bargain Hunt.

Charles Hanson, said: “I was delighted to meet with Sir Gavin and I was pleased with the enthusiasm I was greeted with.

“Together I felt reassured that we can make local business for local people thrive; but more so to ensure that local culture and history in Staffordshire is maintained in a forward-thinking way for future generations to enjoy.”

It was a real pleasure to visit Bishton Hall which is steeped in history and a fantastic tourism attraction for Staffordshire.

Charles has further put the Hall on the map with his work on some of Britain’s most watched antiques programmes – subsequently boosting visitor numbers and bringing more intrigue to the Hall and Staffordshire as a whole.

I look forward to working with Charles in the future as we consider plans to boost tourism which will have a demonstrable impact on local businesses and the economy.

Honouring those who gave their tomorrow for our today

Visiting the Commonwealth War Graves site on Cannock Chase is a truly thought-provoking experience. During the First World War the Chase was home to bustling military camps, hospitals, training areas, as well as having its own railway called the “Tackeroo Express.” Now it is a place for remembrance and to honour the lives of those who gave their tomorrow for our today.

I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and hear more about their plans for the future. The CWGC maintains graves and memorials at 23,000 locations in over 150 countries and territories and visitors to its website can find the location of a soldier’s grave who died during either World War.

I would highly recommend a visit to the site as it is ever so vital we honour those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms and privileges we enjoy today.

Saving Shareshill Church

Alongside, locally elected representatives, residents, and campaigners I am campaigning for the future of Shareshill Church after speculation suggested the historic building is under threat.

The church’s structure dates from the 14th Century and has historical importance to the local community whilst also being previously used to hold a BBC Songs of Praise performance.

Now hundreds of years of history, community pride, and cultural significance is under threat with residents demonstrating their unhappiness about the rumours on social media as well as making representations to elected representatives.

Bob Cope, South Staffordshire District Councillor for Shareshill said: “The community value the existence of this 400-year-old church and are concerned about its closure for future generations.

“It is accepted that the congregation has reduced in recent years, however, we would like further consultation with the diocese with a view to discussing any alternatives which may safeguard the church’s future sustainability.”

I am deeply concerned to learn of reports that suggest the future of Shareshill Church is under threat.

Churches are an extremely important part of our communities. They offer a place for relaxation and a moment to pause for thought. Churches are at the centre of life from christenings, weddings, and funeral.

Most residents in Shareshill will be able to point to a part in their life where the church holds a poignant memory. And churches are not just for religious based events – it is also a place for people to come together and meet for a chat as well as to combat loneliness.

Therefore, I will work with locally elected representatives such as Bob, residents, and others to ensure the church can be a focal point of Shareshill for many generations to come.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

At this point, there is only one thing growing faster than the Government’s list of blunders and broken promises, and that is the cacophony of contradictions in the Government’s so-called “plan”. The Chancellor talks a big game about growth, renewal, and responsibility. These are principles that I am sure we can all get behind. But when you look at the small print, you find policies that do the exact opposite and punish those doing the right thing.

Where to start? Ministers lecture us about the need to save more for retirement, and yet this same Budget takes a sledgehammer to salary sacrifice schemes, one of the few tools that ordinary workers actually have to build a decent pension pot. The Government tells us to prepare for the future, then rips away the very mechanism that makes this possible. It is financial gaslighting on a national scale.

And it doesn’t stop there. We are told Britain must get healthier, eat more home-grown food, and shore up our food security. Yet in the very same breath, Labour is pushing hundreds of family farms in Staffordshire alone to the brink of ruin with their vindictive family farm tax. The Government demands cheaper and healthier food while sabotaging the people who produce it.

But it is the Government’s lip service to “working people” that is perhaps the most insulting. In their manifesto, Labour claimed that they would not raise taxes on working people and that they would reward the toilers and the strivers. However, the Budget will hike taxes on average British families by a total of £26bn, leaving the overall tax burden at a staggering 38.3% and draining growth in real disposable incomes to the second lowest levels since records began.

Meanwhile, welfare spending is set to rise to £406.2bn over the next five years, which is in large part helped by the nearly 1.9m foreign citizens who claim benefits. A working family now needs to earn £71,000 just to match the income of a jobless 3-child family. You’ve heard of two-tier justice – now get ready for Keir’s two-tier economy.

Labour will argue that these measures are necessary “trade-offs” or “difficult decisions”. Nonsense. This Budget is the result of a Government that has lost its grip on the country’s finances, on its own backbenchers, and most worryingly, on common sense.

If the Government genuinely wanted a nation of savers, they’d make it easier to save. If they cared about healthy eating, they’d back British farming. And if they really wanted growth, they wouldn’t crack down on the businesses and workers that create it.

So, I call on Labour to come clean. Either support the behaviours you claim to value, or at least be honest about the fact you won’t. The country is tired of doing the right thing and being punished for it – because the only thing running out quicker than our money is our patience.

Supporting Local Pubs

Local pubs are at the heart of our communities — places where people come together, friendships are built, and local history is kept alive. Yet across the country, these much-loved institutions are under real pressure.

Many small hospitality and retail businesses are struggling with rising costs, and pubs are being hit especially hard. On average, eight pubs close their doors every week in the UK a devastating loss not just for local economies but for the social fabric of our towns and villages.

Across Stone, Great Wyrley, and Penkridge, pubs support nearly 2,200 jobs and serve as vital community hubs. Protecting them means protecting livelihoods and preserving part of our national character.

I’ll be meeting with representatives from Greene King and others in the pub sector to hear first-hand about the challenges they face and how we can help ensure that local pubs have a fair chance to thrive.

After all, saving the local means saving local jobs, local heritage, and the community spirit that defines Britain at its best.

Holding the Line on the Budget

The Government must learn to live within its means, just as families and businesses across the country are forced to do every day.

Rumours of further tax rises particularly changes to Capital Gains Tax—should concern everyone who values hard work, savings, and investment. Such reforms would punish success, discourage people from downsizing, and risk freezing up the housing market at a time when mobility and stability are already under strain.

The reality is simple: we don’t want the budget to go up. Every time the Government increases spending, it puts more pressure on taxpayers to foot the bill. Instead of growing the size of the state, ministers should focus on cutting waste, reforming inefficient departments, and restoring trust in public finances.

Ordinary Britons are already bearing the highest tax burden in six decades, yet the Government continues to waste billions—whether through failed schemes, foreign giveaways, or the spiralling costs of housing illegal immigrants. The solution is not to take more from taxpayers but to spend more wisely.

In the coming weeks, we must make it clear that fiscal discipline, lower taxes, and efficient government not bigger budgets are the path to restoring confidence and prosperity.

Backing Grassroots Football

The Lionesses’ incredible victory at the Euros this summer was a moment of national pride and a powerful reminder of how sport brings communities together. Their success has inspired young people across the country proving that dedication, teamwork, and opportunity can take talent all the way to the top.

But every champion starts somewhere. Grassroots football is the lifeblood of the sport, helping to build confidence, discipline, and community spirit in every corner of the country. Local clubs and volunteers play an essential role in giving young people a place to belong and a chance to thrive.

That’s why it’s so important to keep supporting the grassroots game by backing local teams, celebrating the volunteers who make it happen, and ensuring that football remains open and accessible to all.

The Lionesses have shown the power of sport to unite and inspire, and now it’s up to all of us to carry that momentum forward from local pitches to national pride.

As ever, if I can be of any assistance, then please do not hesitate to either contact my office on 01785 847027 or email gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk

Elsewhere, I recently met with the new Chief Executive of Housing Plus in Penkridge. The organisation has recently merged with the Wrekin Group and has pledged to invest £55 million into social housing stock in Staffordshire and the wider region. I will continue to work with Housing Plus and others to ensure residents’ housing needs are addressed.

Moreover, I was delighted to visit Landywood Snooker Club in Great Wyrley to mark the start of the World Billiards Championship. The club is a vital part of the local economy – offering a relaxed environment for people to socialise and participate in sport. I look forward to seeing the club continue to go from strength to strength.

In addition, I was pleased to attend an event that raised awareness of the truly amazing work done by emergency services in Stone and the wider area. When we think of emergency services, the first organisations that come to mind are the police, fire, and ambulance; but there are so many others that work tirelessly to tackle emergencies from locating missing people, to environmental catastrophes including flooding and rescuing stranded motorists from dangerous roads. I am so grateful to all those who come to our aid during the most difficult times, and look forward to continuing supporting these vital organisations in any way possible.

Lastly, it was such a pleasure to visit Canalside Farm in Great Haywood and work with the team for the morning. Canalside Farm is a family success story with so many diverse aspects to the business. From quality local produce, unique handmade gifts, all the way through to fresh bakery products - there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Campaigning for Full Fibre in Tixall and Ingestre

From shopping through to financial transactions, the way we live our day to day lives has drastically changed with the advancement of digital technology. The lack of connection is more acute for those living in rural communities who rely on remote access to carry out their activities.

Residents in Tixall and Ingestre have been beset with issues ranging from extremely low speeds through to not being able to access the internet at all. This is partly due to the rural location of the villages, but also the inconveniently placed communications box which is situated on a dangerous bend. There have been instances where vehicles colliding with the communication box has caused outages and therefore, I am keen to work with local groups and organisations to protect infrastructure.

Following a meeting with Tixall and Ingestre Parish Council, I convened a further meeting with Openreach and Building Digital UK to explore the rollout of full fibre and a permanent solution to ensure that the communications box is protected from damage. I look forward to positive changes following the meeting and access improvement which is so vital for residents as well as businesses.

Meeting the new Chief Executive of Housing Plus

I recently met the new Chief Executive of Housing Plus in Penkridge to discuss future plans for the organisation as well as to raise queries on behalf of constituents.

The housing group appointed Wayne Gethings as their new Chief Executive at the beginning of this year, following Sarah Boden’s retirement. As well as his role at Housing Plus, Wayne chairs the National Housing Federation’s Housing, Asset Management, Maintenance, and Regeneration Group – further shaping housing policy across the UK.

In January, Housing Plus Group and Wrekin Group merged together to create a 33,000-home provider operating across Staffordshire, Telford, and the Wrekin. The group plans to invest an extra £55 million across the region to build new homes.

Wayne Gethings said: “It was great to welcome Sir Gavin to Penric, to share with him my vision for Housing Plus Group as a placed based leader across Staffordshire.

“Following our merger, we are focussed on creating places that people are proud to call home. Our engagement with local MPs, and a range of key partners, is a vital component of how we can influence positive changes on behalf of our customers and communities.”

I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Wayne and hear his vision for the group and how they will deliver housing for people across Staffordshire.

It’s vital that we have adequate, quality, social housing in Staffordshire that is built in appropriate settings and is designed with local landscapes in mind.

I regularly receive Housing Plus related queries from constituents and will do all I can to ensure residents are receiving the best possible service by engaging with key stakeholders and others to meet residents’ needs.

Visiting Landywood Snooker Club

The snooker club boasts first-class facilities and holds national championships with competitors from across the UK travelling to Great Wyrley in search of their big break. Whether a seasoned professional or a beginner, the club welcomes players of all ages and abilities.

My visit to Landywood Snooker Club coincided with the beginning of the World Billiards Championship. The international tournament is steeped in history and is one of the oldest sporting championships having been contested since 1870.

I was delighted to meet with Director Paul Lloyd and hear how the club’s modern refurbishment has attracted more visitors. With live sport and refreshing drinks, I highly recommend a visit.

Thanking Stone’s Emergency Services

We hope that we never have to call our emergency services, but they are a critical part of our communities by keeping us safe and helping so many in their time of need. Therefore, it was fantastic to attend the emergency services day on Stone High Street which was arranged to increase awareness of the work of our emergency services, and to highlight those who respond with bravery and calmness under distressing circumstances.

As well as the three services we immediately think of in an emergency, representatives from Stone First Responders, Midlands Air Ambulance, AED Donate, and Highways England were all present to discuss their work as well as provide live demonstrations and showcase their fleet of vehicles. This was an informative and valuable event, and I am extremely grateful to Stone Town Council and all the volunteers who made it such a success.

Working at Canalside Farm

Canalside Farm is more than a shopping experience. It is a place to meet friends and family in a tranquil setting and provides a range of experiences all year round. A generational family business, the farm has been growing its own produce for the past 40 years. Beginning with providing summer fruits to local businesses, Canalside Farm now boasts its own café, butchery, and sells bespoke gifts for all occasions.

I was delighted to work with the team behind the café and butchery. As well as interacting with customers, it was a pleasure to learn from skilled professionals the work that goes in to sourcing products and catering to the needs of individual consumers.

I highly recommend a visit to Canalside Farm and would encourage you all to attend one of the many events that is being organised all year round.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Currently, there is no direct access from Stone Station to either Birmingham or Manchester. Interconnectivity on our networks is vital for the local economy as it has the potential to attract more visitors to the town thus supporting local businesses. With a population of over 17,000 people, it is inconceivable that residents are unable to reach close major cities without the inconvenience of changing at Stafford.

Since being fortunate enough to be elected as Stone’s MP in July 2024, it has been a key priority to improve services to and from Stone. I have held several meetings with stakeholders and spoke numerous times in the House of Commons regarding the urgent need to address connectivity. As transport infrastructure projects are given the green light across the UK, I will continue to champion Stone and urge Ministers to prioritise services across Staffordshire.

Campaigning to end the use of hotels to house asylum-seekers

The Government’s lackadaisical approach to tackling the migration crisis continues to blight communities across the UK and Staffordshire. I have been campaigning tirelessly for more than a year to see The Roman Way Hotel in my constituency closed for this purpose. Labour have demonstrated a totally inept approach to dealing with migration and do not possess a viable plan following the scrapping of the Rwanda scheme.

More than 50,000 migrants have arrived since Labour came to power in July 2024 – demonstrating that the migrants themselves are emboldened by the Government’s failure to take decisive action in reducing numbers. The Government promised to ‘smash the gangs,’ but rising figures show their words are hollow as more people are used as human cargo with catastrophic consequences.

Communities are struggling to deal with huge influxes of illegal immigrants – with infrastructure creaking and confidence in services reducing. I am committed to holding the Government to account to ensure that immigration is reduced whilst developing a system that is fair to those in genuine need.

Supporting Snooker in Great Wyrley

As Chair of the Snooker All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), I am committed to promoting the sport and its wellbeing benefits across Staffordshire and in Parliament. In my constituency, I am proud to have the Landywood Snooker Club which is a fantastic facility for local residents and hosts national competitions.

The newly refurbished club boasts 12 tables and welcomes players of all abilities as well as serving hot and cold food in a relaxed setting.

The APPG is designed to promote and support global and national sports development, as well as encourage more participants to engage whilst boosting wellbeing.

I always champion Landywood Snooker Club and use the opportunity to promote its facilities and hopefully encourage more visitors that will boost the local economy.

Calling for Business Rates Reform to boost Staffordshire hospitality sector

The Government has effectively called last orders on hospitality businesses with the effects being felt across Staffordshire and the UK. Increases to National Insurance, food and price inflation and minimum wage increases without consultation has seen many businesses struggle to absorb costs. These measures are expected to cost the industry £1 billion, forcing many to cut jobs and investment with businesses also considering their viability.

I have visited many hospitality venues across my constituency and they all express deep concerns as they do not want to pass costs onto customers. Whether it is attending businesses in Staffordshire, asking Parliamentary questions and putting pressure on Ministers, I will stand side by side with businesses and urge the Government to reverse these damaging cuts.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027

I know that the use of hotels to house illegal immigrants, including at the Roman Way in Cannock, has been a source of concern to many in Staffordshire and beyond. That’s why I welcomed Epping Council’s recent success in shutting down the Bell Hotel, following weeks of peaceful protest. This was a victory for ordinary people and for common sense.

However, the battle is not yet won. Moving asylum seekers to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) does not change the fact that thousands of undocumented migrants still continue to cross the channel each day and put an ever-larger burden on the British taxpayer. The number of illegal immigrants being housed by the Government has risen by 8% over the last year to over 32,000.

This is unacceptable, and it is evident that the Government’s strategy is not working. Not only do we need a clear deterrent to prevent migrants from making the crossing in the first place, but we must also leave the ECHR so that we are able to easily deport those whose claims are rejected. Please rest assured that I will continue to do all I can to push the Government on this issue and ensure that our borders are protected.

Looking Ahead to the Budget

Over the last few weeks, talk has turned to the Autumn Budget, which will take place in late October or early November. Many of you have written to me to express concern at rumours of tax rises, and in particular, rumours that Capital Gains Tax will be reformed.

It goes without saying that I am worried about the current Government's approach to taxation and their inability to manage the economy. I vehemently opposed the changes to APR and BPR, which were both unfair and ineffective at raising revenue. Similarly, I am worried about current reports that the Chancellor will seek to change Capital Gains Tax, as this measure will deter people from downsizing and disrupt the housing market.

The current Government is seeking to plug a £40bn hole of its own making by penalising the British taxpayer. It is unfair that ordinary Brits face the highest tax burden in 60 years while the Government wastes money on giving away the Chagos Islands and housing illegal immigrants. As we approach the Budget, I will continue to do all I can to stand up for the British taxpayer and ensure that they do not bear the burden of the Government's mistakes.

Supporting Local Pubs

As you already know, a few months ago I held a debate on Business Rates Relief with the aim to highlight the difficulties facing small retail and hospitality businesses. In addition to the end of Business Rates Relief, they are also facing an increased National Insurance bill and a higher minimum wage, which is forcing many high street businesses to close.

It is no secret that pubs are being hit particularly hard by the Government’s failings. So far this year, an average of 8 pubs have closed each week across the UK. With pubs across Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge creating almost 2,200 jobs and fostering irreplaceable community spirit, this is an issue that affects everyone.

As such, I am looking forward to attending a drop-in event with Greene King, where I hope to meet with representatives from the pub sector and discuss what can be done to give pubs a fair deal. After all, saving the local means saving local jobs and saving local history.

Championing Grassroots Football

Finally, I am sure that you were just as excited as I was to see the Lionesses win the Euros this summer. This was a historic victory, and it was fantastic to see communities up and down England get behind this talented team.

But the Lionesses had to start somewhere, and that’s why I’ll be attending a drop-in to hear more about the benefits of grassroots football across the UK. I’m excited to learn more about how grassroots football impacts on communities across the co

untry, and what can be done to support local teams.

I will be sure to keep you updated on these matters and more, and I look forward to getting back to work in Parliament.

In the meantime, my office and I have also been hard at work helping constituents with casework and other important matters. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any queries or issues you would like to raise - I can be reached by email at gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk, or you can phone my office on 01785 847027.

Elsewhere, it was fantastic to visit Converge Technology Solutions located at Acton Gate. The innovative company has sustainability at its heart by recycling and refurbishing IT equipment as well as providing digital expertise to educational institutions/businesses. I look forward to seeing the continued growth of the business.

Moreover, it was great to visit a farm near Great Wyrley. The Farm is home to a lion, tiger, horses, emus, and a range of birds including parrots. The owners of the farm regularly attend various events to promote animal welfare as well as provide educational awareness relevant to different species. I very much hope that more people can see these wonderful animals.

In addition, I was pleased to deliver a talk to members of Great Haywood’s Women’s Institute (WI). The WI provides women with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and participate in a range of interesting activities. I welcome that there is a space for members to campaign on key issues affecting women and to encourage participation in community life.

Lastly, I welcomed the opportunity to officially open Nationwide’s refurbished branch in Penkridge. Nationwide has a policy that no branch will be closed until at least 2028 – offering reassurance to customers and the community that in-person services will continue to be available. This is hugely welcome, and I do hope that this pledge is extended beyond 2028.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Officially Opening New Stone Banking Hub

Following the closure of Lloyds, effectively the “last bank in town,” I campaigned tirelessly alongside Cash Access UK in order to find a permanent base for this vital facility.

The Hub is open between 9am and 5am Monday through to Friday with different banks occupying the facility on set days. This provides customers with the opportunity to withdraw cash, access financial services, and seek advice. A customer can access the hub’s services regardless of who they bank with.

The facility is particularly valuable for elderly or vulnerable individuals who may not be able to access online services. I strongly believe that online banking should coexist with cash and in-person services rather than replace the latter entirely. I am grateful to Cash Access UK as well as the banks who have signed up and hope customers can conveniently use the facility.

Visiting Converge

I visited Converge Technology Solutions located at Acton Gate, to learn more about the company’s commitment to recycling IT equipment and protecting sensitive data.

Converge is a leading provider of IT solutions to both the UK's public and private sectors. The company also prioritises the recycling and upgrading of IT equipment and provides digital expertise to educational institutions and businesses.

The company also securely erases data from their customer's devices including those previously owned by the police or other security services.

As well as a tour of the site, I was given a demonstration of a state-of-the art machine that refurbishes laptops, adds missing keys, and re-prints letters as well as symbols.

Sheryl Moore, Global Director of Converge said: “We were delighted to host and demonstrate our sustainable approach at Converge.”

I welcomed the opportunity to visit Converge and see first-hand the innovative work that is being undertaken to transform digital services.

With over 450 employees on site, the company is committed to providing opportunities to local people, including disadvantaged groups, as well as supporting supply chains.

I look forward to seeing the company continue their excellent growth which is of benefit to Staffordshire and the local economy.

Meeting The Great Wyrley Lion

I visited a farm near Great Wyrley to see a range of animals including a lion, tiger, and emus.

Thomas Copperfield, who runs the farm, visits carnivals and other attractions along with reptiles and other animals to educate children on animal welfare issues and types of species.

It is hoped that the farm will eventually be open to the public in order to increase awareness as well as offer the opportunity to see wild animals in different settings.

Alongside the lion tiger, and emus, the farm is also home to horses, a duck, chicken, and birds including a parrot.

Tsavo the Lion is the talk of Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay. I know many residents are proud to have him as their neighbour and it really is a great story to tell.

Increasing awareness of animal education and the different types of species is a wonderful learning tool, and I do hope more people are able to visit the farm in the future.

Meeting Great Haywood WI Members

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting members of Great Haywood’s Women’s Institute (WI). WI’s empower women to discuss ideas and help to shape their communities and environment. As well as this, the group supports community cohesion and battles social isolation.

Formed in 1915, WI’s were originally founded to energise rural communities as well as to encourage women to become more involved in food production during the First World War. The organisation is now the largest women’s voluntary group in the world.

The Great Haywood WI meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at the Memorial Hall. For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/WIHaywood

Opening Refurbished Nationwide Branch in Penkridge

I was delighted to open the newly refurbished branch of Nationwide in Penkridge. The new branch has a modern and sleek design, with easy access to services and clear indications of products available. I also strongly welcome the introduction of a cash machine outside the branch, allowing customers of all banks to withdraw money.

Nationwide is the largest banking brand on the High Street, with 605 branches across the UK. I strongly welcome the bank’s branch promise, with no closures until 2028 – offering customers stability and peace of mind.

In the constituency of Stone, Great Wyrley, and Penkridge there are 28,383 Nationwide customers – with 47% of households having at least one Nationwide customer living there. I also strongly welcome Nationwide’s commitment to dementia clinics across Staffordshire. These clinics are a lifeline for those with dementia, as well as their family and friends – offering a support network during times of tremendous difficulty. I look forward to continuing to engage with Nationwide on issues that matter most to residents.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

I believe we should do all we can to support British farmers, who work hard to put food on our table. That’s why I was deeply disappointed when the Chancellor announced that, from April 2026 onwards, Agricultural Property Relief (APR) will change so that agricultural assets will be subject to inheritance tax at a rate of 20% after the first £1 million.

I disagree with the principles behind this policy. The Government seems unable to grasp that just because a farm is a valuable asset, it does not mean that the farmers who work it are wealthy. In fact, British farmers currently face a number of financial challenges, ranging from soaring production costs to shrinking margins. They now face the prospect of having to break up their family farm, or not pass their business on to their children – this is simply not right.

However, I also believe that the Government have fudged the figures. First, they claimed that the policy would only affect 25%; independent analysis then showed that it would affect 66%, including 423 farms in our constituency alone. Next, they claimed that this tax would be a vital revenue raiser; more recent projections have suggested that this tax will lose a colossal £2bn per year.

Over the past year, I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers at their Farmers’ Marches, and I have taken the time to meet with farmers young and old to hear about how this cruel tax is impacting their livelihoods. Please rest assured that I will keep voicing my opposition to this vindictive policy and highlighting the harm that it is already causing.

Pushing for a National Grooming Gangs Inquiry

A second issue that has dominated my inbox this year is the Grooming Gangs scandal. I share your anger at the atrocities that were committed and at the covering up of abuse by local authorities. This anger is fully justified: it is not “jumping on a far-right bandwagon”, nor is it using a “dog whistle”, as the Prime Minister and his colleagues have termed it.

The systematic abuse of young girls by predominantly Asian men is an issue of national proportions, and as such, it requires a national inquiry. I was glad to see the Government come round to this opinion, however, I find it deeply worrying that it took six months of denials and a scathing audit by Baroness Casey to convince them that a national inquiry was necessary.

I sincerely hope that this inquiry will bring all those who perpetrated and covered up these crimes to justice. In the meantime, I will continue meeting with survivors and doing all I can to keep this issue on the agenda.

Saving Staffordshire’s Countryside

As the summer holidays begin, I am sure I am not the only one looking forward to making the most of our beautiful countryside. However, our green spaces are increasingly under threat from inappropriate developments, such as the proposed solar farms near Stowe-by-Chartley.

I attended a number of local meetings to voice my opposition to the solar farms, and in particular, highlighted my concerns that the clustering of such developments means that small villages such as Stowe-by-Chartley may soon find themselves encircled by solar panels. I have also questioned the Government on how they will ensure that any land used is returned to its original state once the solar farms have been decommissioned.

However, the fight for our countryside is just beginning. The Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which many of you have expressed concern about, will only turbocharge the destruction of our green spaces. Going forward, I will work hard to make sure that local communities’ voices are heard in the planning process, and that our countryside can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Revitalising our High Streets

From Stone and Penkridge all the way down to Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay, high streets are the beating hearts of communities across Staffordshire. They also sustain livelihoods: for instance, the hospitality sector alone adds £68.6m to our local economy and creates 2,819 jobs. However, our local high streets are in danger.

Not only have they suffered from Labour’s increase to National Insurance Contributions and increases to the minimum wage, but they also face a drop in Business Rates Relief (BRR) from 75% to 40%. This has had a devastating effect: an estimated 17,000 high street businesses are expected to close this year, with independents making up the bulk of this figure.

Losing our high streets means losing jobs, community and civic identity. That’s why I held a debate in Parliament to highlight the negative impact of changes to BRR on businesses and scrutinised the Government on their lack of action to save our high streets. As the Government moves to replace the BRR system in its entirety, please rest assured that I will continue to do all I can to ensure that the British high street not just survives, but also thrives.

Protecting the Winter Fuel Payment

Finally, I know that the Government’s decision to slash Winter Fuel Payments for tens of thousands of pensioners across Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge caused great anxiety. I campaigned extensively against this policy in both Parliament and Staffordshire, and listened to many heartbreaking stories of pensioners choosing between heating and eating.

The decision to cut payments was a political choice: when the Government can afford to spend £30bn of taxpayer money on surrendering the Chagos Islands, and £16bn capitulating to the EU, it can certainly find £1.5bn to support society’s most vulnerable through the Winter.

While the Government should not have introduced this policy in the first place, I welcomed the Chancellor’s recent decision to partially restore payments. However, I would still like to see the cuts reversed in full, and I have written to the Chancellor to urge her to do so. My full letter can be read via the link below, and I will make sure to keep you updated.

https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/8bheC4QM7hJm5wz9IOf2h4Zllm?domain=facebook.com

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In the meantime, my office and I have also been hard at work helping constituents with casework and other important matters. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any queries or issues you would like to raise - I can be reached by email at gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk, or you can phone my office on 01902 846616.

Elsewhere, it was great to pop along to the Salem Church in Cheslyn Hay as the Boys’ Brigade held their annual coffee morning. This fantastic organisation offers young people the opportunity to engage in a range of developmental activities as well as providing life skills in a variety of settings – I look forward to supporting the Boys’ Brigade moving forward.

Moreover, it was fantastic to attend the 25th anniversary of the River Canal Rescue (RCR) body alongside local organisations, stakeholders, and Councillors. We are so fortunate to have idyllic waterways across Staffordshire and the RCR’s work in providing breakdown cover and maintenance for boats is vital to continue this pastime. I wish the organisation all the best for the future and look forward to monitoring progress.

In addition, I continue to campaign against the introduction of solar farms across Staffordshire – which will have a detrimental impact on our landscapes, agriculture, and poses significant safety risks. I will stand with residents and others to urge the Government to stop their ideological campaign to bulldoze green spaces.

Lastly, I welcomed the opportunity to attend the prestigious British Eventing Area Festival at Chillington Hall in Brewood. It’s great to have national competitions in Staffordshire that bring communities together in the spirit of competitiveness.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

Visiting The Wayfarer in Stone

I visited The Wayfarer in Stone to offer my support for the business as changes to National Insurance contributions and other Government policies threaten the viability of the hospitality sector.

Leading industry bosses have warned increases to National Insurance (NI) contributions, and rising employer costs could effectively call last orders on many hospitality businesses.

During a visit to The Wayfarer in Stone, I was provided an overview of The Parogon Groups growth plan which is likely to be curtailed by the Government’s policy announcements. As well as The Wayfarer, the Parogon Group also runs The Severn Stars in Brocton.

Rich Colclough, Managing Director, of the Parogon Group said: “At a time when the Government are taxing jobs through Employers’ NI increases and failing to heed the warnings from the business community, it’s refreshing to receive support from our local MP.

“As a former business leader, Sir Gavin was understanding of the blow that the Chancellor has dealt to the nation which is already manifesting itself in the shape of over 100,000 job losses in May.

“The additional costs added by the Government’s budget in October 2024 is the equivalent to refurbishing one new restaurant so by removing this it impacts jobs and other businesses in the area too.”

I was delighted to visit The Wayfarer in Stone – a fantastic hospitality business, which caters for luxury as well as casual dining.

I am deeply concerned that the Government’s policies are stunting the growth of the hospitality sector, affecting jobs, and supply chains who benefit from expansion.

I am committed to continuing to put pressure on Ministers to change course and ensure that hospitality businesses remain a crucial part of our local communities and economy.

Attending Boys’ Brigade Coffee Morning in Cheslyn Hay

I attended the Boys’ Brigade Coffee morning at the Salem Church in Cheslyn Hay.

The event raised almost £600 for a fantastic cause which provides young people with the opportunity to socialise in their community and engage in a range of fun as well as developmental activities.

There were a range of delicious treats on offer as well as competitions including guess how many sweets were in a jar. The event was well attended with local groups, residents, and community representatives in attendance.

Over 20,000 children and young people participate in Boys’ Brigade events across the country with activities tailored to each person’s needs.

Ian Slymn, leader of the 1st Cheslyn Hay Boys Brigade said: “Our coffee morning on Saturday was a massive success in bringing together so many people from our local community to Salem Church.

“The number of people that attended really exceeded our expectations and meant that we raised a massive £589.50 for Boys’ Brigade funds. This will all be spent on the development of the programme for our young people.

“We were so glad that Sir Gavin was able to come and support the coffee morning. It is always a pleasure to welcome him to our events and he is always so active in helping Cheslyn Hay Boys’ Brigade.”

I was delighted to attend the Boys’ Brigade Coffee morning in Cheslyn Hay on Saturday – it was fantastic to see so many people in attendance, for a very enjoyable and successful event.

The Boys’ Brigade provides young people with the opportunity to learn valuable life skills, and engage in a range of activities such as crafts as well as outdoor learning which significantly broadens their horizons.

I am thrilled that so much money was raised, and would like to thank Ian and his team for all they do in the community and beyond

Celebrating 25 years of River Canal Rescue

I attended the 25th anniversary of the River Canal Rescue (RCR) body alongside local organisations, stakeholders, and Councillors.

RCR is the only marine breakdown service that operates nationwide on all waterways in the UK. The organisation offers canal boat rescue services with an engineer on site for up to two hours to resolve engine related mechanical as well as electrical issues.

The 25th anniversary, held on 8th June, featured live music, refreshments, and other entertainment as a way of offering appreciation to those who support as well as contribute to the RCR’s work.

Stephanie Horton, Managing Director of RCR said: “We were delighted to welcome Sir Gavin to our 25th anniversary party and are appreciative of his support. During the afternoon, we hosted current and past members, dignitaries, staff, family, contractors, suppliers, the local community and boaters – who were all keen to help us celebrate this milestone.

“What started as a business with three staff, providing 24/7, 365 days a year breakdown and emergency assistance to 100 members in our first year, is now a family-run firm with some 40 staff supporting over 20,000 boaters using the UK’s inland waterway system. We are proud of this achievement and look forward to reaching our next milestone.”

It was such a pleasure to be part of RCR’s 25th anniversary – a wonderful milestone and a testament to the hard work of staff and its members.

We are extremely lucky to have so many brilliant waterways in Staffordshire which are enjoyed by so many. Therefore, it is very comforting to know that boaters can access dedicated support should there be any issues with their boat.

I will continue to support RCR’s work moving forward and very much hope they enjoy many more milestones in the future.

Campaigning Against Solar Farms in Staffordshire

I am campaigning against the introduction of solar farms across Staffordshire with developers keen to cash in on lucrative proposals.

There is growing concern that developers are seeking to build swathes of solar farms across agricultural and green belt land with areas such as Stowe-by-Chartley and Drointon possibly seriously affected.

I attended a meeting organised by experts, Parish Councillors, and other stakeholders at Stowe-by-Chartley Village Hall to devise a plan to oppose such schemes further bulldozing green spaces.

The attendees heard that dozens of plans are being muted, with concerns that food security will be further compromised if they are allowed to go ahead. Experts in the field also commented of increasing fire risks due to the lithium batteries, as well as damage to the local environment and wildlife.

Cllr Peter Coote, Chairman of Stowe-by-Chartley Parish Council said: “We were extremely pleased to welcome Sir Gavin to our meeting for councillors and clerks from across the whole of Staffordshire.

“The purpose was to discuss concerns regarding solar farms; one contributor wanted them to be referred to as ‘solar factories.’ Ten invitees from a wide range of experiences and qualifications spoke for three minutes to create the perfect start to the meeting, and to enable the fifty participants at the meeting to exchange ideas and concerns.

“It was accepted that there is a place for solar, but the plethora of planning applications took little account of the number needed and the overpowering cumulative effect on our beautiful rural countryside.”

I welcomed the opportunity to join Councillors and local stakeholders at Stowe-by-Chartley Parish Council to discuss the highly damaging consequences of building solar farms across our countryside.

The Government are lining the pockets of developers by giving the green light to mass proposals of solar farms without considering the consequences for food security, agricultural land, and the effect on natural habitats.

The policies in the National Policy Framework make it extremely clear that solar farms should not be put anywhere, and consideration must be given to the visual and cumulative impact on our landscape. I do not see this important measure being considered at all.

I will fight alongside residents, Councillors, and other local interested parties to ensure that our rural communities are protected against cash motivated urban interests.

Attending prestigious horse trial event in Brewood

I attended the prestigious British Eventing Area Festival which was hosted at Chillington Hall in Brewood.

The event was hosted for the 4th year running at Chillington Hall and provides both Area Championship and National Championship qualifier opportunities for grassroots riders at BE80, BE90, and BE100 levels.

Spectators were welcome free of charge at the weekend with dressage shows, show jumping, and cross country on offer for visitors to enjoy.

There were also equine related stands selling a range of clothing and horse themed merchandise, as well as food and drink.

I was delighted to attend the British Eventing Area Festival at Chillington Hall. It was thoroughly enjoyable to see so many talented competitors participate in the unique event which drew a sizeable crowd.

Equine related events are fascinating to watch, and we have a proud history of success in the UK at various disciplines and it was fantastic to have such a prestigious event being held in Staffordshire.

Meanwhile, as ever, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to be of further assistance. I can be reached via gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk or by calling my office on 01785 847027.

From Stone and Penkridge all the way down to Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay, high streets are at the heart of our communities in Staffordshire. They a source of civic pride, and they contribute immensely to our local economy: for example, the hospitality sector alone adds £68.6m to our area’s economy and creates 2,819 jobs.

However, the future of many high street businesses hangs in the balance. Not only have they suffered from Labour’s increase to National Insurance Contributions and increases to the minimum wage, but they also face a drop in Business Rates Relief from 75% to 40%. This has had a devastating effect: an estimated 17,000 high street businesses are expected to close this year, with independents making up the bulk of this figure.

Losing our high street businesses means losing community connections and local pride. That’s why I held a debate in Parliament to raise awareness for the impact that changes to Business Rates Relief is having on high street businesses. In particular, I spoke about the effect this has on young people, many of whom are employed in retail or hospitality.

Business Rates Relief is due to be scrapped completely next year, and the Government has not yet confirmed what will replace this scheme. Please rest assured that I will continue to urge the Government to provide business owners with the reassurance and support they need so that the British high street can not just survive, but also thrive.

Bringing Back Winter Fuel Payments

I know that the Government’s cruel decision to slash Winter Fuel Payments for tens of thousands of pensioners across Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge was a source of great anxiety and anger for many. As such, I welcomed the Chancellor’s recent announcement that she intends to partially restore Winter Fuel Payments later this year.

Nonetheless, I am concerned that her announcement does not go far enough. It is clear that the Government can afford to restore the payments in full: Winter Fuel Payments only cost the Government £1.5bn per year, whereas they have just spent an estimated £30bn of our money on surrendering the Chagos Islands and an estimated £16bn on the deal with the EU.

Moreover, I am worried at the lack of further detail as to who will be eligible. At a time when many are feeling the pinch, it is unfair to make pensioners wait months to find out whether they will receive Winter Fuel Payments this year, or whether they will once again have to choose between heating and eating.

As such, I have written to the Chancellor to outline my concerns and to urge her to commit to reversing the cuts in full. My full letter can be read via the link below, and I will make sure to keep you updated.

https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/8bheC4QM7hJm5wz9IOf2h4Zllm?domain=facebook.com

Protecting Staffordshire’s Countryside from Solar Farms

As the days get longer and warmer, I am sure I am not the only one who is making the most of Staffordshire’s beautiful countryside. However, our green spaces are increasingly under threat from solar farms, such as the developments proposed near Stowe-by-Chartley.

I am particularly concerned about the clustering of multiple solar farms near small villages like Stowe-by-Chartley, which may soon find itself encircled by solar panels. This is not fair on local communities, whose rightful concerns about the loss of their area’s countryside and character are being steamrolled. I made sure to raise this point in the Chamber, during a recent debate on this issue.

Moreover, I have questioned the Government on the process of decommissioning solar farms, and how they will ensure that land can be returned to its original state. I am increasingly worried that without the right procedures in place, this land will become brownfield, and we will lose even more of our precious countryside.

Supporting Dementia Patients

Finally, I was delighted to attend Dementia UK’s “Time for a Cuppa” reception in Parliament, to learn more about how we can support people facing dementia. Over 13,600 people in Staffordshire have this devastating condition that affects family and friends.

I know that Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses do a fantastic job in providing tailored, compassionate advice to those impacted by dementia across the UK, and it was great to have the opportunity to thank them for all they do. There are also many brilliant local groups offering support to families affected, such as the Brewood Dementia Support Group. These organisations do so much for those suffering, and I will continue to support and champion their work in any way that I can.

As always, my office and I have also been hard at work helping constituents with casework and other important matters. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any queries or issues you would like to raise - I can be reached by email at gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk, or you can phone my office on 01902 846616.