Firstly, I hope you’ve all had a lovely Christmas and found opportunities to relax. I’m sure you’re recovering from the mandatory pigs in blankets, sprouts and mince pies. The last 12 months have left us with lots to reflect on. It is often easy to reflect on the parts of the last year didn’t go as planned, whether this be on our own doorstep or within the wider world. Whilst we have no control over the past, we do have control over the future. Therefore, I wanted to share with you some of my aims for 2023 and what this means for Stoke-on-Trent.
Following the aftermath of the pandemic and Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, global events have impacted us all. Despite this, I am confident government support and efforts by the British people will not deter us from beating these current challenges. I have been repeatedly pushing in Parliament for support for households and industries, such as energy intensive industries like ceramics, here in Stoke-on-Trent. The government has offered billions of pounds in support towards households and businesses over the last year, it is vital for support to continue for those who need it most.
The Chancellor will be announcing the Spring Budget on the 15th March 2023. I will be working with colleagues in Stoke-on-Trent and Westminster to make sure this budget reflects on the needs of local people and Stoke-on-Trent remains at the centre of attention for Government investment.
This last year has seen big wins in securing more investment to improve our local transport. Meir Station received £1.7 million enabling us to get on over the next year with developing the full business case and delivery study, taking us a significant step towards reopening the station. North Staffordshire MPs have also teamed together in hope of reopening the Stoke-Leek line and I hope for positive news in the next few months to get to the next round, to develop the full case for restoring these local rail services.
In 2022 we also received £31.7 million of government funding to improve our local bus services. I want 2023 to be the year residents get the bus services they deserve and can rely on. These improvements will see a reliable service helping people in Stoke-on-Trent get to school, college, and work more easily. Additionally, from January the Government fare cap of £2 will help reduce travel costs locally, helping passengers with cost of living.
I have also been running a campaign to reclassify Monkey Dust to a Class A drug. Hundreds of residents have signed my petition to reclassify this horrific drug which is ruining lives across our city. The efforts of 2022 have not been in vain, 2023 will see the Home Office consult the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs over reclassifying Monkey Dust to a Class A drug. I will continue to speak with the Home Office to make certain this review happens.
Residents will have heard me speak repeatedly about levelling up Stoke-on-Trent, the city has received £56 million as part of the governments ‘Levelling up Fund’. We are now set to start delivery, with work already underway on the Goods Yard next to Stoke Station and planning due imminently for redeveloping the Tams Crown Works in Longton. 2023 will be a year focused on delivering these improvements and I will continue to push the government for even more money towards levelling up our city, ensuring everyone in our city can achieve their full potential.
One of the other most significant challenges we have faced over the last year has been illegal immigration. I was delighted to see the Prime Minister announce a tough new approach to tackling illegal immigration and target the horrific people traffickers who profiteer from human misery. The UK and Stoke-on-Trent have done more than most when it comes to supporting those in greatest need, but we cannot allow our generosity to be taken for granted. I have repeatedly made clear in Parliament – Stoke-on-Trent has done more than our fair share and it is time for other areas to step up.
This Governments new tough approach contains five key steps: A new agreement with Albania so the vast majority of Albanian claimants can be removed swiftly. A new, permanent, unified Small Boats Operational Command in the channel with 700 new staff. Tougher immigration enforcement with 200 new staff. Cheaper accommodation sites so we can move migrants out of expensive hotels, with a fairer distribution across the whole country. Clear the initial asylum backlog by 2023 by doubling the number of caseworkers and radically streamlining the process.
This will be supported by new laws early in the new year to make absolutely clear if you come here illegally you should not be able to stay and will be detained before being sent back home or to a safe third country. I look forward to supporting these tough new laws in Parliament and continuing speak up for people locally.
2023 should be seen as a year of new hope, new optimism, and renewed ambition. In May, we will see the Coronation of His Majesty the King and Queen Consort, a major event witnessed by many for the first time in our lives. The Coronation will be a moment of pride in our United Kingdom and a chance for us all to join together to show the world what makes our great nation the best.
I look to 2023 as a year of excitement and enthusiasm for Stoke-on-Trent. Our wins will not be gained without hard work and doubtless effort. Our city will move forward into 2023 with Stoke-on-Trent as a city on the up, showing not just the UK, but the world what we have to offer.
Happy New Year to you all.
First published in Stoke Sentinel 26 December.
