Callum’s Catch Up 19.11.24
Winter is coming
It’s snowing! There was a smattering of snowflakes outside our constituency office today and it’s chilly in Westminster too.
And with the winter coming, this week I’ve supported the MK Food Bank’s Food Parcel Challenge. They are asking local people to swap their usual tasty festive treats for basic provisions to raise funds and help people gain a broader understanding of what living on a food parcel is like.
After all, two things can be true. Firstly, the rise in reliance on food banks never should have been allowed to happen, and second charities such as MK Food Bank provide incredible support to local people, acting as an invaluable lifeline for those in crisis. Click here to watch their full campaign video.
Continuing with the charitable theme, I’m delighted that not one but two groups of local volunteers have been given the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. A huge (and deserved) well done to the Redway Runners and the Milton Keynes Community Cardio-pulmonary Group. This is the highest award a local group of volunteers can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
And one last thing, I have joined Instagram! Do give me a follow on @callumanderson_mp. I'm planning to share my news and views on there too (and maybe a few pics of just how lovely our area is).
Thank you for reading…
Better transport in Bucks and Bletchley
It is clear that to rebuild Britain, we need to modernise our transport infrastructure, and over the past week there have been exciting developments across the entirety of the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.
Last Thursday I had the pleasure of joining the Transport Secretary (Louise Haigh MP) and the East West Rail team at Bletchley Station for the launch of their ten week consultation on the project. East West Rail is set to kickstart economic growth in our area, providing high quality jobs and strengthening our region’s thriving life science, technology and innovation sectors.
That’s not all! Our Government announced yesterday that Buckinghamshire Council and Milton Keynes City Council are to receive over £6.7m and £3.6m respectively from a new £1bn funding pot to boost bus services.
This funding will be used to enhance popular routes, protect rural services and increase bus use overall. This is brilliant news and I will be working with both local councils to ensure a joined-up approach.
Local visits
Alongside my trip to Bletchley station, I:
Visited Abbeys Primary School (see picture) to speak about my role as an MP.
Hosted two Pension Credit surgeries to encourage local people to get the benefits they’re entitled to.
Had productive conversations regarding adult social care, access to GP services, and local planning matters with residents in Kingsmead.
In Westminster
Back in Westminster I:
Met with Buckinghamshire farmers and the National Farmers Union to discuss how best our Government can support the sector.
Voted to progress bringing our railways back into ownership and to remove hereditary peers from the House of Lords.
Took part in a Westminster Hall debate on improving rural broadband.
