An increasing number of deeply frustrated constituents have contacted me and my casework team regarding ongoing and growing access issues to the Doctors’ Surgeries in East Grinstead, Burgess Hill and Crawley Down which come under the Modality group. I have previously written to the Chief Executive of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to raise constituents’ personal experiences and there was a recent Sussex MPs meeting on Friday on this and local dentists’ issues too to drive home the seriousness of this ongoing problematic situation. I am, also, seeking an urgent meeting with the ICB regarding this escalating situation.
Pleasingly there will be three School Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) events across Mid Sussex. It was great to join Haywards Heath onboarding event to meet Organisers, Schools, and local STEM Ambassadors and to draw the school partners for the Haywards Heath STEM event later this year. We use STEM in almost everything we do and its brilliant more women are coming forward to train and seek careers in this essential, innovative and exciting sector.
Last Friday, the additional £842 million DWP Household Support Fund began for local Councils in England. I’m very proud to be the Minister delivering this scheme and the next phase of the DWP Cost of Living Payments too. Councils can locally use the extra funds to best support those in need in these challenging times and West Sussex County Council will receive £9,740,724.21.
It was wonderful to visit iSeek, an international children’s book publisher at Bolney Grange – they export around the globe their creations, to hear of both their successes and trading challenges.
The Premier League, FA and Government’s Football Foundation have launched the Energy Support Programme – its aim is to help local clubs and football-affiliated organisations to be more energy efficient. Visit https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/energy-support-programme and express interest by 13th April.
Finally, we’ve now signed the biggest trade deal since Brexit – becoming the first European country to join the CPTPP bloc, now worth £11 trillion and 15% of global GDP – giving us deeper influence and engagement in the Americans and Asia Pacific and prospect of further bi-laterals.