Building a Fairer, Stronger Economy
Over the past year, I’ve heard from countless residents and business owners in Wimbledon about the rising cost of living, from soaring rents & energy bills to job and economic uncertainty.
As your MP, I'll continue to fight for a fair deal on the economy, supporting families, backing local high streets & businesses, and creating conditions where hospitality and the nighttime economy can thrive.
I’ve challenged rising transport fares and failure to deliver value for money, and called for growth through investment in infrastructure and re-engagement with Europe.
Standing Up For Local Businesses
When I spoke in the budget debate I pointed out to the Chancellor her “budget for growth” (sic) did not “do what it says on the tin, but kicks that very can down the road” with measures that will limit growth such as the National Insurance tax rises which are a tax on jobs and a hammer blow to business.
I've visited many small businesses across our community and chatted to them about the issues they’re facing. As the owner of an independent bar in Westminster, I know firsthand how tough it’s been since COVID. I'll continue to fight for independent traders against unworkable policies.
Regenerating Our High Streets
I share local residents’ concerns about empty shop units in Wimbledon Quarter - so I met with Alex Woolf, whose company owns the shopping centre.
I raised these issues and we discussed plans to address them, with strategies to attract new businesses to create revenue and jobs, and boost footfall, with the promise of an anchor tenant in the former Debenhams unit and an expanded M&S. We also spoke about other ways to use the space effectively for community beyond retail and hospitality, including more provision for families, such as children’s play areas.
Hospitality and Nighttime Economy in Crisis
I met with Steve Alton, CEO of the British Institute of Innkeepers. Their surveys across hospitality providers show the devastating impact of Labour’s budget, driving staff cuts, stunting growth, stifling investment, and forcing smaller independent providers to fold.
I've spoken up for the night-time economy and hospitality venues who are facing an existential crisis in a cost of living crisis compounded by energy price rises; post Brexit labour shortages; and the remorseless increases in drink duties.
As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Nighttime Economy, I’m committed to working closely with the industry and will continue pushing the Government to ease the pressure.
Investing in Our Transport System
The transport system is the engine of our economy, yet the Government’s budget inflicted a real terms funding cut. I challenged the Transport Sec on the uneven coverage, unreliability and inaccessibility of our transport network as a key barrier to getting people back to work.
I pushed TfL for action on ongoing District Line issues, and met with them to discuss improving reliability of services.
As Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson, I’ve pushed in Parliament for transport infrastructure investments, such as improving and expanding our rail network, as a key lever boosting economic growth.
I've raised in Parliament the shocking waste of taxpayer money on South Western Railway's ‘new’ train fleet - trains intended to boost passenger capacity that have been stuck in depots since 2019. This fiasco is draining an eye-watering £5.5 million from the public purse every single month, and I demanded answers from the Transport Minister.
Affordable Transport
I’ve spoken out in Parliament against day-to-day funding cuts, rising rail fares and Government moves to make the bus fare hike permanent, further squeezing household budgets and hitting the most vulnerable in society hardest.
Fighting to Re-engage with Europe and Reduce Trade Barriers
I remain passionately committed to kickstarting growth by re-engaging with Europe. Brexit red tape is strangling businesses that trade with Europe, especially the smaller ones, and costing our economy millions in lost exports.
If the current Government is serious about growth, they must urgently negotiate a new trade deal with our closest trading partner.
I’ve spoken up about this in Parliament, and will continue to push Labour to abandon their redlines against the UK joining a Customs Union and eventually the Single Market.
Education Funding
I sat down with Richard Challoner’s headmaster to hear first-hand about the school funding crisis.
Whilst Labour boasts about increasing headline funding figures, behind the scenes, they’re making stealth cuts that hurt students, teachers, and families. I took this straight to the Education Minister and demanded she keep her promises on school funding.
I also met with the Education Minister to raise the challenges facing early years providers, including Castle Kindergarten in Wimbledon, due to government funding restrictions, and emphasised the need for reform.
Welfare and Disability Benefits
Scrapping the two-child benefit cap is the most cost-effective way of addressing childhood poverty in this country. That’s why I urged the Employment Minister to resume giving needs-tested support to those in such desperate need, while saying exactly how my party suggests that it could be funded.
We all agree welfare reform is necessary, but meaningful reform must support people into work while preserving essential payments like PIP, which enable independence and employment. I met with Merton Centre for Independent Living and Active Inclusion to discuss the Government’s chaotic approach to welfare cuts, and heard from them about barriers to employment that stop them contributing even more to society.
