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Latest News from Priti Patel MP
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Announcements
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Back British Farmers & Stop the Farm Tax
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I am a long standing champion and advocate of British farming. From debates in Parliament to local farm visits, to making representations to Ministers on key local and national farming issues, I have always been a voice for our farmers.
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Readers will know that this Labour Government is seeking to wipe out family farms with its ill-thought-through reforms to inheritance tax. Not only do these changes break promises that Ministers have previously made to the farming community nationwide, to the National Farmers Union (the national farming lobbying body) and to the entire British agriculture sector, they have blatantly lied about their intentions and plans to
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protect Agricultural Property Relief.
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Some of the finest produce anywhere in the world is farmed in Essex and thanks to this Labour Government those farms are at risk. They already operate on tight margins and the prospect of having to find hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to pay inheritance taxes will force many to rethink whether to continue in farming.
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I know that this Government has pledged to bulldoze over our countryside and these plans to undermine family farms will only serve to accelerate that process and damage our domestic food production, which will have consequences for the environment and animal welfare standards.
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Labour Governments have a long track record harming our countryside and failing to understand the needs of rural communities which is why I am joining my local farmers to stand against this government’s appalling prejudice and ignorance of farming and the countryside.
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Christmas Card Competition 2024
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I would like to thank every child and school who participated in my annual Christmas Card competition and kindly submitted a wide range of colourful competitions.
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It is always a pleasure to review the entries to the competition and I look forward to announcing the winner in the days ahead.
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Out and About Across the Witham Constituency
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Remembrance Sunday
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The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks Remembrance Day and across the nation we all paid tribute to those who have served our country in armed conflict. This Remembrance Sunday in Witham was, as ever, poignant as we honoured the memory of those who served in the Great Wars and who fought for the freedoms we hold precious today.
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As President of the Witham Royal British Legion, I was honoured to join our local parade and service and give thanks to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
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Securing the future of Earls Colne Heritage Museum
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The Earls Colne Heritage Museum is an historic site which was pivotal to the development of the village in the 19th and 20th Centuries. Following the recent boundary changes, the village has moved into the Witham constituency, which gave me the opportunity to meet with the volunteers and trustees of the museum and visit the newly constructed memorial to the 15 aircrew of 2 Lancaster bombers that crashed on the outskirts of Earls Colne on the 20th September 1944, following mid-air collision.
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I toured the museum, which is located in the old water tower on the Atlas Works estate, and discussed working with the Trustees to preserve the rich and vibrant history of the Earls Colne area, and some of the challenges facing the museum with securing their premises.
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Their current lease is coming to an end. The visit provided an opportunity to hear from volunteers and local experts, Les Berner and John Stedman on their work in recent years with cultural and heritage projects, including the recently opened memorial to aircrew that were lost following the crash just outside the village in 1944.
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I was grateful to the Earls Colne Heritage Museum, the trustees and volunteers for their time and I look forward to supporting them with their important plans for the future.
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East of England Ambulance Trust
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I recently met with the Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Trust, Neil Moloney, and staff at Witham ambulance station.
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Our Ambulance teams in Witham, Essex and across the country do such important work and I continue to work with them to improve outstanding issues around training, retention and recruitment of staff, as well as improving outcomes for patients.
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Almshouse Association discussion on social housing
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I recently met with the national Almhouse Association to discuss the role of almshouses in providing social housing across Essex and the local area.
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Across Witham town, there are 17 almhouse properties within the curtilage of the Church Street/Chalks Road Conservation Area, housing local people. Nick Phillips, the Almhouse Association Chief Executive and I discussed some of the current issues that prevent further growth of almhouses and their ability to provide affordable social housing options in local communities.
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Almhouses face a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to funding and recognition to support those most in need of housing. I look forward to working with them to look at how we can expand the social housing options they are able to provide.
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I had the pleasure of visiting the local family-owned business, Chelmer Pneumatics, who have their headquarters in Witham. Chelmer Pneumatics provides quality air compressors, nitrogen generators and vacuum systems throughout East Anglia, London and the South East and is a tremendous local success story.
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Tackling the mess left on Templars Estate
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This month, I joined members of the Templars Community Association in Witham to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding management of the estate. It is concerning how neglected areas of the estate have become, and how longstanding issues have not been resolved. Maintenance of the estate is lacking, and Eastlight have a duty to fix the issues that fall within their remit and I continue to make representations on behalf of local residents on the estate.
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Visiting the Kelvedon Post Office
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I was pleased to visit Kelvedon Post Office to meet with Postmaster, Mr Visakesasarma Kurmarasamisarma, as well as Post Office officials.
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During the visit, we discussed the current challenges retails shops like his face, particularly in light of the new Labour Government's increased burdens on business. We also discussed the important role post offices play in local communities, providing much needed access to a wide range of services, especially in light of the bank branch closures, and fantastic feedback that is received about the shop in Kelvedon.
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Kelvedon Convenience Store
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This month it was also a pleasure to visit the new Kelvedon Convenience Store and meet with the new owners and their families. It is always fantastic to see new small family-owned businesses being opened locally. My huge thanks to the team for their warm welcome, and I wish them all the very best with their exciting new venture in Kelvedon.
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Having raised a number of local issues with me, I was pleased to meet with the members of Cressing Parish Council this month to discuss a wide range of transport, housing, planning and local business issues. I always welcome the opportunity to work with our local Parish Councils to ensure our local communities are supported and represented.
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We are blessed to have so many fantastic pubs in the Witham constituency ,and earlier this month I met with the new manager of The Angel in Kelvedon. Pubs are at the heart of our communities and an important local employer in the hospitality sector.
Like all employers across the country, thanks to this new Labour Government, local pubs will be hit with higher taxes, higher costs and increases in National Employers Insurance contributions. This is bad for jobs and bad for the economy and all the more reason to support local businesses such as The Angel.
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Transport Update
National Highways have announced that from 21st November 2024 they are starting the statutory processes necessary to introduce the proposed speed limit reductions to key sections of the A45, 15 and A120 roads.
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The proposals aim to improve road safety for all road users by introducing reduced speed limits, which National Highways anticipate will reduce the frequency and severity of collisions.
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The proposals related to the A120, which will be relevant to constituents, are:
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Section 1 - between Bradwell and the existing 50mph speed limit on the Coggeshall bypass (a distance of approximately 3.9km)
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Proposed reduction of the existing Speed Limit (60mph) sections to 50mph, and speed camera enforcement equipment. The existing 40mph speed limit through Bradwell is proposed to be extended approximately 635m to the east.
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Section 2 - from the existing 50mph speed limit on the Coggeshall bypass to Marks Tey (a distance of approximately 1.72km)
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Proposed reduction of the existing National Speed Limit (60mph) sections to 50mph. Speed camera enforcement equipment is also proposed.
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The statutory objection period lasts 21 days and allows constituents to provide comments relating to the progress. For further information, please follow the weblink below.
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Here to Help
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My team and I are always available to support constituents with any issues they may be having. Please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail ([email protected]), with your full address and postcode and a summary of the issue that you require assistance with.
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As ever with best wishes,
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Member of Parliament for Witham
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