MP Sara Britcliffe

Conservative Party

FIRST of all, I would like to wish everyone in Hyndburn all the very best for 2020. I hope it brings health and happiness to you and your loved ones.

For me and my family 2020 will bring huge change, following you giving me the absolute honour of being elected as Hyndburn’s MP.

I have been overwhelmed by the good wishes and messages of support over the last few weeks and I am determined to repay your trust through hard work and delivering for our area. Thank you.

I’d also like to thank not just everybody who campaigned and voted for me, but also my fellow candidates, the returning officer and council staff, the police and everyone involved in ensuring the election went smoothly.

My first week in Westminster was a very productive one. I had various meetings including with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, Jake Berry, and our Health Secretary, Matt Hancock.

I took the opportunity to let the ministers know the issues I would be campaigning on over the coming years; from improving our local NHS services, to better rail and road infrastructure and opportunities for young people into work.

I also had my first vote in Parliament, and a historic one at that, which was the second reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, meaning we will leave the European Union by January 31 and move forward as a country and as a constituency, a promise made during the election campaign, that we as a Government will deliver on.

I then returned for Christmas here at home. Over the festive period I paid a visit to Veterans in Communities in the Arndale centre and saw the amazing work they do within the community, and I am very much looking forward to working with them in the future.

I also visited local businesses to do a bit of last-minute Christmas shopping – as I returned from Westminster realising I had had no time to buy anything!

Speaking of gifts, we’ve had some great announcements over Christmas from the new Government.

First came proof of our commitment to tackle Homelessness by providing funding to better enable local authorities to deliver support. Both

Hyndburn and Rossendale will receive nearly £100k of this funding each.

Secondly, it was announced that Accrington town centre is to be part of the High Streets Task Force, which will provide tailored guidance, training and data to local authorities to improve the high streets.

The increase in the National Living wage is also a welcome boost to Hyndburn where wages are well below the national average.

This will mean more money in our local economy, benefitting both people and businesses here.

I also took time over Christmas to start the process of setting up a staffed constituency office to ensure that, regardless of how you voted, I can do my utmost to effectively support and represent you.

So, now that we have got Christmas done, it’s time to get Brexit done.

I will be back to Westminster in January to ensure that we do just that.