Stay safe while on the move in cold weather
From January 6, 27 million people will receive the largest ever cut to National Insurance. It has taken tough decisions to get to a place where we can cut tax responsibly but as soon as we could, we have. NI will be reduced from 12 per cent to ten per cent, making the average worker £450 a year better off.
I’m being contacted by an increasing number of farmers and local landowners at their wits’ end due to lack of consideration by dog walkers around livestock and damage to their property.
Last week, Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne and I met with a local resident to hear their concerns on this and rural crime. We should all be more thoughtful when out enjoying our fabulous local environment and be steadfast in ensuring we leave it in the state we found it.
It was a pleasure and an eye opener for my team and I to volunteer at St Peter and St James Hospice Distribution centre in Hurstpierpoint last Thursday to help sort through their wide-ranging and interesting donations. These help the retail team generate 30 per cenr of the charity’s income, providing expert care to those with life limiting illnesses. If you’ve items to donate, you can drop them off at St Peter and St James Hospice Distribution Centre, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9ES.
Many residents have been in touch following the ITV drama Mr Bates v The Post Office about sub-postmasters who were wrongly accused of theft and pursued on flawed evidence from the Horizon IT system and treated appallingly. I welcome that the Justice Secretary is reviewing the wrongful prosecutions. Every postmaster with overturned convictions reliant on Horizon evidence will be given a compensation offer of £600,000, without the need to bring a formal claim. This is entirely optional, as postmasters can continue with a formal claim if they wish. Further information on this and the public enquiry is on my website.
In these colder temperatures, it's important we take it easy on the roads. Please do take care when out travelling on potentially icy and snowy lanes and stay safe whilst on the move.