Reluctant support of new Health and Social Care levy
Like most Members of Parliament, I supported last week’s new Health and Social Care levy reluctantly. Personal contact with the care system as well as that of my constituents made clear that more funding is part – but only one part – of any long-term fix. In particular, my heart goes out to the millions of unpaid carer givers who stoically provide cover for (when not actually falling through) the cracks in the system as it stands today.
Nor should we get too carried away about the fact most will pay a small amount more. The UK remains one of the lowest tax countries in the G7 and even Margaret Thatcher increased taxes when required before going on to reduce taxes and to instigate reforms that unleashed Britain’s growth for decades to come.
My own fear would be if the new levy turned out to be in vain. So far, it has to be said, the omens are not good. Rather than a ‘long march’ towards overdue improvements in public services we have the ‘slow shuffle’ of some public sector employees back to their desks. Publicly funded salaries and pension are a privilege not a right and a growing pile of my correspondents make the link between their own personal experience – the delayed driving licence, slow motion planning application or a growing waiting list for a continuing healthcare or child’s educational assessment – and this slow return.
In more local news, I recently attended the Pulborough Heritage weekend. There were an impressive range of activities which celebrated the community and gave a fantastic opportunity to explore more deeply the area’s rich cultural heritage. I was particularly fascinated by the model railway of Pulborough Station as it appeared in 1910. The minute details took the Mid Sussex branch of the Scalefour Society nearly a decade to handcraft and is a marvel of historical recreation.
This weekend, I am looking forward to visiting the West Grinstead and District Ploughing and Agricultural Society’s annual ploughing match. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the society and the event, which was greatly missed last year, will bring together local farmers for competitions and displays of the best countryside skills.