I’m grateful to the Daily Echo for providing space for a regular column, where I give my ‘view from Westminster’ and provide Echo readers with an update on my campaigns and news from across Southampton Itchen.
In case you missed it, here’s my latest column, which was published in the Echo last Friday.
On one of my recent school visits, a pupil asked me what motivates me to do my job as an MP. As someone who has been involved in Southampton politics for many years, the biggest driver for me, and for many in my party, is a sense that our society should be fairer, and that public services play a huge part in achieving that fairness. From the nurses in the Tyneside hospital where I was born, to the teachers, social workers and my adopted family as a child, I know first-hand the difference it makes whether these people are there or not, and whether a government invests in them properly or not.
That’s why I welcomed so much of the Chancellor’s Budget last week; a budget that makes fair and necessary choices to protect the services that we all rely on and to tackle child poverty. The scrapping of the two-child cap on Universal Credit has understandably been the focus of much attention. At a stroke, it will benefit as many as 2,800 children in my Southampton constituency and boost their future health, attainment and life chances, as well as saving public money in the long term by investing to prevent poverty rather than react to its consequences later in life.
Of course, not everything in this budget will please everyone (has any Budget ever achieved that?!). But the debate continues, and I’m making the case for more targeted support for small businesses, particularly hospitality venues across the city. On balance, given the seriously dire economic state the last government left, the decisions in this Budget take crucial steps towards strengthening our public services, and tackling the cost of living which I know still concerns many people in their daily lives. Our action on everyday expenses like energy bills, petrol pump prices, rail fares and prescriptions is something that will make a positive difference in Echo reader’s pockets.
Our attention in Westminster and in Southampton is now turning towards Christmas. We’re lucky that there is so much to enjoy in our city over the festive period, whether you’re a fan of Christmas markets, a panto enthusiast or indeed want to give those vocal chords a workout at any of the lovely community carol services taking place over the next few weeks, which I encourage everyone to support. I’ll be trying to back as many of our independent businesses as possible when I’m Christmas shopping and I hope that Echo readers will consider buying locally too, to give a boost to our local shopping centres.
On the subject of local businesses, I’m really looking forward to visiting the winners of my annual Small Business Awards tomorrow. I was delighted with the fantastic response to this year’s awards, with Echo readers and Southampton residents submitting over 400 nominations. It’s clear just how much we all value these businesses and I’m really pleased to once again be able to recognise the contribution that they make to our high streets and communities.
This is my last column of 2025, so can I take this opportunity to wish all Echo readers a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and my very best wishes to you all in 2026.