Epsom & Ewell MP’s June Newsletter

Hello Friend,
It’s been a busy month both in Parliament and here in Epsom & Ewell. I’m pleased to update you on what I’ve been doing as your MP in June – with updates from across Epsom, Ewell, Ashtead and Leatherhead.

I’ve been fighting hard to improve our local healthcare, better children’s SEND provision, protect our waterways, support local businesses and promote opportunities for young people in our constituency.

Your feedback is always welcome and you can get in touch via letter, email, phone or social media (See the ‘get in touch’ section below).

MY KEY PRIORITIES

IMPROVING LOCAL HEALTHCARE

I welcomed the new £12 million worth of Government investment for Epsom & St Helier Hospitals, however this is only a drop in the ocean compared with the scale of need. With the current maintenance backlog standing at £150 million, I raised these concerns directly with Health Secretary, Wes Streeting and invited him to see first-hand how serious the situation at our hospitals really is.

I wrote to Health Ministers on several occasions to demand better support for patients in Epsom & Ewell. This included raising concerns about affordable transport for cancer patients, reducing diagnostic waiting times at Epsom & St Helier and funding for Queen Elizabeth Foundation’s Care and Rehabilitation Centre in Leatherhead.

HELPING US TACKLE THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS

I’ve heard from countless constituents who are still facing really tough choices as a result of decisions made by the Conservatives, and now this current Labour government. From rising bills to the rising cost of goods in supermarkets, families and businesses need additional support.

That is why I brought 20 local organisations together for a cost of living roundtable event in Epsom to discuss ways that we can all work closer together to support my constituents here in Epsom & Ewell. It was great to hear all of the brilliant work already being done and the willingness of organisations to do even more to support people in our community.

CLEANING UP OUR WATERWAYS

I pressed the Government to go further on Thames Water after their failed takeover and Ofwat’s decision to ban executive bonuses. I called on the Government to place Thames Water under special administration and turn them into a public benefit company. This would mean all profits go back into improving our infrastructure and bringing your bills down.

I also asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support chalk stream restoration in the Hogsmill River, and whether they would consider nationalising Thames Water after years of unacceptable raw sewage dumping.

Thank you to all Thames Water customers in Epsom & Ewell who have filled out my survey. I’m eager to hear from as many of you as possible, so I can share how you are feeling directly with them. If you are yet fill out my survey, you can do so here.

IN PARLIAMENT:

STATEMENT ON THE ASSISTED DYING BILL (THIRD READING)

I was disappointed to have been unable to attend the Assisted Dying Bill vote on Friday, June 20. After listening to constituents on both sides, and very careful consideration, I would have voted in favour of this Bill.

My absence was due to a pre-planned Parliamentary trip. This visit was scheduled before the voting date was confirmed and unfortunately could not be moved. This is an issue I care about profoundly, and I gave serious thought as to whether I should be away.

In the end, I was paired with another MP who held a different view from me and was also unable to attend. This meant that our absences effectively cancelled each other out in terms of the final result. While this did offer some reassurance to my conscience, I appreciate that my absence may still be disappointing to those who had hoped to see a vote recorded in person.

Please know that I have made it a priority to attend all other sitting Fridays when the Assisted Dying Bill was debated, precisely because of how important I know these debates and votes are, particularly on such sensitive and personal matters.

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with me about this vital issue.

OPPOSING CUTS TO PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS (PIP)

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are a lifeline for many people living with a disability, including those with epilepsy.

These payments not only offset the extra costs of disability, they also help a number of my constituents in Epsom & Ewell to work and live more independently, and I made this point to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions.

I held a meeting with concerned residents in Ashtead about the Government’s proposed cuts to PIP and Carer’s Allowance to hear how these cuts would affect them and others in our constituency.

The Government must think again before making such damaging cuts, and I am proud to support the Liberal Democrats’ amendment to the Welfare Bill that would protect carers and countless people here in Epsom & Ewell from these senseless and cruel cuts.

TACKLING THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING DIVIDE

I tabled an Amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that would enable millions of drivers without private driveways to access reliable and affordable home charging solutions.

Nearly 40% of UK households – at least 8 million homes – cannot access off-street parking and are currently locked out of affordable home charging. We’re not just talking about infrastructure, but fairness, affordability and climate action.

I’m pleased that peers in the House of Lords intend to advance these amendments and I look forward to updating you on its progress soon.

IN THE CONSTITUENCY

CELEBRATING THE EPSOM DERBY

It was an absolute honour to attend my first Epsom Derby as your MP.

It was especially poignant to be in attendance as Epsom & Ewell’s first female MP, more than 100 years on from the moment Emily Wilding Davison made the ultimate sacrifice for women’s suffrage.

The Epsom Derby one of the highlights of our local calendar and as your MP, I will continue to support Epsom Jockey Club and our local trainers.

AGE CONCERN EPSOM & EWELL ‘IN MEMORY WOODLAND’

It was a privilege to attend the Age Concern Epsom & Ewell ‘In Memory Woodland’ Celebration at Long Grove Park.

It was an incredibly heart-warming afternoon as members of our community came together to remember loved ones and celebrate this beautiful new space.

THE GREAT GET TOGETHER IN EPSOM

It was an absolute delight to attend The Great Get Together at St Joseph’s Church Hall in Epsom. Events like these are so important for bringing our community together, and it was great to meet so many talented constituents.

Huge thanks to Good Company Surrey and Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network for putting on such a special day full of great food, music and outdoor activities.

ASHTEAD VILLAGE DAY

It was a pleasure to meet so many of my constituents at Ashtead Village Day to celebrate all things local – from Mole Valley Veterans to Ashtead Tennis Players Club.

Thank you to Ashtead Rotary Club and all the volunteers who made it such a joyful event, which had something for everyone.

DEFENCE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

PUTTING OUR NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FIRST

It’s been a very busy month on the defence front as an imperialist Putin and an unreliable Trump leave us facing a once-in-a-generation threat.

I welcomed the Strategic Defence Review and its recommendations. However, without detail on how the Government will pay for these increases in defence spending, it is like having a shopping list without the money to pay for it.

On Armed Forces Week, I paid tribute to all the brave men and women who make up our Armed Forces community here in the UK, from active soldiers and reservists to veterans and cadets. It was a privilege to attend a flag raising ceremony in Epsom to mark this poignant occasion.

I also reiterated calls to place service family accommodation under the Decent Homes Standard and was proud to call for a new bonus scheme to attract new recruits and encourage veterans to return to our Armed Forces.

It was an honour to visit Estonia with Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, where we met with Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

In uncertain times, partnerships like ours matter more than ever, especially when it comes to defence. The UK and Estonia stand together for democracy, security and our shared future.

CASEWORK UPDATE

This month we closed 961 cases, with many of you getting in touch about local healthcare, crime, assisted dying and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Thank you to everyone who has written to me this month. Rest assured that my team and I are working hard to respond to everyone as soon as possible.

I also listened to the concerns of a number of constituents at my surgery in Epsom.

If you have an issue you would like to raise, or to request an appointment at my next surgery, please email me at: [email protected].

IN THE MEDIA

This month, I spoke to BBC News and British Forces Broadcasting Network reacting to the Strategic Defence Review. My comments were also picked up by the i Paper, The Express and Star and the Daily Mail. I also featured on Times Radio’s MP panel discussing issues from Iran to disability cuts.

My calls for increased funding for Epsom & St Helier Hospitals was reported by both BBC News Online and Surrey Live.

My second column for the Dorking & Leatherhead Advertiser was also published this month, where I updated constituents on my key priorities.

LOCAL NEWS

FIRE AT EPSOM CHALK PIT SITE

I am deeply concerned by reports of a large fire at the Epsom Chalk Pit site, and I have been working with local authorities and the police to establish the facts.

If you were in the area of College Road last night around 10:30pm or if you have any dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage that could assist us, please contact Surrey Police quoting the reference number PR/45250076857.

You can make a report here: https://www.surrey.police.uk/…/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you do not wish to speak to police you can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

You can also email me at [email protected]

I will provide further updates as and when I can.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SURREY

Are you a local business, charity or resident? Help shape the future of local government in Surrey!

The Government’s open consultation is now live and they want to hear from you. Fill out the survey here.

SMALL BUSINESS SURVEY

The Business & Trade Committee is asking small businesses in Epsom & Ewell to understand how the Government’s Small Business Strategy can best meet their needs. They are especially interested in views on how to improve things for small businesses on the High Street.

This engagement will help the committee report the best possible recommendations to Parliament and to the Department for Business and Trade to deliver change.

You can fill out the survey here.

If you have any local notices you would like shared on the newsletter do not hesitate to get in touch with me via [email protected]

GET IN TOUCH

As your MP, I am here to listen to the issues that matter most to you.

My team and I try to resolve as many enquiries as possible and I also hold regular surgeries for issues that require further support.

You can contact me by:

Emailing me at: [email protected]

Writing to me in Westminster at: Helen Maguire MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

You can sign up to my monthly newsletter HERE

Best wishes,

Helen Maguire MP
Your Member of Parliament for Epsom, Ewell, Ashtead and Leatherhead
PS: As always, I welcome your feedback. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.