Welcome to this week's newsletter!
This is my final newsletter of the year!
I have had an incredible experience during this first six months as your MP. I have tried my best to hit the ground running - meeting with as many local groups as I can and taking up a variety of issues and campaigns. I also want to thank my team who have helped me respond to more than 4,000 emails, phone calls and letters. I have held a number of surgeries, raised issues in Parliament and tried to keep everyone up to date via Facebook and this newsletter. In my experience constituents know as an MP I can't always click my fingers to resolve problems but appreciate me doing my best.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who has sent positive feedback on the newsletter. If you have friends or family whom you think would also enjoy receiving it in 2025, then please do forward this link for them to sign up - https://www.drkieranmullan.org.uk/.
In a development which might feel like Christmas come early for many local residents, the Home Office has confirmed that Northeye will not be used as an immigration accommodation site. I know this will be a relief for many – I’m pleased the Government has seen sense on this issue.
Joined by a group of MPs, I met with Post Office CEO Neil Brocklehurst to quiz him about the potential closure of direct-run Post Office branches and as a result secured a further meeting to discuss our concerns in more detail. Every day more people sign our petition against the possible closure of the Bexhill Post Office,
I was proud to showcase the winning design for my Christmas Card competition to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and also met Attlee, the Speaker’s cat. Congratulations again to Barnaby from Bodiam CE Primary on winning this year’s competition.
Last week, I was grateful to speak in the Commons of the issue of removing VAT exemptions for private schools. I have been deeply concerned by the rhetoric coming from this Labour Government and felt it was important to personally raise the vindictive nature of their argument for this policy.
Speaking of devastating policy implications, I joined fellow MPs earlier this week in advance of the Stop The Family Farm Tax petition being handed into Number 10. It has gathered over 200,000 signatures, showing just how unpopular this decision is. We will continue our campaign against and make sure ours and farmers voices are heard.
A couple of weekends ago I was pleased to take the opportunity of leading discussions between National Highways and local councillors in Robertsbridge on the latest changes to speed limits on the A21 and planned further changes.
I also joined the Hooe Village Community Group to hear more about the residents are doing to make a difference in their community. In small rural communities like these where there are sizeable farming presence, its always insightful to hear more about how Labours Family Farms Tax is going to impact them.
Later I visited the Royal Mail delivery office to thank them on behalf of everyone for the hard work they are doing, especially during such a busy season! Their work truly does help make Christmas for everyone.
In Parliament, I have been pleased to attend a number of events over the past couple of weeks including speaking with representatives from the Independent Pharmacy Association to discuss the growing concern about the impact of medicine shortages in the UK.
I also went to the re-formation of the Tidy Britain APPG, which is looking to further support litter picking groups, as well as other worthwhile causes. I know we have some amazing litter pick groups across the constituency which I have been able to join, so a huge thank you to everyone who helps out!
And Alzheimer’s Research UK held their parliamentary drop-in to raise awareness around dementia research and funding. It is so important that everyone living with dementia gets a formal diagnosis so they can access treatments and the support they need. I will continue to support Alzheimer’s UK and their efforts to find a cure moving forward.
In the constituency I joined representatives from the Environment Agency and members of the Pevensey Bay Coastal Community Group, to review plans for managing coastal erosion going forward.
It was great to see the Bexhill Choral Society at their Christmas concert earlier this month. Incredible performance with some Christmas classics! If you haven’t already, do look out to go along to one of their performances as they do concerts all year round!
Lastly, a reminder on two fronts.
The Pension Credit deadline – Saturday 21st December – is tomorrow. With the Labour Government’s decision on Winter Fuel Payments, I urge everyone who thinks they may be eligible to sign up before the deadline.
And, with quite literally the cold season upon us, the NHS has seen a surge of people in England step up to book their winter vaccines. Vaccines are our strongest defence against flu and COVID-19, so please do take advantage and get your jab now.
Of course my party losing the election earlier this year was difficult and we have got to work hard next year to earn back trust. But I think people are seeing that the Labour Party got in on the back of multiple promises that they haven't kept. Governing is not easy and there are no easy answers to the challenges we face as a country. Just trade offs. So far they are making many of the wrong ones. I hope they don't carry on at the same rate or we are going to hit even more difficulties next year.
Whatever happens I will keep speaking up for my constituents on the issues that matter to them and try and make a difference locally.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Have a great weekend.
This week's newsletter:
- Northeye - No Longer Going Ahead
- Post Office Ltd Drop-in
- Christmas Card Showcase
- VAT on Private Schools
- Stop The Family Farm Tax Petition
- National Highways
- Hooe Village Community Group
- Visit to Royal Mail in Battle
- Independent Pharmacy Association Drop-in
- Tidy Britain APPG
- Alzheimer's Research UK
- Pevensey Bay Coastal Defence Meeting
- Bexhill Choral Society
- Pension Credit Deadline - Saturday 21st December
- Protect Yourself and Support the NHS: Book Your Winter Vaccines!
Northeye - No Longer Going Ahead
I know residents will join me in welcoming the government’s decision not to proceed with an immigration accommodation site at Northeye in Bexhill.
I want to thank campaigners, and cross-party councillors across all layers of local government for fighting against this plan. I'm especially pleased for the residents of the Northeye Estate for whom the uncertainty and worry is now over.
Post Office Ltd Drop-in
Last week I, alongside a number of MPs concerned by the potential closure of direct-run Post Office Branches, attended the Post Office drop-in event in Parliament.
In advance of this, a cross-party group of MPs, including myself, signed a letter voicing our concerns at the recent announcement and agreed to attend the drop-in together to directly query many of the unknowns, due to a lack in transparency by Post Office Ltd.
As a result, Post Office has agreed to a further meeting with those MPs who would like to engage and will be providing a timeline for their overall plans moving forward, including dates for public consultations, as this has yet to be shared.
This further meeting will come following the one I secured with the Minister responsible for the Post Office in PMQs and will serve as an effective follow-up.
Do keep an eye out for any further updates and if you haven’t already, please do sign the petition through the following link here.
Christmas Card Showcase
The Christmas Card competition is one of the highlights of my year! It was a proud moment showcasing the winning design to the Speaker of the House of Commons! I'll also be sending one of my cards to His Majesty the King.
It was also great to meet the Speaker's cat, Attlee! The Speaker's House was done up beautifully for Christmas as well!
Congratulations again to Barnaby from Bodiam CE Primary on winning this year’s competition. As he won first place, Bodiam CE Primary will be awarded £100 for creative arts supplies for the whole school, courtesy of Blackbrooks Garden Centre.
Well done also to our two runners up, Thea from Burwash CE Primary, and Hope from St Mary's Special School, who have both won £50 for their schools to spend on art supplies.
Thank you again to Blackbrooks Garden Centres for sponsoring this year’s competition, and to all the schools who entered and made the competition a success!
VAT on Private Schools
As the vast majority of people send their children to state schools, you might think the VAT on private schools is something that only a small number of people would be concerned about. You might even think it’s a good idea as the Government has said it will bring more money into state schools.
But last week, I spoke out in Parliament about the deeply concerning rhetoric the Labour Government has used talking about this issue.
The way they have pitted parent against parent, schoolchild against schoolchild, is simply shameful.
To imply that parents who choose to send their children to private school are somehow depriving state educated pupils of resources is deliberately misleading. They know this is not how tax is allocated in this country and are clearly trying to foster resentment.
All our tax money goes into one big pot and the Government spends a trillion pounds a year. It doesn't need to blame private school parents for decisions about funding in state schools.
Bexhill and Battle is home to 4 private schools, Frewen College, Battle Abbey School, Vinehall School, and Claremont School. They aren't villains or people to be blamed. I would like to see the Government reconsider this attack on personal choice and the resentment they are fostering.
Even if you don't send your children to private school, I think people know it’s nothing to try and generate bad feeling about.
Stop The Family Farm Tax Petition
Earlier this week, I joined with fellow MPs to continue our campaign against this Labour Government’s Family Farm Tax, which will have dire consequences for so many small family farms across the country.
It was an important day as we handed in the ‘Stop The Family Farm Tax’ petition to the Government, which more than 200,000 people have signed over the past couple of months, showing just how unpopular this decision is!
I was pleased to meet Bella, who is eleven and daughter of a small farm owner. She kindly stood with us as part of the protest, marking the generational impact this policy decision will have.
I was pleased to chat with Bella’s parents for a while and hear about their concerns for the future. They were clear that this tax would make it financially inviable to pass their farm onto Bella and her sister, who both want to continue the long history of farming in their family.
It was great to see party leader Kemi Badenoch also attend and show how farmers across the UK have the full support of the Conservative Party.
We will continue our campaign against and make sure ours and farmers voices are heard.
National Highways
As some of you will likely be aware, the A21 Road Safety package is a c£20m programme of work being carried out by National Highways to improve the safety of this vitally important trunk road which links the constituency to London and the M25.
Some of National Highways proposals for the section of road at Robertsbridge have been questioned by the local community so I organised a meeting for councillors, National Highways and the Sussex Road Safety Partnership.
We had some very good discussions and a commitment from National Highways to carry out further work and consultation on their proposals as well as regular reviews of measures already installed to assess their effectiveness in improving road safety.
Hooe Village Community Group
It was great to pop in to St Oswald's Church for the Hooe Village Community Group coffee morning and enjoy some delicious home baked sausage rolls and cake! Thanks to Elaine, Pam and all the other volunteers that run the morning.
I got to chat with the amazing Anne about the village community library service she stewards (and who gave me permission to say she is 91!).
I also spoke to Robert Smith from Holmes Farm who's family have farmed locally for generations but who will not be able to pass on the farm to his children as a result of Labours Family Farm Tax. Anne is also the matriarch of a local farming family and was equally concerned.
Find out more about the work of the group online:
https://www.hooevillagecommunitygroup.co.uk
Visit to Royal Mail in Battle
It was great to pop into the Royal Mail delivery office in Battle to say thank you to all our postmen and women who are working extra hard over Christmas to deliver our presents and Christmas Cards.
I thanked them on behalf of all my constituents and of course send our gratitude to posties across the constituency!
Also gave me a chance to see the beautiful Battle Christmas tree in all its glory - though I'm sure it's even better lit up at night!
Independent Pharmacy Association Drop-in
Earlier this month, I attended an event hosted by the Independent Pharmacy Association to discuss growing concern about the impact of medicine shortages on patient care in the UK.
The core issues driving these shortages are global supply chain disruptions and pricing challenges, meaning there is greater incentive for pharmaceutical companies to sell to other countries before us.
This of course is not unique to the UK, other countries have experienced shortages over recent years, but restrictive NHS contracts prevent pharmacies from varying to alternative suppliers should they experience a shortage.
It was great to hear about their proposals to mitigate and manage shortages, including: enforcing penalties on suppliers that fail to meet the terms of their NHS contracts, cutting red tape to give pharmacists more power to make minor changes to prescriptions, and better collaboration across the medicine supply chain to give the NHS more prompt notice of supply issues.
In light of this, I recently wrote to the Secretary of State for Health to ask what the Department was planning to do to mitigate medicine shortages going forward and what assessment the Department had made of allowing pharmacies to vary to alternatives if available.
I look forward to hearing from the Minister soon.
Tidy Britain APPG
In Bexhill and Battle there are several great litter picking groups that I have had the pleasure of joining on their outings since I became the MP. A big shout out to the Little Commoners, Bexhill Environmental Group, Jesus Loves Bexhill and all the other litter picking groups in my constituency.
It would be wonderful if these groups did not have to exist because people didn't drop litter, and I support more effective enforcement. But I cannot say enough how much I respect and wish to support those who do give up their time and energy to help tackle this problem. For me, it's symbolic of how we can all play our part in helping our local communities.
In this vein, I recently attended the re-formation of the Tidy Britian APPG, who are a cross-party group of MPs and Peers looking to further support litter picking groups, as well as some other worthwhile causes, such as reducing plastic pollution and fly-tipping.
I am looking forward to working with the group on behalf of all the litter picking groups in my constituency.
Alzheimer's Research UK
Last week, I attended Alzheimer's Research UK's reception to raise awareness around dementia research and funding.
There are currently estimated to be around 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with Bexhill and Battle is home to an estimated 2,050 of those. This puts us in the top 100 constituencies with the most people battling this disease.
This year marked a historic milestone with the licensing of two new Alzheimer’s drugs in Britain - Lecanemab and Donanemab. These are the first to be licensed in over 20 years!
While these treatments are not cures, and carry risks, they are the first to slow the progression of memory and thinking decline caused by Alzheimer’s.
If you or anyone you know is suffering with dementia, there are a number of charities that can offer advice and support. Admiral Nurses can offer support to people with dementia and provide their families with practical advice. You can contact them via 0800 888 6678. Further, the Alzheimer's Society can put you in touch with local support groups and can be contacted via 0300 150 3456.
I'm keen to ensure everyone living in Bexhill and Battle with dementia gets a formal diagnosis, and can access the treatments and support they need. I will continue to support Alzheimer's UK's efforts to find a cure going forward.
Pevensey Bay Coastal Defence Meeting
It was great to meet with Andy Walker and Nick Gray of the Environment Agency, and members of the Pevensey Bay Coastal Community Group to review plans for managing coastal erosion going forward.
There will be a new short-term contract starting next year ahead of a new medium-term plan starting in 2027, backed with £110 million of funding to protect coastal communities from flooding.
The residents have done an excellent job of working with the EA to give reassurance to everyone living in Pevensey, and the surrounding area, that there is a robust plan in place. I will of course support them in carrying on with this work on behalf of our local communities.
The details of the new approach will be decided in coming months and then will be shared so residents can see for themselves how the EA plan to manage the beach in coming years.
Bexhill Choral Society
I was grateful to attend a beautiful Christmas concert earlier this month by Bexhill Choral Society, with Louisa Alice-Rose and Cinque Ports Brass. You'll see some excerpts linked in the video above!
It was great to chat with some of the members after the performance - incredible voices. They have a schedule of concerts all year round, so don't miss out!
Pension Credit Deadline - Saturday 21st December
Winter Fuel Payments have been afforded to pensioners across the country since 1997, with each successive Government committing to it. The current Government now wants to remove this crucial lifeline. I have been vocal in my opposition of this proposal and will continue to fight against this decision.
The deadline for Pension Credit applications is on Saturday 21st December, and I urge everyone who thinks they may be eligible to sign up before the deadline so they can continue to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance.
The average Pension Credit award is worth over £3,900 per year and it opens doors to other support, like help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.
If you or anyone you know might be eligible, make sure to submit an application straight away.
Staff at the Department of Work and Pensions can help you with your application.
Call 0800 99 1234 to submit and application before the deadline on Saturday 21st Dec.
Protect Yourself and Support the NHS: Book Your Winter Vaccines!
Last week, thousands more people in England stepped up to book their winter vaccines after the NHS warned of a looming "tidal wave" of flu and other seasonal viruses.
In just one day, flu and COVID-19 vaccination appointments skyrocketed by 124%, jumping from 9,452 on Wednesday to 21,144 on Thursday.
Vaccines are our strongest defence against these viruses, helping to protect not only ourselves but also our communities and the NHS during this critical season. Currently, health experts are worried about the number of people across the South East who might not have their annual flu jab this winter.
Eligible people in England can now book their flu and Covid-19 vaccines through the NHS.
For specific information on booking a free NHS flu vaccination, click here.
For COVID-19 vaccination appointments, click here.
And for more information, read the following BBC News article here.
