IT has been a busy few weeks since my last column!

We have had the October Budget, I delivered my maiden speech in the House of Commons and have been elected to the Parliamentary Assembly for the Council of Europe alongside organising a Pensioners’ Fayre, among many other things.

I made my maiden speech in a packed House of Commons, during the NHS portion of the Budget debate. I paid tribute to Stourbridge’s history of electing women MPs, highlighted our cultural history from industry to music and crafts, spoke on my own politicisation when I was a frontline medical professional during the COVID pandemic, and vowed to continue the work on Justice4Ryan.

I have also had the honour of being elected to the cross-party Parliamentary Assembly for the Council of Europe. With the world a more dangerous place, with many states around the world pursuing a more isolationist foreign policy and the erosion of universal human rights which this entails, I am keen to promote the work that the Council of Europe does for us in the UK.

I held my first Pensioner Fayre. The event was hosted by WeLoveCarers in the Mary Stevens Centre and attended by Action Heart, the Dudley Stroke Association, Living Well Taking Control, ABL Health, Act on Energy, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police Service, and the Department for Work & Pensions. Residents got the chance to get a full health check with blood tests on behalf of Action Heart and ABL Health, alongside useful literature and advice. Other invitees provided support and information for residents, signposting them to additional forms of relief they may be entitled to.

I got the chance to talk with many residents and pick up on their concerns alongside any urgent queries affecting older persons. It was a tremendous success, and I will be holding a second event on the 5th December in Netherton (please call or email to book, details below).

On 30th October, Rachel Reeves delivered her first Budget. The first Labour Budget in 15 years, and the first Budget delivered by a woman. 800 years the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer has existed, and not once has it been held by a woman – until now.

No longer can people credibly claim that there is no difference between Labour and the Conservatives. The bold change of direction is clear to see. We have made good on our commitment not to raise income tax, VAT, or national insurance on working people. Whilst the headlines scream “£40 Billion in tax rises!”, the truth is that these rises have been directed on those with the broadest shoulders.

Employers’ National Insurance Contributions have increased by 1.2 per cent to 15 per cent, raising £25 Billion in revenue. However, because the Employment Allowance has been increased from £5000 to £10,500, 865,000 small businesses will pay no National Insurance Contributions. The protection of small businesses is essential in Stourbridge, which thrives on its independent business sector.

Stourbridge and Brierley Hill both got shout-outs in the Budget, much to the jealousy of my colleagues! The Chancellor announced £1.4 Billion of repairs to schools affected by RAAC, namechecking Stourbridge as a priority area. Brierley Hill is to directly benefit from a £1.3 Billion funding boost to improve inter-connectivity in city-regions, with the West Midlands Metro extension confirmed to reach Brierley Hill centre. A fantastic development which the residents of Brierley Hill will benefit from greatly. This is the change that a Labour mayor, under a Labour government can make.

As I write this, it is the 1,000th day since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine – a sovereign European state. I had the privilege to visit Ukraine recently and was struck by the resilience and morale of the people. In the face of a violent and unpredictable Russian war machine, and increased scrutiny of Ukraine’s defence around the world, I welcome the cross-party commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine. There was a lot for me to process from my trip, but I will be writing about it in full very soon.

Contact Cat – 01384 881095, email – cat.eccles.mp@parliament.uk