A message from Bucks MPs as we head into a new year

Government on your side

No one can pretend this has not been another difficult year. As COVID restrictions finally came to an end thanks to our vaccination programme, we started to see the aftermath of measures about which I raised many cautions.

The impact of Putin’s war in Ukraine is being felt throughout Europe, though we can be proud of the UK’s leading effort to support Ukraine. It gives me no pleasure to see energy bills at painful levels, with too many people needing the help and support this Government is providing.

In addition to our Energy Price Guarantee which should save the typical family £900 this winter, we have the Energy Bills Support Scheme saving families £400. The government is delivering a total package worth £37 billion in cost-of-living support and extending our Household Support Fund for another year with £1 billion of additional funding on top of £1.5 billion to help local authorities support the most vulnerable. And I want to say thank you to Buckinghamshire Council for operating the Helping Hands scheme to support people iacross our county.

As I wish Bucks Free Press readers a Merry Christmas, I know for many it will be a difficult season. I am proud this Conservative Government is on your side and supporting you throughout it.

Steve Baker

Wycombe MP

Local issues that matter

Winter is closing in, and Christmas is coming soon for us all. Gerrards Cross gave us a great welcome to the festive season a few weeks ago with an amazing Christmas Extravaganza. A fabulous evening for the whole town, which saw so many families come out to enjoy the rides, the stalls from local businesses and the countdown to the switch on of the Christmas lights.

With the weather closing in, we had some great news from Buckinghamshire Council. For the second year running Buckinghamshire Council has pledged to clean 85,000 highway gullies across the county, repairing those that require it. The operation has been ongoing since the spring and now, the teams have successfully cleaned more than two-thirds. Last year the council allocated a multi-million-pound budget towards the programme. As each site was visited, it was recorded on a digital mapping system for the first time. I know our local councillors have been pushing hard for this and it is exactly the kind of scheme we need to show how we’re delivering on local priorities.

I am kept very busy in Parliament while the House is sitting, often being stuck on the Parliamentary Estate Monday to Friday. While I am there I am always using the opportunity to raise the issues that matter to you with my colleagues in Government. The best bit of my week though is always getting back to the constituency and being out and about meeting all of you. Have a very happy Christmas!

Joy Morrissey

Beaconsfield MP

Community rallies round

Christmas is here at last. Cards are posted, puddings have been prepared, and the decorations are up. The weeks of dashing between carol services and nativity plays are coming to an end. The window to squeeze in that last bit of Christmas shopping is closing and hard-working retail staff are looking forward to a well-earned day off.

For many, Christmas day is filled with tradition – enjoying recipes passed down over generations, opening those same scratchy socks gifted from a distant relative, or enjoying a post-lunch walk. Marking a change to a tradition held by so many, this year households will settle down to watch King Charles share his first Christmas message with the nation.

The past 12 months have seen many new members join our community, including those who have fled Putin’s war in Ukraine. Being away from home and family at this time of year inevitably brings sadness. However, I hope that our new neighbours will be able to enjoy their first Christmas in the UK and that our celebrations will be enriched by Ukrainian traditions.

There are, however, many in our community finding this time of year tough and I encourage everyone to stay safe, stay warm, and lean on the support of friends and neighbours.

I know that our community has been working to ensure everyone gets the Christmas they deserve - donating to foodbanks and toy banks and supporting our wonderful small businesses by purchasing gifts locally.

We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many kind and generous people. I hope this warm community spirit will ensure you all have a very merry Christmas this year.

Sarah Green

Amersham &

Chesham MP

2022: A tumultuous year

2022 has been a tumultuous year at home and abroad. The loss of Her late Majesty The Queen after 70 years of dedicated and unwavering service on the throne came as a profound shock to us all. Just a few short months after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, our nation paused to pay tribute to Elizabeth the Great.

In February, President Putin launched his illegal and inhumane invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians have been displaced, their homes destroyed and loved ones murdered by a ruthless Russian regime.

Thanks to the generosity of residents across Buckinghamshire, many of those displaced people are now safely here in our county.

A knock-on effect of Putin’s war is the pain we are all experiencing from energy costs. The Conservative Government has delivered an energy price guarantee, as well as a £400 support package for every household, in addition to targeted help for vulnerable residents. But I know that many residents are still struggling with the cost of living, and I would urge anyone to contact Buckinghamshire Council’s Helping Hand service for additional support.

Locally I have been focusing on securing the vital link roads we need in Aylesbury to alleviate congestion whilst continuing to press the case with ministers for the full Aylesbury spur of East West Rail. These two projects would level up our town, improve economic growth and reduce air pollution.

For now, all that is left for me to do is wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Rob Butler MP

Aylesbury