In the nine months since I had the honour of being elected as Rutland’s Member of Parliament, we have benefitted from unparalleled Government investment at every level of our community. I am pleased that much of this pre-COVID funding represents key steps in delivering the election pledges I made in December; to crack down on crime, invest in local transport, ensure our Local Authorities get their fair share of funding and expand healthcare provision in our area.
In April, Leicestershire and Rutland Police received an additional £14.1 million and was the single largest recipient from the Government’s Safer Street Fund- receiving £1.5 million of a £25 million pot. This funding will go towards measures proven to cut burglary and theft, and crucially; to stop offences from happening in the first place. On top of this, I’m delighted that our local police have been joined by an additional 57 Police Officers since September.
Locally, we are set to benefit from £500 million for major strategic road schemes across the East Midlands between 2020 and 2025 alongside £56 million in additional funding through the Potholes Fund 2020-21. We will also see our local train services upgraded and improved backed with £20 million Government investment in the coming years.
Throughout the pandemic, Rutland County Council has played an immeasurably crucial role in fighting the virus and protecting our area’s communities. It is right that RCC has been bolstered by £2.2 million in emergency Government funding to support delivery of the key services that have been a huge lifeline to residents throughout this challenging time.
At the same time the Government has protected 14,400 local jobs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and supported a further 4,000 families through the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.
Thanks to robust and prompt Government action, such as the £23.7 million in grants that 2,127 Rutland and Melton businesses benefitted from, our economy is in a strong position to develop and flourish as our society slowly returns to a form of normality.
Whilst we hope for the best and a swift victory over COVID-19, it is the duty of a responsible Government to be prepared for any and all eventualities and plan for the worst.
As we approach the winter months, the Government’s landmark £4.7 million investment in our local A&Es will see increased capacity, enhanced infection control measures and improvements to emergency and urgent triage services.
It has been a huge honour to serve the good people of Rutland since the election, and I return to the Commons looking forward to delivering on my campaign pledges. We have a difficult road ahead of us, but I have no doubt that our outstanding communities in Rutland will make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead of us.
