CAROLINE ANSELL MP: A busy week in Eastbourne - and my new government post

It’s vital work to make sure no one is left behind in the face of technological advance and culture change.

I was at risk of being left behind myself- literally! – as I sprinted from that meeting to the station and on to Parliament.

Today, Friday, and I’m back in town and will be at Langney Primary to meet the children.

I was a governor here so it always feels like home.

I have later meetings with local fishermen and then with our hospital CEO.

I’ll also be meeting healthcare apprentices and will officially open the new clinical skills lab.

One of children I met last school visit, asked if being an MP was a bit like a sandwich?

Quite clever really.

My work starts and finishes at home in Eastbourne and in between, there’s Parliament where this week I formally raised rough sleeping - our Winter Night Shelter closes in a matter of days now.

I also met Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, on a number of points, the walk-in health centre at the station being one such and my campaign for a hospital shuttle bus service another.

I’ve taken up a new post this week too.

I’m really pleased to have become the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Environment Secretary, George Eustice, and I thank the Prime Minister for appointing me to the position.

The work of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) chimes with many of the priorities Eastbourne has as a coastal and part rural constituency.

The ministry is also at the forefront of the fight against climate change – something many people in Eastbourne and Willingdon care about deeply and I will use what I learn to help the borough council in its endeavours to become carbon neutral by 2030.

The department has a packed timetable in Parliament with three substantial bills going through all of which have real significance locally and nationally.

These are innovative and ambitious pieces of legislation coming from one very busy department and I will be part of it and I will implement that good work to help people in Eastbourne and Willingdon and beyond in the years to come.