CAROLINE ANSELL MP: Brighton’s homeless need support, not sending Eastbourne’s way

It transpires that more than 130 have been put into hotels and hostels in our town over the last few months and without any consultation. This is not to do with being anti-homeless, it’s because there’s a real fear from our professionals about how Eastbourne’s health, law enforcement and council services will handle the increased number of people who need substantial support and care.

It is right the government wants to end rough sleeping and homelessness, and I do not want to deprive anyone of a warm bed, but I am very angry Brighton and Hove has done this without telling us here in Eastbourne. It is not fair on local residents. Nor is it fair on those who are sent here without the support they need.

The availability of local Covid-19 testing has been another challenge I have taken on this week. I fully understand why priority has been given to those parts of the country with higher infection rates – and mercifully we remain low - but the testing situation in East Sussex has not matched up to what is now needed as the school term kicks in and we return to work. I am working with Public Health to establish a centre in Eastbourne and I hope to see that in place and fast. Updates to follow.

The public consultation on the future of the Health Centre at Eastbourne Station closed this week ahead of a decision later in the year. The serious concerns I have long expressed remain. The town centre is set to see a considerable number of new homes created in the next five to 10 years and places at central GP surgeries are already limited and strained. I am likewise concerned about vulnerable groups and visitors. Before lockdown I spent time at the centre talking to residents and team members to hear further just how valued this service is to the people of Eastbourne. I will be meeting health leaders on this later this month.

There was some very good news for UK plc this week when we signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan – the world’s third largest economy and a major trading partner with this country.

This agreement, in principle, will increase trade by £15 billion with companies here in East Sussex able to benefit from tariff free trade.

On another trade related issue. I am supporting the government in its Internal Market Bill. There has been both misinformation about what this proposed law wants to achieve but also some important amendments made through debate. After voting to leave the EU, we can’t still be governed by their rules on how we trade within the UK in a scenario where we don’t secure a free trade deal with the bloc by October. There are many important moves ahead, locally and nationally, so let’s pull together to address the challenges and seize the opportunities too.

Take care and keep in touch.