MP's column - Telford MP Shaun Davies looks ahead to 2025
Read the latest column from the MP for Telford, Shaun Davies.
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January marks the first six months of this new Labour Government and my own six months of dedicated service as the MP for Telford. In 2025, my commitment remains the same: working hard every day, standing up for Telford, and driving progress for our community and serving the country.
After 14 years, many Telford residents are telling me that public services are failing, and the economy is making life increasingly difficult.
The new Government has outlined a plan to drive change and rebuild the country, including record investments in our NHS, local councils, schools, and other essential services. There has already been the biggest cash investments for our NHS, our council, schools, police and others.
This included £1,136,000 to end and prevent street sleeping here in Telford and £7 million has also been allocated to improve roads and fill potholes locally. In the months ahead, I’ll continue to push for more money: the money we need to rebuild, improve, and future-proof the services that our community relies on which have been denied in the last 14 years.
The NHS and social care are overwhelmingly the areas where you tell me action is most urgently needed. I am leading efforts to secure a better deal for Telford, focusing on tackling the NHS backlog and reducing waiting times from 18 months to just 18 weeks.
The Telford and Shropshire NHS currently has 84,851 patients on its waiting list, with 42,066 waiting over 18 weeks for care. This backlog has resulted in lengthy delays for patients in Telford, affecting their health and well-being. These reforms will ensure the NHS is ready to provide care when it's needed most.
Making it easier to see a family doctor, getting help through social care when it's needed and the desperate need to improve mental health. This will not be done overnight – but transformation is possible with more money and essential radical change.
On top of this the Government has introduced new amendments to the Renters Rights bill to protect tenants even further. For too long, renters in Telford have had to find large sums of cash up front, meaning they are pushed into debt or have to go without essential living costs. This also goes alongside home for heroes – making sure those who serve our country are supported by the country.
I’m beginning this year as I always do - by engaging with you. This week, I’ll be hosting my first surgery of 2025. These conversations are at the heart of my work.
To stay informed about these events, be sure to follow my updates on my website and through my weekly email: www.shaundavies.org