Small Business Saturday
This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, which celebrates independent businesses across the country for their huge contribution. They are the UK's employment engine and have helped create the 2 million extra jobs since 2010, so hopefully you can give them a boost by attending one of the many local #SmallBizSatUK events taking place.
One of those will be on Bellevue Road in Wandsworth Common, where as a local businessman myself I will be launching my 2015 ‘Love Your Local’ initiative. This allows local residents to show their support by voting for their favourite independent shops across Tooting. Last year we had almost a thousand local people participating in the awards, so please visit www.loveyourlocalshops.com to vote for your local favourites and enter the prize draw!
6-month-mark for Earlsfield Longer Trains Campaign
Earlsfield commuters deserve longer trains at peak hours to relieve the extreme overcrowding and delayed journeys they suffer. For too long the situation has gone unchecked, so 6 months ago I launched my campaign to make the rail authorities aware of the situation and demand the investment we so desperately need.
Many of you have completed the survey I have been running, with over 90% joining me in calling for 10-car trains to be a priority for Earlsfield. If you haven’t completed it yet, please do so now, so that your voice is heard.
At the meetings I had with the Rail Minister and Southwest Trains in the summer, we received assurances that Earlsfield is being considered and steps are in place to make the investment in longer trains (see article on my website here).
Since then, we've had two 10-car trains start in the early morning peak, with long trains also to commence on evenings and weekends (8-cars). Additionally, Southwest Trains has announced its procurement of 150 new carriages for its suburban London lines, which will go part-way to providing the extra capacity needed for Earlsfield.
In the meantime, I continue to push Southwest Trains on a monthly basis for better lay-out and ventilation of the existing trains, and to stop in the same place at the platform each time. If you have additional requests you wish to make, please email me at [email protected].
NHS on Top
In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement yesterday, he provided an additional £2billion of NHS funding for the coming year. This is the first step towards the extra £8billion NHS England has said is needed by 2020 to cater for an ageing population.
Earlier this year I was pleased to see an independent report confirm that the NHS is now the best healthcare system among the world's leading economies. So I am doubly-delighted that this new commitment from the Conservatives will help the NHS retains its top position. This extra money is only possible because the UK economy is growing strongly, and it will ensure the British people continue to get timely and high quality treatment, free at the point of use.
As ever, please follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more updates on local news and my campaigns.
With best wishes,
Dan Watkins
Dan Watkins
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Tooting
@danwatkins