Here in Swindon, we are rightly proud of the part that our town played in the formation of the NHS 70 years ago. It was back in 1871 when what was a forerunner of our National Health Service was founded by staff from the Great Western Railway. The GWR Medical Fund Hospital was set up with the aid of a £1,000 donation from the Chairman of GWR, Sir Daniel Gooch. The Medical Fund was a community service that was decades ahead of its time, offering ‘a womb to the tomb service’. It was a model that not only boasted dentists and chiropodists but swimming pools and Turkish baths as well.
As part of National Civic Day on Saturday, I was delighted to be present as a Blue Swindon Heritage Plaque was unveiled at the Milton Road Health Hydro to honour the Great Western Railway Medical Fund and hospital. Many of us have an emotional stake in the Health Hydro, which is a place where we or our children (including mine) learnt to swim and over the past 18 months or so, I have worked closely with many residents, local swimming groups and GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates the Health Hydro, to discuss the future of the Turkish baths. The Milton Road Baths are one of the few remaining working Victorian Baths left in the UK and I am pleased that this asset of national importance has been recognised with a heritage plaque. I will continue to work hard to bring everybody together so that progress can be made on the future of this important building in our town.
On a related note, I welcome the Prime Minister's plans to invest nearly £400 million more a week in the NHS in real terms, securing our greatest national inheritance for generations to come. The extra funding represents an above-inflation investment in the NHS for the coming years which will provide vital support for patient care. We are now working on the best way to fund this increase, and the Chancellor will make these announcements later this year.
Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the Lords' amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill returned to the Commons. As one of the Ministers taking this Bill through Parliament, I had a major role in these proceedings; leading on debates and ensuring the statute book is in a clear and consistent fashion.
Tuesday’s proceedings were dominated by debate on the so called ‘Meaningful Vote’ on Brexit. In this debate I spoke to give assurances on Parliament’s role in a ‘No Deal’ scenario. As a result of my interventions, further amendments were tabled and are due to be debated again by the Commons today after the Lords debated them on Monday.
Wednesday’s discussions were lengthy and ranging in topic. I spoke on the European Economic Area, environmental concerns after Brexit, future trade arrangements and refugees, amongst other topics. In each case outlining the Government position. The conclusion, as decided by a string of votes, was in the Government’s favour and on Monday, the Lords decided not to overturn these measures. Following these debates, I appeared on BBC’s Any Questions and Sunday Politics over the weekend to discuss these and other topics.
After joining in the “Walk a Mile in a Carer’s Shoes’ event organised by Swindon Carers Centre alongside North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson at the beginning of Carers Week, I was pleased to attend a further event in Parliament last Monday, joining carers and charities to celebrate and recognise the vital contribution made by unpaid carers. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Swindon Carers Centre to help provide support for the 9,675 carers here in South Swindon.
Finally, it was good to meet with local businesses on Friday, at an event organised by Business West at the Chiseldon House Hotel. The Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative sit at the heart of the local business community, providing representation, information and relationship building opportunities. Events such as this provide a good opportunity to discuss job opportunities in the town and Swindon’s continued growth.