Lee Anderson MP: Now is the time for council to step up and help local businesses

Be in no doubt, independent shops and traders face a difficult future in the months to come.

High streets and town centres will need all the support they can get which is why the Town Centre Fund and Future High Streets fund worth up to £75 million is welcome news for Ashfield.

Now it is time for the council to step up and provide extra support for local businesses, which is why I have asked it to provide at least two hours free parking across the district once the shops are back open.

Let’s use some common sense to help shops and traders get back on their feet.

I have seen several media reports this week that suggest the UK will ask for an extension to Brexit over the next few months.

Extending the deadline benefits no-one apart from the politicians who seem hell bent on stopping Brexit.

Most people I speak to want this finished by the end of the year and rightly so – let’s crack on and get out.

Last week saw another batch of ‘fake news’ doing the rounds with a story stating the Government is withdrawing it’s support for homeless people during the coronavirus crisis.

This could not be further from the truth and any suggestion that this Government is reneging on promises or removing funding is absolute nonsense.

I spent time working in hostels for the homeless in Ashfield before becoming an MP and it is something very close to my heart.

MP’s pay is something often talked about.

I think we are well paid, and it is a big change for me as just a few years ago I was working 12 hour-nights earning living wage and working a second job at the weekend.

This year, I have donated my pay rise to local good causes.

I paid the last donation of £500 to Brinsley Council, which is doing a brilliant job in delivering free lunches to some of the most vulnerable members of society.

I have always donated part of my wages since being elected as a councillor in Huthwaite a few years ago and I will continue to do so whilst ever I am your MP.

Lee Anderson is MP for Ashfield.