"A huge thank you to everyone who organised and participated in Platinum Jubilee events across Suffolk Coastal last weekend. I was privileged to join celebrations in all parts of the constituency including in Southwold, Felixstowe, Saxmundham, Leiston, Aldeburgh, Halesworth and Woodbridge as well as a number of villages. I also joined the national service of thanksgiving in St Paul’s cathedral. It really was a fabulous weekend of communities coming together to recognise Her Majesty’s 70-years of extraordinary service.
Back in Westminster, the attention quickly switched to the confidence vote. I’m pleased that the result means we can continue to focus on the people’s priorities. To ease the hardship caused by the rising cost of living, to protect our nation from the aftershocks of Covid, to stand firm against Putin’s aggression and to unite and level up across our country.
As I’ve mentioned before, I recognise the impact that rising bills are having on family finances. As Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, I’ve been involved in putting together the latest package of targeted support to help those who are most vulnerable to rising prices. This includes a new, one-off £650 payment to more than 8 million low-income households on Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Pension Credit and legacy benefits, with separate one-off payments of £300 to pensioner households in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits.
Finally, it’s good news that six schools in Suffolk Coastal were successful in obtaining funding from the government’s Condition Improvement Fund. Farlingaye High, SET Causton and Leiston Primary Schools will use the money for roof repairs, Southwold Primary for heating improvements, The Grange Community Primary School for fire safety works and St Mary's Primary School in Woodbridge for enhanced safeguarding measures. The £498 million fund is designed specifically to keep school buildings safe and in good working order."