"I was disappointed to see that the most recent average ambulance response times for category 2 emergencies are double what they should be. This is shockingly bad. At my invitation, the Chief Executive and other senior members of the East of England Ambulance Service are coming to Parliament this week where East Anglian MPs will have an opportunity to interrogate them. I’ll be asking them to account for these numbers and will be challenging them on the turnaround plan. This has been something I have focused on for several years and although it has been good to see improvements with hospital handovers, meaning ambulances can get back on the road more quickly – further improvements still to be made in the interests and safety of patients.
As Secretary of State for Work & Pensions I was pleased to take part in the recent Pension Credit Day of Action – designed to boost the take-up of Pension Credit as part of the package of wider support to help with the cost of living. As well as a cash top up to the State Pension, it’s also a passport to a suite of other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and free TV licences. There are already 2,094 claimants of Pension Credit in Suffolk Coastal but we know around 25 per cent of people who could claim the extra help do not currently do so. Pension Credit can be claimed online, by telephone or by post. Information is available on the gov.uk website or by calling the Freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
Finally, I hope you all enjoyed Suffolk Day recently, which coincides with the longest day of the year. I was delighted to mark it in Southwold to celebrate being the sunrise county on the east coast. Not just banging the drum for tourism but also recognising the special communities that exist up and down our county – which in Southwold includes an excellent affordable housing scheme."