Alison Bennett's Monday Mail: Buy Sussex, Back Britain

This week, I am urging readers to: Buy Sussex, Back Britain – it’s a call to support Sussex businesses in the face of growing economic uncertainty and damaging new tariffs from Donald Trump.

In a move that risks pushing many British businesses to the brink, the US President has announced sweeping new tariffs on UK exports, including a 10% levy across the board and a staggering 25% on automotive goods. As if that wasn’t enough, there are worrying signs that a new UK-US trade deal could slash tariffs on American beef, chicken and pork – undercutting our own farmers just like the Conservatives did with their deals with Australia and New Zealand.

That’s why now, more than ever, we need to stand behind our local businesses. Here in Mid Sussex, we’re lucky to have a hugely diverse business community – from farmers and food producers to care providers, tech innovators and pharmaceutical pioneers.

Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of visiting many of these businesses. From Spirit of the Downs, who produce fine Sussex brandy, to the Cool Cow Company, putting Sussex milk on the map. I’ve spoken with NFU West Sussex and the Country Land and Business Owners Association, who are rightly worried about the impact of cheap US imports on our farming sector.

But Mid Sussex is also home to cutting-edge global companies like Roche Diagnostics, CSL Behring, and Universal Quantum – innovating in life sciences and quantum computing. And we mustn’t forget those driving social value, like Elite Choice Home Care or Pippa Moyle’s City Girl Network, creating care and connections where it’s most needed.

These businesses are the beating heart of our economy – creating jobs and driving innovation.

The Government must step up. That means scrapping the NICs jobs tax hitting businesses from this week and overhauling the outdated business rates system. 

But while we push for change in Westminster, we can all make a difference – by choosing local, and choosing British.

McCarthy Stone Retirement Flats

Over a number of months, I’ve been supporting local residents who own flats as part of McCarthy Stone developments.

As an article in The Times made clear last Saturday, residents at Corbett Court in Burgess Hill pay up to £14,000 a year in service charges, but when a flat owner passes away, their family inherits not just the flat – but also the ongoing charges. The flats are hard to sell, they often fall in value, and grieving families are left with a huge financial burden they never asked for. These flats are sold as a safe and supportive option for older people — but for many families, it’s turned into a trap.

This week I was introduced to a senior director of McCarthy Stone at an event in Parliament on older people’s housing. I pressed him on what is going on at McCarthy Stone properties in Mid Sussex, and how these families can be helped.

I am coordinating efforts with other MPs who also have problems with McCarthy Stone in their constituencies, and I’ll be looking for every opportunity to raise this in Parliament and push for answers.

If you or someone you know has been affected by this, get in touch on the email address below.

A win for adopted children

I am a big believer in taking the wins where you can get them in this job.

This week, I was delighted that the government finally confirmed after a Liberal Democrat Urgent Question that the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund would be renewed. The incredibly frustrating thing was that this announcement came a day after the funding expired. In the weeks leading up to the announcement I was contacted by families who were increasingly concerned that the therapy and support provided to their children by Beacon House was about to stop. This therapy helps prevent adoptions from breaking down, and enables children to heal from the trauma they may have experienced prior to being adopted. I am sure you can imagine that the prospect of this support stopping was very distressing, and had the government got its act together earlier, this was entirely avoidable. This was why I asked the minister to apologise on behalf of the government.

On Friday I very much enjoyed being able to meet Dr Shoshanah Lyons and the team at Beacon House in Cuckfield. They do incredibly important work with children and with adults too, and I appreciated the chance to learn more about this.

Easter Recess

Due to various holidays - of volunteers and my own - the Monday Mail will be on an Easter break for the next fortnight, and will return on Monday 28th April.

Getting in touch

My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.

Best wishes,

Alison

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