Dear Residents,
I would like to start by wishing everybody in Harlow and the Villages a very Happy New Year for 2024! I also want to take this opportunity at the start of the New Year to thank everybody in public services, retail and hospitality in Harlow who have worked tirelessly throughout the Chrtistmas and New Year celebrations.
On Christmas Day, I visited Princess Alexandra Hospital with the Harlow Hospital Chaplain, Tim Weeks, to visit wards, meet patients and thank NHS staff for their tireless hard work - their passion and dedication to supporting local people and providing the very best care is absolutely unparalleled. All of the NHS staff at PAH, from the doctors and nurses to the administration and support staff are second to none.
The start of any new year is always a good time to reflect on what happened last year and look forward to the future. As we enter the New Year, I am doubling down on my commitment to you that I will do all I can to support our public services and to protect our NHS, to work with the Government to tackle the cost of living, and to work closely with the local Council to build an even better Harlow.
Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair 2024
Since being elected in 2010, I have hosted an annual Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair in Harlow (except during the pandemic years). My Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair is back this year for the tenth time, taking place on Friday 26th January at the Latton Bush Centre. Over the last decade, thousands of local people have visited the event and secured new jobs with local employers and I invite everybody to come along!
Cutting the Cost of Living
Towards the end of last year, the Conservative Government announced that inflation had fallen from 10.7% to 4.6% - more than halving inflation since this time last year. The cost of items on the shelves is now the lowest it has been for over two years. By halving inflation, hard-working Harlow people will keep more of the money they earn.
Rewarding Harlow People
This Government is delivering for hardworking Harlow people. From January, we are slashing the rate of National Insurance by 2%. For somebody earning £35,000, this tax-cut is worth over £450 per year with Harlow workers noticing this saving in their January payslips… and we are not stopping there.
From April, this Government is also giving lower earners, pensioners and those in receipt of Universal Credit a financial boost. The National Living Wage will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour - an extra £1,800 each year for lower paid workers. Pensioners will receive an 8.5% boost to their state pensions, taking their weekly income to over £200 for the first time, and Universal Credit and other benefits will also increase by 6.7% next year, an average increase of £470 for over 5 million of the most vulnerable households.
Backing Harlow Businesses
I would like to pay tribute to all of the small businesses in Harlow who work so hard to create jobs and opportunities for local people. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy and this Government is delivering a £20 billion package to support local businesses. This means that shops across Harlow will have a freeze in business rates and our local pubs will be able to secure additional rates relief.
Every year, to mark Small Business Saturday, I present my awards for the Best Business, Best New Business and Best Business with Apprentices in Harlow, as nominated by local people. I was really pleased to visit three businesses just before Christmas to present my awards. Congratulations to Louise from L Hibbard Photography, Shane from G9 Football Development and Franco and Maisy from Frank and Joe’s Men’s Hair Salon.
Local residents can keep in touch with my work by following me on Facebook or by going to www.roberthalfon.com.
Kindest wishes,
Robert
P.S. - The kindness of so many Harlow residents is extraordinary. I’m hugely appreciative of all the kind words of support and encouragement that I have received recently from so many constituents.
This was demonstrated to me more than ever on Christmas Eve when I lost my wallet in Old Harlow after visiting a local pub with friends. The next morning, I had an email from the Marquis of Granby pub to say that a gentleman had found my wallet in the street and had passed it to the landlord and I was able to retrieve it on Christmas Day. I asked who the gentleman was but he didn’t leave a name. If he is reading this, I would be very pleased if he would contact me directly so that I can thank him personally.
