Exeter is struggling with a significant pothole problem, but help is on the way with new funding for road repairs and maintenance.
The good news? The government is stepping up. They’re putting an extra £1.6 billion into road maintenance next year. Devon County Council will get an additional £22.5 million, bringing their total to £85 million. I’m hoping they’ll make sure Exeter gets its fair share of that funding.
On another note, I’ve been working on a bill to phase out animal testing in medical research. It’s gaining some traction, and I’m excited about it. There’s a lot of support for this, with 70% of people wanting to see an end to animal testing. I’m meeting with the Life Sciences Minister soon to discuss it further.
Child poverty is another big issue we’re tackling. It’s heartbreaking to see so many kids struggling in our city. I recently held a meeting with local organizations to discuss this. We need to address the root causes, like housing and job opportunities. I’ll be submitting our findings to the government’s Child Poverty Taskforce.
Lastly, I had the pleasure of welcoming students from West Exe School to Parliament. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm and hard work. They’re the future, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.
