Writing in this week's (November 29th) Bromsgrove Standard, Bradley said:
“It’s been a busy month since last writing for the Bromsgrove Standard.
I held my first ever Pensioners’ Fair which was a huge success. More than 40 exhibitors provided free information and support to hundreds of retirees who attended the Fair.
I was particularly keen to hold this event as the colder months set in after the Government cruelly removed Winter Fuel Payments from thousands of pensioners in Bromsgrove and the Villages. Age UK and the Department for Work and Pensions were on hand at the Fair to promote Pension Credit which, if eligible, would mean some pensioners can continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments.
Supporting constituents impacted by the Government’s axing of Winer Fuel Payments is not the only support I’ve provided to local residents.
As was widely reported, thousands of farmers protested in Westminster against the Government’s Family Farm Tax. I was there standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of our 250 farmers from Bromsgrove and the Villages, who will be impacted by this tax, to show the Government they have made not only a bad decision, but the wrong decision.
The Government’s decision to target farmers – despite promising not to do so – has the potential to wreck farmer’s lives and the whole industry.
Not only have they underestimated and undervalued the farms affected by this harsh and devastating new tax, but the knock-on effects for the whole country could be disastrous and undermines our ability to produce food.
I also held a roundtable this month with local businesses to discuss the impact of the Government’s anti-jobs Budget.
Local businesses have written to me stating how they are concerned about their future following the Budget and I have been busy making representations on their behalf to Government so that they are fully aware of how the Budget is hurting small local businesses.
Hospitality and retail businesses are being punished further too with an increase in business rates. By setting business rate relief at 40%, when it was 75% under the previous Government, our pubs, hospitality, and retail businesses will now see their business rate bills going up, with a typical pub paying an extra £6,000 per year just to operate.
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and for the last month local people have been voting for their favourite in my Small Business Awards. I’m looking forward to announcing the winners on 7th December as we celebrate Small Business Saturday.”
