Will Forster MP

Review into Sara's murder confirmed my fears I’ve had a busy couple of weeks in Parliament, speaking on a wide range of issues – the biggest being the release of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the brutal murder of Woking constituent...

In my latest column for the #Woking News and Mail, I’ve talked about my work to improve child safeguarding after the release of the report into Sara Sharif’s murder and my thoughts on last week’s Budget. Read the full story ⬇️
www.wokingnewsandmail.co.uk/opinion/revi...

Members of Parliament will be voting on the Budget and Pension Scheme Bill this week. I'm especially looking forward to visiting Horsell Scouts, #Woking's Ukrainian School, and Horsell's Christmas Market later this week - a wonderful way to get into the festive spirit!

Good to visit the A3/M25 junction construction site to check up on progress on these vital roadworks. @nationalhighways.bsky.social and @balfourbeatty.bsky.social say the work on the A3 should done by Christmas, with all work around the junction done by Easter.

Patiently waiting for the squirrel to climb back down the tree to be eaten or at least chased!

There are rumours the Government wants to curb trial by jury - an appalling way to try to fix the broken justice system they inherited from the Tories.

I've challenged Ministers to improve our prison system and pressed for urgent action to protect public safety and prison staff.

IMAGE: A BLACK HOLE. TEXT: Labour's Budget A £90BN BREXIT BLACK HOLE

This Government has chosen to reject the single biggest thing it could do to turbocharge economic growth and repair the £90 billion Brexit black hole.

For millions of people struggling with higher bills this was a botched budget.

Photo of Ed Davey overlaid with a quote 'You can't tax your way to growth."

This is botched Budget, from a government that is hiking taxes on ordinary families instead of going for growth by fixing our trade with Europe.

Instead of fixing the £90bn Brexit black hole - the government is hitting you with record high stealth taxes.

Ed said it best: We want to grow the economy, not tax the economy.

The Chancellor is giving secondary schools £5 million in the #Budget for new libraries - shame it works out at just £1,200 for each school!

The leaked Office of Budget Responsibility report into the #Budget says asylum accommodation will now cost £15.3 billion over the next 10 years - more than 3 times what was previously thought! The Government needs to listen to the @libdems.org.uk, tackle the asylum backlog to bring this bill down.

I've got a busy week ahead - watching to see what the Budget means for #Woking, visiting 4 schools as part of #ParliamentWeek, as well as speaking in parliamentary debates on safe and legal routes for refugees, taxes on glass bottles and protecting children from domestic abuse.

WATCH: Liberal Democrats urge VAT cut to help Woking businesses Ahead of this week’s Autumn Budget, Liberal Democrat leaders have demanded that the Chancellor slash VAT for hospitality firms, saying Woking and Surrey’s small businesses need urgent help.

Many businesses and hospitality venues in #Woking are facing higher business rates bills and a punishing Employers’ National Insurance hike imposed by the Government. I want to see our businesses thrive, and that can happen if the Chancellor listens to us.
www.wokingnewsandmail.co.uk/news/politic...

I’ve visited Cellar Magnifique in #Woking as part of the @libdems.org.uk’ campaign for an emergency 5% VAT cut for pubs, restaurants and other hospitality and entertainment businesses in this week’s Budget.

Rail fares to be frozen in England next year Regulated fares, which include season tickets and off-peak returns, will not see annual price rises for the first time in 30 years, the government announces.

The first parliamentary debate I held was on the cost of rail fares. The cost of a season ticket from #Woking to London has soared by £773 since 2019, now standing at an eye-watering £4,516. I’m pleased the Government have listened and are freezing fares.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I sat on the Bill Committee for the Border Bill. I spent hours proposing amendments that would've saved taxpayers money and created safer routes for refugees - all ignored. Even Labour knows this Bill isn’t good enough, as the Home Secretary’s new measures show.

The prohibitive cost of transitioning to renewable energy is stopping people from installing it in their homes. I raised a #Woking resident's case in Parliament this week - and asked what the Government is doing to bring these costs down.

Improving the lives of Woking constituency residents was why I stood for Parliament - so I’m delighted to receive such positive feedback in the latest MyKnaphill magazine!

If anyone has any issues, please don't hesitate to get in touch will.forster.mp@parliament.uk.

Fast-track deportations to be announced as part of asylum reforms Plans to end multiple appeals against removal and speed up deportations are expected to be unveiled.

The Government urgently needs to stop the dangerous crossings and fix the asylum system - they mustn’t get distracted chasing Nigel Farage and the Tories. They should focus on processing claims quickly, getting them right first time.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Following the publication of the report into Sara Sharif’s murder, I’ve done more interviews than I could imagine - calling for recommendations to be urgently implemented, #Surrey County Council’s Children’s Services to be put into special measures and those responsible to come before MPs.

Please read my statement on the outcome of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the appalling murder of Sara Sharif. No child should ever have to die like this.

The Prime Minister talks the talk on supporting an independent BBC, but he refuses to walk the walk.

Robbie Gibbs must go.

Donald Trump is coming for the BBC and for your wallets.

I urged the Prime Minister to stand up for the 23.8 million licence fee paying households, and tell Trump he won't get a penny.

Victoria Collins MP on a Lib Dem background - superimposed with the words 'congratulations Victoria Collins - Vice President of the Liberal Democrats'

Congratulations to @Victoria-Collins.bsky.social - newly elected Vice President of the Liberal Democrats.

Photo of Josh Babarinde on a background of the Liberal Democrats logo. Superimposed with the text - congratulations Josh Babarinde - President of the Liberal Democrats

Congratulations to @JoshBabarinde.bsky.social - newly elected President of the Liberal Democrats.

IMAGE: A poppy flower TEXT: We will remember them

At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.

I was delighted to meet with representatives from @camraofficial.bsky.social to talk about what pubgoers and beer drinkers want ahead of the Budget and discuss the challenges the trade is facing, including business rates, VAT, Employer National Insurance contributions and beer taxes.

LANDO NORRIS WINS THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX!

| #F1 #McLaren

A bright red poppy in the centre of a dark background. White text above the flower reads: "We will remember them."

This Remembrance Sunday, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We must never forget them — nor can we forget the veterans and serving personnel who continue to protect our freedom.

I’ve placed crosses on behalf of #Woking at Parliament’s Garden of Remembrance to place a tribute to those who have been lost in the service of our country.

Great to help open #Woking’s annual business event, Woking Means Business, this morning. Pleased to support our amazing local businesses including Porky Whites - it’s great to see so many businesses positive about the future.