How Labour’s plans could make life easier for families in York

Local businesses have made our high streets flourish, in the city centre, Acomb and Bishy Road, but there is more to be done, says Rachael Maskell, MP. Image: Dylan Connell (Image: Dylan Connell)

It is a new era, a new beginning, a new direction that Labour is taking, hearing your issues and how to address them.

So much announced already. Support for families this summer to give VAT cuts on tickets to attractions, shows and the cinema and meals for the children if eating out, and best of all, free bus travel for under 15 year olds throughout August. There is lots to do in York too.

Since Andy Burnham came to power, just three weeks ago, he has started fixing the broken system, putting things right.

How Labour’s plans could make life easier for York families - Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, says support for families, betters services and stronger communities creates real reason for optimism for York.

(Image: Submitted)

I worked with him over a decade ago on adult social care, and now he is determined to fix it. I want all those with experience of the system to help shape this policy.

Generations have been failed, by profit-making businesses exploiting people at their most vulnerable; profiting from those in great need and at great cost. It is time to deliver a new National Care Service for a new age. For those that work in the sector, your skills need recognising.

For those that support family at home, you shouldn’t have to get to a crisis point before you get the help you need, but a helping hand in a timely way. As for residential and domiciliary care, the new service must be available, affordable and provide the highest quality of life for all who need support. The Prime Minister is on a mission, and we must shape this in York.

Here, we already have the ambition to end homelessness, now Labour’s national plan too. Having shelter must be the marker of any decent society and is why the plan to deliver on council housing matters so much. Generations of politicians have ducked this, but the new Prime Minister is already at work on how to deliver.

Cutting the bus fare to £2 a journey will save people money every day. The more we use buses over cars, the more quickly we can build a better-connected city. I know our Mayor, David Skaith is doing a good job on this, so do check out the bus timetables and routes and use it if you can.

The new education system will embed technical skills, so we prepare young people for life, and draw on their talents and interests. For some, the academic path is the best route, while others are creative or good with their hands, their skills will be recognised too. An education every young person can gain from.

And for businesses, we have started cutting some business costs. It is early days, but as we build a comprehensive approach to our high streets, I want York businesses to have a real say. Local businesses have, through sheer hard work, made our high streets flourish, in the city centre, Acomb and Bishy Road, but there is more to be done. Just this week it has been announced that the plethora of vape shops and adult gaming venues will end, turning high streets back to communities.

These are indications of what is to come. From working with communities in York this summer, we are already having the conversations as to how we restore pride on our streets, in our community and have the shops, services and the community we want.

‘Hope in every heart’ cannot be a slogan, but must be a reality. We recognise, in our city, many communities have been left behind, have not had the respect they should have. We need a ‘can do’ approach to make things happen. It is why politics needs flipping on its head, putting people and places in charge, and ensuring that politicians are the ones who serve the communities they represent. I believe this is how it was always meant to be.

It is why I have made the decisions I have in Westminster, ensuring local voices are heard, local causes are represented and the decisions made make life easier for people not harder. Communities must have a real say in what is happening.

As we move forward, I want people to know the power they have to bring about change, hold institutions to account and make a real difference.

It is a new era, one where everyone must have a place, a voice and see their future.

My job is to ensure you are heard.

What do you think?

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