Over the past few years, the Conservatives have achieved an enormous amount, both nationally and locally.
National
- The Conservatives are the party which 'got Brexit done'. Since then, the UK has already signed over 63 trade deals with other countries, worth a total of £885bn in trade. And we've applied to become part of CPTPP, the trans-Pacific group of 11 trading nations, worth over £111bn a year to British industry.
The past year has been dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Conservative government has:
- Spent over £280bn in providing economic support to all sectors of society, including -
- An additional £7.4bn into the welfare system to support those who need it most
- £170 million to help families with food and bills, through the Winter Grant Scheme
- £220m to support disadvantaged children with the Holiday Activities and Food programme
- 1.3m laptops, tablets, and 4G dongles to help young people learn from home and bridge the digital divide
- Increasing Healthy Start payments from £3.10 to £4.25 a week from April 2021
This is in addition to sector-specific support funds, for example the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund, the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme to help the hospitality industry... and much more.
No other country in the world has offered such a comprehensive package of support to all sectors - including furlough payments, self-employment payments, and benefits. And the government is committed to continue providing support for as long as it is needed. Chancellor Rishi Sunak will outline the next phase of the UK's Covid recovery plan in the Budget on 3rd March.
The UK has been leading the world through its development and deployment of the National Vaccine Strategy. Only two countries have administered more vaccines in total than the UK - China and the USA. Per head of population, the UK is behind only Israel and the United Arab Emirates. New vaccine sites continue to open every day, to ensure that every community is within ten miles of a vaccination centre. And the announcement of the new Novavax vaccine means that we now have access to a second UK-manufactured vaccine (along with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine), which will help protect the UK against disruption and interference by the EU.
Locally
Under the Conservatives, Norfolk County Council has gone from strength to strength:
- We're spending £60m on repairing and upgrading the county's roads, including the resurfacing of Stepping Stone Lane in Stalham. And a bid has now been submitted for a new roundabout at the A148/Holway Road junction in Sheringham.
- £1.5m is being spent on an Active Travel scheme, making it easier to walk and cycle around the county.
- We're working to reach carbon net zero by 2030, including LED bulbs in 15,000 street lights, planting 1.5m trees, and working with UK Power Networks to install more electric vehicle charging points.
- Norfolk's Library Service now offers a range of additional services for local communities, including support to start-ups and small businesses.
- Young people aged 16-24 are being helped into work through the government's Kickstart scheme.
- Norfolk's most gifted students are being encouraged to aim high, through a county partnership with the University of Cambridge.
- £12m has been spent to help families stay together, reducing the number of children in care by 10%.
- £635,000 is being spent on helping tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Norfolk.
- The Council's Together in Norfolk strategy is improving housing, infrastructure, jobs, and business growth.
- Working with the Norfolk Resilience Forum, Norfolk County Council has helped the county deal with Covid-19, including sourcing and supplying PPE, and keeping a helpline open to deal with a range of issues, including adult social care needs.
- The Stop Hate in Norfolk campaign is tackling hate crime and promoting equality.
- ...and we're winning awards. Norfolk County Council won Connected Britain's Digital Council of the Year award - we're saving you money by working more efficiently and making the most of technology. And our Special Needs & Disability Service has won a national award too.
Why should you vote Conservative?
Conservatives work hard to use your money wisely...
...look after you when you need help...
...and make Norfolk a safer and better place to live and work.
