As autumn settles in and Parliament returns to full pace, October has been a month filled with conversations, community spirit and a renewed focus on supporting South West Devon’s small businesses and local talent.
In Westminster, I had the rare opportunity of asking two questions at Prime Minister’s Questions, both centred on one of our area’s greatest strengths: its small and independent businesses. Following a disappointing response from the Prime Minister, I also launched my Small Business Survey to hear directly from local owners and entrepreneurs. The response was striking, with 97% of those who took part expressing concern about what the Autumn Budget might mean for them.
One of the businesses that responded to the survey was Therapy Hair and Beauty Boutique in Plympton, and it was a pleasure to visit during British Beauty Week to see their team in action. Their commitment to their customers despite added financial pressure is a great example of how local businesses bring both vitality and community spirit to our high streets.
That sense of community continued throughout the month, whether meeting residents at my surgeries in Plymstock or spending time speaking to sixth form students at Coombe Dean School. I was struck by the positivity and ambition of the young people there, a reminder that South West Devon’s future is in capable hands.
Visiting the National Gallery was especially exciting because I got to see the work of Plympton’s own Sir Charles Eastlake, a local boy who became the Gallery’s first director. Seeing some of his work in person made me proud to think that someone from our community helped influence such important national institutions.
And finally, the Conservative Party Conference offered a valuable chance to meet with colleagues, share ideas and look ahead to the future. The announcement that a future Conservative Government would abolish Stamp Duty was a particularly welcome commitment, one that I know would make a real difference for homebuyers and families across Plympton, Plymstock and beyond.
October has been a month of celebrating our area, standing up for small businesses, and listening to the people I serve. As the nights draw in and Parliament’s work continues, I remain focused on ensuring that the voices of South West Devon are heard clearly in the debates and decisions that shape our future.
As always, if you’d like to share your concerns with me over email, please do get in touch at rebecca.smith.mp@parliament.uk Read on to hear about my work for our area in more detail!
5Tracing Sir Charles Eastlake’s artistic legacy
What links the National Gallery, Parliament and Plympton?
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of welcoming four constituents from the Plympton St Maurice Civic Association to London so we could explore the work of a local artist together. Nigel, Susan, Linda and Emma joined me as we met with Suzanna Avery-Quash and her colleagues from the National Gallery.
The first Director of the National Gallery, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, was a local man called Sir Charles Eastlake (of Eastlake Street fame in Plymouth city centre). As well as travelling across the world with his wife Elizabeth, he took on a number of other roles. Included in this list is the Secretary of the Fine Arts Commission on art for Parliament.
So, we paid a visit to the National Gallery archive to explore some of the work he did in collating great pieces of art for the nation. We then walked down Whitehall to Parliament for a look around the House of Lords. It is home to some enormous frescos on the walls which Sir Charles played a key role in commissioning.
I am really keen we share stories like this, which highlight how many influential men and women came from Plymouth and South West Devon!
Plymouth and Plympton in particular, was a hive of activity in the 18th and 19th century art world – a little known story.
Thanks to the team from the National Gallery for welcoming us, and to Suzanna in particular for coming to Parliament with us too.
4Marking British Beauty Week
I recently visited Effi from Therapy Hair and Beauty Boutique in Plympton after she responded to my small business survey and invited me to see her business and share her thoughts ahead of the Autumn Budget.
It was perfect timing to mark British Beauty Week and to recognise the vital contribution that the beauty and personal care industry makes to our local economy and communities.
From salons and barbers to spas and wellness centres, this sector contributes £30.4 billion to the UK economy, supports 697,000 jobs, and generates £32.4 billion in consumer spending. This is a fantastic success story for Britain’s high streets and local communities.
A big thank you to Effi and the team at the Therapy Hair and Beauty Boutique for the warm welcome and for all they do to keep Plympton looking and feeling its best!
3Highlights from my recent constituency surgery
During this month I also held one of my regular surgeries, to meet with constituents about a wide range of issues.
This month was no exception with issues ranging from concerns about healthcare to making the case for a dedicated cycle path from Ivybridge to Plymouth.
It was especially great to meet with Elizabeth, Aéowyn, and Enfys from Sherford, who came to my Plymstock surgery to share their experiences walking to and from school and Rainbows. They spoke about the challenges posed by traffic in the area, highlighting the very real impact it has on families and children.
I am aware that traffic and road safety aren’t new issues, but it was valuable to hear directly from Elizabeth and her family about their experiences, and to learn more about the steps they have been taking to raise awareness. I will continue to raise this issue with the Sherford Consortium, as I know how crucial road safety is for the community and the peace of mind of parents and residents alike.
2Launching my small business survey at Prime Minister’s Question Time
Each week, MPs enter a ballot for the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister a question, and only a limited number are chosen.
I was delighted that this month my name was drawn twice in a row! In my first question, I asked the Prime Minister to offer a message of hope to the thousands of hardworking small business owners across South West Devon.
Sadly, his response gave little reassurance to those already struggling to stay afloat and with the Budget just around the corner, the small businesses of South West Devon deserve real support, not vague answers.
That’s why I launched my Small Business Survey to give over 3,000 local business owners across South West Devon, the chance to share their experiences of the past 15 months and their concerns ahead of the Budget on November 26. If you run a business in South West Devon, please take a few minutes to share your experiences here: www.rebecca-smith.org.uk/news/rebecca-launches-survey-hear-small-businesses.
A second PMQ demanding support for our small businesses
Remarkably, I was able to ask a second question at Prime Minister’s Questions the following week – something that doesn’t happen often! Following his disappointing response the week before, I once again had the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister to back small businesses by matching Conservative plans to scrap business rates for our high streets and rural businesses. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister refused to do so.
Instead of offering real action, he offered the same tired soundbites about Labour’s ‘Small Business Strategy’. With 17,000 high street businesses expected to close this year, Labour’s strategy clearly isn’t working. Our high streets are fighting for survival, but this Labour Government is turning its back on them. I will continue to back our small businesses and call on the Government to do what is right and provide them with the support they need.
1Talking politics, public service and future opportunities with students at Coombe Dean
I was delighted to visit Coombe Dean School this month and speak to Year 12 and 13 students in an assembly about my journey into politics,
I was able to share the experiences and challenges that shaped my career, the opportunities available for young people to get involved and why I believe public service is such an important way to make a difference in our communities. It was great to see students embodying the spirit of Coombe Dean’s ‘Interesting and Interested’ approach to learning.
After the assembly, I then had a good conversation with headteacher Mrs Granville about multiple issues from school admissions to how Coombe Dean’s guiding principles of Community, Integrity and Opportunity are shaping student’s lives.
A huge thank you to Mrs Granville, Mr Jacks and Rashida, the school’s Youth Parliament representative, for such a warm welcome and for helping make the visit so engaging, and to everyone at Coombe Dean for their enthusiasm, a real credit to the values that define the school.
During my visit to Coombe Dean School, I also had the chance to speak with Lila, a sixth-form student who raised an important concern about the long waiting times for young people seeking mental health support across Devon.
Her question reflects the experiences of many families, with delays leaving children and teenagers without the help they urgently need.
I was pleased to raise this issue in Parliament, asking what steps the Government is taking to reduce these waiting times, particularly in South West Devon.
I will continue to press the Government to ensure that children and young people in Devon can access the mental health support they need, when they need it.
