I have thanked Norwich North key workers

I have thanked key workers from my constituency for the tough past year of public service. 

Earlier today I met with key workers to hear their experiences spanning organisations including Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Libraries, Barchester Care and Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust.

During the meeting I thanked the public servants for the sacrifices that they have made, saying:

“I recognise what an incredibly difficult year it's been, and what a year of public service, it has been, from all of you, and many thousands of others as well. I thank you for what you've done in the NHS and all of the workforce that you represent here today.”

My role as a Member of Parliament is to listen to your their and to be able to take those to Westminster and to be able to speak about what my constituents tell me, and what might be particular to north Norwich.

A teacher spoke about the need to recruit and retain great teachers, which I strongly agrees with, and note that this has historically been an issue for that profession and some others in Norfolk.
 
I committed to writing to the Chancellor to convey their requests for pay rises, adding that to other experiences that other constituents have described to me. I gave examples of other constituents arguing strongly against tax rises because their household couldn’t afford them after a year of difficulty, and young people concerned about getting a job at all.

My job as an MP is to listen to all of my constituents and from every perspective, this is more vital than ever as we begin to recover as a country and look ahead. The experiences that people have taken the time to share with me today are really important, and I know that everyone values nurses’, teachers’, social workers’, care workers’ and others’ work hugely, like I do, especially after this hard and strange year.

I think it is sensible to be honest, though, that we are looking at some very difficult times ahead in the economy. Everyone also knows that the public finances are now really tight because of what has had to be spent in the pandemic. I think also everyone understands that many people outside the public sector have lost their jobs or lost money, and so any decisions about pay rises have to be fair to all kinds of workers and taxpayers.

In thanking key workers today, and reflecting on the last year at the minute’s silence earlier this week, I know people will also want to use lots of ideas to recognise and commemorate all the contributions and sacrifices made during the pandemic, once it's over.

Supporting greater investment in our NHS, the best for Norwich children, and more good jobs for our area are all priorities for me, which you can read more about here: https://www.chloesmith.org.uk/myplan

I host regular virtual meetings with constituents. To arrange a meeting please email me chloe@chloesmith.org or call 01603 414756