By Rachel Reeves, Chancellor and Leeds West and Pudsey MP
A little over a year ago, people across Leeds West and Pudsey voted for change.
They put their faith in a changed Labour party back in the service of working people and they put their faith in me, as your local Member of Parliament, striving to make working people in Leeds West and Pudsey better off and deliver for our communities.
Since last July, the difference a Labour government in power is making here in west Leeds is plain to see.
From backing vital transport infrastructure like the Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass upgrade as well as West Yorkshire Mass Transit, to delivering on our promises for neighbourhood policing such as the establishment of the new dedicated police team in Armley as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Police Guarantee.
We’re also seeing waiting lists down and record cash investment in the NHS because this Labour government is determined to achieve better outcomes for patients and tackle the 8am scramble for appointments by funding the recruitment for more GPs.
Education was a driving force that got me into politics and I am so proud to be part of a government that believes all children growing up in our country deserve the best start in life.
Our manifesto last year committed to reforming our childcare and education systems to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain.
Government-funded childcare is rising to 30 hours in September for working parents; we’re turning the tide on teacher recruitment and retention with over 2,300 teachers already recruited and over 1,000 in training; we’re rolling out our free breakfast clubs such as the one at Christ Church Upper Armley which I had the pleasure of dropping into recently; and we are lifting over 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding free school meals eligibility.
Through our Plan for Change, Labour is building a system where every child can achieve and thrive.
Change has begun in Leeds West and Pudsey. I am just as impatient for change today as I was when you elected me to undo the 14 years of decline under the previous government. I knew then that this would be no small task.
As Chancellor, my action to bring back economic stability has seen interest rates cut four times making mortgages cheaper and protecting pensions.
The increase I announced to the minimum wage has boosted the pay packets of three million workers; delivering on our commitment to the triple lock is giving 12 million pensioners an increase of up to £470 per year; freezing fuel duty is saving the average driver £60 this year and capping bus fares is saving money for thousands of passengers.
Our expansion of the Warm Homes Discount will see £150 coming off energy bills for over 200,000 families in our region. We have banned bonuses for bosses at water companies, including Yorkshire Water, which is something I know my constituents have been angry about.
In Parliament, Labour is driving through powerful legislation like the Employment Rights Bill and Renters Reform Bill that are set to have a real, tangible impact on the lives of working people here in Leeds West and Pudsey to make work pay and renting fairer.
But I know the cost of living crisis is not over and there is more work to do, and I am determined to deliver on our promise to put more money in working people’s pockets.
As your local MP, my office has dealt with hundreds of cases since July. I have had countless conversations on the doorstep and paid visits to every corner of the  constituency over the past year.
Representing Leeds West and Pudsey in Parliament is a privilege and I am working tirelessly to make sure the people I represent here feel like they live in a country where their contribution is fairly rewarded.
A year ago, you put your trust in Labour, in me, and I am so proud to be serving you, securing our future through Labour’s Plan for Change, delivering security for working people here in Leeds West and Pudsey and investing in our national renewal.
This is a journey that will take time but the work of change is well under way.
Does anyone actually believe anything that this woman, and her party, say anymore!
Yes, why wouldn’t you?
No they don’t. All she has done is wreck the economy and lower living standards for most people!
So.
Wrecked the economy*…… examples please?
Lowered living standards…… again examples please?
It’s just too easy to trot out this sort of comment but come on. . . I await your response.
* This term was widely used about the universally accepted disaster of “Trussonomics”.
I’m sure one school meal will not lift any child out of poverty, although removing disability benefits would definitely plunge more children and disabled adults into dire poverty. I still can’t see an nhs dentist, so far I’ve had to see 3 emergency dentists who do nothing but pull teeth out. And nhs waiting times? I have to wait 6 months to just speak to a spinal surgeon and probably that again to get the operation I desperately need to stop me being in constant severe pain. From where I’m sitting absolutely nothing has changed!