Parliament is currently in recess for the party conference season.

One of my last acts in Westminster was to vote against scrapping the winter fuel payment for 10 million pensioners, including around 35,000 pensioners on the Island.

Some of those who will lose their winter fuel payment are on an income as low as £13,000.

No assessment or provision has been made for people living with a long term frailty like dementia, notwithstanding they will spend more time at home this winter than working age people.

While the Government cancelled winter fuel payments for most people it has given train drivers on an average salary of £60,000 - a £9,000 pay rise. 

This week is Labour Party Conference. The Transport Secretary Louise Haigh made her keynote speech about better integrated UK transport and her plans to bring trains and bus services under public control.

She also referred to driving, flying, walking and cycling but not a single mention of ferries.

Plainly, there can be no “integrated UK transport plan” that does not include a plan for ferries.

In the next 12 months the Isle of Wight is at risk of becoming the only community in the UK completely dependent on privatised, debt laden companies for essential transport. 

Parliamentary recess has allowed me to hold more meetings locally.

I have now had three meetings relating to dentistry and a further meeting relating to pharmacies.

While the Government decides what reforms it wants to make nationally, we must make better use of funds we already have locally.

We only spend 50 per cent of funds available for NHS dentist appointments on the Island yet people in need cannot get NHS dentist appointments.

This is not acceptable and I have now taken my conversations off-Island to the next tier of NHS commissioning.

I have met with the Isle of Wight Youth Trust and heard directly from the team on the ground about all the amazing work they do (and the challenges they face) including helping young people find work.

I had the pleasure of meeting the Deputy High Commissioner for India on his visit to the Island, together with local residents of Indian origin.

Most recently, I met with businesses in Shanklin Old Village to better understand the effects of the closure of Leeson Road and the cost of car parking.

Ventnor has been held back by road closures, but the Leeson Road closure has also affected Shanklin because of the lack of through traffic and confusing diversion signs.

I have received a lot of correspondence on the proposal to close some of our primary schools.

I will be raising those concerns direct with the cabinet member and director for children’s services at the council but I am also encouraging people to respond to the council’s formal consultation which is open until November 1 by emailing strategic.planning@iow.gov.uk.

That is the best way to raise concerns.