Helen Morgan's column for Oswestry Life June edition

It’s been almost six months since I became an MP – and what a busy time it’s been.

While national headlines have been dominated by war and scandal, I’ve been busy addressing issues affecting us here in North Shropshire.

Ambulance delays, hospital pressures and GP backlogs are making life extremely difficult for people with health difficulties in rural places like Oswestry and it’s not good enough. I’ve already secured a debate in parliament on Shropshire’s ambulance delays and have a meeting next week with the Health Minister Edward Argar.

After meeting with local farmers, I also spoke in the House of Commons to ask for cuts to farming support to be paused until the sky-rocketing costs of fuel and fertiliser have come down.

Inflation and the cost of living mean it’s likely to be a tough year for many Oswestrians and I’m keen to continue calls me and my colleagues have made in Parliament for a reduction in VAT and a windfall tax on oil and gas firms. 

As war continues in Ukraine, it’s been humbling to see how many Salopians have offered to welcome refugees into their homes and my caseworkers have been busy helping people access the support they need.

They are based in the centre of Wem and I now also have a small office tucked away in a hidden corner of Parliament.

While some of my time is spent there lobbying the Government on behalf of North Shropshire, I’ve also been busy meeting as many of my great constituents as possible.

I recently visited Oswestry’s hillfort - where it was great to see such cultural heritage up close while learning about the campaign to protect it from development - and was grilled by students at the Marches a few days earlier.

I’ve got surgeries lined up across the constituency and anyone is welcome to make a booking to see me – the next one in Oswestry is on June 24.