New Forest East Labour Party

16/10/2026

THE NEW FOREST PARKING PARADOX!

There’s something rather amusing going on with parking in the New Forest…

NFDC: “We’re increasing parking charges in our car parks, but don't worry our annual district-wide long-stay parking clock will only increase from £240 to £247..”

Forestry England: “We’re charging for parking in our car parks, but don’t worry, you can buy an annual membership for £96.”

NFDC: “Could Forestry England give local residents a discount?”

Hang on a minute…

So NFDC wants Forestry England to offer local people a discount for parking in Forestry England’s car parks, while NFDC itself is increasing charges in NFDC’s car parks.

It does rather raise the question:

Who is looking after the people who live and work here?

Because parking charges don't exist in isolation.

They can affect local businesses, particularly in our market towns and villages.

They can affect local workers who need to park to get to work.

They can make it less attractive to shop and spend locally.

And while we're busy arguing over who should get a discount on parking, let's not forget why the money is needed in the first place.

The New Forest faces increasing pressures from climate change, flooding, wildfire risk and biodiversity loss. Forestry England says its parking income helps fund tree planting, wildlife conservation, heathland and river restoration, ranger patrols and maintaining facilities.

So perhaps instead of simply asking someone else to reduce their income, we should be asking:

How do we make sure parking policy supports BOTH our local economy AND the investment needed to protect the Forest?

Because we need:

Flood resilience
Wildfire prevention and recovery
Nature restoration and biodiversity
Thriving towns and villages
Local businesses and workers who can actually afford to park

The New Forest is a special place — but protecting it costs money.

Perhaps the real challenge is finding a parking policy that recognises that residents, businesses, workers AND the Forest all matter.

Now there's a radical thought!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr86zj8dzl36o

Village, town and coastal car park charges will increase from the new year, raising almost £190,000.

16/10/2026

New walk-in mental health centres – bringing specialist care closer to the New Forest

Mental health support should be available when people need it — and that means making sure people can access specialist secondary mental health care, not simply relying on their GP or waiting until they reach crisis point.

The Government is investing £343 million to establish up to 159 new NHS mental health centres across England, including community mental health centres offering easier access to specialist support.

For people in the New Forest, this could be a significant step forward.

Stronger secondary care – providing access to specialist mental health professionals for people whose needs are too complex for primary care alone.

Easier access – walk-in services can provide an alternative route into specialist assessment and treatment, without people having to navigate a complicated referral process.

Earlier intervention – helping people receive appropriate specialist support before their mental health deteriorates to the point where hospital admission or A&E becomes necessary.

Better joined-up care – connecting secondary mental health services with GPs, community services, social care, housing and voluntary organisations.

Better for rural communities – New Forest residents can face additional challenges accessing specialist services because of distance, transport and dispersed communities.

This is about moving mental health care closer to people, while strengthening the specialist services available when people need more than primary care can provide.

For the New Forest, we need to make sure this investment delivers accessible secondary mental health provision across our communities — not just in the major centres.

Mental health is health. Specialist care should be available before someone reaches crisis point.

01/10/2026

30/09/2026

🏡 A first home should be within reach for young people in the New Forest.

Andy Burnham has announced a new “Your First Home” scheme to help first-time buyers who are struggling to save a large enough deposit – particularly those who don’t have the support of the “bank of mum and dad”.

Under the proposal, eligible first-time buyers could purchase a new-build home with a 2.5% deposit, supported by a government equity loan of up to 20% of the property’s value. The scheme is expected to open for pre-registration by the end of 2026, with further details including income and property-price limits coming in the Budget.

Why could this matter in the New Forest?

🏠 For young people who grew up here, it could make staying in the communities where they were raised more achievable.

💷 A smaller deposit could help people who can afford monthly mortgage payments but are struggling to build up the large upfront deposit required.

👩‍⚕️👨‍🏫 It could also help local workers – including those in health, education, care and other essential services – who want to put down roots in the area.

🏗️ And because the scheme is focused on new-build homes, it is intended to support housebuilding as well as helping people buy.

Of course, the details will matter, particularly the income and house-price limits and how the scheme operates in higher-cost areas such as the New Forest. Those details are due to be set out in the forthcoming Budget.

But the principle is important: if you work hard, you should have a realistic chance of having a home of your own – without needing parents who can hand you a huge deposit.

The New Forest needs housing that local people can actually afford, alongside the protection of the character and environment that make the area special.

🏡 A home for local people. A future for our young people. A stronger New Forest community.

30/09/2026

30/09/2026

A new National Care Service. Greater public control of water, energy, and housing. A National Commission on Electoral Reform. Strengthening our relationship with Europe. Reforming the education and welfare system.

Today I set out a different path for Britain.

You may disagree with some or all of what I have said today. But I have given you what you often say is missing from politics.

Honesty, ideas and a clear direction for the country we all love.

If you agree with enough of what I have said, get behind this plan. And get behind each other.

It's time to draw a line.

To move beyond a decade of drift and division.

To bring a spirit of unity and positivity back to our country.

To unlock the working-class aspiration that is still there in every postcode.

To hope again.

30/09/2026

28/08/2026

📢 JUST ANNOUNCED: From April, disabled people in Southampton will be able to use their free bus passes at any time of day.

Right now, if you wanted to travel before 9:30am you would have to pay. This is simply not fair and I’m pleased we are acting to right this wrong. It’s about helping people access healthcare, get to work, and easing the cost of living.

This is on top of free bus travel for kids aged 5-15 this August, the extension to the 16-17 railcard, and the £2 bus cap.

Lots done, lots more to do!

07/05/2026

☀️ *Good morning!*☀️ Polls are officially open.

Back action to ease the cost of living. Back our NHS. Back a better future for your local community. Vote Labour. 🌹

- 📍*Got a plan to vote today?* 👉Find your nearest polling station here: https://iwillvote.org.uk/