MP Alicia Kearns on Rishi Sunak's visit to Rutland

As we reach the end of the parliamentary recess, I am saddened to leave home in Rutland to spend the working week in Westminster again, writes Conservative MP for Rutland Alicia Kearns.

It has been a joy to be in our county visiting local organisations and businesses, supporting residents and spending time at home over the summer.

The Conservative Party membership is in the process of deciding the next Conservative leader and prime minister.

I was delighted when Rishi Sunak asked to visit Rutland to meet local members and he shared with us his plans to bring inflation down – which is the key to financial security for all of us.

He also made clear how he would improve how the NHS delivers for us, whilst continuing the measures he took as chancellor to ensure our health service is funded responsibly whilst ensuring our country is defended from threats at home and abroad.

Rishi has set out a positive but realistic vision which would address the global crisis facing us now and lay down a solid foundation to build a brighter future.

I have given him my support for those reasons, but also because Rishi represents a rural area like ours and understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with rural living. He has listened to me on my calls for a gas-fertiliser index, and on fairer funding for rural areas like ours.

Since I last wrote I have also had the privilege of signing off on Rutland and Melton’s joint bid for the Levelling Up Fund!

Rutland County Council and Melton Borough Council have worked together on building a detailed proposal that would maximise opportunity in our communities.

If successful, the £23m investment would offer a boost to our local economy, build a world class healthcare hub, celebrate our heritage, and support public transport between our communities.

I am excited to champion this bid in Parliament and proud to have worked on it with so many devoted public servants.

I know that many of you will be worried about the months ahead as global forces drive up energy and food prices.

I spoke to the chancellor last Thursday about cost-of-living support, which I will summarise below, but I have also been reassured that a new prime minister will go further in the autumn.

Every household will receive £400 of support to pay their electricity bill, as well as the £150 council tax rebate for properties in bands A-D.

Those on means-tested benefits (including pension credit) will receive an extra payment of £650, half of which was paid in July, with the remainder coming in the autumn.

Anyone receiving disability benefits will receive another £150, with pensioner households getting the winter fuel payment plus an additional £300 starting in November.

You will receive as many of these schemes as you are eligible for, meaning that the eight million lowest income households will each get £1,200 in help.

I know that the cost-of-living needs addressing urgently, and I will do my utmost to ensure that whoever wins the leadership contest delivers these measures and more once in Downing Street.