Citizens Advice

I’ve enjoyed using the summer break away from Parliament to meet lots of local groups and individuals. Some of these meetings involve very personal issues or difficulties which people are facing and my advice surgery appointments are kept busy.
Cat Smith MPCat Smith MP
Cat Smith MP

I was delighted to visit Lancaster Cricket and Sports Club on Lune Road to discover they offer so much more than just cricket. It’s also the home of Lancaster Tennis Club and I hope to be back there to see their revamped courts in the spring. And if you play bowls there are many teams of ages and abilities to join. There is also football for youngsters throughout the winter months. We are so lucky to have such a resource in our community but they do rely on us using the facilities, including the club house which has a licensed bar, and joining the teams.

I’ve also visited Citizens Advice on King Street, Lancaster, where you can find support and advice on many issues including on welfare, debt, housing and rights at work. Support services like Citizens Advice are an important part of our community as people are increasingly struggling financially. I’m aware of many of these issues through my advice surgeries but Citizens Advice has been supporting people for many years but always needs volunteers to help them deliver this service. The bureau recruits and trains volunteer receptionist/information assistants, gateway interviewers, advisers, administrators, social policy workers and trustees. See .

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We have been into a third week where 300,000 homes in Lancashire can’t drink tap water, brush their teeth or prepare food without boiling it due to the cryptosporidium contamination. It’s been the biggest issue in my in-box. I secured a meeting with the Chief Executive at United Utilities where I was demanding to know why it’s taken so long, what assurances we can get that it won’t happen again, when we could expect a resolution and what compensation for local residents and businesses we can expect.