I SAW on Facebook last week that the leader of the opposition paid a visit to Redditch, says town MP Rachel Maclean in her Letter From Westminster.

Whilst he is always welcome in our town, it’s a real shame he forgot to mention the key achievements of the Conservatives in Government and at our town hall.

When the Conservatives came into power in 2010, the number of people out of work in Redditch stood at 2,369.

In nine years we’ve seen the claimant count fall by 38 per cent – that’s almost 1,000 people back in work, earning a regular wage and providing for their family.

There’s more to do to get more people back in work, and I’m doing what I can to help this by holding a jobs fair later this year.

In the past nine years we’ve also seen wages in Redditch growing at a faster rate than the UK average.

Between 2010 and 2018, there has been a 35 per cent increase in median weekly pay for full-time employees in Redditch.

In 2010, full-time workers in Redditch were taking home £357.70 a week. Eight years later workers are now earning £483.50 a week.

This means full-time employees in Redditch are pocketing an extra £125.80 a week more than they were in 2010.

Wages in the UK are now growing at their fastest rate in a decade, and above inflation. There has been a 14 per cent increase in the UK median weekly pay for full-time employees between 2010 and 2018.

These figures from the Office for National Statistics show that wages in Redditch have grown at a more sustained and faster pace than the UK average.

And far from the claim of ‘constant cuts’ at the Alex hospital, we’re seeing more investment, services and wards opening.

Just last week we saw a brand-new 19 bed ward open at our town’s hospital.

This will improve patient flow and capacity, as well as the experience patients receive.

The Urgent Treatment Centre is operational and the new Maternity Hub is providing a first-class service for expectant mums at the Alex.

When people claim I haven’t fought for the Alex they couldn’t be further from the truth.

It’s my number one priority, the hospital is always on my mind and I continue to do what I can as your MP to support our town’s hospital.

The NHS has always been there for me and my family, as I know it has been for all my constituents.

As the MP for Redditch, it’s my job to get the best for our town and for the Alex.

I will fight for the Alex’s fair share of the £20.5billion for the NHS which will help secure the future of our hospital.

Be in no doubt, the Alex has a bright future with new services opening and investment going into it. I will ensure this continues.

There is a lot to be positive about here in Redditch.

I’ll keep banging the drum for our town in Parliament, speaking up for my constituents and ensuring a brighter future for everyone.