Al Pinkerton MP's Newsletter - June 2025
June update from your Surrey Heath MP: Community spirit, summer sunshine, and big debates in Parliament
Business in Surrey Heath
In June, I had the opportunity to speak in Westminster Hall on the issue of business rates relief for high street businesses. Over recent months, I’ve been meeting with local business owners to better understand the challenges they face.
One message came through loud and clear: the current business rates system, especially recent changes to business rates relief, is creating significant anxiety and uncertainty. This comes on top of pressures from rising national insurance, increased wage costs, and broader inflation.
Business rates are paid in good faith, with the expectation that they’ll fund cleaner streets, improved infrastructure, and stronger local economies. Sadly, the reality is very different. In 2025–26, businesses in Surrey Heath will pay over £30 million in business rates but less than £1 million, just 2.5 percent, will be retained locally due to central government tariffs.
This leaves our high streets without the investment they so urgently need.
I raised these concerns during a Westminster Hall debate, as well as at the business breakfast I hosted in Camberley back in April. As a next step, I’m setting up a Business Advisory Panel so local business owners can meet regularly with me and my team to provide input on legislation and share their views.
If you’re interested in joining the panel, please email me at: al.pinkerton.mp@parliament.uk
Public Transport Infrastructure
This month, I met with Network Rail, South Western Railway, and the Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill to discuss long-overlooked transport upgrades in Surrey Heath.
I am working to ensure Surrey Heath is included in the Wessex Strategic Study. This would assess how far residents need to travel to reach a train station and explore whether rail lines can be improved or new stations introduced to meet local demand.
With the Minister, I pushed for more direct and frequent peak-time services from Camberley to Waterloo. Reducing journey times to under an hour would help cut car use and ease congestion on our arterial roads, as residents currently travel to nearby stations such as Farnborough, Sunningdale, Brookwood, and Woking.
I also delivered a speech to raise these issues in the House of Commons with ministers in the Department for Transport, to campaign for urgent investment in Surrey Heath’s transport infrastructure to reduce congestion and improve daily life for residents.
Harry's Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust
June also brought some important meetings with local charities and organisations making a real difference in and around Surrey Heath. One particularly meaningful conversation was with the team from Harry’s Hat, a charity I was first introduced to late last year.
Harry’s Hat supports children and families living with paediatric hydrocephalus, a serious condition caused by excess fluid build-up around the brain. If left untreated, it can affect development or even cause permanent brain damage.
One simple action — measuring a baby’s head more regularly — can be truly life-changing.
It’s astonishing that the UK still lags so far behind many of our European neighbours in this area. Their nationwide Get-A-Head campaign is calling on the government to review current infant head measurement guidelines. At present, the UK offers only two routine head circumference checks, usually ending at 6 to 8 weeks. In contrast, countries like Finland and Norway offer up to 11.
This matters, especially when the average age of diagnosis is around 4.5 months, well after UK checks stop.
To help raise awareness locally, I’ve written to all GP surgeries in Surrey Heath with an information pack provided by Harry’s Hat. My goal is to ensure more families and health professionals recognise the signs of hydrocephalus and understand the importance of early detection.
Parliamentary Events
I had the pleasure of attending the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Westminster Hall, joined by several church leaders from Surrey Heath. The annual event brings together over 700 MPs, peers, and faith leaders to reflect, pray, and strengthen the relationship between Parliament and UK faith communities.
This year’s theme — "God in the Public Square?" — featured a thought-provoking address by Professor John Lennox, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University.
Another highlight was welcoming the three exceptional young women who won my UK Parliament Week competition. They spent the day in Westminster with a behind-the-scenes tour of Parliament, followed by a very warm lunch on the Terrace and a live debate in the House of Commons.
It was inspiring to spend time with young people who are genuinely passionate about politics and public service — our future leaders in action.
Community Spotlight: Surrey Heath Visits
This month I had the pleasure of several fantastic visits across the constituency. Highlights included Coxhill Manor Care Home, Monkey Puzzle Nursery, local schools, and the Normandy Litter Pick — a great example of community spirit in action.
I also visited Guildford Cathedral to attend the official Surrey Armed Forces Day service, which was an uplifting and memorable experience.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to announce my first-ever Summer Constituency Tour, taking place from 28 July to 2 August. I’ll be visiting every ward in Surrey Heath, starting in Normandy and finishing in Camberley Town Centre.
If you see me out and about, please do stop and say hello — I’d love to hear from you.
More information will be posted on my Facebook Page.
What’s Happening in Surrey Heath?
🚲 July/August Constituency Cycle
- Follow along on social media for updates as I visit communities across the constituency
📝 Surveys and Petitions
- 🏥 NHS Survey: Link
- 🚌 Secondary School Transport Survey: Link
- 🚗 Driving Test Survey: Link
- 💼 Business Survey : Link
- 📣 Railway Petition: Link
💛 Charity Promotion:
- Frimhurst Enterprises: Link
🍽️ Community Event: Host Your Roast – Bagshot Gardens Care Home
- 🕛 Last Sunday of each month from 12pm
- 📍14–16 London Road, Bagshot, Surrey, GU19 5HN
- A relaxed community meal with residents, friends, and local guests
Want to contact me?
If there’s an issue affecting you, or you’d like to share feedback on anything in this newsletter, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
I’m here to represent you, and this monthly update is just one way I hope to keep you informed and engaged.