The Chancellor’s Spring Statement was a missed opportunity to deliver the change people in Eastleigh and across the UK have been crying out for after years of Conservative chaos and mismanagement.

Just before the statement, I raised a constituent’s concerns in Parliament about the Government’s proposed welfare changes, including to Personal Independence Payments, with the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability.

His response was predictably disappointing.

My inbox has been full of correspondence from people across Eastleigh worried about the impact of these cuts, and many of those who have written to me are carers for children and young adults with special needs, desperately concerned about what the future will hold.

I absolutely share their worry, and I’m at a loss to understand why the Government is intent on making it harder for people who need as much support as possible to get it.

My Lib Dem colleagues, and I will continue to fight the Government as hard as we can and hold ministers to account every step of the way, but I would urge any Echo readers with individual concerns to raise them with their local MP.

The more pressure put on the Government on this issue the more they’re likely to listen.

It was an absolute delight to join the girls at the Crescent Primary School for the FA’s Biggest Ever Football Session campaign to encourage more girls to play football.

It was also brilliant to attend Eastleigh FC’s match against Southend. Sadly, the Spitfires didn’t win but they made an absolutely valiant effort, and it was great to see the stands so full.

Recently I also wrote to the EFL asking them if they’ll support the Three Up Three Down campaign to add an additional promotion spot to the National League to support teams such as Eastleigh which are so incredibly important to the local community.

I also visited Crestwood Preschool recently where manager Clare and her team do an amazing job.

The early years sector, primary care and small businesses are not staffed by those with the broadest shoulders, and it’s vital for parents, children and the economy that this sector is given proper support.

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I welcome the news that 4,000 childcare places are set to be rolled out at new or expanded school-based nurseries in England from September, but early years and nursery settings should be exempt from the Government’s ill-advised NICs hike.

No child in Eastleigh or anywhere in the UK should be going hungry.

I’ve been calling for the two-child benefit cap to be scrapped and last month I held a Westminster debate on Free School Meals, highlighting the issues and concerns raised with me by some of our local headteachers, including resources for breakfast clubs.

I was grateful for the cross-party support for the debate.

As I write this I know many local businesses will be worried about the impact of Trump’s trade tariffs.

At this incredibly uncertain time I’m calling on everyone to shop local and buy British wherever you can, support our high streets, and back British businesses.

Ministers must rule out making concessions to Trump – including anything that would threaten our NHS, damage our farmers, or undermine online safety for our children.

The Government should be scrapping the jobs tax and overhauling the broken business rates system, and sending the US President a clear message that Britain will not be bullied.

Meanwhile, after months of searching my team have finally found a suitable office in central Eastleigh which we’ll be opening very soon.

I’ve been continuing to hold surgeries and street surgeries with residents, picking up a wide range of issues. Don’t forget you can sign up for my newsletter at lizjarvis.uk