By Rachael Maskell, York Central MP

ONE year on from the General Election, Labour is setting out its priorities for 2020.

As inequality across the country continues to grow – between rich and poor, north and south, Labour has looked closely at what matters most to residents and businesses.

The post-referendum shock is taking its toll, and as my questions in Westminster have shown, the Government had not undertaken proper analysis of the impact of leaving the EU before playing roulette with our nation’s future relationship with Europe. It has no plan to deal with the outcome of the vote.

Labour’s programme, which we are setting out over the summer is ambitious, but like the 1945 Government of Clement Attlee, we know that if there is a national crisis, you need a radical agenda to put things right.

The narrative the Government put out across the media is divorced from the reality that so many are experiencing.

I have spent the summer looking at the impact of Government policy in York Central and have met with agencies, businesses and residents across the city to determine what action is needed. Every day on the doorstep, at surgeries and at meetings,

I have met residents and business owners to hear their views about what is working and what isn’t. I have seen proof that businesses are struggling due to overhead costs, making York one of the most expensive places to trade. I have seen empty shops and businesses going under.

I am meeting with retailers across the city because I want to help.

Business rates are extortionate, property valuations are prohibitive and being able to trade is becoming more challenging.

Residents have been highlighting how the housing crisis in York is impacting on them, through my city-wide survey (available at www.rachaelmaskell.com).

Recently the social housing waiting list shot up by a staggering 7.5 per cent in just four months, although it has now dropped.

Almost everyone has something to say about the cost of housing and private rent levels. It is becoming impossible to save to buy a house or even rent a property in York.

Meanwhile the city’s transport and infrastructure challenges are getting worse, particularly with the latest round of changes to bus services.

Most worrying has been the sharp increase in crime in the city. In the last year crime has soared by 11 per cent and violent crime by 18 per cent.

I have been meeting agencies and charities to understand why crime and antisocial behaviour is becoming so prevalent. York is one of the lowest funded education authorities in the country and together with cuts to drug and alcohol services, this is taking its toll.

While clinicians are doing all they can to keep the NHS together, senior figures across the NHS agree with me that the Health and Social Care Act has had a detrimental impact on healthcare locally.

The system is seriously challenged and is now going through another re-organisation.

Mental health services remain a serious concern across the city.

Whilst the new Trust has started to address many of the issues, the length of time it takes for people to receive the support and treatment they need is unacceptable. The fight for the future of Bootham continues.

Your feedback over the summer echoes Labour’s findings nationally, which is why building the homes people need, recreating a public transport system, investing in re-building Britain’s industrial base and properly supporting the public services is crucial to get York and Britain working again.