Faversham And Swale East Labour Party

09/09/2026

Really pleased that the proposed closure of Swale Borough Council’s office at the Alexander Centre in Faversham was challenged by councillors at tonight’s Policy & Resources Committee.

The decision has now been deferred so that a more robust process can be followed.

We are particularly grateful to Labour Councillor Ashley Wise for leading the challenge and proposing that the decision be deferred.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the office will be saved, but it does mean there is now an opportunity to properly understand the impact of closure on Faversham residents, consider the concerns raised and fully explore alternative ways of maintaining access to council services in the town.

This is good news for Faversham residents, and a big thank you to our Labour colleagues on Swale Borough Council for pushing for proper scrutiny before such an important decision is made.

06/09/2026

BIG thank you to everyone who played a part in making this happen....including the Hop Festival Committee, bands and street performers, bar staff, volunteers with programmes and collection buckets, stall holders and local businesses, street cleaners, sponsors, police, marshals, medics and everyone who came along....

Another successful festival!

04/09/2026

✨ 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸

👕 Fairer School Uniform Costs
Families are protected from rip-off suppliers and loopholes. New rules cap branded items at three for primary pupils, four for secondary. No more "optional" costly extras or pressure to buy expensive sports kit. Schools must use suppliers offering payment plans and review contracts regularly — so families aren’t stuck with one overpriced provider.

💧 Building Water Resilience
The Environment Secretary visited Havant Thicket reservoir to advance long-term water security. For too long the water industry has failed consumers and left us exposed to changing weather. We’re fixing the system now — not waiting for the next drought — so families don’t foot the bill for decades of underinvestment.

💰 £4 million Back to Underpaid Workers
Hundreds of employers have been named for failing to pay the minimum wage. Around £4 million has been repaid to over 27,000 workers, with penalties issued to those responsible. We’re making sure working people receive the legal pay they are owed.

🍽️ £10 million for Local Hospitality
A new £10 million, three-year grant scheme is now open. It will support village pubs, family restaurants and neighbourhood cafés — helping new ventures start up, bringing empty premises back into use, and funding training for future careers in hospitality.

🤝 Working with Europe for a Stronger Britain
The Prime Minister welcomed President Macron to Downing Street to tackle shared challenges: small boat crossings, European defence and economic growth. This summer has seen the lowest number of small boat arrivals since 2020. Closer cooperation will also back British businesses and drive growth across every region of the UK.

04/09/2026

It's Hop Festival weekend!

Parades through our streets, delicious food and drink, street entertainment, great bands playing on stages and in pubs, the market, a family fun area, camping on the school field.... plus loads more to see and do.

Please be considerate to all the lovely people working and volunteering this weekend - put your rubbish in the bin and donate a couple of quid when you see a collection bucket (it helps fund next year). But most of all, have an amazing time. 🎶 🍻 🪗

31/08/2026

Hop Festival road closures on 5 and 6 September

28/08/2026

✨ 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸

🏠 Affordable & Council Housing Boost
Andy Burnham announced the largest council housebuilding programme in decades, backed by the £39bn Social & Affordable Homes Programme. Nearly £10bn will go to councils & housing associations for genuinely affordable homes — mostly for social rent. A £25m programme also expands housing support for care leavers.

🎭 Creative Industries Backing
A new Creative Industries Trade & Investment Forum has launched, plus £10m in Innovate UK funding to help creative tech businesses grow and create jobs.

🛡️ Putting Victims First
£8.7m awarded to R**e Crisis England & Wales for 24/7 specialist support. New restriction zones from October give probation stronger powers to protect the public from dangerous offenders.

🌐 Counter-Terrorism Hub Launched
New international counter-extremism hub to strengthen cross-border collaboration. New diversion programme also targets online radicalisation with earlier intervention.

👷 Jobs Guarantee Opens Doors For Young People
Labour's Jobs Guarantee is already helping young people into work, with the first participants having recently started jobs created through the new programme aimed at tackling long-term youth unemployment. Backed by leading employers including Boots and OCS, the scheme will create more than 90,000 fully funded jobs by 2029 as part of Labour's £2.5 billion plan to expand opportunity.

27/08/2026

"This is what Labour government looks like: practical action, real investment and support for people when they need it most."

No one should be sleeping rough.

I’m pleased that Swale has been awarded £257,724 as part of the Government’s national drive to help bring people in from the streets and end rough sleeping.

This is what Labour government looks like: practical action, real investment and support for people when they need it most.

We’ve got more to do, but this funding will make a real difference in Swale, helping people off the streets, into safe accommodation and towards a more secure future.

That’s what we should be working towards: a country where homelessness is not accepted as inevitable, and where everyone has a safe place to call home.

This Christmas, we’re getting people in. And we won’t stop there.

27/08/2026

21/08/2026

✨ 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸

🏠 Ending Rough Sleeping by Christmas
PM Andy Burnham launched a national drive to get everyone off the streets this winter, backed by £442 million. New accommodation and support will be rolled out across England, offering housing, health and practical help to build stable futures.

🚛 Crackdown on Illegal Waste Sites
New measures target criminal gangs dumping waste: greater use of drones, more police and Environment Agency officers and higher fines. Funding will also clean up major sites, including Power Station Road on the Isle of Sheppey.

🏡 Fast-Track More New Homes
Planning rule changes will deliver thousands of homes near rail, tram and tube stations — making better use of underdeveloped land, cutting commutes, creating jobs and driving local growth.

🚌 All-Day Free Bus Travel for People living with disabilities
From April 2027, disabled bus pass holders travel free at any time of day — removing time restrictions to improve access to work, education and training, while easing living costs.

📚 Improved GCSE Outcomes
Results rose overall, with maths a standout success: more than 6,000 extra 16-year-olds achieved top grades (7+), the largest-ever improvement, strengthening essential foundational skills.

21/08/2026

Reform-led Kent County Council has chosen to put 40 hectares of ancient Oaken Wood at risk by including it in the draft Kent Mineral Sites Plan.

This irreplaceable woodland is home to protected wildlife, rare habitats and ancient soils. Once it is lost, it is lost forever.

By signing our petition you'll be helping us in our campaign to save Oaken Wood. Oaken Wood cannot speak for itself. With your support, we can.

Please add your name to show your support.

https://survey.labour.org.uk/saveoakenwood