Nigel Huddleston, the Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate for Mid Worcestershire is focussed on getting Brexit done.

At a campaign launch Mr Huddleston said: “It’s time we got Brexit done so we can refocus our efforts on the things the public are crying out for politicians to focus on like more police on our streets, more money for our NHS and levelling up school funding here in Mid Worcestershire.”

Q) The Trussell Trust says the minimum five week wait for Universal Credit – either without income or with a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Advance Payment – has led to acute financial hardship, and damaged households’ longer-term financial resilience. This includes destitution, housing insecurity and debt. Last year staff from Evesham’s food bank told me they were the busiest they have ever been. How will the Conservatives support people in Mid Worcestershire who have been affected in these ways?

"The best thing any government can do to help people out of poverty is help them get and keep a job. The Conservatives have helped more than 1,000 people on average into work every day. Universal Credit helps by simplifying the benefits systems and ensuring work pays. And this government also helps by cutting the tax burden of the lowest paid (the tax free allowance has gone up from a measly £6,475 under Labour to £12,500 today) and by increasing their pay through increases in minimum and living wage."

"Anyone who needs an advance to their Universal Credit due to difficult circumstances can apply for one and the Job Centre Plus staff do a good job at helping people through the benefits application process and with personal one on one help. With millions more people in work, fewer people on benefits and more people paying tax we are then able to divert money to those unable to work and most in need. We must continually review Universal Credit to make sure it works as intended and make appropriate changes."

Q) The Brexit deal: What positive outcomes will the deal have for Mid Worcestershire?

"First and foremost getting the Withdrawal Agreement passed and delivering Brexit will help reinstate local residents' faith in democracy and confidence that some MPs do listen to the instructions of their constituents. Thereafter, when we leave the EU we will cease paying more than £8 billion a year in net contributions and can reinvest that into public services like health and education and Worcestershire will get its fair share.

"We will set up a new British Agricultural Policy to replace the EUs Common Agricultural policy with priorities set for British farmers and our countryside. By leaving the EU we will no longer be tied to EU rules and can introduce an Australian style points system and control our trade policy. New free trade deals will get rid of tariffs and reduce the cost of food and other goods and enable Worcestershire businesses to export more to growing markets beyond the EU.

"We will raise standards in areas like workers rights, animal welfare and the environment."

Q). What does your manifesto offer Mid Worcestershire constituents that the other parties’ does not.

"Deliver Brexit, a credible and sustainable economic plan that will not bankrupt the country, more money in your pocket: a cut in National Insurance contributions and a promise not to raise Income Tax and VAT, retain the pensioners triple lock, build a cross party consensus on Social Care and an Australian style points based immigration system."

"Extend help to buy, fundamental review of business rates, a £3 billion national skills fund, gigabrit broadband, an Office for Environmental Protection, a £500 million Blue Planet Fund to tackle plastic pollution.

"And many, many more things - and of course more money for schools, the NHS, and the police - while all parties say this we can deliver because we have a credible economic plan to grow the economy. "