David Reed MP

Today, alongside the Chairman of Exmouth Town Council, Cllr Graham Deasy, I have asked LINK to carry out a Cash Access Assessment for Exmouth.

The upcoming closure of the town centre Post Office will leave a significant gap in access to cash and face-to-face banking. Hundreds of people have already been in touch with me about the impact this will have.

While Exmouth still has one bank branch, that does not mean everyone's banking needs are being met. Local businesses and organisations need somewhere they can deposit and withdraw cash, and we also need to recognise the huge number of visitors Exmouth welcomes throughout the year.

My recent survey showed overwhelming support for a Banking Hub in Exmouth, and I hope LINK will recognise the strength of the case we have put forward.

This is a separate campaign from my work to replace the Post Office in Exmouth, which I am also leading. Banking is only one part of what people rely on the Post Office for. From foreign currency and driving licence renewals to passport services, parcels and letters, it provides a wide range of important services. That is why I am continuing to work with the Town Council and press the Post Office to put temporary provision in place while a permanent solution is found.

We need to make sure Exmouth is not left without these vital services, and I will continue making the strongest possible case for our town.

📮 Have your say on the future of Post Office services in Exmouth

We’ve had an overwhelming response to my Exmouth Post Office survey so far. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to have their say.

Following my correspondence with the Post Office, they have confirmed to me that they remain committed to restoring a Post Office service in Exmouth and have received interest from potential operators. They are now engaging with those interested parties about their proposals, including whether they can provide suitable premises and a sustainable service for the town.

This is a welcome step, but with the current Post Office counter in TG Jones due to close at the end of September, I know there remains real concern about what happens next and the potential gap in provision.

I am feeding the overwhelming response to my survey back to the Post Office so they understand just how important these services are to our community and what local people want to see for Exmouth.

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to fill out the survey. Whether you want to see a new Post Office branch, think a Banking Hub could help meet Exmouth’s needs, or rely on services that only a Post Office can provide, I want to hear from you.

It only takes a minute, and every response strengthens the case I can make on behalf of Exmouth.

Have your say here 👇

https://www.davidreed.uk/campaigns/protect-post-office-services-exmouth

Good luck to everyone in receiving their GCSE results today🎓. You should be very proud of all the hard work you’ve put in and the challenges you’ve overcome.

Wishing you every success in whatever comes next 🌟

Summer jobs matter in .

Our tourism and hospitality businesses don’t just welcome visitors to our beautiful corner of Devon. They give hundreds of young people their first job, first wage and first step into the world of work.

From learning customer service and teamwork to building confidence and taking on responsibility, a summer job can provide skills and experience that last a lifetime.

But rising National Insurance, business rates, employment costs and new regulations are making it harder for local employers to offer those opportunities.

That’s why I’m backing the Conservatives’ Save the Summer Job campaign.

I recently raised this in Parliament, highlighting the contribution made by businesses such as Devon Cliffs and Ladram Bay and calling for seasonal employers to be given the flexibility and confidence they need to keep creating jobs.

Young people want opportunities to work, earn and get on. We should be making it easier for businesses to give them that first step, not harder.

East Devon District Council have today submitted the interim warding arrangements for the new Greater Exeter Unitary Council. These boundaries will be used at next year's local elections, and that will decide how our communities are represented on the new Greater Exeter Unitary Council.

The boundaries were not approved or scrutinised by the members East Devon District Council. Only one member - from the cabinet - was given the chance to influence the proposals.

The people of Exmouth and Exeter East did not ask for this unitary council. Now, the boundaries that will determine who people get to vote for have been determined without their elected representatives having a say.

I will be raising this with the Secretary of State and asking why local elected representatives were denied a meaningful say in a process that will shape how our communities are represented for years to come.

I was pleased to visit Aviva's Repair Centre in Exeter to learn more about the important work being carried out there and to meet members of the team.

It was fascinating to see first-hand how damaged vehicles are repaired using the latest technology and techniques, helping to get motorists safely back on the road while reducing waste through high-quality vehicle repairs.

I was particularly interested to hear about Aviva's apprenticeship programme and the investment being made in developing the next generation of skilled technicians. Providing young people with high-quality training and clear career pathways is essential, and it was encouraging to see the opportunities being created locally.

I know how important the Post Office is to people in Exmouth. Since the news that the Post Office counter in TG Jones is due to close at the end of September, many constituents have been in touch with me directly and raised their concerns on social media.

I have written to the Post Office asking them to set out their plans for Exmouth, including what alternative sites are being considered and what they are doing to ensure Post Office services remain available in the town.

I also want to hear directly from local people about the services you rely on and what you think Exmouth needs next.

I have been campaigning for a Banking Hub in Budleigh Salterton, and I would welcome your views on whether a Banking Hub could also meet Exmouth’s needs, or whether people rely on the Post Office for a wider range of services and a new Post Office branch would be a better fit.

That’s why I’ve launched a short survey to understand what services people use and what solution they want to see for Exmouth.

It only takes a minute to complete, and your responses will help me make the strongest possible case for the right solution.

Please fill in the survey below and have your say 👇

https://www.davidreed.uk/campaigns/protect-post-office-services-exmouth

I recently attended an important cyber security roundtable in Parliament, hosted by the UK Tech APPG.

Strengthening the UK's resilience is a key priority as the threats we face continue to evolve, so it was encouraging to see parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, alongside experts from industry and Government, discussing how we can better protect our businesses, public services and critical national infrastructure.

A significant focus of the discussion was the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and how it can improve our national resilience without placing unnecessary burdens on businesses. We also explored the challenges of securing supply chains, building a skilled cyber workforce and ensuring the UK's digital infrastructure is fit for the future.

As I continue my work on strengthening the UK's national resilience, discussions like this are invaluable in helping ensure the legislation we pass is informed by those with expertise and experience on the ground.

Good luck to everyone in receiving their A-Level 🎓, AS-Level, T-Level and Level 3 VTQ results today.

Whatever your grades, be proud of the hard work you’ve put in and the challenges you’ve overcome.

Wishing you all the best in your next steps whether that’s university, an apprenticeship, further study or heading straight into the world of work.