“Levelling Up” is all about investing in towns like Andover, creating and spreading prosperity throughout society, so everyone can have a bright future. That’s why I’ve been supporting Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) as they put together a bid for around £20million of government investment into our town centre.

We all want to rejuvenate the heart of Andover town, with a new theatre, community spaces, a public library, and a children’s discovery centre. As I hope most Advertiser readers know, the plans also include a new riverside park opening up the River Anton, and new walking and cycling routes following alongside.

If we are successful, we will attract more visitors and shoppers into our historic town. We will help our deprived pockets to a better future and get more people cycling and walking. Ultimately, we will boost our local economy and the chances of young people in the area.

And of course, if we are serious about “Levelling Up”, we need to give young people the chance to gain practical skills, good jobs, and rewarding careers in our local industries. T Levels will help, they are new technical-based qualifications for 16-18 year olds, developed in collaboration with employers and businesses.

And thanks to £2.2 million investment from the government’s T Level Capital Fund, students at Andover College will see new, modern, industry standard facilities as part of their studies in nursing, bricklaying carpentry and others. “Levelling up” in action already.

I have spent much of the last seven years as your MP, speaking up so that Andover is not forgotten on issues like school standards, crime, mental health support and economic development. I will do the same on “Levelling Up”.

The Andover economy is doing well. But we know storm clouds may be approaching, and that our town centre needs a new start. With the brilliant TVBC vision we now have a plan. With the right investment, we can now both weather the storm and restore the vitality of our historic market town centre.