Below are some of the changes in Hove & Portslade since 1997.

Education

• the number of free places for 3 and 4 year olds have increased by 2,535 places
• levels of literarcy have increased by 24% and numeracy has increased by 19%
• the number of children achieving 5+ A*-C has increased by 12.3%
• we've got 100 new teaching assistance in Hove & Portslade and 40 new teachers at secondary schools
• spending per pupil has increased by 33.6%
• 7 Sure Start Centres

Health (these figures relate to the South-East Strategic Health Authority)

• 704 new consultants
• 1,158 more doctors in training
• 2,795 HCHS qualified nurses
• 389 more midwives
• 1,087 more health care assistants
• 2,241 more scientific, therapeutic and technical assistants
• a 60,600 decrease in the number of people waiting for inpatient treatment
• a new children's hospital

Economy and Welfare

• 100,000 people benefitted from the increase in the minimum wage to £5.52
• 900,000 people are set to gain from the annual leave entitlement was increased from 20 to 24 days
• the number of people on Job Seeker's Allowance has decreased from 6.2% in April 1997 to 2.4% in March 2008
• 1755 new businesses across the city
• 780 people have gained a job through the New Deal across Hove & Portslade
• 5,360 people have gained from the pension credit
• 3,200 hard working families benefitting from child tax credits

Despite this progress, I know there is more to be done. Please let me know about your experiences and what you think needs to be improved.