Wellington's Conservative MP Rebecca Pow says delivering the prime minister's five pledges will be 'challenging'.

She issued a statement after meeting party members in the town to discuss the year ahead.

She said Rishi Sunak's pledges made in a speech last week would 'deliver peace of mind and build a better future for the country.'

They are:

to halve inflation to ease the cost of living and give financial security;

grow the economy, creating better paid jobs and opportunity;

reduce debt so that we can secure the future of public services;

cut NHS waiting lists so people will get the care they need more quickly;

stop the small boats, so if people come to this country illegally, they will be detained and swiftly removed.

Ms Pow, MP for Taunton Deane, said: “I’ve been out and about in Taunton and Wellington reinforcing this message and I was pleased to join Wellington Conservatives and share my thoughts on this as well as plans for the year ahead.

"It will be challenging, but I will continue doing all I can locally working with stakeholders and linking directly to Westminster to deliver the support we need in particular for the planned Wellington Rail station.”

Mr Sunak said in his speech: "These are five pledges to deliver peace of mind, so that you know things are getting better, that they are actually changing.

"That you have a government working in your interests, focused on your priorities, putting your needs first.

"And I fully expect you to hold my government and I to account on delivering those goals."

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner responded to the pledges by describing Mr Sunak as a "do-nothing prime minister".

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey accused the PM of being "asleep at the wheel" while the health service was "stretched to breaking point".