I hope you are all well as we continue through the lockdown.
While we have all been limited with our movements due to the
Covid restrictions, I have still been able to contribute to debates in
Parliament by speaking virtually in the Chamber via video link. While this will
never be a real substitute for the cut and thrust of debate in Parliament, it
still allows me to take part, raising issues on behalf of constituents and
championing causes for Mid-Cornwall, whilst being able to look at the beautiful
Cornish coast from my window!
In the past week I have been able to ask questions of
Ministers and take part in debates in Parliament about the future of airspace, our
space industry, and also on support for university students during the
pandemic.
I welcome the Government’s ambition to have 10% of the
global space industry in the UK. It is right that, particularly post-Brexit, we
aim to be a significant player in this increasingly important global sector.
However, in order to achieve that aim, we will need to have a launch capability
here in the UK. We lead the world in the design and manufacture of
satellites—particularly small satellites—but we currently then ship them to the
other side of the world for launch. Having our own launch capability in the UK
will not only be important in an ever more uncertain world but will reduce
costs and the environmental impact.
Cornwall is ready to play a major part in this through
Spaceport Cornwall, which will be one of the world’s first horizontal launch
sites for satellites. With the successful first satellite launch of our
partners Virgin Orbit last month, we are now in a position to launch satellites
from Cornwall next year that will bring much-needed well-paid jobs to Cornwall
and attract business investment, which in turn will aid the Government’s
levelling-up agenda in one of the poorest parts of the UK. It will also help to
inspire our young people to pursue qualifications in STEM subjects and open up
career opportunities in electronics and engineering.
The thing we need now is for the regulations to be put in
place. Horizontal launch, which is basically little different from a large
passenger jet taking off, until it reaches altitude for rocket launch, should
not be bogged down by unnecessary regulations that are required only to cover
vertical launch. I therefore asked the Minister to look carefully at the
regulations to ensure that they differentiate between launch mechanisms and are
fit for horizontal launch so that Spaceport Cornwall can lift off as soon as
possible.
I also questioned the Minister on behalf of university
students from Mid-Cornwall. I have been contacted by many students and their
families who are concerned that they are still being made to pay their rent in
full for their university accommodation despite not actually being at
University or able to attend lessons in person due to the pandemic.
While it is welcome that some universities and accommodation
providers are providing partial rebates to students, too many still are not. I
asked the Minister join me in urging all those accommodation providers to show
some flexibility and provide a partial rent rebate wherever possible, and was
pleased to hear them agree with me and urge all providers of university
accommodation to give a partial refund for this period in which students cannot
all access their accommodation.
These are just two of the contributions I have made to
Parliament in the past week. There are always issues to be raised on behalf of
the communities I have the honour to represent and it is good that even in
these difficult times, I am able to do so and fulfil my role as MP on your
behalf.
Remember although I office is closed all of my staff and I
are working from home. We are currently assisting several hundred local
residents every week with a wide range of issues, both COVID related and wider
issues such as housing, benefits, health and employment matters. If there is
anything you feel we may be able to help you with please do not hesitate to get
in touch – email: office@stevedouble.org.uk
or call 01726 839279
