Last
week Brexit and the future of funding for Cornwall through the European Union
was once again back in the news.
There
does, sadly, appear to be a mood of doom coming from some about the future for
Cornwall once we leave the EU. However, there are many positive economic
messages that show that they future can be bright and full of opportunities.
Whilst
I understand the clamour for answers and guarantees about the future of funding
for Cornwall that has historically come via the EU, I think do we need to
acknowledge that it is still very early days. It is only 2 months since the
referendum and the historic decision made by the British people.
In
that time we have seen a new Prime Minister and an almost entirely new Cabinet
put in place. Inevitably it will take a bit of time for these decisions to be
made.
However,
just last week our new Chancellor, Phillip Hammond made a very significant
announcement. He confirmed that the British government will continue to fund
any projects that have been agreed up until this year’s Autumn Statement once
we leave the EU. This guarantee is very welcome news and provides the certainty
we need.
He
also guaranteed current levels of funding for agriculture will be met by the
British government up until 2020 – again very good news for our Cornish
farmers.
To
have this clarified so soon after the referendum is clearly very positive news.
The
Chancellor also confirmed the Treasury will be putting in place arrangements
for funding further projects that are not signed off before the autumn
statement but that will be in place whilst we remain a member of the EU –
likely to be until 2019.
The upshot of this
is that British businesses and universities will have certainty over future
funding and be able to continue to bid for competitive EU funds while the UK remains a member of the EU.
The
Chancellor has also given a clear indication that there will be further central
government funding available to support the Cornish economy and we await the
detail as to how this will operate it is clearly a positive sign of the Government’s
intent to continue to provide support for Cornwall post Brexit. I will be
working with my fellow Cornish MPs to make sure we get the support we need.
I
have been disappointed with the response from the ruling administration at
Cornwall Council, who do not seem to want to see this as a positive step.
To
me, far from the negative position that some have taken, this announcement is
an important and positive step to give reassurance for projects currently
seeking funding traditionally available via the European Union.
I
have always said the EU funding programme was an ineffective and bureaucratic
system. Lots of money has been spent in a way which has not resulted in the
desired outcome. Let us remember this was British taxpayer money recycled by
the EU with lots of additional bureaucracy and hoops to jump through added for
good measure. Leaving the EU gives us the opportunity to spend our own money,
to have a more effective programme that will be better value for money for the
taxpayer and provide better targeted and more effective support for the Cornish
economy.
As always, my team and I are here to serve the whole
constituency and work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone
needing support. If there is an issue you would like my assistance on then
please contact me on either 01726 829379 or office@stevedouble.org.uk.
Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice surgeries across the
constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
