Last week I was interested to read information released by
the European Union that throws a new light on the funding we have received from
them in Cornwall over the past twenty years.
I have been vocal in the past about the appropriateness of
how this EU funding has been allocated and whether or not it has been effective
due to poor targeting and a lack of results.
Under the new formula, the EU says that Cornwall would no
longer receive any further funding from it, and indeed would never have
qualified for any in previous years under this criteria.
Obviously with the UK soon due to leave the EU following the
result of last year’s Referendum on our membership, the funding was due to stop
anyway.
And while the EU may say that Cornwall is no longer one of
the poorest areas of its union, Cornwall does still remain one of the poorest
areas of the UK.
Regardless of what the EU thinks, it is clear that additional
funding into Cornwall, if correctly targeted and without making potential
applicants have to jump through too many hoops in order to access it, should
make a positive impact here.
Once Brexit happens, we will be able to take back control
and allocate the money we had been sending to the EU to funding streams and
schemes that will be able to directly affect families and businesses that
really need it. It won’t matter what unelected mandarins in Brussels think –
members of our own Parliament will instead be able to use our own local
knowledge to ensure funding is used effectively and efficiently where it will
have the best possible outcome.
While the Government has already been investing more into
Cornwall, correcting historic underfunding issues that we have endured under
previous governments, including in transport infrastructure, schools and the
NHS, there is still more to do to ensure that we in Cornwall get the best deal
to put us on equal footing with the rest of the country.
I will certainly do all I can, along with my Cornish MP
colleagues, to ensure the voice of Cornwall is heard loudly in Westminster and
that when the EU funding stops we get a new replacement from the Government
that is better targeted, fit for purpose and will accomplish what it sets out
to achieve, helping those who need it the most.
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
