Last week was my first week back in Parliament following the
festive Recess. It was a busy week with a lot going on, both in Westminster and
then in Mid-Cornwall over the weekend.
I was particularly keen to make representations on behalf of
the people of Mid-Cornwall on the NHS consultation that could see some radiotherapy
services moved from Cornwall, raising it in the House of Commons in a debate
and writing to both the Health Minister and Chief Executive of NHS England
outlining my objections. In Cornwall, on Friday I also followed this up in my
regular meetings with NHS management. The consultation continues until 24
January and I would encourage anyone who wants to feed back their views to
write to NHS England at england.npoc-cancer@nhs.net
or by letter to Radiotherapy Consultation, NHS England, Floor 3B, Skipton
House, 80 London Road, London, SE1 6LH.
Meanwhile on Thursday morning I was delighted to be invited
to the Prime Minister’s launch of the Government’s landmark 25 Year Environment
Plan, setting out how we will improve the environment over a generation by
creating richer habitats for wildlife, improving air and water quality and
curbing the scourge of plastic in the world’s oceans.
Among other things, this strategy sets out how over the next
quarter of a century the government will:
Help wildlife thrive by creating 500,000 hectares of new
habitat for endangered species, supporting farmers to turn fields into meadows
and other habitats, replenishing depleted soils and providing £5.7 million to
kick-start a new Northern Forest.
Be a world leader in environmental protection by
investigating the feasibility of an anti-poaching taskforce to tackle the
illegal wildlife trade,
Deliver a Green Brexit by consulting on a new environmental
watchdog to hold government to account for environmental standards, and setting
out a new approach to agriculture and fisheries management
Connect people with nature by creating ‘nature friendly
schools’ and reviewing National Parks to see how they can improve and whether
the network should be extended.
Particularly important to the work I have been doing in my
capacity as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group Protect Our Waves are
further measures to crack down on plastic waste.
Specifically the Prime Minister announced that the
Government will be working with retailers to introduce plastic-free supermarket
aisles – a great move to cut down on some of the frankly ridiculous amounts of
plastic packaging we get on food purchases such as fruit and vegetables, as
well as extending the 5p plastic bag charge to all retailers and removing
single use plastics from the government buildings.
There is much more to do, and the scope of the Government’s
ambition is highlighted by the length of time it is envisaged it will take for
these changes to take place. But this does not mean that we will wait 25 years
before any changes will be made, but we should also accept that there is no
silver bullet and it is good to see the Government laying the groundwork for
changes that are not only so important to us now but for the future generations
that we will be leaving the planet to.
I look forward to continuing to be involved in shaping and
influencing these policies as the Government proceeds down the road to a
greener Britain.
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.
The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no
appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please, either visit the office or 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
