Last week Parliament only sat for a few days so I was able
to spend a good deal of time in Mid-Cornwall, out and about meeting residents
and businesses.
Among other things it was great to go along to see the team
at King’s Service Centre at Quintrell Downs. I first visited the centre in 2015
just after they opened, it was therefore very encouraging to see how they have
grown and the new jobs that have been created.
This is the type of business we need to see more of in
Cornwall, utilising our excellent superfast fibre connectivity and providing
great career opportunities in IT and Communications.
I also visited CHAT near St Columb Major, which does an
excellent job with Animal Assisted Therapies working with vulnerable children
and adults to improve their lives.
The weekend saw communities come together to remember those
who gave their lives to defend our freedom, with the centenary of the end of
the Great War. It was a privilege to join people across our constituency in
Fowey, Newquay, St Austell and St Columb Major as we honoured the fallen and
all those who serve in our armed forces in past and present conflicts.
A huge well done and thank you must go to all those who
helped organise and attended all the events, especially the Royal British
Legion and Town and Parish Councils.
Last week in Parliament, I was pleased to see the Secretary
of State for Work and Pensions announce a range of additional support for
claimants as they move onto Universal Credit – a simpler benefit system,
providing tailored support to individuals.
The idea behind Universal Credit is sound and anything that
stops people needing to fill out a number of different forms to claim separate
benefits and simplifies it to just one benefit claim is a good thing.
I have spoken out in Parliament previously about the need to
support working families claiming Universal Credit and was pleased to see in
the recent Budget, the Chancellor announce the Government is putting an extra
£1.7bn a year into work allowances - the amount someone can earn before their
benefit payment begins to reduce. This is again a big change from historic
benefits where there was a ‘cliff-edge’ effect where it was often sadly more
affordable to stay off work than find a job. These reforms will make work pay,
and mean that people should not feel penalised for getting their foot on the
jobs ladder.
The Secretary of State also announced that to assist those
claimants who move onto Universal Credit the DWP install a two-week ‘run on’
for those receiving out-of-work benefits. This means that when people move onto
Universal Credit, they will have reduced waiting times and be eased into the
new four-weekly payment system.
This is all good news and I will continue to do all I can to
make Universal Credit and the overall benefits system one that works for the
residents of Mid-Cornwall.
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
