This week we took another step on the roadmap out of lockdown. From Monday the instruction to stay at home was lifted and we are now able to leave home without the need for one of the permissible reasons. Also, we can now meet family and friends outdoors in groups of two households or up to six people and outdoor sports and activities can recommence.
I am sure like me, many people will very much welcome being
able to see our family and friends, albeit outdoors. I will certainly be making
the most of this to catch up with people I have not been able to meet for
several weeks.
These deliberate and cautious steps are important to ensure
we continue to win our battle against the virus. The Prime Minister is clear
that he wants each step to be irreversible, and that this will be the last
lockdown needed. So although I understand those who feel frustrated at the
cautious approach being taken, particularly in the light of the very positive
news of the reduction in infections, hospitalisations and deaths, I believe it
is the right approach in ensuring this is a one way street now.
In other news there were a couple of very welcome
announcements from the government last week. Firstly, in a review of a number
of tax policies the government committed to close the loophole that allows
holiday home-owners to avoid paying council tax or business rates. This is an
issue I have been campaigning for action on for several years and I know
something that many local people feel very strongly about. I am pleased we are
now seeing action on this which will ensure in future, those owners which are
not genuine business will not be able to avoid paying their fair share of the
contribution to local services.
Also, the government announced a new policy to kerb the
number of illegal immigrants coming to the UK, whilst ensuring those genuinely
seeking asylum will be treated fairly and compassionately.
Again, this is an issue many people have contact me about,
concerned at the number of people we have seen crossing the Channel in dinghies,
and coming through other routes. Many of those coming were economic migrants
and had paid people traffickers to get here.
I believe we need a system that enables people who legitimately
need asylum to and be able to go through the legal system more quickly, while
discouraging those who seek to abuse the system. It is inevitably a difficult
balance to strike, but I certainly want the help we provide to be made
available to those who need it most and not based on one someone’s ability to
pay the trafficking gangs.
We also need to ensure that those we are legally seeking to
deport, because they have come here illegally, are able to be returned without
having our legal system clogged up with lawyers exploiting the current system.
The UK has always provided a safe refuge for those who need
it and approach us through legitimate means, and we will continue to do so. But
we also need a system that makes it difficult for those who seek to exploit
vulnerable people and discourages people from making dangerous journeys. The
proposals put forward by the Home Secretary strike this balance and address the
key points that I know many people have been concerned about. I look forward to
this legislation coming forward.
