Newspaper column 29 September 2021 - Fuel

Since the later part of last week our news has been dominated by issues with people panic-buying fuel.

This matter is of great concern to me – the fact remains however, that there were no shortages of fuel and the supply chain remains strong and resilient. However what can and has happened, as we have seen over the weekend, is that the media have reported on what they call ‘potential’ fuel shortages due to a small number of deliveries not being made due to truck driver shortages, Sadly, what was an issue effecting a very small number of deliveries for one petrol supplier has been blown out of proportion by the media and resulted in people over-reacting and buying fuel necessarily.. This in turn means that petrol stations locally sell more fuel than they would otherwise, and run the risk of running out of stocks before their regularly scheduled deliveries arrive, thus creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, with long queues and a fuel shortage at the pumps, but due to increased demand instead of lack of fuel or a problem with the supply chain.

The Government has been straightforward with its message on this throughout, that people should just continue to buy their fuel as they would regularly, and not panic buy. I would reiterate this and urge the residents of Mid-Cornwall to act sensibly and buy your fuel when you would normally do so. By doing this there will be no shortages at the pumps and there will be enough to go around for everyone. The old saying ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ has never been more appropriate!

One of the headlines that has caused this issue is the shortage of HGV drivers, obviously some of whom drive the oil tankers. Despite some politically motivated reports, the HGV driver shortage is not unique to the UK and is not a symptom of Brexit. Instead this is a challenge faced by countries around the world. Across Europe, there is a shortage of 400,000 HGV drivers, while in the United States, there is a shortage of around 60,000 drivers.

HGV driver testing was shut down for large parts of the pandemic, meaning drivers were not coming through the system to replace those retiring or deciding it was time for a career change. The government has taken action to address the immediate situation. Driver testing resumed in April, but there are huge backlogs caused by the pandemic.  The HGV workforce has also been on average an older one. It has also become a less attractive career due to wages and conditions being suppressed due to cheaper eastern European labour.

Over recent months the Government has taken steps to address this – increasing the number of HGV driving tests, improving apprenticeships and reducing bureaucracy. Something we are only actually able to do as we have no left the EU.

In the past week we are going further by helping more people into the sector, using army examiners to increase testing capacity, encouraging drivers who have left the sector to return, and providing short-term relief with 5,000 HGV fuel tanker and food lorry driver visas in the run-up to Christmas.

The industry must also play their part by improving pay and conditions to build a resilient British workforce. The Government will continue to work with the industry to build a resilient British workforce. Visas will not be the long-term solution, and reform within the industry is vital. The Government will continue to support these efforts, which must stop British workers being undercut from abroad, with pay and conditions rising within the industry.

One way to encourage more new entrants to HGV driving is to make apprenticeships in the HGV sector more attractive to encourage people to join. The Government has accordingly revised the Large Goods Vehicle Driver apprenticeship standard, supported by an increased funding band of £7,000, as well as offering incentive payments to employers of £3,000 for every apprentice hired as a new employee from April to September 2021.

Finally, the Government has also already doubled the number of HGV driving tests, and now plan to increase testing by a further 50,000 a year, along with recently announced plans to overhaul HGV driving tests, meaning drivers will only need to take one test to drive both a rigid and articulated lorry, rather than taking two tests spaced weeks apart. We’ve also freed up examiners by removing the requirement – imposed by the EU – for drivers to take a separate test if they want to drive a car with a trailer.

There is always more work to do but I am confident the measures we are taking will help us build and keep the strong and resilient HGV workforce in both the short and long term our country needs.

Newspaper column 22 September 2021 - Joining the Government

The big news in Westminster last week was the reshuffle. It had long been speculated that one was due, so it was good to see it actually happening.

Among the number of big moves in the Cabinet, I was particularly pleased to see the former Vaccines Minster, Nahdim Zahawi, appointed to Education Secretary. Having worked closely with Nadhim in the Department for Health and Social Care over the past 18 months I am sure he will do a great job in this new role.

I was also pleased that Sajid Javid remained as Health Secretary. This is a crucial time for our health and care system as we recover from the pandemic, deal with the backlog in our health system and reform the social care system.

For me personally there was also good news as the Prime Minister invited me to join the Government as a Whip. An invitation I was honoured to accept. There is always a lot of misunderstanding about the role of whips in Parliament. Whilst it is true that a part of the role is seeking to ensure MP’s vote in support of the government, that really is a small part of the role.

Whips are primarily there to manage the business of the government through the House of Commons. There is a myriad of different things that go on behind the scenes before and after what is seen in the chamber. This includes negotiating with the opposition whips regarding how long is given to different items of business, ensuring MPs are kept informed of what is happening and formally moving motions and other business in the chamber.

There is also a huge amount of work that goes into committees that consider legislation, where the whips have a key role.

Having spent the past two years as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Health and Social Care I welcome the opportunity of a new role and fresh challenge. Being the PPS to the Health Secretary throughout the Covid pandemic has been an incredible experience. It was truly a privilege to serve in that role during one of the most challenging times our country has faced for generations. I learnt a great deal and it was an immensely busy and intense time. I will never forget the experience and will always be grateful to the Prime Minister, Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid for the opportunity.

Each Whip is assigned to a government department to be a part of the ministerial team and I am delighted that I have been appointed the whip for the Health and Social Care Department. This will mean I will continue to work with health ministers to deliver the vital investment and reforms we need to recover from the pandemic.

I now look forward to my new role. There will be a great deal to learn in the coming weeks and months, but I am honoured to be part of this government and working to deliver the programme of legislation as we seek to move on from the pandemic.

But I want to reassure everyone that being the MP for my home patch is still by far the greatest honour I can ever imagine. Representing and serving the people of this constituency will always be the priority for me. I do understand the comments that some make that I will now be bound to support the government. Whilst it is the case that, just like the past two years as a PPS, I am bound by the collective responsibility being part of the government brings, it does not in any way dimmish my commitment to do what is right and best for our part of Cornwall.

As a part of the government, I will continue to do what I believe is right and best for our constituency and work with ministers to deliver the things we need. I will now be able to do this as a part of Boris Johnson’s government.

My office and I are here to help local people in any way we can. I am now holding regular face to face surgeries. If you feel I can help with advice or support in any way please contact my office to book an appointment – email: office@stevedouble.org.uk, tel. 01726 829379.

Newspaper column 15 September 2021 - Health and Care Levy

 

Last week was the first week Parliament sat following the summer recess. It is always a busy week returning after six weeks of recess, but this year it was busier than usual.

We saw a number of important debates on current issues such as the situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing pandemic. I was pleased to be able to make a number of contributions in the Commons.

The biggest debate in Parliament last week was the announcement and then vote on the government’s plans to raise addition funding for the NHS and Social Care. After careful consideration this was something I decided to support.

We are all aware of the incredible pressure our health and care system is facing. It is predicted that the waiting list for those waiting for treatment, scans and operations could reach as high as 13 million people in the next couple of years, unless action was taken.

Additionally, we know that the social care system is facing greater pressure than ever before and there is a need to not only provide greater funding but reform the way the system works.

I am pleased that alongside the additional money raised through the Health and Care Levy, we will also be putting in place cap of £86,000 on the amount anyone will have to pay towards their own social care costs. Once that limit is reached no one will have to pay for their own care costs. This will mean that people will not be forced to sell their homes to pay for their care costs.  Those with assets below £100,000 will not have to pay the full cost of their care.

The government will also be coming forward with proposals to reform the way social care functions and ensure it works much more closely with the NHS to avoid the backlog in people being discharged from hospital as is currently the case.

With our own hospital under incredible pressure, it is vital we ensure the NHS has the resources it need to deal with the list of those waiting for treatments. Raising taxes is never something a Conservative government does lightly. But this government has shown time and again that it will not shy away from the tough decisions.

We could have sat by and stuck to the line that our manifesto stated we would not raise taxes, but I do not believe it would have been right to not act and allow the NHS waiting list to rise as predicted. We could of course have added the funding to the £400billion we have already borrowed, but that would have simply pushed the challenge down the road for our grandchildren to pay back.

The decisions to add 1.25% to employee and employer National Insurance, from next April, by way of a Health and Care Levy is, in my view, the least worse possible option to address the challenges we face. It means those with the broadest shoulders, on the highest salaries, will pay the most. We have also extended the levy to all those in work above state pension age, as well as putting a levy on dividend earnings so those who get their income from investments will also contribute.

This will raise more than an additional £12billion a year. Most of which in the first two years will go to the NHS to catch up with the backlog of those needing treatment. We will also initially put £1.8billion extra into social care which will increase as the NHS backlog is reduced.

I appreciate some will not agree with this decision but having considered all of the possible options I do not believe there was a better alternative. We could not sit and do nothing, and raising the funds in this way means that all those in work earning over £9600 per year will make a contribution, while the highest 14% of earners will pay more than 50% of the costs.

Whilst we continue to do everything needed to bring an end to this pandemic, we must also look to the coming years and take the decisions needed to ensure we can recover and return to normal as soon as possible. Ensuring the NHS has the funding it needs to deal with the backlog in treatments and social care is reformed are part of ensuring we can do this. So I am pleased to support the government in these very challenging decisions.

Newspaper column 8 September 2021 - Back to Parliament while seeking feedback from residents

On Monday Parliament returned from summer recess. It is always bit of a shock to the system to get back to the weekly commute after spending the summer in Cornwall. But I am ready to get back to the main job of an MP of representing our constituency in Parliament.

There is plenty to get to work on in the coming weeks ahead. One of the most important issues continues to be the current housing situation in Cornwall. Whilst I have been working on this throughout recess, the return of Parliament will enable me to do this more effectively.

We are expecting new legislation on planning to come to Parliament in the coming week and I am hopeful that this will include new measures that will enable local councils to manage the number of  second homes and holiday lets through the planning system. This is something that I have been asking the government to put in place for several months now and it was encouraging to read in some of the national papers this weekend that these measures are being considered.

I am sure there will be a great deal of work still to do to ensure the right measures are put in place, but this will be one of my priorities over the coming weeks.

Of course, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues and I am sure there will be plenty of debate on things like the vaccine roll out, particularly for children, booster jabs, vaccine passports and what further steps the government needs to ensure we continue to keep on top of the virus through the winter. In my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Health Secretary I am sure I will be kept very busy.

I will also be continuing my work on a number of the ongoing projects for our constituency such as the A30 link road, Spaceport Cornwall, securing the London flights for Cornwall Airport Newquay, upgrading the Newquay-Par railway branch line and lithium extraction.

However, I am also very much aware that I am your voice in Westminster and so I always want to know what matters most to you. To this end I have launched a new constituency autumn survey, so you can let me know the issues you feel should be focused on in the coming months.

You can find the survey on my website here

https://www.stevedouble.org.uk/st-austell-and-newquay-autumn-myplan-survey

It takes just a few minutes to complete so please do take a look and let me know your thoughts.

This will come off the back of my recent businesses survey when I asked local businesses to give me their thoughts on the way the government has supported businesses through the pandemic, the challenges they face and their thoughts about the future. Thank you to everyone who completed that survey. If you are interested you can read the report here:

https://www.stevedouble.org.uk/st-austell-and-newquay-business-survey

I am aware that many local businesses continue to face a number of challenges as we seek to recover from the past 18 months. Particularly I know that many are struggling to find the staff they need. I will continue to do all I can to ensure these concerns are heard and addressed.

Finally, once again this weekend we saw Cornwall hosting another international event as the first leg of the cycling Tour of Britain passed through the county. Starting in Penzance and ending in Bodmin the cyclists peddled across the Cornish countryside and our constituency got to host a large part of it as the route passed through Newquay and St Austell as well as several villages along the way.

A huge well done must go again to Cornwall Council, the Police and everyone involved in ensuring everything went smoothly. It was actually quite incredible to beyond the way the race was organised as it sped through the towns and villages along the way with the minimum of disruption. It was another opportunity to showcase Cornwall in all her beauty. But I think more importantly it demonstrated our ability to host these type of events. Following the G7, this will have enhanced our reputation as a place that can manage large prominent events and put on a great show. Hopefully this will put us in a great place for other such events in the future.