This past Monday saw Parliament return after the Summer
Recess. It has been great spending some time with my family over the past few
weeks, but also as always has been a good opportunity to get out and about and
meet with people and businesses across Mid-Cornwall. Thank you to everyone who
took the time to welcome me over the summer.
Monday also saw the conclusion of the leadership election with
Liz Truss confirmed as the new Leader of the Conservative Party, who then also
becomes Prime Minister, with this appointment taking place on Tuesday.
There were two very strong candidates for our next PM and I
wish Liz Truss the very best in her new role.
While the Leadership competition has been taking place over
the summer I was very clear to both candidates that top of their agenda needed
to be looking at what more can be done to help families and businesses with the
cost of living crisis. The increase of the costs of living, caused by Putin’s
war in Ukraine, continues to be an issue I am regularly contacted about. While
the Government has already put a wide number of measures in place to help, it
is clear that this is a unique and rapidly evolving situation, and that the new
Prime Minister will need to do more as we head into what will be difficult
winter months.
As we come to the end of another summer season, I am also
keen to hear feedback from residents and businesses about how it has been this
year, particularly compared to the exceptional circumstances of the previous
two years,
In particular we are having issues with providing affordable
housing for local people in Cornwall, something which has been made worse by
the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Another contributing factor to this has been the continuing
rise of short-term holiday accommodation, particularly at the detriment of full
time accommodation.
The Government has launched a new review to help understand
the impact short-term holiday lets are having on housing in communities in
tourism hotspots.
This comes following the rise in use of rental booking
websites and apps, with a large increase in the number of properties listed on
platforms such as Airbnb in recent years, especially in high tourist areas like
Cornwall.
I am pleased to see the Government has listened to concerns
and is taking positive action to ensure short-term holiday accommodation plays
a positive role in Cornwall in the future.
This is not a ban on short-term holiday lets, as we
understand the important part they play in supporting our local economy. This
review will give us a better understanding of how we can best support local
communities in those holiday hotspots, and also the tourism industry, to ensure
that they can both work together.
I have launched a survey on my website www.stevedouble.org.uk to allow you to
give me both your experiences of the recent summer season, and on short term
holiday let accommodation.
This will help me gather views and information on peoples
experiences of the summer season this year, as well as the benefits and
challenges related to short-term lets.
I will then ensure your views are heard as part of my
response to the Government, so they can decide what further action to take.
As ever, of I can be of any further assistance, my office is
available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance – tel. 01726
829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk
