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.

 

 

 

Newspaper column 18 August 2021 - Results Week

 

Before I continue with this week’s column I want to pause to reflect on the tragic events from Plymouth last Thursday. We need to stand in solidarity with our neighbours across the Tamar, whose community has been hurt so badly by this shooting, and it is by standing together, in strength against this horrific act, that we can get through it. My thanks go to the emergency services, who responded in incredibly difficult and harrowing circumstances to help those injured and keep the area safe.

Last week saw pupils receive their GCSE A Level and other Further Education results. This has been another very difficult and different year of study and my congratulations go to everyone who has had their results. I hope you will be able to use them to positively move on to the next stage of your lives, whatever they may be.

Now more than ever, it is important that we do all we can to invest in our future generations, and I am pleased to see positive work being undertaken across the educational offer we have in Mid-Cornwall to ensure our children get the best possible primary, secondary and further education that they can.

At the end of July the Government confirmed that pupil funding for schools in Mid-Cornwall has gone up again with an average 3.3% increase this year, although some have seen an increase of up to 30.7%. This further closes the funding gap between Cornwall and other, more urban areas.

We have also seen additional funding for Fowey and Treviglas schools to address specific maintenance issues in their buildings to improve the educational experience.

I am also delighted to see new schools opening and planned in our constituency, including a new primary school at Tretherras, and a new Sky Academy at the West Carclaze Garden Village.

Turning to further education, it is crucial that St Austell, as the largest town in Cornwall, has an excellent further education offer, and I have successfully made the case to the Government for Cornwall College’s St Austell Campus to receive a share of a £1.5billion fund to allow it to re-develop and renew its St Austell base.

This goes along with my work to ensure St Austell has provision for pupils wishing to take A Levels in the town, as well as supporting Cornwall College’s already excellent offer of vocational courses.

I will continue doing all I can to ensure our young people get the best possible start in life, through education and elsewhere, such as helping grow our economy with high paid, high-skilled jobs that will allow our young people to stay and have their careers in Cornwall should they wish to.

Finally on Sunday, given the rapid escalation of events in Afghanistan, Parliament has been recalled, and will sit on Wednesday. I will be hoping to speak in the debate on this extremely difficult situation, where there is no easy answer.

As always, my office is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance. Please do get in touch if I can help – tel. 01726 829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk

Newspaper column 11 August 2021 - tourism and more!

Much has been said in recent weeks about the role of tourism in Cornwall. Clearly, we are in the midst of what is an exceptional time with higher demand than ever from those wanting to come here on holiday.

Whilst this current peak is unlikely to continue beyond the next year or so, there is no doubt that tourism will continue to play a major part in our economy. This brings with it both positives and challenges. Tourism not only provides essential work for many local people - one in three households in Cornwall rely on tourism for at least part of their income -  but also supports many more businesses and jobs in the supply chain and supporting services.

A sizeable majority of our local businesses, from retail shops or restaurants and pubs and many other local services simply would not be viable without the additional income tourism brings. Many of the things that make Cornwall such a great place to live, that those of us fortunate enough to call this special place our home, get to enjoy for 52 weeks of the year, would not exist without the influx of visitors.

Clearly there are challenges that having such an influx of people brings. Whether it is the annoyance of traffic jams and queues, or the far more serious issues of the pressure it places on local housing and public services, it is important that we maintain a sustainable balance between the economic benefits and the pressures it creates.

This current spike will pass, but I am also determined that we learn from this time and take appropriate action to ensure measures are put in place, to avoid the challenges we are facing this summer being repeated in the future.

 But I think it is also important we recognise there is a lot more locally than tourism. One of the real joys of the past year or so has been getting a better understanding of some of the other amazing businesses we have here in mid-Cornwall. Particularly it has been incredible to learn of the vital and significant role our constituency has played nationally and internationally in the global fight against the Coronavirus.

It can be all too easy to just see us as a tourism backwater where nothing much else happens. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am not talking about the future potential of things like Spaceports, lithium extraction or geo-thermal energy, which will one day open new opportunities for Cornwall to be recognised as a place for future jobs and industries. I am talking about things happening, in reality, right now.

For example, one of our local businesses played a key role in the establishment of the Nightingale hospitals that we set up and opened in record quick time at the start of the pandemic last year.

Or another local factory that is supplying specialist air filters for ventilators around the world.

Our Cornish China Clay is a vital component of many medical devices that have been even more essential than ever throughout the pandemic. Maintaining production and supply of the raw materials needed for some of the basic, but essential supplies the NHS and health services around the world needed was clearly challenging during the lockdowns, but supplies kept flowing.  

Another company is manufacturing a vital component for the vials that contain the COVID-19 vaccine that is our way out of this pandemic. In fact, 50% of all the of the vials for the vaccine in Europe and Asia rely on a factory right here in mid-Cornwall for their supplies.

Too often we are unaware of some of the incredible things that happen in our local communities, and we can be very proud of the significant role local businesses and local people have played during this pandemic.

I have been pleased to work with these businesses and others to ensure they are able to play their part in the national effort to beat this virus. It is without exaggeration to say many thousands of lives have been saved because of the work they do. The people that work in these businesses are some of the unsung heroes of the pandemic.

Tourism will always be a major and important part of what Cornwall is about. But we should never lose sight of the fact we have a great deal more to offer our country and the world than just being a great place to holiday. Both now, and I believe even more so into the future, Cornwall has much to offer the world and we should feel rightly proud of our contribution.

Newspaper column 28 July 2021 - Recess and Unauthorised encampments

I hope that everyone has been able to make the most of the great weather we have had recently, particularly as restrictions have been lifted. Parliament is now on summer recess until September, so it is especially enjoyable for me to be able to be at home and not have to travel to London.

I will be spending this time at home in our constituency and already have a pretty full diary of visits and meeting with local businesses and community groups. The summer recess is always a great time for me to be able to get out and about meeting local people. Of course, it is particularly good to be able to do this, this year, after not being able to do so for so long. I still have some time available in the diary so if you would like me to pay your businesses or group a visit do get in touch.

One issue that raised itself again last week was that of the illegal encampments, particularly in Newquay this time, although it is an issue that effects every area from time to time. This is a reoccurring issue every summer and is something that I have been pressing for action on ever since I was first elected. Every year we see travellers come to Cornwall and set up camp on private land or council property, such as car parks. While we should of course respect the right of travellers, as a recognised ethnic group, to live according to their traditional way of life, it is not acceptable that they do so in a way that does not respect the law of the land and course a great deal of disruption and expense for local taxpayers.

Cornwall Council have three travellers’ sites across Cornwall that provide space for travellers who wish to come to Cornwall. However, these sites are very rarely used and too often travellers opt to set up camp on inappropriate sites. Last week I was pleased to support local councillors and the Police in ensuring that these illegal encampments were moved on as soon as possible. However, the current process is a time consuming and costly one that distracts resources away from other issues. We also know that all that will most likely happen is the travellers will move on elsewhere to another illegal site.

One of the reasons it is time consuming and complex to remove those who set up illegal camps is because it is actually a civil rather than criminal matter, which means the hands of the police are tied until the appropriate processes have been completed. I am pleased that the government is addressing this issue, by bringing forward new legislation that will make camping without permission with a vehicle a criminal act. These measures are a part of the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill that passed through the House of Commons last week and will now go to the House of Lords.

These new measures will not be in place for this summer but should receive Royal Assent in good time for summer next year and will make it much easier for the Police to move people on much more quickly.

Contrary to the concerns some have raised, the new measures will not restrict the general principle of right to roam, but will very specifically address the issue of people setting up camp, with vehicles, on private or public land without permission.

Before I conclude I want to pay tribute to Chrissie Jackson who sadly passed away last week. I met Chrissie when I first got involved in local politics in 2009. As one of the founders of our local Voice newspapers she was always a cheerful face behind the camera covering the local news in Newquay.

Throughout her recent battle with cancer, she was a true inspiration as she demonstrated incredible courage and dignity and raising an incredible £50,000 for charity. The way that she approached her final journey was an example to us off of how to make the very most of life, whatever it throws at us.

I know that I speak for many in saying she will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

  

 

Newspaper column 21 July 2021 - The last steps out of lockdown

 

On Monday we took the final step, Step 4, on the roadmap out of lockdown. We are now in a position where all legal restrictions have been lifted. I know that many will welcome the return of most of our freedoms, to be able to go about our lives free from the restrictions that have been necessary over the past 18 months. But I am also very much aware there are those who are nervous and have concerns about taking this step.

We are all aware that the virus has not gone away. It is still with us, and we continue to see significant numbers of people testing positive. But as has been said many times, we do need to learn to live with this virus. Just as we live with other infectious viruses such as seasonal influenza.

We cannot live in lockdown forever. There is never going to be a time that is risk free for us to lift restrictions. With the successful roll out of the vaccine, when all adults have now been offered the first dose, and in the summer months when we are all spending more time outdoors and schools are on holiday, now is the moment when the risks are probably as low as they will ever be.

It is clear, although the number of people testing positive has been rising, we are not seeing the same increase in the number of people falling seriously ill and requiring hospital treatment. The link between the virus and serious illness have been significantly weakened by the vaccine. This gives us the confidence that we can lift restrictions without seeing the NHS overwhelmed by COVID cases.

These, as always, are difficult decisions to make. There is always a balance between the risk of the virus and the other harmful impacts of lockdowns. We need to be clear that there is no risk free option. Continuing the lockdown would have serious consequences on the ability of the NHS to address the ongoing health needs including the large backlog of those waiting for treatment, the wider health and wellbeing damage, including mental health and the economic impact further lockdown would cause. My view is that we are at the point where if we do not lift restrictions now, when would we ever do so?

But this does not mean we should now throw off all caution and have a ‘free for all’. The onus remains on all of us to behave responsibly. We should all continue to act with caution and apply common sense to how we live, keeping the virus in mind. Instead of the government applying legal requirements we now move into a phase of advice and guidance which we should all apply wisely.

Just because we are now allowed to do something does not mean it is wise or responsible to do so. We are free to not have to wear a mask, but it would be wise to still do so when in crowded confined spaces.  Or asked to do so by businesses. We are free to meet with anyone we choose in unlimited numbers and socialise in bars, pubs and nightclubs. But we should continue to act cautiously, especially if we have not had both doses of the vaccine or have close family who are vulnerable. We are free to make personal choices, but we should all be aware our choices will have an impact on those around us.

The track and trace system, along with the NHS COVID-19 app, will remain in operation and all those who are contacted need to continue to self isolate as instructed to do so. I know this is putting pressure on many businesses and public services due to the number of people being ‘pinged’. This should be a sign to us all that the virus is still very much around.

Some requirements to self-isolate for frontline NHS staff, who have been vaccinated, are being lifted and a test and release scheme put in place instead. But until these changes apply to us all on 16^th August, we should all be aware of the risk of being in close proximity with someone who tests positive and us being instructed to isolate. This is another reason for us all to act responsibly and cautiously in the coming weeks.

I know the coming weeks will be a time of continued uncertainty and challenging for many. But we are making progress towards getting life back to normal. We are now very much in a different phase and we should apply these changes to our own lives as most appropriate for us.

As always, my office is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance. Please do get in touch if I can help – tel. 01726 829379, email – office@stevedouble.org.uk