Newspaper column 1 March 2023 - Ukraine anniversary

Last week marked the one-year anniversary of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Russia launched military action in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and since then the UK has played a leading role in the international response to support Ukraine.

While Russian forces continue to carry out a full-scale assault on the country, we will continue to stand with Ukrainians in their struggle against oppression.  

However, this has not come without a price. Putin’s war in Ukraine has had far-reaching implications for not just this country, but around the globe, and has led to soaring energy costs.

Earlier this week Ofgem announced that from next month the energy price cap will fall to £3,280 per year for average households – down from the £4,279 figure from January to March which reflects the fall in wholesale energy prices. However, oil and gas prices remain high and bills steep.

Last year the government introduced a package of support measures worth billions of pounds to ensure households don’t suffer through the winter months, including the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG).

This has protected people from sky-rocketing prices as we would have seen annual energy bills soar to over £3,500. I understand this would have been impossible for many households in Mid-Cornwall to afford, so under the government’s Energy Price Guarantee, energy suppliers were restricted in what they could charge households per unit of energy with the government making up the rest.

This has kept bills for a typical household to around £2,500, saving people £900 over the winter months. I am pleased to see this support will continue for another 12 months from April, saving households an average of £500 for 2023 to 2024 in the face of energy prices that are forecast to remain high.

It’s good to see the government continuing to review its response to the international cost of living crisis caused by the war in Ukraine and provide further funding and support to those who need it most.

We understand the pressure many people are under to pay their bills and so to ensure no one struggles, other extra support will also be available to help the most vulnerable.

A further £1,200 of support in direct targeted payments is being provided to help households this year, with £26 billion worth of targeted support to protect the most vulnerable announced by the Chancellor for the next financial year.

From April, those households who need it most, will receive additional cash payments to help with energy costs, including £900 to households on means-tested benefits; £300 for pensioner households and also £150 to people on certain disability benefits.

Cornwall Council will also receive more than £9 million of additional support from the government to help families that need support as part of the Household Support Fund.

This is a discretionary fund provided to local authorities so they can provide support to vulnerable families struggling to cover essential costs who may not be eligible for other Government support schemes.

This funding takes the total level of support provided to Cornwall Council for this fund to nearly £23 million which is locally targeted and spent to enable it to reach those who need it the most.

Last year the Government also introduced the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) so every household with a domestic electricity connection was given a £400 discount on their energy bills, amounting to £66 or £67 per month.

More than £7.2 billion has been provided to households so far and on Monday the government’s online application portal opened so that households without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier, such as those living in park homes and care homes, can now apply.

This is something constituents have contacted me about and I have been calling on ministers to ensure this support is implemented as quickly as possible so am pleased to see the application portal is now open.

I would encourage all eligible households to apply as soon as they can as the sooner you do the sooner you will receive the help.

The Government has already delivered an unprecedented package of measures to help households across the UK and the support provided through the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bills Support Scheme have covered around half of a typical household’s energy bills.

As we are now heading into Spring and the lighter and warmer months, we are more likely to use less gas and electricity, however I, along with the government, will continue to review the situation to ensure those who need support receive the help they need and that no one is left struggling.

If I can be of assistance on this matter, or another, please get in touch with my office by calling 01726 829379 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk

Newspaper column 22 February 2022

 

Locally, my inbox over the past week was dominated with correspondence around the continued use of the Beresford Hotel in Newquay to house asylum seekers while their applications are being processed.

The housing of asylum seekers while they are awaiting the outcome of their application is an international and national issue and it is right that Cornwall plays its part. However, I would like to make it clear that the Home Office did not impose the current use of the Beresford Hotel on it. This was something that the owners of the Beresford Hotel decided, to use their hotel in this way.

Last week a number of constituents contacted me regarding concerns about the alleged relocation of the asylum seekers staying at the Beresford Hotel to accommodation in St Columb Minor. 

The Head of Asylum Support at the Home Office, with whom I have regular calls to receive updates on the Newquay situation, was immediately made aware of the concerns of local people, and in turn made it very clear that there is absolutely no truth to these rumours.

I have also been assured that the Beresford Hotel remains very much a temporary measure and that every effort is being made to move the asylum seekers on to more suitable accommodation elsewhere – which would almost certainly be out of Cornwall. I trust this reassures people that the rumours regarding the housing of asylum seekers in St Columb Minor are false, and that once again, it is unwise to believe everything you read on social media.

I am also aware that concerns have been raised about the alleged behaviour of some asylum seekers. Obviously if local people are being made to feel vulnerable and unsafe this is unacceptable. I have been in touch with local Police to ensure that these issues are being addressed in the appropriate way.  It is important that any inappropriate behaviour is raised with the right authority. If criminal acts are witnessed, then these should be reported to the police. Other concerns should be raised with the refugee support team at Cornwall Council via refugeehelp@cormwall.gov.uk

Alongside these issues, it also became apparent that some people have been planning a protest, and a counter-protest, around the continuing use of the Beresford Hotel in its current role.

I have been in contact with Newquay Town Council, local councillors, the Head of Asylum at the Home Office about this, as concerns about the safety of the asylum seekers and of disruption to the town centre have been expressed. I have been assured that senior officials at the Home Office as well as Newquay Police have been made aware and are taking action before, during and after the protest itself to maintain order and ensure it remains peaceful.

Whilst I accept some local residents do have legitimate concerns, I do not condone any form of racism or xenophobia. I note that decisive action is being taken by the Government to tackle the issue of illegal immigration while allowing us to show compassion to those in genuine need of asylum and I continue to support these measures being introduced in Parliament.

I appreciate that local people wish to express their views on a matter that is clearly of considerable importance to a number of residents in Newquay, Whilst it is of course right that people are allowed to express their views within the bounds of the law, I would also suggest that this may not always be the most helpful way to address those concerns. We must avoid the escalations of these matters in such a way that it stirs up hatred and divisions.

Of course, as your local Member of Parliament, my door remains open and I will continue to raise all concerns brought to me with the relevant authorities whilst continuing to work with the Home Office to ensure the asylum seekers housed in the hotel are moved on as soon as possible.

If you require my assistance on any matter please get in touch with my office by calling 01726 829379 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk

Newspaper column 15 February 2023 - Keeping Cornwall Connected

As people will know, ensuring Mid-Cornwall is better connected in all ways has always been a priority for me, especially following the Covid pandemic which showed us just how vital it is to have decent broadband schemes for both work and leisure.

That is why I am pleased to see the government has awarded local supplier, Wildanet, £36million to roll out new connections across Cornwall. This means thousands of people in those hard-to-reach areas in the Duchy will have access to lightning-fast broadband, something I have supported and been pushing for since being elected as MP.

I understand how important a good fast internet connection is, especially to elderly people who often rely on online connectivity for all manner of things, so it is a priority of mine that all households are able to enjoy full fibre connections.

Project Gigabit is the biggest broadband rollout in British history and shows the government’s commitment to creating a level playing field for our communities and businesses here in Cornwall at a time when it is more important than ever before that people have access to fast and reliable broadband for business and leisure purposes.

No time is being wasted on implementing this roll-out and work is already underway to survey rural homes and businesses from Newquay to Fowey as part of the government’s flagship £5 billion Project Gigabit. This scheme will see up to 19,250 homes and businesses in Cornwall connected.

This is something I have been working on for many years with Cornwall Council, supporting the bid, and now connecting those in need to the fastest broadband on the market is set to begin as early as this summer.

This really is fantastic news for those remote communities in the constituency who have not been able to benefit from broadband connectivity in this digital age when having fast, reliable internet is vital not only in our day-to-day lives, but also for businesses.

Many of us take reliable, fast broadband for granted, however for a number of our communities this vitally important infrastructure has been missing for too long. Now thanks to the government funding and Wildanet people living in rural areas will be able to benefit from the opportunities that gigabit broadband provides, including economic and social benefits, and it will also help Cornwall’s economy by connecting more people and businesses.

I have had many dealings with Wildanet in my role as MP and know that they are an excellent local Cornish employer. Through my work in the constituency, I have seen for myself just how passionate they are about improving rural connectivity in Cornwall.

That is why I am delighted to see their success in accessing this government funding to achieve this, particularly as Mid-Cornwall will be one of the first areas in the county to get the Project Gigabit funding.

The contract will cover rural premises from the north coast, between Newquay and Otterham, to the south coast, between Portloe and Fowey, and so will be of great benefit to people living in these areas.

This announcement is more confirmation from the Government that Cornwall is at the heart of its levelling up agenda and builds on the previous investments since 2011 through the Superfast Cornwall programmes.

As a result of these new contracts, Wildanet expects to create 200 jobs on top of the 150 the company has created in the area already. This will also bring indirect opportunities for local companies, which is great news.  

I will continue to do all I can to ensure people and businesses in Mid-Cornwall have access to reliable, fast broadband and can benefit from this scheme. I now look forward to working with Wildanet, Cornwall Council and my colleagues in Westminster on this project and am confident we will see the economic and social transformation we all want to see in our rural communities in Cornwall.

If you require my assistance on any matter please get in touch with my office by calling 01726 829379 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk

ENDS

Newspaper column 8 February 2023 - More funding for our NHS

 Freeing up space in hospitals and speeding up discharge for those who are medically fit to leave are also key parts of the blueprint. The NHS will be piloting a new approach to step down care across the country where patients will receive rehabilitation and physiotherapy including at home.

This will ensure people have a smooth transition out of hospital, reducing the chances of re-admission while also potentially reducing long-term demand on social care.

Measures implemented during the winter to help the NHS cope with demand will also be expanded all year-round.

The issues we face today are in no way a reflection on NHS doctors and nurses who work around the clock to ensure they deliver care to hundreds of thousands of patients every day, and we also cannot ignore the impact the pandemic has had on the NHS.

 

We are extremely grateful to all doctors and nurses and that is why the government will also be supporting them by giving them greater flexibility to move between hospitals and work in services like 111, with more options for call handlers to work from home.

More details about the government’s plan can be found here: www.england.nhs.uk/2023/01/major-plan-to-recover-urgent-and-emergency-care-services/

The government is making up to £14.1 billion available for health and social care over the next two years, on top of record funding to improve urgent and emergency, elective, and primary care performance to pre-pandemic levels.

However, as I have repeatedly said, there are no quick fixes to solving the serious long-term challenges facing the NHS, but we can act now to reduce long waits for urgent and emergency care.

This year the NHS will celebrate its 75 anniversary. I believe we now need to look to the future and focus on reforming the way NHS services are provided. The NHS needs to adapt to the country’s changing needs, so that it can exist for another 75 years. 

For now, I will continue to work with the local NHS, Cornwall Council and Government to ensure we make the most of this opportunity to put the NHS on a sustainable footing so that the people of Cornwall receive the care they need and deserve.

If I can be of assistance on this matter or any other, please get in touch with my office on 01726 829329 or email office@stevedouble.org.uk

Newspaper column February 1st 2023 - Devolution Deal update

This month the public consultation on the historic £360 million devolution deal between the Government and Cornwall Council will be coming to an end.

This historic deal, which transfers additional money and power into the hands of local leaders in Cornwall, is the first single county deal of its kind.

It is also one of the biggest decisions Cornwall has had to make in a generation and that is why I urge as many people as possible to understand what is on offer and have their say.

I am aware, however, that there has been much misinformation and misunderstanding about what the Devolution Deal will mean for Cornwall and so would encourage people to base their views and judgement on fact, rather than misguided opinion.

Regardless of what some people may be saying, this is not a done deal. It is only the beginning and what is on offer in the immediate deal is not the final outcome. There is much more negotiation to be done with the government about more additional funding and powers to make the changes we want to see here in Cornwall happen.

There is also a lot of misrepresentation about what having a mayor will mean for Cornwall. The deal would mean everyone in Cornwall gets to decide who leads Cornwall Council rather than 87 councillors choosing. Surely a Leader elected by the people of Cornwall who best understand what the county needs can only be a good thing as it also means the council Leader will have a greater democratic mandate and will be accountable to the people of Cornwall.

However, don’t just take my, or anyone else’s, word for it. I would urge people to see for themselves exactly what this will mean for Cornwall: www.gov.uk/government/publications/cornwall-devolution-deal-kevambos-digresennans-kernow

The deal will include Cornwall’s first ever long-term, fully devolved investment fund of £360m guaranteed for the next 30 years as well as £8.7 million to support the building of new homes on brownfield land and an additional £500,000 for transport planning to support the area to improve key transport infrastructure priorities.

There is also up to £10 million for housing and heritage-led regeneration to support the delivery of locally determined priorities in Cornwall, and £500,000 of funding to protect and promote the Cornish language.

But this ground-breaking deal is about more than just money. It also includes a commitment from government to work with Cornwall to finds ways to better manage the impact of second homes and holiday lets and would give us new powers to improve local skills to ensure these meet the needs of the local economy and also drive the regeneration of Cornwall and to build more affordable homes.

It would also see the start of a new era of political leadership by establishing a different relationship with the Government for Cornwall; giving us the opportunity to have more decision-making powers and millions of pounds of additional investment to deliver on priorities for the people of Cornwall.

I strongly believe that the Devolution Deal can only be very positive for Cornwall. More money, more power and more control over things that truly matter to us like housing, education, and transport as well.

Over half of the country is going down this route and I’m concerned that if Cornwall doesn’t take this opportunity, we are going to be left behind other areas.

There are also those who would like to see a regional or Devon and Cornwall Mayor, and the way to ensure Cornwall keeps its unique identity and voice is to take this opportunity.

 

Cornwall Council have been consulting on the new deal which aims to help deliver on the priorities set out in the Cornwall Plan 2050 and if accepted, the Government would give additional powers and funding to the local authority.

 

What’s important is that people understand the facts and I would encourage everyone to take a look at what the deal means for the county themselves and then have their say.
 

The 10-week consultation comes to an end this month on February 17 and can be accessed via the link here: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/bigdeal

If supported, the election of a Mayor for Cornwall will take place in May 2024.

 

For now, I will carry on working with my colleagues in Westminster to ensure we continue to deliver the best outcomes for the people of Cornwall.

As ever, if I can be of assistance on any matter, my office is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance – tel: 01726 829379 or email: office@stevedouble.org.uk

ENDS

Newspaper column 18 January 2023 - Updates on laws going through Parliament

A number of important pieces of legislation have, or will be, coming forward in Parliament this week including the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill and also the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

There has been much controversy surrounding these Bills and I would like to address some of the disinformation being peddled in the media and by other political parties, so that people can see for themselves exactly what they will mean for the UK rather than listening to rumours and myths.

There were a significant number of public sector industrial disputes last year and continuing into this year which have affected the transport, health, education and border security sectors.

From June 2022 to October 2022, a total of 1.16 million days were lost due to strike action in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics figures, and that total is likely to be higher once the figures for November and December 2022 are published.  

The Conservative manifesto for the December 2019 general election pledged to introduce legislation to “require that a minimum service operates during transport strikes’ and so the new Strikes Bill goes one step further.

I want to make it very clear that the Bill is not about stopping people from striking. Currently in the UK, police officers, members of the armed forces and some prison officers are prohibited from striking, but there are no other general restrictions on public sector workers from striking. The Government will always protect the ability to strike, however, it must be balanced with the public’s right to life and livelihoods. We need to protect public safety and access to essential public services.

 The new laws ensure that certain essential services – such as healthcare, education, fire and border security - cannot shut down completely when workers strike, in order to maintain basic, and in many cases lifesaving, services.

The measures will allow the government, NHS, the public and other services to plan properly for the running of services in times of strike so the public aren’t inadvertently put at risk, and the government is consulting on the level of coverage that will be required from ambulance, fire and rail services.

 Many countries across the world such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain already have minimum service agreements in place so this new legislation will bring us in line with those. It is vital that we deal with ongoing disruption to public services and protect the public when unions insist on continuing industrial action.

I also want to talk about the Retained EU Law Bill which is due to come forward today. Once again false information has been doing the rounds about what the changes will mean.

However, I can assure people that I will never support any measure by law or otherwise to water down essential workers’ rights such as maternity leave and holiday pay. That is complete nonsense. In fact, many of the UK’s laws around such matters go further and are stronger than EU law. 

Retained EU Law is a category of domestic law created at the end of the transition period and consists of EU-derived legislation that was preserved in our domestic legal framework by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Retained EU Law was never intended to sit on the statute book indefinitely. The time is now right to end the special status of retained EU Law in the UK statute book on 31st December 2023. This is the final part of the Brexit process.

This Bill will abolish this special status and will enable the Government, via Parliament, to amend more easily, repeal and replace retained EU Law. It will also include a sunset date by which all remaining retained EU Law will either be repealed or assimilated into UK domestic law.

The Bill is part of the Government’s commitment to put the UK statute book on a more sustainable footing. By ending the special status of retained EU Law, we will reclaim the sovereignty of Parliament and restore primacy to Acts of Parliament – these were the key and expressly stated aims of Brexit.

This Bill will not undermine any existing Government commitments, including our commitment on upholding workers’ rights and ensuring that the UK remain one of the best places in the world to work, as well as our pledges on the environment.

On the contrary, freeing us from EU law can allow us to go further and make improvements above and beyond what the EU demands its member states. Since the 2016 referendum, we have continued to build on existing employment law with measures which protect those in low-paid work and increase the national minimum wage and remain a world leader in environmental standards.

As a country we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% since 2010, faster than any other G20 country and we’re also the first in the world to phase out coal by 2020.

Finally, the BBC is planning changes to BBC Radio Cornwall and its other 38 local radio stations, which could see fewer local programmes broadcast and Cornwall losing its dedicated radio station.

I am interested in hearing your views on this, which I will then pass to the BBC as part of my response to the consultation. For more information on the proposals and to fill out my survey please visit: www.stevedouble/org.uk/bbc-radio-cornwall-survey

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

Newspaper column 4 January 2023 - Looking ahead to the New Year

 

Firstly, I'd like to say I hope everyone had a good New Year and are looking forward to 2023. Later this week I will be heading back to Parliament as Christmas Recess ends after spending time in the constituency with my family and having the opportunity to meet constituents and businesses. 

I am looking forward to getting back to Westminster, however, I am very much aware that 2023 is going to be a very challenging year as we continue to not only recover from the Covid pandemic but also deal with the impact of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. 

We will face some difficult decisions as we seek to restore public finances and return our economy to stability and growth. Please rest assured that I will continue to work with the government to ensure we provide the support needed for those who need it most. 

  

I am also aware that two of the biggest issues we face in Cornwall are housing and the pressure on our NHS. These will continue to be two of the things I focus on most as I work with local NHS leaders and the council in Cornwall as well as Ministers in Westminster to ensure we see improvements in the coming months.

 

While I appreciate this year will be difficult, there are a number of positive projects I will be working on to see them delivered for our constituency, including Spaceport Cornwall and the satellite launch which will attract new businesses and jobs to the area.

 

I am also hoping for a positive announcement on the Mid-Cornwall Metro in the coming weeks. This ambitious scheme to link Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro and Falmouth with a direct rail line has already been chosen to proceed to the next stage of the Government’s Restoring your Railway programme and is also a project put forward for a Levelling Up Fund bid.

 

I believe this coast to coast through-service will have huge benefits for communities living along the route such as reducing journey time and easing road congestion as well as bringing in more visitors and trade. I will continue to work with all involved to help make it a reality.

 

Our vital tourism and hospitality businesses will also continue to receive my support as we face unprecedented challenges through 2023, and I am also keen to see the Newquay Strategic Route built and will be working Cornwall Council to ensure this long overdue road is constructed as soon as possible.  

 

Speaking of roads, as we start to see more and more electric cars, I am excited to see what’s in store for Cornwall’s lithium industry. It is a key element in battery production, so this is a fantastic opportunity for the region, and I look forward to seeing what steps the industry will take this year to develop this even further.

  

A decision on the Devolution Deal for Cornwall will also be made in the coming months. Cornwall Council are currently consulting on the new Deal which aims to help deliver on the priorities set out in the Cornwall Plan 2050. 

 

If accepted, the Government would give additional powers and funding to Cornwall Council. I would encourage everyone to take a look at what the Deal means for the County themselves and then have their say on the Deal: www.gov.uk/government/publications/cornwall-devolution-deal-kevambos-digresennans-kernow

 

The Deal will provide Cornwall with the basis to continue to negotiate with the government for more additional funding and powers to make the changes we want to see here happen. The consultation will run until February 17, 2023 and can be accessed via the link here: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/bigdeal

 

Despite all the challenges we will face, there are many positives to look forward to this year and we are lucky to live in one of the most amazing parts of our country. I firmly believe that by continuing to work together we can make it even better.

 

 As ever, if I can be of assistance on any matter, my office is available for any constituents needing help, advice or guidance – tel: 01726 829379 or email: office@stevedouble.org.uk