Newspaper column 15 March 2023 - The Illegal Migration Bill

As an MP I am contacted about a wide range of issues, but one that has remained very important to me, and one that many people in our constituency have been in touch with me about, is illegal immigration.

Concerns have been raised about the number of people entering the UK illegally and I have continued to flag them with the Government.

That is why I am pleased to see the Government has listened to concerns and is now introducing the Illegal Migration Bill. This landmark legislation will become the cornerstone of our plans to deter illegal immigration.

This Bill has received a great deal of attention over the weekend due to the reaction from some in the media. Unfortunately, this has led to some misinformation being circulated and a misunderstanding by some as to what we are actually seeking to do.

The UK has a proud and long history in being a safe sanctuary for those genuinely seeking refuge from war or persecution, such as we have seen recently with those from Ukraine who have come to Mid-Cornwall.

This country does all it can to help the most vulnerable through safe and legal routes. Since 2015, the UK has offered safe refuge to nearly 480,000 people from all over the world including Syria, Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

However, our hospitality should not be taken advantage of as some have been doing and it is right we close these loopholes while continuing to provide safe routes for those who need it.

This Bill makes it unambiguously clear that those who enter the UK illegally from a safe country are not going to be able to stay here. They will be removed back to their home country if it is safe, or to a safe third country such as Rwanda.

It is vital to stop the arrival of illegal boats that have overwhelmed our asylum system, which now costs taxpayers £3 billion a year. Since 2018, 85,000 people have illegally entered the UK by small boat - 45,000 of them last year alone. They all travelled through a number of safe countries where they could and should have claimed asylum while many came from safe countries, like Albania.

The vast majority – nearly three-quarters in 2021 – were adult males under the age of 40 many of whom have paid criminal people traffickers several thousands of pounds to get here. Once they arrive in the UK most are put in hotels, because we as a country do not have the capacity to house them, currently costing us £6 million a day.

Clearly the need for reform is urgent and the Government has prioritised this issue. I believe this Bill, along with the other steps the government is taking, will deliver the deterrent needed to stop people making these dangerous, illegal crossings and crack down on the criminal gangs who are paid extortionate amounts of money to smuggle people into the UK.

Stopping the boats was one of the five promises the Prime Minister made in January. This legislation, along with other measures, will enable us to fulfil that promise. It is deliverable and achievable and removes various barriers that are currently raised to prevent removals. This means we can take immediate action against those who continue to try and cheat our immigration system.

It will also free up capacity so that we can better support those in genuine need of protection through safe and legal routes. As we reduce illegal migration, we will be able do more to help and open up more recognised legal routes. The Bill will also introduce an annual cap on the number of refugees the UK will accept.

The other benefit is that we will be able to work with local councils to come up with a plan which takes into account local capacity for accommodation, public services, and support. This is something which is particularly important for us in Cornwall. This is important as when immigration is not done sensibly it can place a strain on local infrastructure and services, something I know many people in the constituency have been concerned about.

It is right that we look at every option to speed up the progress on returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin and an important part of that work must be to tackle the huge backlog of asylum claims, many of which have no merit whatsoever.

No other government is going to work as hard as this one to try and resolve this issue. In April 2022 we signed a ground-breaking economic and migration partnership with Rwanda. The government has said that as soon as the legal challenges are over flights to Rwanda will restart.

The government has also already delivered the largest ever small boats deal with France; a new, permanent, unified Small Boats Operational Command which will include over 700 new staff; tougher immigration enforcement with 200 new staff and a 50% increase in raids; a new deal with Albania which has already enabled the return of hundreds of illegal arrivals; plans to clear the asylum backlog by the end of 2023; and cheaper accommodation sites so we can move migrants out of expensive hotels. The Prime Minister went to France this weekend to agree further measures such as a detention centre in France more cooperation and more personal working on stopping the criminal gangs.

Of course, there will always be those who will try and stand in the way of this Bill. No other party has come forward with solutions to tackle this global crisis nor have they said they will be supporting this legislation. Instead, it looks like they will be opposing it.

However, I will continue to give my full support to the government and this legislation, and all other endeavours, to secure our borders and tackle illegal immigration.

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 8 March 2023 - Whipsiderry and coastal erosion

One issue that a lot of people have contacted me on over the past few weeks is around the works that are being done on Whipsiderry Beach and the cliffs above it near Newquay.

Any sort of work, particularly on the scale that is being attempted, in this beautiful location, was bound to attract controversy, and this is what has happened. Local people have come together to protest about what is taking place, and the changes to the area that are occurring.

I have been aware of concerns around development on this site since 2016, when it was first brought to my attention, although initial planning permissions were first sought and granted by Cornwall Council’s predecessor way back in 2007, some time before I was first elected as Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay in 2015.

That being said, I did speak out when applications were subsequently made to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the organisation that regulates marine construction for the controversial ‘concreting over the cliffs’, and to Cornwall Council as the local planning authority for further modifications, both in 2016. I felt strongly enough about these concerns that I made my objections public in 2016, as well as holding a debate in Parliament on the overall way in which the MMO conducts consultations for marine licensing, which has also impacted fishing communities on the south coast, in 2020.

Despite my objections, the MMO and Cornwall Council did eventually give the remaining planning permissions and the Marine License was granted. As a result the developers have been granted the legal permission to carry out the work. Now work has started I have raised the various concerns that have been brought to me about how it is being carried out with Cornwall Council to ensure it is within the permission granted. They have told me they will continue to be in close contact with the MMO, the Health and Safety Executive, and the police to help ensure appropriate action is taken if any breach of licence or crime is identified.

This is an emotive issue, but there is a wider conversation to be had about coastal erosion in general; the impact it has on our communities, and the steps we take to deal with it. The Whipsiderry site is particularly complex due to the building work that will happen above the cliffs, but even without this, the land above the beach and associated infrastructure will have been at risk due to advancing coastal erosion. This is something that we see across our constituency in various forms, both at Newquay, but also at Mawgan Porth, where the shifting of the sand dunes will present a challenge for local businesses and road users in the coming years, and on the south coast where cliff falls have led to the coast path being diverted at Charlestown, and putting gardens at threat in Mevagissey, and in Pentewan, where the potential failure of historic artificial coastal defences could put low-lying properties at risk of flooding.

 With rising sea levels and more extreme weather events forecast to happen more frequently, we need to do all we can both in central government and locally, to help communities be resilient to these changes, to adapt and survive. DEFRA is already taking some steps in this area, such as with the innovative Making Space for Sand project. The coming years will present some huge challenges in this area and it is important all involved listen to the concerns of local people and work with them to come forward with the most appropriate measures to project homes and livelihoods along with being sensitive to nature.  

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 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

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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

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