Teignbridge Matters

Read Anne Marie’s views in her weekly column; an advertisement sponsored by Conservative supporters.

Energy

In today’s high-tech world, energy is a fundamental part of life. A power cut and everything grinds to a halt. But energy is expensive – and the supply not infinite. With our energy supplies increasingly sourced overseas, and with urgent action needed to combat climate change, it’s time to rethink the way we supply and consume energy. We urgently need to move to a low carbon economy – and we need to produce more of it in Britain.

Particularly here in the South West we have the potential to expand offshore wind and marine power – this needs government backing and this must be a priority. If we transformed our electricity networks we could accommodate a huge increase in renewable power. I met one constituent who has installed a large number of solar panels – and what energy he cannot use he plans to sell back to the National Grid. Micro generation like this will be part of our future.

While we will still need conventional fuels, new coal-fired power stations should only be built with clean carbon capture and storage technology. But clearly we need to look at how we can reduce the amount of energy we use. The Newton Abbot Transition Town group I mentioned last week are talking to our local supermarkets about their use of energy. Every little bit helps - and we can all play our part.

Industry

To get the economy working again, we have to begin to produce. We must get manufacturing back on its feet. I visited Centrax in Newton Abbot which manufactures gas turbine-driven generators and was very impressed with what I saw. They provide some 700 jobs locally together with one of the very few apprenticeship schemes in the area. The technology is state of the art and the investment cost huge. They need more government support. To make their case, I invited Philip Hammond, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury to visit – he saw for himself the complex issues that need to be addressed.

I was also invited to visit Imerys to see the ball clay extraction process first hand. This ball clay is some of the best in the world and a key component of the toilets and wash basins in all our bathrooms. This business is important for local jobs and for Teignmouth port. But these are just a couple of examples – there are others in our local towns – and we need to see more of them. Manufacturing needs supporting… and we need to see some new modern “smart” manufacturing ideas given government support here in Teignbridge.

Employment

We Need to start thinking about employment – not unemployment. What sort of jobs do we need and how can we create them? Clearly we need to look at a better balance. We need jobs that are practical as well as administrative. We need to provide more incentives and proper skills training for electricians, plumbers, builders, engineers and all those jobs which require you to think with your hands as well as your head.

These jobs are at least as worthwhile as those which are office based. I find it extraordinary that right now a family whose child goes to university is eligible to get financial support from the government, while a family whose child gets an apprenticeship is not. The cost of training has to be borne by the employer and the trainee’s family. It is no wonder there are so few apprenticeships on offer.

STOP PRESS: We have a members meeting on 11th September to give members a chance to tell me what messages they would like me to take to the Conservative Party Conference in October. All Conservative supporters are welcome. Please call me on 01626 368277 or email me for details.