Good news for farmers came from the Prime Minister, as he recently announced that they would be getting £220m in funding for technology and innovation, making British farms more productive and reducing red tape. Better than just throwing money at the problem, this scheme will address the underlying issues that are holding our farmers back. As the PM said in his speech to the NFU, “it’s farmers who feed us” – quite right! More good news came for the many very welcome Ukrainians across Teignbridge, as the Home Office announced an extension to the visa scheme. As the Russians continue their senseless war, it is the least the UK can do to provide a safe place for Ukrainian families to prosper until victory is achieved. Under the new rules, anyone who entered the UK under one of the Ukrainian visa schemes is now entitled to another 18 months.
Unusually, I had been invited to guest on the Defence Select Committee. The committee was rightly very concerned about the proposed changes to officer accommodation - and just before the hearing – just hours – the government rowed back recognising how important it is to keep the rank based officer accommodation. Of course it is right, and long overdue, to improve the quality of and quantity of good housing for all. But while giving more to those that rightly need it, doesn’t justify removing it from others. And at the Treasury Committee this week, my focus was on the unfairness of asking the smallest of businesses for unreasonable personal guarantees and charges on their homes. We had evidence of cases where these were demanded for loans of as little as £5,000. Of course, there is a risk of default but the bank receives interest for taking that risk! If it’s a limited company, it has no protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service. That must change!
Legislation this week included The Leasehold and Freehold Bill, which went through its remaining stages. It reforms how leases work and makes them fairer by preventing exploitation by the freeholder. It’s a good Bill but doesn’t go as far as it needed to. Flats were excluded which represent 70% of all leaseholds! More reform needed! Then home! Friday was the 100 year anniversary of Austin’s opening its doors in Newton Abbot. Much loved by us all, the family celebrated in style with a large queue for special celebratory offers, and many more watching the opening event, speeches, ribbon cutting and more. A tribute to all three generations!
After a surgery in Dawlish, I was delighted to have been invited to Bishopsteignton to meet parish councillors and a host of local community groups offering so much. It was truly awe inspiring – British village life at its best. Every new resident receives a welcome pack which includes a village guide. From Scouts to Probuse, to Care Watch looking after those needing lifts to a hospital appointment and more, The Emergency Resilience Team which steps into action when it floods, to the Heritage group (with a mini museum in the community centre) – and the arts, crafts, gardening and sustainability activities, drama and festivals….if I could bottle all that energy it would be beyond price!
And finally on Saturday morning, I joined the Kingskerswell Action Group to support their Spring Fair at the Parish Centre. The Action Group have created a real sense of community and it showed! Lots of hidden talent including a totally wonderful lady, Rose, selling fabulous hand-made chocolates! And there is no fair without marmalade – four great jars of whiskey marmalade now sit in my cupboard! And a new idea – collecting much pre-loved teddies and selling them for a children’s cancer charity. But the action group do a lot more than the fair,
improving the appearance of the village and organising events and entertainment year round. Just brilliant!
As always, I have upcoming surgeries in Kingsteignton (Friday 8th March), Newton Abbot (5th April), Teignmouth (12th April) and Dawlish (3rd May). If you would like to book a surgery appointment (in-person or virtual) or raise a specific issue, please call my office on 01626 368277 or email annemarie.morris.mp@parliament.uk to arrange an appointment.