The reaction to last week’s Autumn Statement was still the main theme of business this week in the House. We spent two days debating the resolutions the Chancellor had put forward to help address the government’s debt while providing support to individuals and businesses in these challenging times. As a member of the Treasury Select Committee, I was able to question the Chancellor directly on the shortcomings of the energy bill support for individuals and businesses.
While the Energy Price Guarantee does provide continuing protection for households, albeit at a lower level, the additional support for low-income families is linked to whether or not that family receives means tested benefits. 40% of low-income families are not on benefits, meaning they are missing out on substantial additional support. The chancellor recognised the problem and said his team were already looking at how this could be done more fairly in the future. However, for now, the problem remains. Even those on benefits face a challenge of falling just the wrong side of the entitlement line depending on when their entitlement is assessed and when they were in receipt of qualifying benefits. I did however receive confirmation from the Chancellor that the support would remain for the full period promised regardless of what happened to energy prices.
The new help for businesses with their energy bills was not spelt out in the Autumn Statement. I pressed the government for more clarity on what was forthcoming. I also raised concerns with the Chancellor about the enormous rises being quoted for new fixed term contracts for businesses. Unlike the domestic scheme where the price of each energy unit is capped, for businesses there is no cap but instead a maximum discount on bills given by government based on their estimate of what wholesale prices will be in six month’s time. The energy companies can charge more! I have seen quotes for increases to 500%! That isn’t sustainable. The Chancellor has agreed to look at this.
One of the most difficult agencies I had to deal with on your behalf during the pandemic was the DVLA. I was therefore very pleased to be able to dig into what had gone wrong at this week’s Public Accounts Committee hearing. Delays in issuing ordinary driving licenses was a problem, but if there were medical issues individuals could be waiting not just months but years. It is an extraordinarily old-fashioned system with too much being dealt with by post. With their office in Swansea closed due to industrial action for so long, letters remained unopened. Worse they would not accept GP letters insisting on letters from consultants. That would be difficult in normal times but during a pandemic almost impossible. People landed up trapped in their homes unable to get out and others lost their jobs including key workers such as lorry and bus drivers. At least they were honest enough to admit the framework for dealing with these cases was no longer fit for purpose. Now it must change!
I was delighted to welcome Kenton Primary School to Parliament. It was an exhausting day for them but I think they left with a much better idea of how Parliament works and what their MP does! They asked some excellent and challenging questions – one or two are clearly budding politicians and journalists!
But my week’s highlight was having a sneak preview of the work going on at the Teignmouth Arts Action Group (TAAG). The building has been largely gutted and is now being put back together into what will be a fabulous arts centre. What has been achieved is absolutely phenomenal! The community should be very proud of what they have contributed in time, money – and love! To have raised enough to both buy and refurbish the centre – wow!
As always, 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.