The global challenges over the past few years have shown us just how important it is to have a strong farming sector, and resilient farmers are essential for a resilient food chain in Britain. Taking mental health seriously ought to be a priority for everyone. But we know farmers are particularly vulnerable given the very isolated and economically challenging lives they lead. The National Farmers Union is acutely aware of this and devoted their annual reception in Parliament to those farming charities providing much needed mental health support. Spiralling costs in fuel, animal feeds, and fertiliser - due to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine - have taken a huge toll. And of course rural communities share their pain, it was therefore welcome to hear Therese Coffey, Secretary of State, recognise the particular needs of those living in the countryside earlier in the week at a private meeting at No 10.
On Tuesday, I met with the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to discuss the Renters (Reform) Bill. We have moved at last to recognising that while home ownership is a worthy ambition, renting for many, long or short term is the reality of “home”. So, we need to improve the tenant’s lot. But we must strike the right balance to ensure that both renters and landlords have the security and stability they need to deliver a healthy private rented sector. The problem with the current proposals is that while improving the rights of tenants, the new limitations on landlords are driving many of them to sell up. That’s a lose lose. The Secretary of State listened to my concerns, and I suspect we shall see a lively debate in the coming weeks!
Recently, South West Water’s parent company, Pennon Group plc, released their results for the financial period of 2022/23 and declared a sizeable dividend. Ofwat recently introduced a new approach to dividend payments requiring water companies to take account of environmental performance, customer delivery and their own economic performance when determining the dividend. But this only applies to the water company itself, not its parent company. So, a parent company even where its main asset is the water company is not constrained in the dividends it can pay. This seems to drive a coach and horses through the government’s policy. The law may have been complied with but perhaps not the spirit. I shall be raising this with ministers and the regulator.
I have been meeting regularly with all those involved in delivering the health hub in Teignmouth which will house three of the four GP practices in Teignmouth, and provide primary care to the vast majority of the town’s residents. Both Teignbridge that own the site and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation trust have been working to find a solution. Finding a solution and quickly isn’t optional. Without it, the quality and quantity of primary care Teignmouth deserves can’t be delivered. I am hopeful that a good deal is imminent. As with any major development all the moving parts have to come together at the same time – and that has been more than challenging. The future of Teignmouth hospital still has to be resolved – but it isn’t and never has been the home of the town’s GP practices. The future of the hospital is a critical issue and I want an outcome which enables it to continue to be part of the health and wellbeing provision of the community.
I have written often about the acute challenges businesses face with energy prices off the scale, in a market which isn’t regulated to create fair competition. I again met this weekend with a local business delivering jobs and security in their community facing this challenge. I am pressing government urgently to include reform in the Energy Bill, which is currently going through parliament, and to consider intervening to enable these unfair contracts to be renegotiated. This cannot wait.
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.