In Westminster
This week saw Parliament debate the EU Referendum Bill, which is aimed at guaranteeing the British people a referendum on the UK’s future within the European Union. I strongly support this Bill, and voted in favour of it. A European referendum was last held way back in 1975, and the club we voted to join then now looks nothing like the one that exists today! I think that the EU encroaches into far too many aspects of British day to day life, and that firm measures must be taken to reign in some of its powers. I am lobbying hard within Government to ensure that we know what a “reformed in” and “reformed out” option actually looks like, so that when people do cast their votes in the Referendum they fully understand what the choices are. This is the right way for such an important matter to be handled in a democracy.
Parliament also debated the National Insurance Contributions Bill, which will reduce the costs to small businesses and charities who want to take on new employees. I spoke in the debate, and encouraged the Government to take steps which will translate rising local business confidence into measures that make it easier for employers in Dawlish, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth to take new workers on! This Bill is a good start, and will enable our local firms to take on up to four people on the minimum wage, and not pay any national insurance at all.
I was pleased to give a speech in support of National Bookkeeping Week, which is a great initiative aimed at improving the knowledge and perception of basic bookkeeping principles such as keeping accurate accounts. I also sat on the panel at a National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers event, at which we discussed a real and sustainable recovery and looked at improving ways of getting banks and institutions to lend money to small businesses.
With the winter weather about to arrive, I am very conscious of the affect that this can have on our local rail service, so this week I met with Network Rail to hear what plans they have in place to keep the travelling public on the move. I was reassured to hear that substantial investment continues to be made in improving flood protection on our local line, with more work scheduled in the next couple of weeks. We can never guarantee that the train line will not be closed if the weather is bad, but with these new measures I am far more confident in the train company’s ability to be able to re-open the line again quickly! I also raised with rail bosses the importance of keeping passengers properly updated with high quality real time information during any disruption, and they have told me that they will do this.
Delivering Change
I was pleased to secure a House of Commons debate this week on what further support can be given to small businesses. My motion gained the support of over 70 MP’s from all political parties, and will be debated in the chamber in a couple of weeks. I will be looking at issues like the cutting of red tape, reducing the tax burden, and improving access to finance- all areas where our small businesses need even more support!
Out and About
I was delighted to hear the announcement this week that over £4m is to be invested in two of our local schools. £2.5m will be spent on a bespoke new school at Haytor View, Buckland, and £1.8m will be spent on building eight new classrooms at Barton Bradley school. This is fantastic news for the pupils, parents and staff of these schools. I am determined to keep fighting for the best possible deal for our local children and schools, and will continue to bang the drum for even more investment in great facilities such as these.
Remembrance Sunday is always one of my busiest days of the year as a Member of Parliament, and this year I attended three separate ceremonies across the constituency in Newton Abbot, Dawlish and Shaldon. It is always worth pausing to remember the sacrifices made by the previous generations, and to remind ourselves of their nobility and courage.
Surgeries
On Friday 15th November I will be holding a surgery at Dawlish Manor House at 9.30am, followed by a supermarket surgery in Sainsburys in Dawlish. Please contact my office if you would like to make an appointment to see me.