The Armed Forces Bill was the first main debate of the year and much praise was given to those serving overseas. A number of concerns were raised about health care for returning soldiers and other matters. I was particularly pleased to see the bill contain a requirement for the Secretary of State to make an annual report to the House on the military covenant. Tuesday saw the debate continue on the European Union Bill making it mandatory for any further transfer of power to the EU to be subject to a referendum, and on the Postal Services Bill on which I have had a number of calls. The Postal Services Bill is about the postal service, not post offices – and at its heart is a guarantee that whatever happens letters must continue to be delivered universally across the country – and that includes to those rural hard to reach places which are the least economic to run.
On Wednesday I was delighted to see a 10 minute rule motion brought forward asking for leave to introduce a Bill to make provision for minimum prices to be payable to dairy farmers for the production of milk. Leave was granted and we can expect to see this issue, which is close to the heart of farmers struggling to produce milk at a profit, debated in the near future. Wednesday also saw me in Westminster Hall, the second debating chamber in the House, raising again the issue of the urgent need for the flood defence scheme in Teignmouth. On Thursday we debated the National Insurance Bill, this time at Report stage, which will introduce the very welcome NI tax holiday for employers in new businesses on the NI contribution paid by employers for up to ten new employees. The holiday is limited to three years. I am hopeful that if successful the scheme will be extended both in time and to existing micro-businesses for which I have been lobbying for some time.
Lobbying for Change
It is important to be on top of what is happening in the patch. I was pleased to meet up with OFSTED who briefed me on educational performance across the country and in particular how our Education Authority in Devon has been doing. I have asked them to give me regular updates. Later in the week I had the opportunity to discuss regeneration possibilities in Teignbridge with the Community Development Foundation and they had a number of good ideas which I will follow up.
My last two Westminster meetings of the week were with Equitable Life and then the Citizens Advice Bureau -CAB. Mark Hoban the responsible minister met with the Equitable Life Action Group, Equitable Life and MPs to clarify next steps. The allocation process, i.e. who gets paid when, and the appeals process are being looked at and will be reported on by the end of the month. The minister also sought to clarify which policy holders fell into the post 1 September 1992 definition of policy holders who will benefit. A policy holder who had taken out a policy before that date, BUT had later converted to an annuity after 1 September 1992 would be compensated for the period after 1 September 1992. Full guidance will be produced shortly. The CAB for whom I have a huge amount of time and respect came to lobby me about the Legal Aid changes. The CAB in South Hams has a contract to provide advice on debt and welfare under the Legal Aid Scheme to residents in Teignbridge.
Out and About
On Friday, I met up with both John Hart, Phil Norrey and the planning and transport team at Devon County Council and Phil Shears and his team from Teignbridge District Council, which was very timely given the next week was to be dominated by the Localism Bill, the biggest shake up of local government for some time. The main focus of my meeting with Devon County Council was to discuss the County Council Budget and the South Devon Link Road. My meeting with Teignbridge District Council focused on their plans for economic development and regeneration. With a Local Enterprise Partnership hopefully to be agreed shortly, we will have the tools in place to make regeneration a reality.
Later that day, I was delighted to be invited by The Dawlish Branch of the Senior Council for Devon to meet with them and discuss the many issues for older people in Dawlish. It was a great pleasure!
On Saturday, Roger and I popped in for a meal at the Union Inn Denbury, which I am delighted to say is very much back in business – and the food is great! The new owner has local roots in Ipplepen and is determined to establish the Union Inn once again as a great local pub!
Surgeries and Getting Together
My next surgeries will be on Saturday 22nd January first in Dawlish at the Manor House at 10am and then at Teignmouth at the Library at 12.15pm. Please phone 01626 368277 for an appointment or for immediate help with issues that can’t wait until the next surgery. My next “Face to Face” pub meeting will be on Friday 21st January at 6.30pm at Ipplepen Conservative Club –I should love to see you there!