One of the main debates we had this week concerned House of Lords reform. There are a number of options on the table regarding where we go from here on this including a 100% elected second chamber and a number of different alternatives that would combine elections with appointments. I believe the House of Lords currently undertakes its vital scrutinising functions very effectively. It is far from perfect, but I do think we must ensure any changes we make to the House of Lords do not undermine the expertise many of its members currently bring to the process of making law.
This week we also saw the Finance (No.3) Bill return to the House for the first of what promises to be a multi-day debate. The Finance Bill is one where the House can sit beyond its usual hours and so the votes we had on it did not take place until around 1.30am on Wednesday morning! I also sat on the House of Commons Committee looking at the Carbon Budget Order, which sets the carbon budget (level of CO2 emissions) for 2023 to 2027 and the House saw a debate take place on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.
Lobbying for Change
This week I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ask two questions in the House. The first was on Monday to the Home Secretary. I wanted to know what progress had been made on reducing the red tape that prevents our police being on the beat. It makes no sense to me that our police spend so much time sitting in an office filling in forms and I am pleased the Government is taking action on this. The second was to the Prime Minister on Wednesday during Prime Minister’s Question Time. I wanted to raise with him the serious and long term unfairness of the level of our water rates in the South West. It is indefensible to me that our water bills are as high as they are. A recent DEFRA consultation on this put forward an option that would see the Government put £40m per annum into the South West in order to get household water bills down by around £50. This is a move I would welcome and I hope it is the option from the recent consultation taken forward by the Government when we see things progress on this later on in the year.
Westminster Hall was busy as ever with one of the debates held being on rural bus services in South Devon. Four Devon MPs raised their concerns about reductions and changes to rural services. Some of our concerns on this include the fact reductions will disadvantage those without cars in rural areas who might be relying on the bus to get them to work or support family members. The need for these reductions to happen is in part because of the inadequate provision in the local government funding formula to cover the additional costs of rurally dispersed communities and this is something I will be looking to raise with Ministers moving forward.
The week also included a meeting with the Ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A number of issues were raised including CAP reform and bovine TB. I am very concerned about the amount of red tape our farmers have to deal with and I therefore asked the Minister to ensure we got rid of some of the excessive paperwork whilst we are cutting back on bureaucracy! The final session of the Parliamentary Health Group, which I attended, looked at the challenges of integrating health and social care. I also attended a new cross party group looking at local democracy.
Out and About
On Friday, I was delighted to visit the site of the proposed Teignmouth flood defences with the Environment Agency to discuss with them the progress of the scheme. Things are moving forward with this now and, although there are some issues still to be addressed, I am hopeful work can begin early next year. In the afternoon, I attended an event to mark the successful completion of Shaldon flood defences. Between the two flooding related events, I popped along to the Red Rock Youth Centre in Dawlish to join a meeting with the local business community. This is a great opportunity for the community and local business to use a first class modern facility to benefit local businesses and the community in equal measure.
On Sunday, I visited the RNLI on their training day to see first-hand what they do. I left very impressed and very pleased and proud of the team we have in Teignmouth. Like many of you, I sail and one day my life may well depend on them.
Surgeries and Getting Together
My next surgeries are on the Saturday 16th July at 10am in Teignmouth Library and 12 noon in Kingsteignton Community Centre. 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 will be on the 8th July at 630pm in The Village Club in Aschcombe and I will also be holding one on the 15th July at 6.30pm in The Ship Inn in Cockwood. I look forward to seeing you there!