A large part of my week was spent in a Public Bill Committee scrutinising the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Justine Greening MP, who is the Economics Secretary to the Treasury. The Bill imposes a number of duties on the Treasury, but more importantly sets up the Office for Budget Responsibility, an independent body which will in future produce the economic and fiscal forecasts which used to be prepared by the Treasury and which are the basis of the annual budget. This ensures the figures are independently produced without any political bias. The Bill also changes the status of the National Audit Office, modernising its governance structure. The NAO is responsible for looking at how efficiently government departments and public bodies spend our money!
On Monday we had a good debate about “The Big Society”. This was a debate allocated time by the Back Bench Business Committee. I was concerned to ensure the House recognised how important a role small businesses play in this and there were a number of cries of “Hear, Hear!” across the benches when I told the House about our Teignbridge Business Buddies. On Tuesday we debated the Protection of Freedoms Bill which amongst other things looked at allowing individuals with criminal records for crimes which are no longer crimes, not to have to disclose them. We also looked at the Prevention of Terrorism Act ensuring the continuation of key provisions which have to be annually reviewed, particularly important now in these difficult times.
Lobbying for Change
This week I chaired the second meeting of the new All Party Parliamentary Group on Micro Businesses. This was a pre-budget special meeting and we looked, with a number of experts, at the tax challenges Micro Businesses face with a view to identifying some key messages for the Chancellor as he prepares his budget, and some longer term issues that need to be addressed. We came up with a number of ideas on help for investors in these businesses. We looked at measures to reduce costs by changing some National Insurance provisions and addressing Fuel Duty. We also tackled Business Rates. We will tackle VAT and Corporation tax at a future meeting – VAT is now the subject of an EU Green Paper – so watch this space!
It was a busy week with a number of meetings on matters close to our hearts. On Monday I joined an Apprenticeship Enquiry to look at what needs to be done to make apprenticeships more accessible to businesses. With a dozen fellow coastal seat MPs, I lobbied Philip Hammond MP the Transport Secretary to think again about changes proposed to the Coastguards – and I am pleased to say he has agreed to extend the consultation period about their future and we have secured a debate in the main debating chamber next week on the issue. I joined a group of MPs and Insolvency practitioners to look at what we need to do to help businesses trade out of debt rather than be forced to close by unreasonable creditors of key supplies holding them to ransom. Lots of good issues that I can do something about!
Out and About
I was pleased to meet up with teams from Devon County Council and local Business Groups to discuss the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. The proposal for this LEP which will cross Devon and Somerset will shortly be submitted to the government and I am lobbying hard for it to be approved. It will give us a very good voice for our community. I was also pleased to meet Devon County Council to talk about the South Devon Link Road – and the steps we need to take from here to put us in the best position to get the green light at the end of the year. Finally I met up with Morrisons to discuss the supermarket development in Teignmouth on the Broadmeadow site.
A great pleasure it was to join Working Links in Newton Abbot on Friday, to see a large cheque handed over to Devon Air Ambulance. A visit to Fermoys Garden Centre and Farm Shop followed and I was delighted to hear about their community gardening projects with primary schools. Just before my pub meeting at the Linny in Coffinswell, I enjoyed a lively session at Teign School with the Sixth Form Student Union to discuss recent government policies. Saturday was another busy day with well attended surgeries in Dawlish and Newton Abbot and then a quick visit to see the World Book Day event in Newton Abbot. The evening was nicely rounded off at Seale Hayne listening to the Chordettes, our very own Ladies Barber Music Group.
Surgeries and Getting Together
My next surgeries will be in Teignmouth on Saturday 19th March at 10.00am at the Library and then in Kingsteignton at the Community Centre at 11.30am. Please phone 01626 368277 for an appointment or for immediate help with issues that can’t wait until the next surgery. My next surgery in Dawlish will be at 10.00am on Saturday 2nd April at the Manor House and in Newton Abbot at 12 noon at the Courtenay Centre. My next “Face to Face” pub meeting will be on Friday 1st April at 6.30pm at The Rising Sun, Woodland –I should love to see you there so do come along for a chat!