The “Big Bill” this week was the Education Bill. This Bill will restore discipline to the classroom by giving teachers more power to keep order and by making it easier for heads to expel disruptive pupils. OFSTED inspections will be simplified saving teachers time. A phonics based light touch reading test will be introduced for 6 year olds. Core academic subjects will be restored and the Bill introduces a new certificate, the English Baccalaureate which equates to an A*- C in English, mathematics, science, a language and a humanity (for example history or geography). A new duty will also be introduced to provide government funding for apprenticeship places.
The other newsworthy debate this week was on whether prisoners should have the right to vote. My view is that, once convicted, prisoners should lose their right to vote until their sentence has been served. This week also saw the Chancellor confirm that the Government had reached agreement with our biggest banks. As a result, the salaries of top executives will be published, bonuses reduced and £190bn lent to businesses. The bank levy has also been increased in order to raise an additional £800m. I support this agreement as it will curb excess, increase transparency and ensure businesses that are crying out for support from the banks finally receive it.
Finally, I was pleased to hear Ministers confirm that the Shaldon Flood Defence Scheme will be completed this year. I will continue to fight tooth and nail with respect to the proposed flood alleviation scheme in Teignmouth and I intend to meet with the Environment Agency to discuss these matters shortly.
Forests and Woodlands
I am delighted that the Government has decided this week not to do anything with our forests and woodlands until it is satisfied all appropriate safeguards protecting public benefits are in place. The consultation continues and I encourage you to respond to it so that all our voices are heard. I met up with representatives of Haldon Forest this week to discuss the way forward. Haldon Forest is a national treasure and I will continue to make the strongest possible representations to Ministers in order to ensure everyone in Government recognises its enormous popularity and the love we all have for one of the most beautiful parts of our country.
Lobbying for Change
This week I launched a new All Party Parliamentary Group on Micro Businesses. Very small businesses with less than five employees and a turnover of under £250,000 represent a third of all businesses, not just here in Teignbridge but in the country as a whole. They represent about 12% of the economy and in my view need some special help and support. These businesses are the lifeblood of rural communities and deprived urban communities. Other countries look at them as a special case when legislating, recognising the particular challenges they face – I believe we should do the same. With the budget almost upon us, our first task is to look at propositions on taxation for the Chancellor. Any thoughts welcome!
Later in the week I had a meeting with a group of Harbour Commissioners from the West Country including from Teignmouth to look at some of the big challenges they face, both in relation to the Pilots’ Pension Scheme and Harbour charges. I will be working with them to ensure the best possible future for Teignmouth Port. I also joined a number of MPs to lobby the Back Bench Committee to allocate time to debate the proposal for changes to coastguard arrangements. Without a coastguard at Brixham and with a downgraded coastguard service at Falmouth we would be taking a significant safety risk.
Out and About
I was delighted to join South Devon College in London for the National Beacon Awards Ceremony – South Devon College won the YPLA Beacon Award for 14-19 Collaboration. It was well deserved!
On Friday, the last day of Apprenticeship Week, I joined South Devon College at Xylophone Kitchens to celebrate their very successful apprenticeship scheme. Then it was off to Coombeshead College to meet head teacher Matthew Shanks, pupils and staff to talk about the college and the new education plans of the government. On Friday evening I joined Shaldon Business Forum to talk about new changes in support for business introduced by the government and about local issues and concerns.
On Saturday after a busy surgery at the Carlton Theatre in Teignmouth I was able to get some fresh air and exercise and watch the Point to Point at Ideford Arch – a great way to end the week!
Surgeries and Getting Together
My next surgeries will be on Saturday 5th March at the Manor House in Dawlish at 10.00am and in Newton Abbot at 12 noon at the Courtenay 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” pub meeting will be on Friday 4th March at 6.30pm at The Linny, Coffinswell –I should love to see you there so do come along for a chat!