Westminster Week
The Prime Minister took action last week to degrade the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons capabilities and to deter their future use. A significant body of information – including intelligence – indicates the Syrian regime is responsible for this latest attack. Extensive diplomatic attempts to commit Syria to dismantling its chemical weapon programme via the United Nations have failed. The response taken by the Prime Minister and our allies was proportionate and focused on degrading the regime’s chemical weapons capabilities, not on regime change. The UK remains committed to helping resolve the conflict and has donated almost £2.5 billion in humanitarian relief, the UK’s largest ever response to a single humanitarian crisis.
The Home Secretary is working to ensure members of the Windrush generation can confirm their status in the UK as quickly as possible. A new dedicated team will be set up to help these people evidence their right to be here and to access services. The team will help applicants demonstrate they are entitled to live in the UK and will do so free of charge. A webpage and dedicated contact point for people with concerns has also been set-up. Any constituent who is affected and would like help and advice please do get in touch.
Last week the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting took place with leaders from member countries gathering in London and Windsor. The summit’s theme is: ‘Towards a common future’. It aims to build links between countries to offer young people access to knowledge and skills. During the week I attended a briefing at the Department for International Trade on trade with the Commonwealth. Brexit is an opportunity for us to rethink the strategic export value of the Commonwealth as an organisation which covers five continents and billions of people. Trade with the other 52 Commonwealth members has an important role to play in developing an ever more global Britain.
The Public Accounts Committee this week looked at government initiatives for delivering STEM skills for the economy. Representatives from the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy were asked about their understanding of the current STEM skills shortage, whether current initiatives are performing adequately, and how to ensure past problems in developing STEM skills do not reoccur.
Teignbridge Matters
Over recess I met with Dr Paul Johnson, Chair of the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Jo Turl, Deputy Accountable Officer. We discussed the prioritisation of mental health and well-being because of its positive knock-on effect of improving physical health. We share joint concern over the differences in funding between young persons and older age mental health. I was also interested to hear about their successful investment in ‘Well Being Coordinators’ who provide home care to patients who would otherwise face admittance to hospital.
I also met with Dan Thorogood, CQC Inspection Manager for Devon during recess. We discussed CQC’s new inspection programme and the significant issues the CQC has found in trying to regulate independent or private ambulances. Private ambulances are often hired for events such as festivals but are not subject to legislation or scrutiny. This raises many concerns and is an issue I will be looking in to.
Fly-tipping is still on the agenda and after Easter recess I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on ways to reduce instances of tipping. It is important we raise awareness that households are responsible for ensuring any rubbish they pay to have taken away is disposed of correctly. Households can be fined if their rubbish is found fly-tipped and traced back to them. I proposed that the Minister create a new strategy focusing on fly-tipping and waste disposal sites like the one released last year on littering.
My next surgeries will be on 4th May at 1pm and 11th May at 2pm in Newton Abbot. Please call 01626 368277 to arrange an appointment.