The UK has been an independent nation for three years this January. The media are forever saying Brexit was no success story. Really? Have we really forgotten the roll out of the Covid vaccine ahead of the lumbering EU?
My week in Westminster began with the approval of the up-rating of Social Security Benefits, and reinstating the ‘triple lock’ on pensions. From April this year, both the new and basic State Pension will rise by 10.1% to £203.85 and £156.20 per week respectively.
Last week the House of Commons returned to the situation in Northern Ireland. As parties in Northern Ireland have been unable to form an Executive, the UK government has had to step in and legislate to put a budget in place in Northern Ireland in order to keep public services running.
With yet more strikes last week, legislation to tackle the unfair disruption to people’s lives caused by strike action had its second reading last week.
During the current cost-of-living crisis, I know that many local people are struggling with rising bills. The Government has put a wide range of support in place to assist, and it is important that everyone should be able to access everything they are entitled to.
Last week the Prime Minister announced five new promises to halve inflation, grow the economy, help with the cost-of-living, cut NHS waiting lists, and tackle illegal migration.
As we enter the New Year, what we see happening will very much depend on how the global energy crisis unfolds. It also depends on the effectiveness of the measures the Chancellor set out in his Autumn Statement last year.
2022 has been an eventful year! It has been dominated by the aftermath of Covid and the health care backlog, the unwarranted aggression by Russia invading Ukraine and its consequences, and the cost-of-living crisis as energy prices rise.
