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Nigel Huddleston's November Report
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November Newsletter

While the media coverage of what goes on in Westminster seems to suggest that our work here is nothing but Brexit, this month especially has seen the House of Commons debate a host of important issues. My month began with a debate on puppy smuggling, which I was delighted to have the opportunity to lead. The illegal importation of young puppies is an issue of great concern to my constituents and I called the debate to try and raise awareness of this awful trade and call for legislative change.

Another issue I have been campaigning on is the right of children to have contact with their extended family and this month I had the opportunity to raise this issue with both the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Justice directly. Together with Dame Esther Rantzen and the Bristol Grandparents Support Group, I met with Justice Minister Dominic Raab to discuss it and I later asked for the Prime Minister’s support for the campaign during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session. I’ve also questioned Ministers from nearly every Government department, on issues ranging from apprenticeships and smart meters to encouraging more pro bono work and boosting productivity in farming.

November also saw the Chancellor announce his Autumn Budget. I was present for the Budget Statement in the House of Commons Chamber and then delivered a speech during the debate that followed. In this Budget the Chancellor outlined a positive plan for the UK’s economy that will build homes, boost our public services and reward hard-working people with lower taxes and higher wages. In addition to the elimination of stamp duty for first time buyers and further investment in our broadband, I particularly welcomed the improvements announced to the Universal Credit system. I have been calling for a reconsideration of some aspects of the Universal Credit system and was pleased by the elimination of the seven day waiting period and changes to advanced payments which are part of a £1.5bn package to ease concerns about the rollout.

Another prominent issue this month was animal sentience and I received hundreds of emails on the vote that took place. Misleading media reports suggested that my colleagues and I had voted that animals were not sentient and did not feel pain – this was not true. The vote had actually been on whether or not to transfer a specific Article from an EU Treaty into UK law as part of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill. As I hope my constituents will be aware, I take the issue of animal welfare very seriously and am proud that the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. The Government has confirmed that sentience of animals will continue to recognised and protections strengthened when we leave the EU.

Outside of Westminster I attended two more training days as part of my enrolment on the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, visiting RAF Wittering and RAF Leeming. Back in Worcestershire, I attended the Remembrance Sunday event in Droitwich and visited Jobcentre Plus in Evesham to hear how the Universal Credit system has been working for my constituents. I also visited a number of local schools, charities and organisations including the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Caring Hands in the Vale, Craycombe Farm, the recently restored Evesham Bell Tower and the NFU Evesham Branch. It is always heartening to visit prospering local businesses and see the causes being championed by Worcestershire residents and I look forward to many similar visits in the coming months.

 

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Nigel Huddleston MP · House of Commons · London, SW1A 0AA · United Kingdom

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