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Newsletter from Peter Aldous MP

Latest from Westminster...

January 2019

Brexit Update

There are many different views on the outcome of Brexit and it is important to respect those held by others that may not coincide with one’s own.

For my part, I believe that it is important to deliver on the outcome of the 2016 Referendum and thus I do not support a Second Referendum. I am supportive of an agreement along the lines that the Prime Minister negotiated, with an amendment to ensure that the Northern Ireland Backstop has an end date. It was for this reason that I voted for Graham Brady’s Amendment to the Withdrawal Agreement on 29 January. 

Such a deal will deliver Brexit and if the Prime Minister can get it through Parliament we can then move on to planning an exciting future for the United Kingdom. 

Whilst I understand those who wish to see the United Kingdom exit from the European Union on 29 March 2019 without a deal in place, I am concerned that doing so would put local jobs and livelihoods at risk. The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, including manufacturers, food processors, hauliers and the energy industry have informed me that in their opinion a No Deal Brexit would have a negative impact on the Waveney Area. That said I recognise that from a negotiating perspective there are advantages of keeping a ‘no deal’ on the table for the time being. 

Brexit provides a unique opportunity to revitalise the Lowestoft and East Anglian fishing industry. This will be achieved by resuming the position we held prior to joining the Common Market of being an Independent Coastal State with control of our own waters. 

The Fisheries Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, will provide the framework for the new UK Fishing Policy, which will replace the Common Fisheries Policy. It is important that its provisions promote and encourage the revival of the industry locally. To help achieve this I sat on the Fisheries Bill Committee which before Christmas went through the bill “line by line.”

I raised a number of issues and tabled a number of amendments, one of which was passed. The Bill will come back to the House of Commons in the next few weeks and I have just tabled an amendment, which will help ensure that local fishermen are able to catch enough fish to earn a reasonable living and sufficient fish to supply local processors and merchants. 

I am mindful of the large volume of constituents in Waveney who voted to leave the European Union and that is what I wish to achieve. 

I will continue to monitor the situation and listen closely to constituents and businesses from across Waveney. 

Brexit - The Meaningful Vote

I spoke in the debate ahead of the meaningful vote on the withdrawal agreement, and outlined why most coastal areas of Britain voted to leave the EU and explained why I decided, on balance, to support the Prime Minister's deal.

Read my speech

Peter Aldous speaking in the House of Commons in the debate on the Withdrawal Agreement

Fisheries - post Brexit

I received an assurance from the Government that post-Brexit the UK’s control of our fisheries is secure and will not be traded away in future trade negotiations. This is a vital part of the long-term strategy to revive the East Anglian fishing industry. 

Read more

Last month I made an early-morning visit to Lowestoft Fish Market with local Councillor Michael Ladd and gave an interview to the BBC. Brexit is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make revive the local fishing industry. 

At Lowestoft Fish Market

Universal Credit

The planned objective of universal credit is to move people closer to and into the workplace, so in Work and Pensions Questions last month, I called on the Government to publish empirical evidence on the effectiveness of universal credit at helping people into work. That is the only way that necessary adaptations can be made to ensure that universal credit ultimately achieves its goal.

Read more

Speaking in the House of Commons on Universal Credit

Sustainable Stewardship of our Seas

The Commons held a debate following the Environmental Audit Committee statement on sustainable seas. I took the opportunity to highlight the excellent work of Lowestoft's CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) in identifying the problems and solutions. There is real potential for the UK to be a global pioneer in the sustainable stewardship of our seas.

Read more

I was delighted also last month to visit CEFAS’s Lowestoft lab today to see the construction of the new HQ building. It is fantastic news that the new lab should be open before the end of the year.

Visiting the construction of the new CEFAS HQ building

Offshore Oil and Gas

In Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Questions, I sought assurance from the Government that the oil and gas and the offshore wind sector deals make provision for realising the full potential of fabrication yards in UK ports and their supply chains.

Read more

College Funding

I took part in a debate on college funding which is so important for our local colleges, Lowestoft Sixth Form College and East Coast College. Our colleges act as a vital link from education to the workplace and in improving social mobility for so many people and I believe we need a national mind-set change with regard to how we fund post-16 education.

Read more

Nuclear Power

Following Hitachi’s announcement that it intends to suspend development of the proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear power project, I sought assurance from the Government on its commitment to Sizewell C and to negotiating a value-for-money deal with EDF.

Read more

High Street Businesses

The high street is undergoing significant upheaval and competition from online retailers so it is vital that the Government ensure high street businesses are able to compete on a level taxation playing field with their online competitors.

Read more

Mental Health in the Workplace

I made a speech in a debate on the need for mental health first aid in the workplace. I talked about the research carried out by St John Ambulance and the need for mandatory regulation if every workplace is to give mental ill health the attention it deserves.

Read more

Persecution of Christians

In Foreign Office Questions, I asked the Foreign Secretary about efforts to promote the importance of religious freedom in India. Open Doors, the organisation that supports Christians worldwide, published their World Watch List - an annual list ranking countries where Christians face extreme persecution and India has been included in the top 10.

Read more

Asking the Foreign Secretary about the persecution of Christians in India

Renewable and Sustainable Energy

I chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group about decarbonising off gas-grid homes.

Holocaust Memorial Day

I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment to remember and reflect on the tragic events of the Holocaust. As the Holocaust moves from living history, to just history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the victims and also pay tribute to the survivors. 

Read more

Signing the Holocaust Educational Trust Book of Commitment
Surgeries

Next Surgery: Lowestoft, Saturday 23rd February

Call  01502 586568 to make an appointment.

Best wishes

Ways to contact me:

Phone: 01502 586568/0207 219 7182
Email: peter.aldous.mp@parliament.uk
Post: 
Peter Aldous MP
15 Surrey Street
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR32 1LJ

Twitter: @peter_aldous
Website: www.peteraldous.com
Copyright © 2019 Peter Aldous MP, All rights reserved.


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