Latest from Westminster...

March 2019

Brexit

For my part my favoured course is to support the Withdrawal Agreement that has been negotiated and if there is another vote on it, I shall support it again.

It delivers Brexit in an orderly, non-disruptive way. We regain control of our borders, we resume full control over our laws, we shall no longer make significant annual payments to the EU and we shall be able to agree our own trade deals around the world. Moreover the rights of British citizens living abroad and those EU citizens living here are fully protected.

Moreover, the Withdrawal Agreement provides the framework for revitalising the Lowestoft and East Anglian fishing industry, in that it provides for the UK to take back control of our waters, deciding who can access them and on what terms. The Fisheries Bill which is currently going through Parliament provides the basis of the future UK fisheries policy. I obtained some amendments and clarification from the Government when the Bill was at its Committee Stage before Christmas and I have put down a further amendment that has the objective of ensuring that local fishermen have the opportunity to catch sufficient fish to earn a fair living and with which to supply local markets and processors.

The study which the local fishing industry and Waveney District Council have commissioned will establish the extent of the Brexit dividend for the industry in East Anglia and will reach conclusions in terms of what investment in infrastructure, skills and training is needed in order to bring the maximum benefit to our area.

Therefore the existing deal remains very much my favoured course. The purpose of the indicative votes process is to see if there is a consensus in Parliament for alternative courses. In considering the various alternatives that have been put forward, I am mindful of the need to respect the result of the 2016 Referendum and I shall therefore not be voting for a Second Referendum or a revocation of Article 50.

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Ministerial visit

I was delighted to accompany Claire Perry on a ministerial visit to the region, including Lowestoft, regarding the Offshore Wind Sector Deal which will bring new investment, jobs and opportunities to the local area.

Beccles Southern Relief Road

I chaired a meeting at the beginning of the month to look at the impact of the Beccles Southern Relief where we discussed the need for more signage, damage to local minor roads due to increased usage, how to ensure the relief road realises its full potential thereby benefiting those living and working in the town and the the need for a comprehensive traffic survey.

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Visit to Morrisons

I enjoyed a visit to Morrisons in Lowestoft to meet store manager Troy Bond and talented bakery apprentice Megan Alson-Pugh who gave a demonstration of her skills. The combination of learning and working at Morrisons is helping apprentices to develop their potential.

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Unlocking Lowestoft town centre’s potential

Following the Government statement on the Stronger Towns Fund, I called on the Government to invest in Lowestoft to unlock the town's potential.

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More funding needed for Further Education sector

In Treasury Questions this month, I called on the Government to use the Spring Statement or the Spending Review to announce more funding for FE colleges such as East Coast College and Lowestoft Sixth Form College. FE colleges do vital work in promoting social mobility and improving the UK’s productivity.

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Offshore Wind Sector - Infrastructure

We had a debate on substation infrastructure to support offshore wind farms. The Offshore Wind Sector Deal is a framework for all interested parties to work together to ensure that the impact of onshore transmission is acceptable to local communities.

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Sprinkler systems

I spoke in a debate in fire safety and sprinkler systems and called for sprinklers to be installed in all new and converted buildings. I spoke in a debate back in 2011 following the Wessex Foods fire and called for the same then. The time for talking on this is over, it is time for action.

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Post-Brexit Fishing

I spoke in a debate on fishing post-Brexit. The Government needs to ensure that local fishermen can earn enough for a fair living and support the markets and processing industry, that we have a sustainable fisheries management system and that any benefits go to the local community.

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Oil and Gas Industry

I chair the British offshore oil and gas industry all-party parliamentary group and spoke in a debate this month on the future of the industry. The industry and Government need to work together to maximise the sector's full potential; in particular we need to strengthen the supply chain, build up expertise in decommissioning and promote and facilitate transition to a low-carbon economy. The industry has been through a difficult few years, but is now resurgent and can play a key role in the UK on the post-Brexit global stage.

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Tourism

I spoke in a debate on tourism in the East of England. I think we could do better at taking a more comprehensive approach to promoting tourism in the region.

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Town Centres

At Prime Minister’s Questions I urged the PM to adopt a fully co-ordinated, sustained and properly resourced approach to revitalise our town centres.

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Brexit - Indicative Votes

I spoke in the debate yesterday on the indicative votes. We need to respect the 2016 referendum result and I told MPs that I would vote for the PM’s deal if it comes back before the House as the best way to deliver an orderly Brexit and revitalise the Lowestoft fishing industry. The only option I supported in the first round of indicative votes was the EFTA option which I believe would be a viable Plan B – and has the advantage that we would leave the common fisheries policy earlier.

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Small Breweries Relief

I called on the Treasury to review Small Breweries’ Relief to help small brewers such as St Peter’s Brewery expand, open up new markets and create more jobs.

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Fishing Quota

In DEFRA Questions I called on the Government to support an amendment to the Fisheries Bill that would ensure a fairer distribution of fishing quota post-Brexit and support more environmentally sustainable fishing methods.

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Backing Earth Hour campaign

I was delighted to help promote the annual Earth Hour campaign - where millions of people across the globe turn their lights off for one hour. The world’s biggest landmarks – such as the Sydney Opera House, Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, and Edinburgh Castle – all switch off lights as a visual display of their commitment to our planet.

Earth Hour gives a voice to people everywhere who want to raise awareness of some of the biggest environmental challenges we are facing. I hope that by adding my voice for the planet I can encourage my constituents to do the same.

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