It goes without saying this is a turbulent time in politics, even in the context of the last few years.
I understand completely the anger and frustration of constituents over recent revelations about Downing Street, not least as I spent most of 2020 shielding, like everyone else unable to see friends and family as I wished.
I shared the disappointment of many that Sue Gray’s update on her investigation was necessarily so thin, due to action by the Metropolitan Police. But given this intervention, I do believe it is now right to ensure the police have sufficient time to look into any issues they feel are appropriate. So I will not speculate on the PM’s future at this time.
Once the police process has concluded, hopefully as swiftly as possible, I have said it is right for the public to see the Gray report in full.
The PM has already set in motion some key changes to the Downing Street operations - both in changing civil servants and advisors, as well as a mini reshuffle of Ministers this week, including a new Chief Whip.
As the House of Commons enters a short recess next week, my message to the government has been to get a grip, and start focussing relentlessly on delivering the manifesto commitments which delivered in 2019 the largest Conservative majority since the 1980s.
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Removal of coronavirus restrictions
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Last month the government announced the move to Plan A, which removed the vast majority of covid restrictions which had been in place over the winter while we dealt with the Omicron variant. This has been a significant boost to the South Shropshire economy, and a step back towards normality for all of us.
In Prime Minister's Questions this week, the PM confirmed his intention to end mandatory isolation for covid a month earlier than anticipated (likely at the end of February), should the data continue its current encouraging trend. With this announcement, we really seem to be moving back to normality, and a world in which we learn to live with covid as we do the common cold, with hospitalisation rates falling although case rates continue, thanks largely to the success of the vaccination programme.
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Many constituents are rightly concerned about the cost of living , and in particular rising energy prices due to the global pressure on the gas wholesale market.
So I welcome recent action from the Chancellor, which includes:
- A £200 ‘smoothing’ rebate on energy bills from October for all households, to be paid back over the next five years at £40 per year – starting from April 2023;
- A non-repayable £150 cash rebate for homes in Council Tax bands A-D – equivalent to 80 per cent of all households, helping both lower and middle-income families;
- £144 million of discretionary funding for local authorities to support households not eligible for the council tax rebate.
These measures, alongside an increase the National Living Wage by 6.6 percent from £8.91 to £9.50, and reducing the Universal Credit taper rate, will take the sting out of the impact of these global pressures.
I know some people have chosen (erroneously) to blame current pressures on the move towards net zero. But moving away from net zero would actually make us more susceptible to global price spikes. You can read my article on CapX this week on why 'Net Zero isn’t to blame for the energy crisis'.
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New measures to hold water companies to account
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I met Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow MP (above), last week to discuss the latest Strategic Policy Statement to water regulator Ofwat - and was particularly pleased that many of the Environmental Audit Committee's recommendations from our Report into Water Quality in Rivers have been taken up. You can read our full report here, which makes clear the shocking state of our rivers.
From water companies being obliged to publish more information on sewage discharges, to scrutinising water companies’ ability to have zero serious pollution incidents by 2030, these transparency measures will shine a light into hitherto dark tunnels. These initiatives hopefully mark the beginning of the end of regulators and water companies simply turning a blind eye to the pollution of our precious waterways and the harm done to the wildlife that inhabit them, not just in South Shropshire, but across the country.
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Free facemask giveaway in Ludlow
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Last Saturday I was pleased to help hand out facemasks for free to residents and visitors in Ludlow, which had been generously donated by manufacturer Ultrafilter, whose founders, Dean and Sabine Kronsbein, gave away over 15,000 facemasks to passers-by from the Events Square in Ludlow.
This company opened a factory in Herefordshire last year which has been operating at capacity to produce up to 1 million medical grade masks a day. They have been visiting market towns along the Marches to make people aware that this quality affordable PPE is made in Herefordshire.
I had invited local foodbanks to come and collect a free box (including volunteers from St Andrews Community Church foodbank from Craven Arms, pictured above) and I shall be delivering masks to those local foodbanks who were unable to collect on the day.
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Plastic-free awards in Much Wenlock
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At the end of last month I was delighted to join Much Wenlock Mayor, Cllr Dan Thomas, Deputy Mayor, Cllr Duncan White, and Jacky Walter from Wenlock Plastic Free, to present awards from Surfers Against Sewage for plastic-free approved status to three Much Wenlock businesses.
We have all become much more aware of the damage plastic can do to our rivers and waterways, and as consumers, we can choose to support businesses that make a special effort to minimise the impact they have on the environment. So I commend the Hair Gallery, The Simple Life Unwrapped, and Manor House B&B in Much Wenlock, for taking such a proactive step, and congratulate them on securing this plastic-free recognition.
Following the awards, I joined the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Town Clerk for a routine meeting to discuss current issues affecting the town. I am resuming my routine meetings with the leader of Town Councils across the constituency.
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More police officers for West Mercia
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Following approval of West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion's budget, an additional 125 police officers will be taken on over the coming year, helping to put more bobbies on the beat with the majority of new officers going into frontline policing.
In January I also met Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector for South Shropshire, Inspector Nikki Roberts, to discuss local policing issues in South Shropshire.
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On Holocaust Memorial Day, I joined colleagues in signing Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, which honours those who were murdered during the Holocaust, as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who still work tirelessly to educate young people today.
It is so important that we ensure that future generations never forget the horrific and deliberate attempt to wipe out an entire people, especially as the number of people who experienced the Holocaust firsthand diminishes with the passing of time.
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Resumption of Parliamentary Tours
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Following the removal of coronavirus restrictions, it is now possible to book tours of Parliament. These tours are free for UK residents, and are provided by experienced and knowledgeable tour guides. If you are interested in booking a tour, please email me at philip.dunne.mp@parliament.uk. Capacity is limited each day, so it is better to book as far ahead as you can.
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The House of Commons returns on Monday 21st February, when I hope to be able to put my Question to the Secretary of State for Defence on what steps he is taking to protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
With best wishes
Philip
Rt Hon Philip Dunne
MP for Ludlow
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