When the BBC removed the free TV license for most pensioners the corporation pledge to run a campaign to promote the take-up of Pension Credit which, at the time I thought was a curious thing for a broadcaster to do. But it is needed as approximately 25% of pensioners who could claim Pension Credit do not currently do so. You could receive an average of £3,300 extra and help toward housing costs and heating their home – and access help with rent, council tax and housing benefits. If ever there was a need to receive this support, it is now. Pension Credit can be claimed online at www.gov.uk/pension-credit, or the Freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
I’m pleased that the Chancellor has found a responsible and costed way to help the households that most need support as our energy and food prices increases. He will be aware (as will most that see this cost-of-living crisis as more than a political football) that the increases will cause exceptional difficulty towards the end of the year when gas and electricity price are set to go up again. The Chancellor can’t keep finding new tax revenues and he can’t keep shovelling cash out of the Treasury, so he and the PM are right to manage expectations. The measures announced last week, funded in part by a windfall tax on gas and oil companies, will support most households with an additional £650, increase the winter fuel payment to £300, £150 for those on disability benefits and an additional £500m for local authorities.
Do you remember announcements regarding the Youth Investment Fund back in 2019? People often wonder what becomes of these pledges. The Government’s National Youth Guarantee will ensure young people right across England are given access to more activities, trips away from home and volunteering opportunities. Last week the first grants have been announced for youth groups across the country – including a new minibus for Trelya in Penzance to help expand their reach among young people in Cornwall.
I continue to urge any eligible organisations to apply for funding. The money is targeted at the most deprived wards – so any youth organisation in the following can apply: Ludgvan, Madron, Gulval & Heamoor; Mousehole, Newlyn & St Buryan; Penzance East; Penzance Promenade; and St Ives West & Towednack.
One of the most challenging and saddest parts of my work is when I meet people who suffer from severe mental health illness. No-one will disagree that we need a plan to improve mental health and well-being.
There are many charities and voluntary organisations that do excellent work – like A Band of Brothers, who I mentioned last week – as does the NHS and Cornwall Council.
But the government wants to develop a plan to bring these groups together and promote mental health wellbeing across the country. As the government develops this plan, it wants to make sure it includes what the public think is important, particularly people who have struggled with their own mental health or people who care for someone who has. https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/623ac367ea9bcd4c024d6df9
Platinum Jubilee weekend is finally here, and I wish everyone the best of weekends as we celebrate and honour Her Majesty The Queen. I’ve felt the buzz as I’ve been in various parts of the constituency last weekend. You can’t visit St Buryan and not see a poster advertising the Grand Village Picnic. In Heamoor the street party looks like a lot of fun as does the cream tea at Coronation Park, Helston, the All-Day Lunch in St Ives and the Big Lunch on Princess May Recreation Ground! Add to that the Rotary’s Classic Car Run on the Prom and there is something for everyone. There is so much more going on, but I mention the events above as these are just the locations where I stumbled upon the preparation and enthusiasm by being in the area or in a meeting! Have a great weekend - these celebrations are as close as you can get to the best of Great Britain in my view!
