The new Prime Minister, takes the view that the rising energy costs facing households and businesses alike requires a robust response similar to that triggered during the covid pandemic, something that was lacking in the previous administration! It is vital that rising costs of essential items is countered, simply to ensure households can heat and eat and businesses can function and keep people in employment.
The UK economy recovered quickly once lockdown rules and restrictions were lifted but has taken a pounding due to the high demand for supplies, energy and staff driving up costs for businesses and households alike. Supporting the recovery of the economy would be a priority for any prime minister and we have heard various suggestions about how Liz Truss intends to do this.
She promised to set out her plan to meet these increasing financial pressures and, on Friday, the new Chancellor will give a statement on the Government’s plan for growth. This follows the statement on how the Government will cap energy bills. These statements ease the anxiety people are feeling and the devil will be in the detail, so we wait to see the flesh on the bones of these proposals. I’ll do what I can in Parliament and locally to help.
To this end, I’m planning a Cost of Living Fair next month in Penzance. This is intended to provide an opportunity for anyone concerned about their own situation and any organisation that has an interest or responsibility towards others anxious due to price rises of energy and food specifically. This will replicate an event I hosted with councillors in Helston on Friday attended by several organisations engaged with helping households. Further information out soon!
I’ve also restarted the ‘drop-in’s now that summer is coming to a close. On Friday I was in Helston, Coverack, Mawgan and St Keverne and Sennen, St Just and St Erth on Tuesday. I’ve found an hour in a pub or village hall is a helpful way to listen to constituents and remain focused on the issues that matter most! These will continue through the autumn and winter so please contact my office or look out for posters in your area.
I was sad to see my friend and neighbour, George Eustice MP, leave his job as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. George is someone who had an almost supernatural grasp of the vast range of issues and responsibilities in his brief and impressed audiences with his ability to speak in depth about complex issues relating to the environment, food and rural affairs often without notes and little or no warning about the subject matter to be raised. He has been a tremendous help to me with my caseload and has a strong sense of public service which I share
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The State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was a fitting tribute to a remarkable lady and the attendance of leaders from around the world speaks both of her individual ability to demonstrate compassion and offer a hand of friendship to all people and to the global role Great Britain enjoys. We have the opportunity to be a force for good and, I’d go as far to say a responsibility. There is certainly a need for world leaders to up their game! King Charles is certainly someone who takes a deep interest in global affairs and, as we know, in local concerns. I’m grateful to him and the King’s Consort for their commitment to the Duchy, Cornwall and Scilly over many years and the way they shared in the hopes and dreams of so many during royal visits.
