Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 27th September 2023) below:
Climate
Cars and boilers are essential to daily life in our bay and Rishi Sunak has announced major changes relating to the future rules around them.
His proposals would see a delay until 2035 (The same date set by the EU & Canada) of bans on new diesel & petrol car sales and householders only having to install a heat pump when replacing their existing boiler after 2035, plus a fifth of all households where this simply isn’t practical or affordable will be exempt.
Legislation about the purchasing of new cars will not itself provide the infrastructure needed for the switch over from diesel and petrol to electric. This means unblocking the path to both building and connecting much needed new generating capacity to the grid including new nuclear, solar and onshore wind, alongside providing solutions for charging electric cars at home in areas built long before modern motoring was invented, eg Ellacombe.
The UK has already achieved beyond our climate change targets with the fastest reduction in emissions in the G7, down almost 50 per cent compared to 1990 (France has managed a 22% reduction), technological advances have reduced costs (such as offshore wind costs down by 70 per cent more than projected in 2016), and higher than forecast adoption of clean technologies like electric vehicles.
This means we can remain committed to delivering our climate goals and encourage those who can afford it to buy an electric car or heat pump. Whilst also giving those who would struggle to do so, even with the increased subsidy announced, the flexibility they need.
Triple Lock
There has been a bit of speculation about the State Pension Triple Lock, following the figure for growth in earnings being confirmed as 8.5%.
I am always loath to respond to such media speculation, but for clarity no announcement of any change has been made, with final figures for rises in benefits and pensions due to be confirmed later this year. I have been clear in my comments to Ministers the manifesto pledge should be honoured.
Graduation
The Grand Hotel was the venue for South Devon College University Centre’s Graduation Ceremonies.
For students it was a chance to celebrate their achievements, with many relatives and friends in the audience to share this event with them.
We can all be proud of the young talent our bay is producing, with the college now providing a regular supply of the skills many sectors and employers are looking for. This is not just good news for the students themselves, but also for Torbay’s future. Businesses and investors not only look for buildings and sites, but where they can recruit the talent they need to succeed.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 7th October 11am till 1pm at The Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Torquay TQ2 8ET and Friday 13th October 10am till 12pm at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989, surgeries are for personal queries from residents they would like me to help them with. There are also drop-in sessions from 10am till 1pm, Monday to Friday at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD where a member of my team is available to assist residents with urgent queries.
