Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 24th November 2021) below:
Town Deal
The five remaining business cases in the Torquay Town Investment Plan are due to be submitted to the Government.
The projects will be funded by the £21.9m Torquay Town Deal which was confirmed by the Government last year. Their approval will allow the development of the detail of the projects, including the latest submissions build on the business cases for Edginswell Rail Station, major improvements to the Strand and Stronger Future projects which were approved in July 2021.
I have been pleased to work with a range of partners over the last three years from the first meeting with Ministers (Which saw a delegation head to London) to discuss the prospect for a Town Deal through the confirmation of funding last year and then working as the Vice-Chair of the Town Deal Board to deliver it. I now cannot wait to see the improvements it will bring to Torquay Town Centre get underway.
Second Jobs
The issue of what outside employment MPs should be allowed to undertake was debated in the House of Commons last week.
The proposals suggested included strengthening the rules to bar MPs from working as paid political consultants or lobbyists, plus considering appropriate limits on hours spent working in another role. The cross-party Standards Committee will be tasked with drawing up detailed proposals by the end of January.
Representing Torquay and Paignton in Parliament is a full-time role, whether I am on the frontbench as a minister or on the backbenches undertaking work in Parliamentary Groups and Select Committees. I have therefore not undertaken other employment since being elected in May 2015 and support the changes proposed.
Asylum Changes
My ministerial responsibilities cover all aspects of the rules around legal migration to the UK, for example those looking to come here to study or to work.
Dealing with small boat arrivals is part of another ministerial brief, however the Home Secretary recently asked me to pick up driving forward reform of the way we deal with Asylum Claims. The current asylum system takes too long to make decisions, with opportunities to game the system when an initial claim fails to avoid removal. This is not fair for those with genuine claims or for taxpayers who pick up the support bills which result from the delays.
Change is already being brought forward in the Nationality and Borders Bill. The Bill will change outdated laws relating to asylum, not least the process for identifying adults who have lied about being children.
This reform work will be a unique challenge for the team I lead, but one we look forward to delivering results on.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 27th November, 11am till 1pm at Paignton Library and Information Centre, Great Western Road, TQ4 5AG and Saturday 4th December, 10am till 12 noon at St Martin’s Church Barton, Barton Hill Road, TQ2 8JA. Sadly, my surgeries must remain appointment only at this stage given the prevailing public health guidance.
For an appointment you can either email me at [email protected] or leave a message on 01803 214989. You can also drop into my office at 5-7 East St, Torquay, TQ2 5SD between 10am & 1pm Monday to Friday, please note you may have to wait outside if others attend at the same time.
