Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 15th March 2023) below:
Budget
The Chancellor will give his Budget Statement to MPs today (Wednesday 15th March).
For those wondering MPs will be hearing his announcements at the same time as those watching on the TV. Due to the market sensitivity of Budget announcements, only the Chancellor, Prime Minister and a small number of Treasury Ministers know the full details beforehand.
In my engagement with the Chancellor ahead of the Budget, I have emphasised the need for support to deliver needed housing, measures to help the tourism sector on energy costs, continued funding for the rebuild of Torbay Hospital and moves to encourage economic growth. I look forward to hearing what he has to say on them today.
Pre-Payment Meters
One change which would be welcome in the Budget is ending the extra charges associated with being on a pre-payment meter.
These are mostly used by lower income households, with the perverse effect of those already struggling with their bills then being placed on the most expensive energy tariff. Given the impact of not being able to afford a top up, it is time these meters were based on the same prices as those with credit accounts.
I look forward to change being swiftly delivered.
Small Boats
Last week the Home Secretary outlined new legislation to tackle the issue of Small Boats crossing the channel.
In recent years the number of people making a journey across the English Channel in a small boat has grown dramatically. These crossings often being facilitated by criminal gangs.
The surge in arrivals has threatened to overwhelm our asylum system, with tens of thousands now being housed in hotels due to the capacity of dispersed accommodation being exceeded. The UK is not the only country to have faced such a challenge, with Greece transforming its asylum system following the 2016 migration crisis and other European countries following their lead.
Torbay has rightly welcomed hundreds of refugees from Ukraine and is part of efforts to accommodate those evacuated from Afghanistan. These two groups are mostly families and women with children, whereas most small boats arrivals are single young men. Single men are the group least likely to be considered vulnerable or prioritised as part of any “safe and legal” routes, plus those arriving by small boat will have departed from a safe and democratic European country with a fully functioning asylum system able to offer sanctuary.
Change is needed. The Prime Minister has outlined a plan to do so. The only alternatives being offered would effectively maintain the status quo, as simply calling for new refugee routes or deals with France, without any concrete plans to deliver them, are no alternative at all.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 18th March 11am till 1pm at Preston Baptist Church, 62 Old Torquay Rd, Paignton TQ3 2RB and Friday 24th March 4pm till 5:30pm 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.
