Every fortnight Kevin writes a "Kev's Column" for the Herald Express and you can read the latest edition (Published on Wednesday 3rd January 2024) below:
2024
Happy New Year!
2024 is set to be a year when many long-promised projects make progress and major investment is delivered in our bay. With Crossways gone, regeneration work at the Paignton Picture House underway and a deal done to revamp the Pavilion, progress has been made, with other projects set to start soon, including the demolition of the former Debenhams building and work to revive the upper part of Union Street.
Our local health services have also seen major investment, with Torbay Hospital opening a new £5m Endoscopy Unit, a new CT Scanner suite and major work on new Operating Theatres now well underway. The first £50m tranche of funding for the new hospital to be built on the site was also confirmed this year, laying the ground (literally) for a £350m+ project over the next 7 years, plus a new Community Diagnostic Centre has been confirmed for Market Street, Torquay.
2023 saw Torbay residents send a strong message last May in the local elections, they were tired of dither and delay and wanted to see our bay progress and develop. 2024 now needs to be defined by just one word: DELIVERY.
Tax Cuts
Millions of workers will see their taxes cut this week.
On Saturday (6th Jan) the main rate of Employee National Insurance will be cut by 2p from 12% to 10% for 27 million workers. This will be followed in April by the main rate of Self-employed National Insurance (Class 4 NICs) being cut from 9% to 8% and the abolition of Class 2 NICs. Together, this is a tax cut for 29 million working people worth £9 billion per year or £450 for the average employee.
This is a welcome boost, but I hope the Chancellor will go further in the Spring Budget, especially around Income Tax Thresholds, the VAT Threshold and on ensuring families can pass on what they earned to the next generation.
Animal Exports
Having long supported a ban on live animal exports for slaughter and fattening I was delighted to see a bill to do so receive its second reading just before Christmas.
Support from all sides of the house meant Second Reading was passed "on the voice" as no-one objected. Due to this unanimous support, the bill could clear the Commons this month and start its consideration in the House of Lords soon after.
It’s a long time since the major protests at Plymouth’s Bretonside Docks back in the 1990s against live exports. With the UK’s departure from the EU single market, it is possible to finally ban these long and unnecessary journeys and the law to do so should soon be passed.
Surgery Times
My next surgeries are on: Saturday 13th January 2024 11am till 1pm at The Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Torquay TQ2 8ET and Friday 19th January 2024 11am till 1pm 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. Whilst my office in Torquay will be closed for drop-in sessions from Saturday 23rd December until Tuesday 2nd January 2024, the telephone answer machine and email will be regularly checked for any urgent messages.
