Column 27 May 2021 - G7 update

Last week I had a productive time in Parliament, asking two questions of my Ministerial colleagues in the Chamber on further support for our constituency.

With Falmouth hosting the world’s media at next month’s G7 Leaders Summit, I was able to highlight the tremendous home-grown television and film talent already produced in the town via Falmouth University, in a question to Oliver Dowden The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In response to my question I was pleased to secure a meeting with the Secretary of State or one of his Ministerial colleagues about what further support the Government can give to the film and television industry both in Falmouth and across the whole of Cornwall.

Also last week I was able to secure a visit from Kwasi Kwarteng, The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to see the exciting plans in Falmouth for the town to be at the heart of the renewable energy sector in Cornwall. Falmouth boasts the deepest natural harbour in western Europe and it is well placed to play a leading role in the UK’s ambition to deploy a gigawatt of FLOW—floating offshore wind—capacity by 2030. FLOW deployment in the Celtic sea alone could create more than 3,000 jobs. Local universities and the private sector have come together in Falmouth to accelerate deployment of this crucial renewable energy sector, with a Strength in Places fund application. I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State’s commitment to a visit and look forward to showing him these plans in person in Cornwall to help promote our bid to be part of the emerging sustainable energy sector which is really gathering strength in Cornwall right now.

With the G7 now less than a month away I was pleased to see a joint statement issued by Ministers from the participating countries acknowledging the unprecedented and interdependent crises of climate change and biodiversity loss pose an existential threat to nature, people, prosperity and security. The statement included a commitment to do this by putting climate, biodiversity, and the environment at the heart of their COVID-19 recovery strategies and investments. The Ministers also stated that they wish to set the world on a nature positive and climate-resilient pathway to bend the curve of biodiversity loss by 2030 and to keep a limit of 1.5°C temperature rise within reach by making our 2030 ambitions consistent with the aim of achieving net zero emissions as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest. This is an incredibly positive statement to make and I am pleased that sustainable living is being placed at the heart of the UK’s G7 Summit in Cornwall, where we are already making such strides locally ourselves.

Another local connection to this international event is Sing2G7, an apolitical international engagement programme with a vision to enable children to raise their voices in song and be heard by world leaders.  Sing2G7 was conceived and is run by a tiny team of volunteers with the support of creative professionals and seven strong partners, including Truro Cathedral and Truro School. My thanks go to all who have taken part in this wonderful initiative and if you want to hear the song, go to their website at  https://www.sing2g7.org/

As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698.

Please ensure children's rights are at the heart of the G7 Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding children and the G7. 

I share your concern for the situation of children around the world. They have certainly not been spared by the short-term disruption wrought by the pandemic and will long have to live with its consequences. It is vital that their voices are heard, and needs accounted for. 

Ministers have been clear that they intend to use the UK's G7 Presidency to encourage the international community to eliminate persisting barriers to education and get all children back to school, especially girls. Indeed, girls' education is one of the UK's key aid priorities, on which £400 million will be spent in twenty-five developing countries in 2021 alone. This will build on our past work on this issue, which, from 2015 and 2020, supported over fifteen million children to gain a decent education, of which just over eight million were girls. 

I welcome the commitments agreed by the G7 Foreign and Development ministers at the conclusion of their meeting in London this week on this issue in their Declaration on Girls’ Education: Recovering from Covid-19 and unlocking Agenda 2030, which you can find on the link below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/g7-foreign-and-development-ministers-meeting-may-2021-communique/declaration-on-girls-education-recovering-from-covid-19-and-unlocking-agenda-2030 

Going forward, the Youth 7 (Y7) engagement group, chaired by the Future Leaders Network, will lead on embedding the needs of children and future generations in all national and international recovery plans. I will be following all relevant developments closely. 

Finally, the UK has placed itself at the forefront of the global response to Covid-19 through generous commitments to COVAX, GAVI and WHO, and will be spending more than more £1.3 billion on global health projects in 2021. 

I would also like to highlight my support for the Sing2G7 project of which you can see further details of on the link below:

https://www.sing2g7.org/partners

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.  

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk 

 

Stand up for Palestinian children Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding the treatment of Palestinian children.  

As a rule, I do not support Early Day Motions as they often do not get debated and have no legislative effect. 

I appreciate your concern for this issue, and will ensure that Ministers at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are aware of the points you have raised. 

 
I know that the UK repeatedly calls on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and has a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation, including the treatment of Palestinian children. The UK continues to stress to the Israeli security forces the importance of providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, children in particular, and of restraint in the use of live fire. 

 
I too am concerned about Palestinian children detained in Israeli prisons and I know that the UK Government shares these concerns. Reports of the heavy use of painful restraints and the high number of Palestinian children who are not informed of their legal rights, in contravention of Israel's own regulations, are particularly concerning, as is, in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the continued transfer of Palestinian child and adult detainees to prisons inside Israel. 

 
I am assured that the UK remains committed to working with Israel to secure improvements to the practices surrounding children in detention and that our Embassy in Tel Aviv is in regular dialogue with Israel on this issue. I welcome that the UK also funds projects providing legal aid to minors and capacity building to local lawyers.  

 
It is for reasons such as the above that Israel and the OPTs remain a human rights priority for the FCDO, as documented in the most recent Human Rights and Democracy Report last year. I am confident that the UK will continue to monitor these issues closely and raise them with the relevant authorities where effective.  

 

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.  

 

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk 

Downing Street Renovations Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding Downing Street renovations.  

Downing Street is an historic working complex containing several buildings and two ministerial residences. The Government is legally required to maintain Downing Street buildings to standards appropriate to their Grade I and Grade II listed status. As I am sure you can imagine, their status as well as security and other factors, can lead to a significantly increased cost for maintenance and repairs. 

Prime Ministers across successive governments have been provided with an allowance of up to £30,000 a year to contribute to the maintenance and furnishing of residency in the Downing Street estate. The cost of the wider refurbishment you mention has been met by the Prime Minister personally. 

At all times, the Government and Ministers have acted in accordance with the appropriate codes of conduct. Cabinet Office officials have been engaged and informed throughout and official advice has been followed. Subject to advice from the new Independent Adviser on Ministerial Interests, Lord Geidt, the Prime Minister will be making any necessary declaration in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code. 

With regards to the current enquiry, there is little I can say because I just don’t know. Lord Geidt is conducting an independent enquiry and I believe we must wait for its finding before passing justice. 

The overriding aim throughout has been to reduce the need for taxpayers’ money to fund the works and maintain a listed building owned by the nation. Matters concerning current works to the Downing Street estate, including residences, more broadly are covered in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts. 

I nonetheless understand the concerns you raise and take onboard your views on this issue.   

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.  

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk 

Please help ensure the HIV Action Plan is worthy of its name Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding HIV and AIDS worldwide.  

The UK is a world leader on this issue, as demonstrated our commitment of £1.4 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria. This is our largest commitment to date, and makes us the second largest donor (behind the US) to the current replenishment (2020-22) of the Fund. 

Thanks in part to the UK's consistent and generous support, since 2002, the Global Fund has achieved what was once considered impossible. From the peak of the HIV crisis in the late 1990s and early 2000s, annual AIDS-related deaths and new infections have been cut by half. Of the 38 million people living with HIV, 25.4 million are on antiretroviral therapy today – 20.1 million in the countries where the Global Fund invests. I am assured that the UK will continue to support the Global Fund in its vital effort on this issue. 

In recognition of the critical role that civil society organisations play in the AIDS response to address inequalities and hold governments to account the UK is also supporting the Robert Carr Fund, of which is was a founding member. The UK has committed £15 million to this Fund since its inception, and I am told that future investments will be announced later this year. 

Ministers are also engaged with preparations for the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS. 

More broadly, I welcome that the Foreign Secretary has confirmed that investing in global health is one of seven key ODA priorities going forward, on which approximately £1.3 billion will be spent in 2021. 

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.  

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk 

 

International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). 

I note your concern for this issue and thank you for bringing it to my attention. 

The UK was a founding member of the ICC, which began operating in 2002 when the Rome Statute came into effect and remains a strong supporter of the ICC and respects the independence of the court and its officials.  

I know that whilst the UK Government does not consider the ICC has jurisdiction in this particular instance , it respects completely the independence of the ICC and the right of its officials to carry out their work without hinderance. In return, of course, as with any such court, it expects due prosecutorial and judicial discipline  

Respect for human rights underpins the UK's foreign policy; Ministers and officials regularly raise concerns with the Israeli Government, where they exist, for this reason. Indeed, Israel and the OPTs is a human rights priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. I am assured that the UK will continue to support, and partake in, international scrutiny of Israel and the OPTs provided it is proportionate 

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.  

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk 

Column 20 May 2021 - The Queen's Speech

Last week saw Parliament return to sitting following the State Opening of Parliament and the Queen’s Speech. The Queen’s Speech sets the Government’s priorities for a new session of Parliament. As the Queen said in her speech:

“My Government’s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before.”

The Government is doing this by continuing with its levelling up agenda across the UK.

With Truro and Penwith College such an important educational centre in our constituency , I was pleased to see the speech contain legislation that will support a lifetime skills guarantee to enable flexible access to high quality education and training throughout people’s lives, via the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill. It is really good news that Further Education is being highlighted in this way, and I look forward to seeing what this means for Further Education across Cornwall.

Part of this agenda is about improving all forms of national infrastructure, and I was pleased to see the Product Security and Telecommunications Bill coming forward, which will extend and strengthen mobile coverage as well as gigabit capable broadband, aspects of communication which have never been so important to us to have working reliably, as so many of us have learned while working from home!

Now we have left the EU there is also more work to do to ensure our animal welfare laws remain of the highest standard, better in fact than those in the EU, and I was pleased to see legislation will coming forward in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, Kept Animals Bill and Animals Abroad Bill that will allow the UK  to continue to do just this.

I was also pleased to see several important Bills that we have been working on for some time carried over into the new Parliament, including the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, Armed Forces Bill, and Environment Bill , among others being continued. These are significant pieces of legislation and it is only right that Parliament is given the time to debate them properly so that they can be of greatest benefit to our country.

In particular, regarding the Environment Bill, I was delighted to see last week, formal confirmation that principles from the Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill, a Private Members Bill which I was an original signatory for, will be added to this Bill for consideration in Parliament later this year.

As a passionate campaigner for our environment it is clear that we must take more action to combat the discharges into our seas and watercourses that we still sadly see far too often from some of the antiquated water infrastructure in Cornwall, even as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

These amendments place duties on the Government to implement a plan to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows, and report back to Parliament on it, as well as a duty on water companies to accurately report the incidents that take place under their watch. Combined with the Storm Overflows Taskforce this will lead to a greater understanding of the scale of this problem and in turn allow us to reduce and eliminate it, improving our aquatic environments for all!

As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698.

 

Religious freedom in China: Stand with those detained in Xinjiang

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding religious freedom in Xinjiang.  

 

I can very much assure you that I share concerns at the at the shameful and gross human rights abuses taking place in Xinjiang which includes forced labour and extra-judicial detention.   

 

I was very pleased that the government also recently announced measures over the human rights abuses in Xinjiang:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-announces-business-measures-over-xinjiang-human-rights-abuses 

 

Further, last year the Government introduced sanctions under a new global human rights scheme:  

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-announces-first-sanctions-under-new-global-human-rights-regime 

 

I know that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to monitor this extremely distressing situation and I will continue to do so as well.  

 

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.  

 

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk 

Goodbye Bycatch Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding the Goodbye Bycatch campaign on dolphins, purpoises and whales.

I completely share the concerns raised in the email and very much do not want these animals suffering as a result of catching the fish that we eat.

There are already regulations on certain vessels to prevent against by-catch of dolphins and porpoise.

Certain vessels must use an acoustic deterrent device, known as a 'pinger', to reduce the level of dolphin and porpoise (cetacean) by-catch.

Certain vessels must fit and use a device that meets the legal technical requirements and can be used by UK fishing vessels if your vessel is 12 metres or over and use bottom set gill or entangling nets in:

• Area IV and the net’s mesh size is 220mm or more – all year
• Area IV and the net is of any mesh size and is 400 metres or less – between 1 August and 31 October
• Area VII d, e, f, g, h and j – all year

You can see full details on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reduce-dolphin-and-porpoise-by-catch-comply-with-regulations

I will of course pass on concerns to DEFRA to ensure that they are doing everything they can to prevent these animals from getting unnecessarily trapped.

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

 

Will you be a trailblazer and protect children from abuse online Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding the protection of children online.

As a rule, I do not support Early Day Motions as they often do not get debated and have no legislative effect.

There has however been a lot of work on protecting children online particularly with the Online Harms Bill. I was pleased following the government response to the Online Harms White Paper under Part 3 ‘Regulation in practice – 5. A regulator for online safety the summary stated:

Summary:

• An independent regulator will implement, oversee and enforce the new regulatory framework. It will have sufficient resources and the right expertise and capability to perform its role effectively.

 

• The regulator will also have broader responsibilities to promote education and awareness-raising about online safety, and to promote the development and adoption of safety technologies to tackle online harms.

• The regulator will take a risk-based approach, prioritising action to tackle activity or content where there is the greatest evidence or threat of harm, or where children or other vulnerable users are at risk.

• To support this, the regulator will undertake and commission research to improve the evidence base, working closely with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other partners.

• The regulator will take a proportionate approach, expecting companies to do what is reasonable, depending on the nature of the harm and the resources and technology available to them.

• The regulator will have a legal duty to pay due regard to innovation, and to protect users’ rights online, being particularly mindful to not infringe privacy and freedom of expression.

• The government is consulting on whether the regulator should be a new or existing body. The regulator will be funded by the industry in the medium term, and the government is exploring options such as fees, charges or an industry levy to put it on a sustainable footing.

You can see the full consultation outcome on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-harms-white-paper/online-harms-white-paper#a-regulator-for-online-safety

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

 

 

Newspaper column 13 May 2021 - Looking back at the elections

Last Friday saw the results of the local elections that determine who will run Cornwall Council for the next four years, and I was delighted to see the Conservative Party win overall control of the council with a clear majority of councillors.

This is the first time one political party has had overall control of Cornwall Council since it was formed in 2009. The recent boundary changes at Cornwall Council saw the number of Cornwall Councillors reduced from 123 to 87, and the elections were therefore fought on 87 new Cornwall Council divisions. The Conservatives returned 47 councillors following the election which is more than the 44 needed to have a majority, and so form the next administration that will run Cornwall Council for the next four years.

As a former Cornwall Councillor myself, I know first hand the commitment put in by all Cornwall Councillors. I wish all of the newly elected Cornwall Councillors of all parties the very best of luck in their work going forward and look forward to working with them all for the good of Cornwall.

Obviously in elections there are always winners and losers, and I would in particular like to pay tribute to long-standing Conservative Cornwall Councillors John Dyer and Geoffrey Evans MBE, strong local voices for their areas for many years, who sadly lost their seats. But I also welcome some excellent new Conservative intake, with Karen Glasson, Chris Wells and Steve Arthur all being elected to new seats.

I am looking forward to working with the new Conservative administration, led by Cllr Linda Taylor, to improve Cornwall for all over the next four years. From past experience both as a councillor and as an MP, I was always very disappointed to see the approach taken by the former Liberal Democrat and Independent coalition, which always seemed to be working against Cornwall’s six MP’s and the Government rather than with it. It is only by working together, as a strong team that we can achieve the best for Cornwall and this new administration will achieve exactly that.

Linda has already announced her Cabinet, the senior councillors who will be working with her to run Cornwall Council. I am pleased to see Truro and Falmouth well represented on the Cabinet, with Feock and Kea’s Martyn Alvey taking the Environment and Public Protection portfolio, and Gloweth, Malabar & Shortlanesend’s David Harris becoming Deputy Leader of Cornwall Council and taking up the Resources portfolio. The overall Cabinet of ten councillors is a good mix of experience, competence and compassion and I am sure will be doing great things for Cornwall during their time in post.

Finally, away from the local elections, early on Tuesday morning I was pleased to see our Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez re-elected, with a massive majority, over 125,000 votes more than her closest opponent - a big mandate to continue in her important role. I have worked closely with Alison during my time as Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth and look forward to doing all I can to ensure policing and crime matters are addressed in our constituency.

 

Please take action for survivors of modern slavery Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding modern slavery.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 has played a key role in transforming the UK’s response to modern slavery on a national and international level. It provides police and law enforcement agencies with the necessary powers and enhances protections for victims. The Act has helped tackle the criminals behind this abhorrent crime. The UK is a world leader in the fight against modern slavery.

In addition to the human cost of this crime, Home Office research highlights the devastating economic and social costs of modern slavery. It costs the UK up to £4.3 billion a year and each modern slavery crime is second only to murder in terms of harm to its victims and society.

The Modern Slavery Act must therefore be as effective as possible and the Government commissioned an independent review of the act. The Government accepted the majority of the review’s recommendations and further information on this can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-independe….

The Government also ran a public consultation on proposals to enhance transparency, increase compliance and expand the law to cover the public sector. The legislation requires businesses to publish statements outlining what action they are taking to tackle modern slavery and forced labour in their supply chains in the UK and overseas.

The Government has said it will introduce measures to strengthen the legislation including:

-    extending the reporting requirement to public bodies with a budget of £36m or more; 
-    mandating the specific topics that reporting must cover;
-    requiring statements to be published on the new Government digital reporting service; 
-    setting a single reporting deadline and taking forwards options for penalties for non-compliance in line with the ongoing development of the Single Enforcement Body for employment rights.

These measures require legislative change and will therefore be debated in Parliament.

Although the Government works hard to enforce the law for victims and survivors, I do not believe it is necessary to create a blanket policy of granting leave to remain for victims. It would not be helpful for reducing the frequency of this crime and would not limit its economic impact.

Such a policy would instead create an incentive for people to make false trafficking claims to obtain privileges in the UK fraudulently. This would, in turn, have the effect of putting at risk the support currently available for those who genuinely need help.

If you would like to discuss this further or any other matter, then please do not hesitate to contact me.

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

Newspaper column 6 May 2021 - Pet theft

As we head into May and hopefully more lockdown easings from 17^th May in particular, it has been good to see so many local businesses re-opening and looking positively towards what I hope will be a busy summer season, despite the chilly Bank Holiday that we have just had.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to do very well both nationally and in Cornwall, with overall by 3 May, over 50million vaccinations given across the country – a tremendous figure and one that is only made possible by the sterling efforts of our NHS and the volunteers involved in the rollout of the programme. This also includes more than 15million of our most vulnerable people who have now been vaccinated twice.

May 6th sees the local elections for Cornwall Council and some town and parish councils, as well as for police and crime commissioner and since lockdown restrictions allowed it, I have been out and about supporting local Conservative candidates in the run up to the big day. Regardless of how you vote it is important that you do vote. The right to vote is something that our ancestors fought and died for, including women getting the vote less than one hundred years ago. It is crucial that people exercise their democratic right and use their vote. Don’t forget to take your own pen or pencil, due to COVID-19 rules.

One of the big issues raised on the doors by people over and over with me is around pet theft. Pet theft is not treated with the seriousness it deserves and reform is urgently needed. During the pandemic, dog ownership and prices have risen significantly - pet theft is now the worst it has ever been, rising in some areas by 250%. Tragically, just 1 in 5 pets are ever returned to their owner. Only about 1% of pet thefts lead to charges.

Because punishments are often related to the monetary value of a pet, they usually result in trivial fines rather than imprisonment. Although the Theft Act of 1968 allows a maximum penalty of up to 7 years, this never seems to happen. The majority of prison sentences awarded are less than six months. This Act is over 50 years old and may need amendment.

Essentially at present, pet theft is Low Risk and High Reward, attracting organised crime. I believe this needs to change and am working with colleagues in Parliament to lobby senior members of the Government to explore ways in which the penalties around pet theft can be changed to more reflect what we believe is the seriousness of the crime. Please do get in touch with me if you would like to add your voice to mine in asking the Government for change on this important area.

As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698.