Newspaper column 30 June 2022 - Armed Forces Day and Falmouth

 

Although I have now lived in Cornwall for many years, along with my Cornish husband and daughter, I was born and grew up in Scarborough, a coastal community in the north of England that actually shares many similarities and characteristics with similar places in our Duchy.

Next year, I was pleased to find out at the weekend, Falmouth will have another similarity with Scarborough, that they will have hosted the national Armed Forces Day event in back to back years!

This past week has seen the UK mark Armed Forces Week, a week, which celebrates the service of military personnel, their families and veterans. Armed Forces Week culminates in the National Armed Forces Day. This year, on this past Saturday, Scarborough hosted it, and we were delighted to find out on the same day that Cornwall, with Falmouth as the host town, will be hosting this national event in 2023.

Cornwall’s ambition is to make the National Armed Forces Day event 2023 a unique celebration of our armed forces past, present and future - with a programme which both celebrates and builds public support for our armed forces and provides a lasting legacy for the future.

Cornwall continues to be a stronghold for the military and is vitally important to the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Port of Falmouth is the third deepest natural port in the world and the Navy plays a huge part in the day-to-day life in Falmouth, particularly contributing to its strong military history.

While the event will be celebrated across the County, the themes of the bid focus on:

•           Youth engagement – The ability to inspire our younger generation to a future career in the armed forces or an associated defence industry.

•           Veteran re-engagement – Many veterans in Cornwall can feel disengaged and isolated from their former careers and comrades, it is hoped to bring these veterans back into the community and offer support and employment opportunities

•           Commercial showcasing – Cornwall is an extremely attractive proposal to many companies who traditionally operate in the defence space, and this event will showcase everything that we have to offer.

I have worked closely with Cornwall Council as they have planned their bid, and congratulate Cllr Louis Gardner and his team for putting together an excellent submission.

I have also made the case direct to Ministerial colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP, who I welcomed to Falmouth, so he could see first-hand exactly what we have to offer.

Cornwall has a proud military tradition, with strong and enduring links to our armed forces. I look forward to working with all concerned to make UK Armed Forces Day 2023 a memorable occasion, and that Falmouth shines as the host of a major event for our country.

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. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.

Campaign reply -Ukrainian refugees

 Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about  about ensuring refugees from Ukraine are supported by the UK at this challenging time.

 
The UK government has made it clear we want to support Ukrainians seeking refuge, both those who have family connections here in the UK and, indeed, those who don't. Over the last few months, we have seen huge numbers of people leaving Ukraine, fleeing from the conflict, and we will support them in the places they currently are - which is typically in countries bordering Ukraine. The Government is also welcoming Ukrainians here to the UK.

The Government has changed the immigration system to support refugees:

• Homes for Ukraine scheme allows individuals, charities, and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK.
• Sponsors can opt in to receive a 'thank you' payment of £350 per month up to 12 months.
• 43,800 signed up in the first five hours.
• Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend stay in the UK.
• Free, granted for 3 years, gives right to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
• Recently updated so that Ukrainian passport holders won't need to go to a Visa Application Centre to give their biometrics before they come here.
• As of 21^st June 2021, the total Ukraine Scheme visas issued stands at 135,900
• Ukrainian children have received lifesaving cancer treatment through the NHS in England.
• Launched largest ever aid-match contribution - Gov matched the first £20 million donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

 

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and I will keep your concerns in mind as I continue to work with the Government to ensure we do all we can to support the people of Ukraine throughout this crisis. If I can be of further assistance during this difficult time, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 

Newspaper column 23 June 2022 - Mid Cornwall Metro success

Over the past weekend I was pleased to see the Railways Minister confirm that a huge infrastructure project with big positive implications for Truro and Falmouth, the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme, has won approval to proceed through to the next stage of development.

This is an ambitious scheme to link Newquay, St Austell, Truro and Falmouth with a direct rail line, creating a coast to coast through-service connecting Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth. It will reduce journey times and ease road congestion for people living along the route.

This is a proposal that I have worked with my colleague and neighbouring Member of Parliament Steve Double to get support from Cornwall Council and the Government and I am pleased to see it continuing to gather momentum.

This project will allow people in Truro quicker access to the coasts of our beautiful Duchy by rail, and in particular a route for students in Falmouth and Penryn a direct line to Newquay and the many excellent leisure opportunities on the north coast.

Additional funding will now be provided from the Department for Transport via the Restoring your Railways fund, to Network Rail to work with Cornwall Council in progressing the scheme to the required standard.

I look forward to the project continuing to proceed as we go down the tracks towards a successful outcome and will continue to work with all concerned to make this a reality

Ironically, with this great news for our rail network for Truro and Falmouth announced over the weekend, the railway strikes next week, supported by the Labour front bench, will bring the country to a standstill. Regular commuters will be forced to find alternative transport, increasing congestion on our roads and causing major delays.

Cornwall will be without rail service on the 21st, 23rd and 25th of June.

Here in Truro and Falmouth, the Falmouth branch line which is vital in transporting students to Falmouth School and Penryn College will be closed. This will without a doubt cause congestion on our roads, possibly resulting in late attendance for many students. This is not good enough.

Throughout the pandemic, the Government firmly supported the railway industry, providing £16 Billion in financial support. This allowed for vital transport links to be maintained for key workers and meant that not a single job was lost as a result of the pandemic.

Across the country, people are feeling the pinch of rising living costs. This is not the time for rail unions to hold the public to ransom, and the Labour Front Bench’s support of these moves, at this time in particular are shameful. They say they are on the side of working people but in reality at time where our Government is supporting the country through the cost of living crisis, they are supporting conditions that will be stopping millions from getting to work, a sad situation. I will continue to do all I can to work with the Government, on behalf of people locally to ensure we get the support,  jobs and investment we need to see us through the current difficult circumstances.

 

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. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.

 

Campaign reply - Employment and MS

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about providing support for those with multiple sclerosis.

I welcome that this Government has shown a strong commitment to improving the lives of disabled individuals and that improvements to services, access and opportunities, levels of understanding and visibility have taken place.

Under the Equality Act 2010, individuals are protected from discrimination throughout the job application process and their employment. I am glad that the disability employment gap has reduced overall to 28.4 per cent as of September 2021.

However, the Government’s policy is to improve this further, including through measures such as the introduction of the Adjustments Passport to support disabled people with greater flexibility and smoother transitions into employment and between job roles, improved employment services, the creation of a new Centre for Assistive and Accessible Technology and strengthened rights in the workplace, including encouragement of flexible working.

Various pilots of the Adjustments Passport are underway with more planned this year. I know the Government continues to work with a range of stakeholders including disabled people’s charities and organisations to inform its development.

Access to Work is transforming the service it provides and is working to deliver a modern, efficient, digital service that provides an improved customer experience. A key part of this transformation will be the development of a new digital customer journey, that delivers a quicker, more efficient service for customers.

I know that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is reviewing the statutory right to request flexible working, with the Government set to launch a consultation on this issue.

Additionally, as we move to living with Covid, I know that the Government is keeping the Statutory Sick Pay system under review.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Covid testing for people at highest risk

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about coronavirus testing.

Testing and tracing have been important throughout the pandemic, however free universal testing has come at significant cost to the taxpayer. The Testing, Tracing and Isolation budget in 2020/21 exceeded that of the Home Office and in 2021/22 cost over £15.7 billion. When the population did not have such a high level of protection from Covid-19 and the virus posed a more serious risk, I absolutely believe that this spending was necessary.

I know that there is still concern about this virus, however with the great success of the vaccination programme, access to new treatments, natural immunity and the increased understanding about how to manage risk from this virus, we can all be reassured that the population has stronger protection against Covid-19 than ever before. I support the current approach of managing Covid-19 like other respiratory infections, while targeting protection at those who are most at-risk.

Free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing provision has not been available in England since 1 April. People at risk of serious illness from Covid-19 and eligible for treatments can continue, however, to receive free tests to use if they develop symptoms, along with NHS and adult social care staff and those in other high-risk settings. Those who are at higher risk of serious illness will be contacted directly and sent lateral flow tests to keep at home for use if they have symptoms.

Asymptomatic testing will continue in periods of high prevalence in some high risk settings where infection can spread rapidly, including for patient facing staff in health and social care and for a small number of care home visitors who provide personal care.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Improving sarcoma cancer diagnosis

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about support for people with Sarcoma.

I recognise the devastating impact that Sarcoma can have on those affected by the condition and their carers. 

In particular, it is concerning that patients with sarcoma consistently report poorer care experience compared to those with other cancer diagnoses in the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey.

Increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of Sarcoma is clearly vital to delivering earlier and more accurate diagnosis and improving outcomes from treatment.

While there are no specific plans for a national Sarcoma awareness campaign, NHS bodies have been promoting the “Help Us Help You” campaign to encourage people aged over 50 year old who are experiencing symptoms of sarcoma cancer - such as a lump, pain, abdominal comfort and a cough – to contact their GP.

Sarcoma UK has highlighted the impact on sarcoma patients of diagnosis and treatment on their mental health and wellbeing.  It is important t]hat the NHS delivers against the Long Term Plan’s commitment that all patients diagnosed with cancer – including those with sarcoma - should receive a Personalised Care and Support Plan that evaluates their mental health needs.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Will you speak up for nature in Parliament?

Thank you for contacting me about speaking up for nature in Parliament.

Just last month, I attended the Standing Up for a Nature Positive World reception hosted by the Environment APPG.The reception focused on achieving a nature positive world by 2030 at the upcoming Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) summit, COP15.

It is vital that global leaders come together at COP15 to conserve and promote the sustainable use of biological diversity across the world. I will continue to work with the Government to ensure nature is embedded in climate solutions and that the UK uses its international influence to drive the goal of halting and reversing nature's decline by 2030.

I know that my ministerial colleagues seized the opportunities of our G7 and COP26 Presidencies to drive international action on the environment. The UK negotiated a historic 2030 Nature Compact committing to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, agreed by leaders at the G7 Summit in Carbis Bay. G7 Climate and Environment Ministers also agreed an ambitious policy statement with over 120 commitments.

In 2020, the Prime Minister committed to protecting 30 per cent of the UK’s land by 2030, coinciding with the Leaders' Pledge for Nature which will put nature and biodiversity on a road to recovery by the same year. The Prime Minister warned that other countries must also act now to reverse devastating biodiversity loss and prevent more species from being lost forever. I am aware that 89 world leaders signed the Leaders' Pledge.

I know that the UK committed to playing a leading role in developing an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework at COP15 of the Convention of Biological Diversity, to deliver the ambition committed to in the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature. The UK is advocating for ambitious global targets to bend the curve of biodiversity loss by 2030. This includes targets to ensure at least 30 per cent of the land and of the ocean is protected, ecosystems are restored, species population sizes are recovering, and extinctions are halted by 2050. I know that at COP15, Foreign Office Minister Vicky Ford met with ministers around the world to discuss sustainable solutions to the interconnected issues of land degradation and climate change.

Further, I understand that 80 countries support an international target to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030 through membership of the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance or the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.

Finally, the Environment Act responds to a clear scientific case for action to address environmental challenges. The law includes a new, historic legally-binding target to halt species decline by 2030, solidifying the Government’s commitment to leave a richer, more biodiverse environment for future generations. The UK government is taking a wholly joined up approach to delivering world-leading climate and ecological commitments through these various strategies.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Can you help get more onshore wind to cut energy bills?

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about onshore wind farms.

 

The United Kingdom was the first major economy to legislate for net zero carbon emissions and I am encouraged that, since 2000, the UK has decarbonised faster than any other G7 country.

I understand onshore wind is a key part of the Government’s strategy for low-cost decarbonisation of the energy sector. Achieving net zero by 2050 will require increased deployment across a range of technologies, including onshore wind.

It is for this reason that I welcome that, as part of the new Energy Security Strategy, the Government will be consulting on developing partnerships with a limited number of supportive communities who wish to host new onshore wind infrastructure in return for guaranteed lower energy bills. In addition, I am encouraged that onshore wind prices are down 50 per cent since 2013.

The Energy White Paper stated that there will need to be sustained growth in the capacity of onshore wind over the next decade alongside solar and offshore wind. Therefore, I was glad that in March 2020 the Government announced that onshore wind and other established renewable technologies such as solar PV will be able to compete in the latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round. The round is now open and will aim to deliver up to double the renewable capacity of the last successful round in 2019 with £285 million a year.

Furthermore, the Hydrogen Strategy made clear that Scotland has a key role to play in the development of a UK hydrogen economy, with the potential to produce industrial-scale quantities of hydrogen from offshore and onshore wind resources, wave and tidal power, as well as with Carbon Capture Usage and Storage. The Energy Security Strategy also indicates that there will be 12,000 jobs in the UK hydrogen industry by 2030 – 3,000 more than previously expected.

Offshore and onshore wind developers are required to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment as part of any planning application. The Environmental Impact Assessment seeks to protect the environment by ensuring that the planning authority considers any significant effects as part of the decision-making process and that the local community are informed of any impacts.

For onshore wind projects in England, the local authority is the primary decision maker for all sizes of schemes. 

 

Planning tests were introduced in 2015 that ensure that local communities have the final say on onshore wind farm developments. This means that a local community can raise concerns based on the publicly available information in the Environmental Impact Assessment, and a development cannot be granted permission if these concerns have not been addressed. I will continue to monitor any future developments closely.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

 

Campaign reply - NHS staff deserve access to a decent meal while at work!

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about catering for NHS staff in hospitals

I would like to thank our NHS staff for their tireless work to support patients day and night. I appreciate the commitment of campaigners in ensuring they have access to good catering and self-catering facilities. 

The Independent Hospital Food Review, published in October 2020, made a number of recommendations to improve standards of catering in Hospitals in England. This included the suggestion that hospitals provide “appropriate facilities to support patients and staff to eat well 24/7 when in the hospital environment.”

In addition, the Review recommended that if it is not be possible for hospitals to provide catering or restaurant facilities over 24 hours, staff must still have access to appropriate facilities to safely store, prepare and eat their own meals and hot drinks at any time of day and night.

An expert panel of NHS caterers, dieticians and nurses are currently leading work to review the recommendations. This includes revising the NHS Food and Drink Standards to improve the availability of hot and cold food and drink, 24 hours a days on healthcare sites.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Encourage your constituents to Think Brain Health

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about dementia and brain health.

I understand that diagnosis of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, can be devastating and I was proud to stand on a manifesto that committed to making finding a cure for dementia one of the Government's biggest collective priorities through the Dementia Moonshot. 

Currently, the NHS Health Check programme aims to raise awareness of the risk factors that affect both heart and brain health. This aims to prevent a range of health issues, including some cases of dementia, among adults aged 40 to 74 years old.

The 2020 Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention found that 40 per cent of worldwide cases could be down to risk factors that we may be able to influence and I pay tribute to the work that the Alzheimer's Society is doing to raise awareness of the importance of good brain health.

I look forward to the publication of the Government's plans on dementia for England later this year. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is contributing to the development of this new strategy, which will include a focus on prevention and risk reduction. The concept of brain health in encouraging people to reduce their dementia risk is also being explored. 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Please back fuller protections for animals in Wales

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you writing to me about the issue of banning animal snares.

As you may know, animal welfare is an issue that is devolved to the Welsh government. However, this is an important issue to me. As a pet-owner and animal lover myself, I must agree with you that the abuse faced by animals who are caught in free-running snares is appalling. The negligence of humans should not inflict suffering on defenceless creatures.

My commitment to animals is evidenced by the legislation I have been involved in. I was proud to support and be a member on the committee of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. This bill ensured the safety of animals being brought into the UK. Before this bill, pets were often brought over to the UK in substandard or outright inhumane conditions. Now, illegal smuggling has plummeted and the welfare of these animals is improved.

Snares are a barbaric tool, especially when one considers how prone they are to maiming and killing domesticated animals. Since I have worked closely with my colleagues on many issues pertaining to the welfare of animals, I have a good working relationship with several people close to this cause. I will continue to advocate for the improved treatment of animals, and would absolutely approve of the Welsh Government doing something about this issue.

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and if I can be of further assistance with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Campaign reply - Please give your support

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you writing to me about the issue of safer online marketplaces for electrical goods.

The select committee on Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy has analysed the various issues surrounding the sale of consumer goods. The law is clear: only safe products should be placed on the market. It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that they comply with their legal obligations and to take swift action if they identify a safety risk in respect of products already in consumers’ homes. We recognise the need to ensure that the system continues to be appropriate and effective to deal with the challenges of the future.

Action has been taken to protect consumers and ensure a healthy regulation of the online marketplace in the form of the OPSS. Since its inception in January 2018, the OPSS has worked with local, national, and international regulators, with consumer representatives and with businesses to deliver effective protections and to support compliance in the sector. The establishment of OPSS represents a significant upgrade to the UK’s product safety system with an addition £12 million annually invested in product safety; it has, for the first time, provided a coordinated national strategy for dealing with product safety issues.

The OPSS is still a relatively new office, and it is constantly expanding its scope and abilities. The suggestions of your campaign are well-taken, and seem to be perfectly reasonable. Since ensuring consumer protection is the duty of the OPSS, any measures which lead to this outcome are desirable. I will forward your campaign to the relevant Minister, and I will write you back when I receive a response.

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and if I can be of further assistance with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Campaign reply - Ensure fair pay for public services workers

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about public sector pay.

I am grateful for the commitment and selflessness of public sector workers who have kept people safe and ensured vital services could continue through the pandemic. Their work has been exemplary. This Government wants to ensure that it continues to attract the best and brightest to work for the Civil Service, and that it rewards hard working staff fairly.

That is why I am glad the Spending Review 2021 announced that public sector workers will see pay rises over the next three years as the recovery in the economy and labour market allows a return to a normal pay-setting process. As I understand it, the Government will be seeking recommendations from Pay Review Bodies (PRB) where applicable. I am assured by colleagues that PRB's will consider a range of evidence when forming their recommendations, including the need to recruit, retain and motivate suitably able and qualified people; the financial circumstances of government; the government’s policies for improving public services; and the government’s inflation target.

For those in roles not covered by Pay Review Bodies, updated Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance for 2022/23 has now been published. This year's guidance sets out that Civil Service organisations are able to make pay awards of up to 3 per cent. They will have freedom to pay average awards up to 2 per cent, with a further 1 per cent to be targeted at specific priorities in their workforce and pay strategies.

Regarding MP’s pay, The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, IPSA, has decided that the annual adjustment to MPs’ basic pay for 2022-23 will be the same as the average increase in pay for public sector employees last year. IPSA's Chair stated that “this is the first increase in pay for MPs in two years and follows the average of increases across the public sector last year."

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - SUPPORT ROYAL MAIL WORKERS – PLEASE SIGN EDM 1017

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about Royal Mail.

 

I was sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with this company. As you may know, under the Postal Services Act 2011 Royal Mail is a private organisation and it is the responsibility of the independent postal services regulator Ofcom to ensure that the company carries out its functions properly. 

 

Ofcom does not, however, handle individual complaints, and advises that complaints about Royal Mail should be addressed in the first instance to the company directly. In the event the complaint concerns Royal Mail’s regulated postal services and the company cannot provide a resolution, it can issue a ‘deadlock' notice that will allow the customer to ask the Independent Postal Redress scheme to investigate the case.

 

Ofcom continues to scrutinise Royal Mail's performance closely. You may be interested to know that it is currently preparing to review the company's performance for the 2021-22 financial year and it will not hesitate to act if necessary.

 

The Universal Postal Service is a vital part of our economy and society. Individuals and communities across the UK rely on this service and the Government’s commitment to it has always been crystal clear.

 

Competition is important and can drive efficiency, but it should not be allowed to undermine the future viability of the universal service. I am glad the Government has given Ofcom the power to monitor what is happening in the postal market and if necessary, the power to intervene to level the playing field. 

 

Regarding EDM 1017, this was tabled in a previous Parliament and is now unavailable for signature. Nevertheless, operational matters, including decisions on staffing levels and workforce structure, are the direct responsibility of Royal Mail’s management. The Government is not involved in the operational decisions of Royal Mail, a private company.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Please support a ban on snares

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you writing to me about the issue of banning animal snares.

 

As a pet-owner and animal lover myself, I must agree with you that the abuse faced by animals who are caught in free-running snares is appalling. The negligence of humans should not inflict suffering on defenceless creatures.

 

However, my commitment to animal welfare goes beyond rhetoric. I was proud to support and be a member on the committee of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. This bill achieved a few things, but chief among them was ensuring the safety of animals by implementing stricter checks on imported pets. Before this bill, pets were often brought over to the UK in substandard or outright inhumane conditions. Now, there is far greater oversight into this process, and illegal smuggling has gone down dramatically.

 

Your description of the horrors imposed on innocent animals by free-running snares is eye-opening. It is alarming that these snares, often designated for feral animals like foxes, could potentially maim or kill people’s beloved domestic pets. I agree that something must be done about this. Since I have worked closely with my colleagues on many issues pertaining to the welfare of animals, I have a good working relationship with several people close to this cause. I will pass on your message to the relevant minister, and when I receive a response about potential solutions, I will write you back.

 

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and if I can be of further assistance with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Campaign reply - Diabetes is Serious - please attend this important event in Parliament

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about support and treatment for people with diabetes.

 

Diabetes is a leading cause of premature mortality, doubling an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease. With over 22,000 additional deaths each year, it costs over £10 billion every year to manage. That is why I believe it is important that high quality diabetes care is available.

NHS England has invested approximately £120 million of funding into local services to improve performance in the treatment and care of people living with diabetes since 2017/18. This is focused on improving attendance at structured education to increase understanding, improving achievement of NICE targets, reducing amputations through improved provision of multidisciplinary footcare teams, improving timelines of referrals from primary care for patients with diabetic foot disease, and reducing lengths of stay for diabetic inpatients through specialist nursing services.

I agree that it is important that people with diabetes can access the routine care and support that they need, and am glad that the Government is committed to supporting the NHS to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. An additional £23.3 billion has been announced to support the NHS in managing the ongoing impact of pandemic. I understand that the Government is also analysing the impact of the pandemic on health conditions like diabetes, to inform how to recover the provision of routine care. I await the findings of this with interest.

 

I was very interested to hear of the Diabetes is Serious reception. While I was unable to attend the reception due to prior parliamentary commitments, I will be carefully considering the content of Diabetes UK’s report.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - The cost of living crisis could push thousands more through the doors of food banks

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you reaching out to discuss the cost-of-living crisis.

We have all felt the effects of the inflation impacting the economy. Things have been difficult, but luckily, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The latest labour figures show the success of the government's post-pandemic plan. The 47% fall in the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Truro and Falmouth shows that schemes such as the Plan for Jobs and Kickstart are successful in getting people back into work.

It's encouraging to hear that the youth claimant count also continues to fall, following the recent positive news that the Kickstart programme has created 14,000 jobs for young people across the Southwest.

This news is a testament to the hard work of residents and businesses to bounce back from the pandemic and keep people in work. I will continue to do all I can to promote local jobs and growth, including supporting Truro and Penwith College with their Skills Accelerator programme and ensuring we continue to give businesses the confidence to invest in Truro and Falmouth. The path to economic recovery will not be a quick one, but through prudent policies the Government will ease us out of this crisis.

I am also pleased the Chancellor has recently announced an unprecedent package to support people with the cost of living. This package will benefit the lowest-income households by £1,200 – with some households receiving £1,650: 

• This package equates to £1,200 for those on the lowest incomes – around one-third of all households.

• The lowest-income households on means-tested benefits will receive £650 from today’s one-off payment, £400 from the energy bills cash grant, and £150 from the council tax rebate – totalling £1,200. For the 8 million most vulnerable households in the country, this £1,200 is comparable to the average energy bill increase over the course of this year.

• Pensioners will receive £850. A pensioner household will receive £300 through the additional Winter Fuel Payment, £400 from the energy bills cash grant and £150 from the council tax rebate – totalling £850.

• Hard-working families will receive £550. Most households will receive £150 from the council tax rebate,  along with £400 from the energy bills cash grant – totalling £550.

• Some individuals could receive up to £1,650. A low-income household on pension credit with a disability  would receive the £650 one-off payment, £300 through the Winter Fuel Payment, £150 for disability benefit recipients, £400 from the energy bills cash grant, and £150 from the council tax rebate – totalling £1,650.

• Our support to help families with the cost of living now totals over £37 billion. Today’s package of measures provides support worth over £15 billion. Combined with the over £22 billion of support we have  already announced, we are supporting families with over £37 billion.

• Over three-quarters of our support will go to the most vulnerable households – including pensioners.

To put it in perspective:

• A single mother of two children who works full-time on the National Living Wage will receive £2,500 this year in additional support.

• A low-income household (combined annual earnings of £26,000, including a full-time earner on £10 per hour and a part-time earner on the National Living Wage) with two children who are in receipt of means tested benefits will receive £3,200 this year.

• A low-to-middle income working family with two children on Universal Credit (combined annual earnings of £43,000, including a full-time earner on an hourly wage (£14.10 per hour, or around £27,000

per year) and another full-time earner on the National Living Wage) will receive £4,200 this year.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

 

Campaign reply - Please vote to give people seeking asylum the right to work

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you expressing your concerns about the plight of Ukrainian refugees.

Ukraine is one of the biggest refugee crises in modern memory. As a steadfast protector of human rights and democracy, the United Kingdom has pledged to offer its full support to those fleeing Russian aggression. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, working with other UK government departments, aims to:

•              provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine and to people seeking refuge in the region. This includes protection and life-saving assistance, with a focus on the most vulnerable, including women and children

•              work with our allies to ensure that the international humanitarian system delivers a well-coordinated and well-funded response

•              press for respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and call for unimpeded humanitarian access to ensure humanitarian aid gets to those who need it most and enable people to leave the worst affected areas safely

The Ukrainian Visa scheme has ensured that those fleeing Ukraine are able to enter the country and be prioritised. We will continue to support these individuals until they are able to safely return home.

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and if I can be of further assistance with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Campaign reply - White-tailed Eagles

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about white-tailed eagles.

 

I would like to assure you that my ministerial colleagues and I believe that white-tailed eagles belong in the UK. To support the reintroduction of the species, I know that Natural England issued a licence for a ten-year project to release the species at a site in Norfolk. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also provided funding to support the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project on the Isle of Wight led by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.

 

The project aims to reintroduce up to 60 eagles to the Isle of Wight over a five-year period. As a result of decades of conservation work, including reintroductions and increased protections, the white-tailed eagle has been helped off the UK Red List for birds.

 

I am aware that around 25 white-tailed eagles have been released in the area since 2019. Like you, I was very concerned to hear that two of these eagles have recently been found dead. I welcome that police are investigating these deaths, with post-mortem and toxicological examinations taking place.

 

Further, the Government takes all wildlife crime seriously and significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes, with most wildlife crimes carrying up to an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence.

 

To address concerns about the illegal killing of birds of prey, senior Government and enforcement officers have identified raptor persecution as a national wildlife crime priority. Defra sits on the police-led Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group, which takes forward activities to raise awareness and facilitate intelligence and incident reporting, leading to increased prevention and enforcement activity. 

 

Finally, as part of the Government’s commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we found it, the Environment Act will set a new legally binding target to halt the decline of species abundance by 2030. I hope that through continued collaborative working, we will see the recovery of many native species, including the white-tailed eagle.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - Support better workforce planning to support the future of our NHS/Support the NHS workforce in the Health and Care Bill

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you writing to me about Amendment 29 of the Health and Care Bill.

Unfortunately, I was not able to support the amendment in its present form. I must agree with the reasoning laid forth by the Minister of State for Health that this amendment is not necessary. Already, the Health and Care bill takes a great step forward in bolstering the services offered by the NHS.

The Government has worked to merge Health Education England with NHS England to bring together responsibility for service, financial and workforce planning in one organisation. The record commitment and investment made by the Government has made any further provisions unnecessary.

While this specific amendment is an area where many disagree, there is a shared commitment among MPs to strengthen our health services and allow for a healthier Britain. Before Brexit, £350m a week was given to the EU, and the Government campaigned on taking this sum and investing in the NHS. I am happy to report that the Government has not merely delivered on this promise -- it has gone above and beyond. Over £400m in new funding is given to the NHS each week, and this achievement represents this Government’s commit to a robust NHS.

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and if I can be of further assistance with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Campaign reply - Forgotten, yet remembered?

Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate you reaching out to discuss the issue of Christian persecution in the world.

Religious freedom and proper treatment of women are two of cornerstones of the civilised world. The Government review into the persecution of Christians outlines the seriousness of the challenge, and makes recommendations for how the Foreign Office can better address the issue. This includes calling for action at the United Nations, including a Resolution to allow UN observers to monitor necessary security measures.

The Government has been working to address this issue, and have resolved to undertake the following courses of action:

 

•              seek a Security Council Resolution urging all governments in the Middle East and North Africa to protect Christians, and other persecuted minorities, and allow UN observers to monitor the necessary security measures

•              identify a label for Christian persecution, to better inform and develop tailored Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) policies in response

•              consider imposing sanctions on perpetrators of serious human rights abuses against religious minorities, including Christians

•              establish a stream of the Magna Carta Fund, dedicated to helping persecuted Christians

•              all Foreign Office staff – at home and abroad – should have mandatory training on religious literacy, subject to resources

•              British embassies and high commissions in relevant countries should deliver tailored responses to any violations of freedom of religion or belief

 

 

Freedom of Religion or Belief has been a key priority for the Government within our human rights agenda in recent years. Both strategically and through a focus on priority countries, we have not only raised the profile of religious persecution and abuse, but also acted on the rising tide of Christian persecution across the world with some success. We will continue this fight for one of the most vulnerable populations in the world.

 

Thank you once again for getting in touch, and if I can be of further assistance with any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Newspaper column 16 June 2022 - Food Strategy

The past week saw further progress made in a number of areas I am working hard for you in as Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth.

On Wednesday it was a pleasure to chair the Ocean Conservation All Party Parliamentary Group World Ocean Day reception, in Parliament with Surfers Against Sewage.

We heard from some fantastic speakers on marine protected areas (MPAs). Our seas have a great variety of marine life and habitats, many of which are rare and of national importance. MPAs help make sure that these are guarded from the increasing pressures of human activity, and they also play an important role in offering nature-based solutions to climate change.

I am pleased our Blue Belt of marine protection around our coast is now an area twice the size of England and truly a world-leading level of protection. However, there is always more that can be done, and we have a duty to ensure that our marine life recovers and thrives for future generations.

On Friday, it was Brilliant to welcome the Prime Minister to the first Royal Cornwall Show in several years.

It was great to see the show back and better than ever.

Boris was welcomed by the crowds and was keen to talk to Cornish farmers, food and drink producers about the challenges we face, and encouraged everyone to buy and eat Cornish produce wherever possible!

The Prime Minister was back in Cornwall on Monday where he announced the Government’s National Food Strategy.

This strategy will help ensure we deliver our ambition for a prosperous agri-food sector, and that healthier and more sustainable diets can be achieved by all.

It follows the government-commissioned independent review of the food system, the “National Food Strategy” led by Henry Dimbleby and builds on existing work across government and the actions already being taken forward by industry and other key actors.

The objectives for this strategy are to deliver:

A prosperous agri-food and seafood sector that ensures a secure food supply in an unpredictable world and contributes to the levelling up agenda through good quality jobs around the country.

A sustainable, nature positive, affordable food system that provides choice and access to high quality products that support healthier and home-grown diets for all.

trade that provides export opportunities and consumer choice through imports, without compromising our regulatory standards for food, whether produced domestically or imported.

I am in regular contact with food producers around Truro and Falmouth and am keen to hear what you think about this new strategy – please get in touch with your feedback.

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. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.

Campaign reply - Big Plastic Count

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about plastic pollution.

The Resources and Waste Strategy for England sets out the Government’s plans to reduce, reuse, and recycle more plastic than we do now. Ministers have committed to work towards all plastic packaging placed on the market being recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Significant progress has already been made to address plastic pollution. This includes introducing one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and restricting the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds. The use of single-use carrier bags has been reduced in the main supermarkets by over 95 per cent with the 5p charge and this has been increased to 10p and extended it to all retailers.

The Government recently consulted on proposals to ban the supply of single-use plastic plates, cutlery, and balloon sticks, and expanded and extruded polystyrene food and beverage containers, including cups. Ministers are committed to addressing other sources of plastic pollution and ran a call for evidence on other problematic plastic items, including wet wipes, tobacco filters, sachets, and other single-use cups.

Finally, the Environment Act 2021 includes a raft of new powers to address plastic pollution and litter, including a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, which will recycle billions more plastic bottles and stop them being landfilled or littered. The Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging will make manufacturers responsible for the full net cost of recycling their packaging waste and encourage more recyclable packaging. In addition, the Act establishes greater consistency in the recycling system and introduces new powers to make it easier to place charges on single-use plastic items that threaten our ecosystems.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Campaign reply - All Change for Animals!

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about the Animal in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU).

A number of constituents have raised concerns with me regarding the ASRU Change Programme, and the impact it might have on animal welfare standards. Let me reassure that I, and my colleagues, take the issue of animal welfare extremely seriously and I am proud to have supported a legislative agenda so focused on further raising standards for the treatment of animals.

I welcome that there are stringent provisions already in place to ensure compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). This Act makes provision for the protection of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes. It also adopts the 3Rs principle which seeks to use experimental procedures which either replace the use of animals, reduce the number of animals used, or refine how the animals are treated during the process.

The ASRU is responsible for the administration and enforcement of ASPA, which includes providing advice on the regulations, operating the licence system, and ensuring the compliance of licence holders and the terms of their licenses. Regarding the Change Programme, I have been assured that its core aim is to better align ASRUs activities to deliver its purpose of protecting animals in science by maintaining compliance with ASPA. The benefits of the programme include increased efficiency and more effective delivery of outcomes and services.

Furthermore, the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) is an essential part of establishment governance to ensure compliance with ASPA. All applicants for a new project licence must be evaluated by the local AWERB which is constituted to advise on how effectively the applicant is applying the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

Newspaper column 9 June - Jubilee and more!

I hope everyone was able to take some time over the long weekend to celebrate our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I was able to attend events in Truro and Falmouth and the sense of community spirit, of people coming together to pay tribute to the seventy years of Her Majesty’s public service to our country, was simply awe-inspiring. Well done and thank you to both Her Majesty and also everyone who worked so hard to make sure the national and local events went off so memorably, even with some rather changeable weather in the latter part of the festivities.

Parliament has now returned to sitting following the Whitsun Recess, and this week sees debate taking place on Levelling Up – the Government’s mission to ensure every part of our country is able to move forward positively after Brexit, with no one left behind. At the time of writing I am hoping to speak in this debate, and will as ever, be bringing my Ministerial colleagues’ attention to both some of the excellent work already being done in Truro and Falmouth, but also what we hope to achieve in the future with the Government’s help, unlocking some of our tremendous Cornish potential that is waiting to be tapped into.

To me, levelling up isn’t just about pumping money into projects to fit pre-determined outcomes, which is what we saw to often lesser impact with the old EU structural funding. It is about allowing local decision-makers the power to choose how to spend and share the funds, to invest in high skilled and well-paid jobs, like we are seeing with the specific money already set aside for Spaceport Cornwall, to name but one. It means investing in our burgeoning renewable energy sector, the exciting deep geothermal power potential at United Downs and other sites across our Duchy. And of course harnessing our indomitable Cornish community spirit to build the genuinely affordable housing we need with sustainable communities with the health and transport infrastructure alongside to support them.

Cornwall was given a prominent position in the government’s major levelling up white paper, which was released earlier this year, and as well as the bids for levelling up funding, which will be submitted by July, we are also looking to bid for a devolution deal for our Duchy, which could see more powers given to local decision-makers than ever before.

Alongside this Cornwall has been made an Education Investment Area, which means help will be provided to improve pupils’ results and opportunities, targeting investment, support and action that will boost children from all backgrounds and areas to succeed at the very highest levels.

And on top of all of this, Cornwall has £132million from the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund for more local investment - more money per head from this fund than any local authority area in England.

These are exciting times for Cornwall and as your Member of Parliament I will be doing I can to ensure that our vibrant, positive and forward facing outlook in Truro and Falmouth is matched by the support needed from Government to give us what we need to match our ambitions.

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. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.