tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12773736933550735122024-03-27T16:53:41.994-07:00Cherilyn Mackrory's BlogWelcome to my blog. I am honoured to have been elected to serve and represent the people of Truro and Falmouth. This blog will include my regular newspaper columns and replies to campaigns, and includes my contact details, should you need to get in touch.Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.comBlogger576125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-14075385320030116002024-03-26T02:34:00.000-07:002024-03-26T02:34:51.653-07:00Newspaper column 26th March 2024 - The success of our new age of Cornish mining<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of the continuing positive stories for
Cornwall in recent years, since I became Member of Parliament for Truro and
Falmouth, is the growth and emergence of lithium extraction as a potential to
provide high paid, high skilled jobs in our Duchy and return Cornwall’s mining
pre-eminence on both a national and international scale. But as well as this
there are also other plans in the Duchy to re-open the iconic and important
South Crofty Mine as a going commercial concern.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last
week I was delighted to welcome Minister of State for Industry and Economic
Security, Nus Ghani MP to Cornwall to see some of this potential for herself.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
well as my role as local MP for Truro and Falmouth, in Parliament I am also
Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Critical Minerals. All-Party
Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party groups formed by MPs and
Members of the House of Lords who share a common interest in a particular
policy area, region or country and I am pleased to chair the Critical Minerals
APPG, whose stated aim is to highlight the UK's need for a secure, sustainable
supply of critical minerals to deliver the nation's industrial strategy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
Chair of the APPG for Critical Minerals, I am working hard to ensure the future
of Cornwall’s oldest industry, and last week I took the Minister visit Cornish Metals
at the South Crofty Mine. We saw the fantastic work being carried out to
restore this historic mine and get it back up and running to extract the vital
critical minerals we all need today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Last
year I visited this site for the opening of the brilliant new Water Treatment
Plant, which is helping to clear the mine but also to clean the Red River and
protect local wildlife. I am so pleased by all the progress which has been made
since, and it was a privilege to be there and show the Minister all the work we
are doing to get this up and running and make the new age of Cornish mining a
reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
well as this, the Minister also took time during her visit last week to see
some of the work being done by both Cornish Lithium and Imerys British Lithium
to realise the lithium potential that has been called ‘globally significant’.
Along with Government investment to build a gigafactory for the processing of
lithium in the South West region, these are exciting times and we should see a
lot of return from the investment in critical minerals in Cornwall over the
next few years. I will certainly continue to do all I can, both locally in
Cornwall and in Parliament, to support the continued growth of this industry
into the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if there is ever anything at
all I can do to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me. 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 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-59846539806138326352024-03-19T08:59:00.000-07:002024-03-19T08:59:21.993-07:00Campaign reply: Gaza, Israel, and a ceasefire<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about the situation in Gaza. I
appreciate how important this matter is to you, and to so many of my
constituents, and can assure you that the Government remains focused on
addressing the very serious situation in the Middle East.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Like you, I want to see an end to the terrible suffering in Gaza
as soon as possible and for the fighting to stop now. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would like to set out
my position on this matter and tell you what the government is doing to
mitigate the situation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I support the UK Government’s position, which is calling for
an </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress
towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction,
fighting and loss of life. Indeed, the Government made a Written Statement to
Parliament on 23 February setting out this position.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">There are several vital elements for a lasting peace, including
the release of all hostages; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for
the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package;
removing Hamas’ capacity to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer
being in charge of Gaza; and a political horizon which provides a credible and
irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">I
respect the role and independence of the ICJ. However, I agree with the UK
Government that South Africa’s case at the ICJ is not helpful in achieving the
goal of a sustainable ceasefire. I share the Government’s view that
Israel’s actions in Gaza cannot be described as genocide, and believed South
Africa’s decision to bring the case was wrong and provocative.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The
Court’s call for the immediate release of hostages and the need to get more aid
into Gaza is a position the UK has long advocated. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">On
UNRWA, I am appalled by allegations that any agency staff were involved in
the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism. I support
the UK's decision to pause any future funding of UNRWA whilst these concerning
allegations are reviewed. The United States, Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada,
Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands have all temporarily paused funding
too.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The
Government is pressing the UN Office of Internal Oversight to produce a rapid
interim report. The UK wants UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes
in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again. The
UK is working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion
– not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and
services in Gaza.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">I
want to make clear that the UK remains committed to getting humanitarian aid to
the people in Gaza who desperately need it. The Government is getting
on with aid delivery, funding multiple implementing partners including other UN
agencies and international and UK NGOs. This support is helping people in Gaza
get food, water, shelter and medicines.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The
commitment to trebling aid to Gaza still stands and the UK is providing £60
million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British
Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme and Egyptian Red Crescent
Society to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and
security needs in Gaza.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Indeed,
the UK will continue to support the United Nations World Food Programme to
deliver a new humanitarian land corridor from Jordan into Gaza. 750 tonnes of
life-saving food aid arrived in the first delivery and 315 tonnes in the second
delivery.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">On 21 February four tonnes of life-saving aid – funded and supported
by the UK Government – were air-dropped for the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in
Northern Gaza by the Jordanian Air Force.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Ministers are
doing all that they can to get more aid in and open more crossings.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Finally,
the UK continues to call for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to be
respected and civilians to be protected. The
Government has previously assessed that Israel is committed and
capable of complying with IHL, and regularly reviews its assessment.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">I do hope the above information is useful in understanding my
position and the action taken by the government. I would like to add that while
it may seem from the news and social media that parliament is divided on this
issue – it is very much not the case and everybody in Westminster wishes to see</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> an end to the suffering in
Gaza.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank
you again for contacting me about this important matter.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-6950983491072000262024-03-19T02:03:00.000-07:002024-03-19T02:03:40.294-07:00Newspaper Column 19th March 2024 - Cornwall's Tri-Service Officers<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week in Parliament it was
really good to welcome representatives from Cornwall’s Tri-Service Safety
Officer (TSSO) programme to Westminster for an event to highlight this
excellent Cornish trailblazer role to MPs from across the country.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The TSSO role is one that I am passionate about, and is
something we have very much led the way on in Cornwall. TSSO’s are a unique
innovative collaborative one between the Police, Fire and Health services. The
role started in 2014 with a pilot in Hayle (West Cornwall) and has now
developed into 13 full time positions, with more positions planned to be open
as we head into 2024 and beyond. I am pleased to say that in Truro and Falmouth
we currently have a TSSO in Perranporth and I have been pushing to get another
officer to serve the rural communities on the Roseland.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The role focuses on prevention, early intervention and
reducing vulnerability. When tasked through either service they look to problem
solve from a multi-agency perspective. A basic example - while attending a
police neighbourhood dispute they may fit a smoke alarm, make a health
referral, and signpost a family to a third sector organisation. They also
explore suitable pathways to Cornwall Councils services and support. This is to
ensure the highest levels of safeguarding are in place for vulnerable members
of our communities which the TSSO’s lead on. Problem solving is further
enhanced by having access to data across all the services with Information
Sharing Agreements in Place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The TSSO’s have some limited police powers under the
community safety accredited scheme (CSAS), are retained fire fighters and in
addition offer an emergency response for the ambulance service as community
responders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The TSSOs are highly skilled motivated professionals there
is a bespoke training package developed for them in Cornwall. The team in
Cornwall are happy to share their journey and all documents and practices
learned. Within this library of documents there are two extensive and thorough
independent evaluations evidencing the significant value of the role. The
TSSO’s are held to the highest standards of all three services.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Apart from the emergency response work, which takes up less
than 10% of their time, the role also focuses on improving individuals and communities
focussing on vulnerability, particularly in deprived areas and in rural
communities that have not traditionally benefitted from a significant emergency
presence based in them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Working smarter together to address these issues is an
obvious and smart solution, and in doing so the use of TSSO’s reduces frontline
demand and improves the quality of lives for individuals and makes communities
safer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week it was great to be able to introduce our Cornish
TSSO team to colleagues in Parliament and even have them meet the Policing
Minister to share their firsthand experience of the role and how much it
benefits the communities the officers serve in. I hope that the TSSO role’s
success will be noted and that this will be another good example of a positive
Cornish story that can be rolled out nationally to benefit people around the UK
in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if
there is ever anything at all I<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">can do to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please get in touch with<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, or by
telephone on 01872<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">229698. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held
in a covid-safe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">environment at my office, so please do get in touch should
you wish to meet me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">about any matters that I can be of assistance with.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-89614652127663876362024-03-12T08:59:00.000-07:002024-03-12T08:59:46.347-07:00Newspaper Column 12th March 2024 - The Spring Budget<p><span style="font-family: arial;">The news last week was dominated by the Chancellor’s Spring
Budget Statement, which saw a number of positive announcements which I am sure
will be welcomed by people across Truro and Falmouth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The last few years have not been easy for the British
economy. We have faced the legacy of Covid, war in Ukraine and the Middle East.
These challenges have made life tough for people in Britain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the beginning of 2023, we have been working on five
priorities. Three of them are economic. To halve inflation, grow the economy
and reduce debt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We have made good progress. Inflation has fallen from 11.1
per cent to 4.0 per cent, the economy has performed better than forecast, wages
are rising, mortgage rates are starting to come down, the economy has
outperformed European neighbours and debt is on track to fall as a share of the
economy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The job is not done. But because of the progress we have
made, the economy is turning a corner and we have been able to afford tax cuts
as part of our plan to reward work and grow the economy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week’s Budget shows the plan is working. The Budget
will:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cut taxes for 27 million working people from
April, by again cutting the main rate of employee National Insurance
Contributions (NICs) from ten per cent to eight per cent. Combined with the cut
at the Autumn Statement, that is a tax cut of over £900 for the average worker
earning £35,400 – giving the average earner the lowest effective personal tax
rate since 1975. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cut taxes for two million of the self-employed,
by cutting the main rate of Class 4 NICs from nine per cent to six per cent.
Combined with the tax cuts for the self-employed at the Autumn Statement, this
is a tax cut of around £650 for an average self-employed person earning £28,000
a year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Support half a million families through changes
to the High Income Child Benefit Charge by raising the threshold and halving
the rate at which Child Benefit is withdrawn, benefiting some parents by an
average of £1,260. By April 2026 we will also end the unfairness for single
earner families. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Reduce debt, with overall debt beginning to fall
next year and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasting we will
meet our fiscal rule to have debt falling as a share of the economy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Freeze alcohol duty, alleviating pressure on the
hospitality sector. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Maintain the five pence cut to fuel duty and
freeze rates for the fourteenth consecutive year, helping keep motoring costs
down – a £3.1 billion tax cut for drivers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Cut Capital Gains Tax on residential property
sales, encouraging those who want to sell their second homes and buy to lets to
make more houses available for families. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Increase the VAT registration threshold for
small businesses for the first time since 2017, raising it from £85,000 to
£90,000. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Support and reform the NHS with £2.45 billion
for next year and a new £3.4 billion productivity plan, saving money, freeing
up clinicians’ time to focus on patients, and cut wait times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Introduce a new duty on vapes, protecting young
people and children from the harm of vaping. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Reform our tax system – ensuring those with the
broadest shoulders contribute a bit more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Away from the big picture announcements, I was delighted to
see the Chancellor recognise my own work in pushing for more controls on
holiday lets when he name-checked my work in campaigning to remove the unfair
rules which incentivised landlords to make their properties holiday lets rather
instead of renting them to local people all year round. This is a fair and
sensible step to take and I hope will make landlords consider switching their
properties to permanent residential homes for local people, helping ease the
housing pressures that we see in Cornwall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All in all, last week’s Budget was a sensible and pragmatic
one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The choice is clear – stick with the plan that is working
under Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives which will deliver a brighter future
for the country or go back to square one with Keir Starmer and Labour, who
can’t say what they’d do, because they don’t have a plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As
always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if there is ever anything at
all I<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">can do
to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Please get in touch with<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">me by
email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, or by telephone on 01872<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">229698.
My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">environment
at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">about
any matters that I can be of assistance with.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-4279750126647528872024-03-04T02:26:00.000-08:002024-03-04T02:26:40.077-08:00Newspaper Column 04/03/23 - Supporting Women in politics and the professional world<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This Friday, the 8<sup>th</sup> of March, is International
Women’s Day, and for my column this week I wanted to focus on the work the
Government is doing to support more women to reach the top table of Britain’s
biggest companies and politics, strengthen protections for victims of domestic
abuse and crack down on perpetrators of violence against women and girls.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">As a woman in politics I am sorry to say that I do receive a
lot of abuse. In fact, research conducted by Amnesty International revealed
that women in politics are 27 times more likely to face abuse online than their
male counterparts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is sadly reflected even in local politics too, and just
recently Cornwall Council debated on and passed a motion that recognises the
abuse that Cornwall Councillors and particularly female Cornwall Councillors,
get on a regular basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In my time as Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth I
have worked hard to champion women’s rights and work with the Government to
better protect women and girls from threats they face. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have previous shared information on the action the
Government has taken to elevate violence against women and girls to a crime
type that policing leaders must treat as a national threat, as well as
launching the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan and the Tackling Violence Against Women
and Girls Strategy. In 2022 the Government committed over £230 million over
three years in its Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, complementing our £300 million
investment in their 2021 Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy,
supporting victims and survivors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Government has also put £125 million into practical
measures like street lighting so that women and girls feel safer at night, and
through the Safer Street Fund and Safety of Women at Night Fund, have invested
£125 million to deliver practical support for women and girls across our
communities, some of this funding which I have been pleased to see deployed in
Falmouth and Penryn to make a real positive difference on our streets for women
and girls. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Online abuse is a real threat and a growing one, and the
Government has acted by protecting women and girls through the Online Safety
Act, delivering on the Government’s commitment to better shield people from
harmful content online. This Act creates a new base offence of intentionally
sharing an intimate image without consent. The Government is also creating a
specific offence of threatening to share intimate image and the sharing of
‘deepfakes’, as well as making Cyberflashing illegal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Government is also protecting women by overhauling the
laws to protect women from domestic killers, meaning ex-partners who lash out
at the end of their relationship will face longer than ever behind bars,
protecting vulnerable women, and also introducing longer sentences for partners
who murder following the end of a relationship history of coercive and
controlling behaviour to be a mitigating factor for abused victims who kill
their tormentors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally another step the Government is taking is introducing
a plan to guarantee single-sex spaces, ensuring women and girls feel safe
wherever they are. They are bringing forward changes that will mean all new
non-domestic public and private buildings will be required to provide separate
single-sex toilets, and also ensuring that transgender offenders who have
committed sexual or violent crimes or retain male genitalia will not serve
their sentence in a women’s prison, unless explicitly approved at the highest
level.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is always more to do, but I am proud of being part of
this Government that takes women’s rights seriously, so we can celebrate women
and our invaluable contribution to all aspects of life, both on International
Women’s Day and throughout the year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As
always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if there is ever anything at
all I<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">can do
to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Please get in touch with<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">me by
email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, or by telephone on 01872<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">229698.
My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">environment
at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;">about
any matters that I can be of assistance with.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-44713641420716363212024-02-27T03:29:00.000-08:002024-02-27T03:29:51.233-08:00Newspaper column 27th February 2024 - The Baby Loss Certificate<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regular readers will know that as well as my work as local
Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth, I also have, throughout my time as
MP advocated for national awareness and support for families, like mine, who
have experienced baby loss. I have now chaired the cross party All Party
Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Baby Loss for over three years, and it is an
honour to advocate for families who have suffered a loss as well as the
midwives and other healthcare professionals who care for them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">The Baby Loss APPG works in a number of ways to raise
awareness of and encourage the Government and NHS to work with families to
ensure the very best care and support is given at the most difficult of times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">One such example is through the National Bereavement Care
Pathway, which was launched in 2017 and has since been adopted in most NHS
Trusts in England. This has been transformational in ensuring that families
like mine, whose pregnancy is cruelly cut short, receive special bereavement
care during the event. Memory boxes and photos are encouraged, as is time spent
with your baby to say goodbye. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Last week we saw the Government announce the Pregnancy Loss
Certificate, which is something parents have been asking for, to help bring comfort
at their lowest point.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">The certificate has been announced as part of the response
to the Pregnancy Loss Review, an independent report commissioned by the
Government last year to look towards improving the care and support available
to families when baby loss occurs before 24 weeks' gestation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">The Pregnancy Loss Certificate is the recognition of a life
lost. It is an optional, official, but not legal, document which can be issued
to families who lose their baby at any time before 24 weeks gestation. Before
24 weeks, all losses are classed as miscarriage, rather than stillbirth. This
means that for babies like mine, there has been no record that she ever
existed. Yet she did. The Pregnancy Loss Certificate changes this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Putting a baby’s name on the certificate means that it
could be kept with their siblings’ birth certificates or put somewhere special
with the rest of their baby mementos. Nothing can take away the pain of losing
a much wanted and much-loved baby. The grief, like any other, must be navigated
at one’s own pace and in one’s own way. But I would like to thank Ministers for
listening to the voices of bereaved parents and introducing the certificate as
quickly as possible after the review.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if there is ever anything at
all I can do to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me. 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-1837156455648380322024-02-19T03:18:00.000-08:002024-02-19T03:18:41.448-08:00Newspaper column 19th February 2024 - Michael Gove's visit to St Agnus and reformed planning for short-term lets.<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last week saw another really positive development in my
campaign towards addressing the impact of holiday lets on communities in Truro
and Falmouth, when the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Communities and
Local Government, Michael Gove, visited St Agnes to announce a major new
Government policy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of the biggest issues that I am often contacted about
locally is the lack of affordable accommodation for local people, particularly
in our rural and coastal communities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This was really brought home to me following the pandemic
when in one of my first constituency advice surgeries since restrictions
lifted, held in St Agnes, within two hours, I had had 15 constituents and
families through the doors, and every single one was either being evicted or
their rent was going up so much that they could not stay. Pretty much all those
properties were going to be flipped into Airbnbs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Since then, along with Cornish MP colleagues, we have been
lobbying the Government to make changes in this area to ensure that we do not
let this continue to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A lot of these changes to better restrict the holiday let
industry and correct the imbalance of these properties towards those occupied
by local people all year round have been made possible through the Government’s
landmark Levelling Up Act, which came into law last year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Levelling Up Act has already given local authorities
like Cornwall Council the power to double council tax on existing second homes,
something I know that Cornwall Council have welcomed and will be bringing into
practice from April 2025, the earliest that they are able to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the Government has gone further and last year consulted
on giving additional powers to local authorities via the Levelling Up Act to
hold mandatory registers of all holiday lets, and also to allow local
authorities to make people who want to turn existing residential properties
into holiday lets to have to do so via making a planning application for change
of use, therefore giving the local authority the ultimate decision as to
whether to allow holiday lets into communities or not. These powers will give
local authorities the tools to be able to see the scope of the problem and
identify where there are large numbers of holiday lets overwhelming
communities, and then give them the power to do something about it, by giving
them a say via a planning application. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I very much welcomed the consultation by the Government
last year, and was delighted to see Michael Gove, speaking to myself and
residents of St Agnes last week, commit the Government to adopting these
proposals in full. This will give local authorities like Cornwall Council more
powers to do something about holiday lets in communities that are adversely
affected by them, and in doing so, will also encourage landlords to keep their
properties in the open market, and sell or rent to local people who will occupy
them all year round. A really good step forward, and I will continue to work to
get the best deal for Truro and Falmouth, and Cornwall, now and in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if
there is ever anything at all I can do to help, then please do not hesitate to
contact me. 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-61658227036926281212024-02-16T07:18:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:18:16.139-08:00Campaign Reply - The Syria Campaign<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about earthquake relief in Syria.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I offer my condolences to all those affected by this tragedy,
particularly those who lost loved ones. The UK Government offered support to
Syria only hours after the earthquake struck, and continues to support their
long-term recovery efforts.</span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">
<br />
In the aftermath of the earthquakes, the UK immediately announced an additional
£800,000 to the UK-funded White Helmets, who immediately mobilised their
response in north-west Syria. The White Helmets volunteers carried out
search and rescue operations in 60 villages across 182 locations, helping
thousands of civilians. Furthermore, to protect survivors and support those who
had been critically injured, the UK also sent a world-class team of UK medics
and announced £8 million of lifesaving support to both Turkey and Syria, which
was used to provide survivors with vital items, like tents and blankets,
meeting the needs of up to 15,000 people. The UK Government also matched the £5
million raised by the Disaster Emergency Committee’s (DEC) joint appeal for UK
humanitarian operations in Turkey and Syria. As the focus moves from
rescue to recovery, the UK has continued urgent humanitarian assistance with a
further financial package of £25 million.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Despite this, efforts to provide humanitarian aid have been
hindered by ongoing conflict in the region and the Assad regime’s sustained use
of aid as a political weapon. Despite earlier opening three crossings on the
Syrian border, Turkey has now closed these access points due to ongoing
clashes in northern Aleppo. This followed Russia’s decision to veto a
compromise solution that would have extended UN operation through Bab al-Hawa
crossing for a further nine-months.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">I will happily join you in condemning the Assad regime, calling
for all parties in Syria to observe their commitments under ceasefire
agreements and to work towards sustained, calm and unhindered humanitarian
access through all modalities. The UK Government is not the only aid providing organisation
to call for this; I note the UN Special Envoy for Syria’s assertion that “2023
[...] saw the worst eruptions of violent conflict in years, further
exacerbating the worsening humanitarian situation, and a lack of meaningful
progress on the political process”. Likewise, I will openly criticise Russia
for its breaches of international rules and norms and promise my support to
measures being taken by the UK Government to hold them to account.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; padding: 0cm;">Regardless,
I can confirm that I will support the UK Government’s plans to spend up to £150
million in 2023/24 to support the Syrian people and refugee-hosting countries.
I know the UK Government remains updated, via the British Embassy in Ankara and
aid agencies on the ground in both countries, and is committed to supporting
the long-term recovery effort. I will continue to follow developments with keen
interest.</span>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-38610065664514386942024-02-16T07:17:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:17:24.656-08:00Campaign Reply - NHS Privatisation<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Thank you for contacting me about independent
sector providers and the NHS.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Government is clear that the NHS will
always provide healthcare free at the point of delivery, regardless of ability
to pay. This principle applies whether NHS-funded care is being delivered by an
NHS, voluntary or independent healthcare provider.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Under the NHS Constitution, patients have “the
right to access certain services commissioned by NHS bodies within maximum
waiting times, or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer you a range
of suitable alternative providers if this is not possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As we seek to reduce the treatment backlog
built up during the Covid-19 pandemic, independent providers have a valuable
role to play in reducing NHS waiting times, by allowing patients to be treated
in a private healthcare setting whilst being funded by the NHS, freeing up
capacity in NHS hospitals. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Government is ensuring the NHS has the
necessary investment to deliver better care for patients, providing an extra
£45.6 billion in funding for health and social care to 2024-25. As set out in
the 2021 Spending Review, NHS England’s day-to-day budget is set to grow by 3.8
per cent on average up to 2024/25, supporting the NHS to tackle the treatment
backlog, and deliver its Long Term Plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A further £4.7 billion in funding will be provided to support adult
social care and discharge in 2024/25.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In addition, the Government is making the
largest health capital investment in a decade, including the hospital
rebuilding programme, and funding for new community diagnostic centres,
surgical hubs and mental health urgent and emergency care facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking
the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-13075994861633518752024-02-16T07:16:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:16:33.812-08:00Campaign Reply - Skilled Foreign Workers (Salary Threshold)<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Thank you for contacting me about the increase
in salary threshold for skilled workers.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I welcome that the Government is taking
decisive action to curb the levels of legal migration. The steps being taken
will ensure that immigration always benefits the UK, while ensuring that the
NHS and the country's most innovative businesses always have access to the
talent they need to succeed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As such, the Government has taken the decision
to increase salary thresholds for skilled workers by 48 per cent to £38,700, in
line with the median full-time wage for equivalent jobs. The current general
salary threshold is £26,200. I understand that the increase will take place
from March.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">However,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>those coming in on the Health and Social Care visa route will be
exempted so that the country can continue to bring the healthcare workers that
the care sector and the NHS need. If these new rules were in place, they could
have prevented over 10,000 individuals and their dependants coming to the UK in
the year to September 2023. In future, this will mean that employers are not
incentivised to undercut UK workers with cheaper overseas workers and instead
invest in the skills of the domestic workforce. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking
the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-72503179895725213172024-02-16T07:15:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:15:46.467-08:00Campaign Reply - Diabetes<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Diabetes is a leading cause
of premature mortality, doubling an individual's risk of cardiovascular
disease. It costs over £10 billion every year to manage and results in over
22,000 additional deaths each year. That is why I believe it is important that
high quality diabetes care is available.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">A total of £5 million
was provided in 2021/22 in a national recovery fund to support the
recovery of routine diabetes care through innovative projects. The programme
approved 28 projects with delivery in 2022/23. A further £75 million of funding
is also being allocated between 2020/21 and 2023/24 for the treatment and care
of people living with diabetes. NHS England continues to work to identify and
develop plans to address gaps in the provision of services.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The Government also supports
work to prevent the development of diabetes. The NHS Diabetes
Prevention Programme operates to identify people who are at high risk of developing
type 2 diabetes and refers them on to a nine-month, evidence-based lifestyle
change programme. Latest figures, published in February 2023 shows a
20 per cent reduction in risk for those who are referred to the programme
compared to those who are not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Finally, the Government has
announced its intention to develop and publish a Major Conditions
Strategy. The strategy will set out a strong and coherent policy agenda that
sets out a shift to integrated, whole-person care. Interventions set out in the
strategy will aim to alleviate pressure on the health system, as well as
support the Government’s objective to increase healthy life expectancy and
reduce ill-health related labour market inactivity. Diabetes is one of the six
major conditions included in the strategy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">A call for
evidence was launched for the Major Conditions Strategy which ran until
June 2023. The Government is analysing responses and will respond shortly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Thank you again for taking the
time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-5979668307739952622024-02-16T07:14:00.001-08:002024-02-16T07:14:57.457-08:00Campaign Reply - People's Plan for Nature<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Thank you for contacting me
about nature.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Biodiversity loss is a global
problem that needs a global solution. I welcome that at COP15, the UN
biodiversity summit held in Canada in December 2022, almost 200 countries
agreed a new deal to protect nature. The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
includes a commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and to
protect 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030. The GBF also commits to ending
human-induced extinctions of known threatened species.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The UK played a leading role in
the negotiations, building on the UK’s COP and G7 presidencies, including the
Leaders' Pledge for Nature. This commits world leaders to taking action to
drive sustainable food production, end the illegal wildlife trade and tackle
climate change. Climate and Environment Ministers of the G7 have committed
to the GBF’s swift implementation, as well as international climate finance to
nature-based solutions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Domestically, the Environment
Act 2021 sets a legally binding target to halt the decline in species abundance
by 2030. Biodiversity net gain and a strengthened biodiversity duty on public
authorities will create and restore rich habitats that enable wildlife to
recover and thrive, while conservation covenants will secure habitat for the
long-term.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Further, through the
Sustainable Farming Incentive, farmers are paid for actions that support food
production and improve farm productivity and resilience, while also
protecting and improving the environment. This includes actions relating to
soil health, hedgerow management, providing food and habitats for wildlife, and
managing pests and nutrients.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">When adopted at scale by
farmers, these actions will make a significant contribution to the
Government’s environment and climate targets, and support objectives
to maintain food production and improve farm productivity. This includes the
aim published in the Environmental Improvement Plan of between 65 and 80 per
cent of landowners and farmers adopting nature-friendly farming on at least 10
to 15 per cent of their land by 2030.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Thank you again for taking the
time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-48796516070784661822024-02-16T07:14:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:14:11.166-08:00Campaign Reply - Salt, Sugar and Fat in Food and Drink Products<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Government has committed to a salt reduction programme to
reduce the consumption of salt and the associated health risks</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Work is also ongoing to reduce levels of calories in savoury
foods. These programmes cover all sectors of the food and drink industry –
supermarkets, manufacturers and the many places we buy from, and eat at, out of
the home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The salt reduction programme sets out clear salt targets for 84
different food products that contribute the most to people’s salt intakes and
are set to be achieved by 2024. There are also targets for maximum salt
quantity per serving designed specifically for the hospitality, takeaway, and
delivery sector</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #9b59b6; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">s</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Average sugar reduction across all food
categories currently stands at around 3.5 per cent. However,
some individual product categories have delivered greater reductions, such as
14.9 per cent for breakfast cereals, 13.5 per cent for yogurts/fromage
frais and 7.2 per cent for ice cream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There has been clear progress in reducing the salt content of
foods since salt targets were first set in 2006, such as a 20 per cent
reduction in salt in bread. The latest analysis has shown that more progress
needs to be made, particularly by the eating out of home sector.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As part of the Health and Care Act 2022, the
Government legislated for further restrictions on TV and
online advertising of less healthier food and drink products.
It is important that industry has time to prepare for these measures, so the
Government has delayed their implementation until 1 October 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I can assure you that addressing obesity remains a priority for
the Government, with restrictions on the location and promotion of products
high in fat, salt or sugar currently in<u><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> </span></u>force.
Restaurants, cafes and takeaways are also now required to list calories for
food on menus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Thank you again for contacting me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-29721556935622087862024-02-16T07:13:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:13:22.574-08:00Campaign Reply - Autism<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about support for children and adults
living with autism.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Autism is a complex condition which affects many people in very
different ways. In recent times, great progress has been made in improving our
understanding of autism. I fully acknowledge that we need to improve the
diagnosis times for autism spectrum disorder, as well as improving the quality
and consistency of data collected on waiting times and prevalence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">However, I am pleased to see that there are efforts being made
across government and throughout society to support children and adults with
autism. My ministerial colleagues are continuing to build on the advances
made since the Autism Act was passed in 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The Government’s current Autism Strategy will run from 2021 to
2026 and is being implemented to help to improve the lives of children and
adults with autism. This strategy aims to: tackle the barriers autistic people
face so they can live independent and fulfilling lives; ensure faster diagnosis
and better access to health and social care for autistic people of all ages;
and support better education tailored to the needs of autistic children
and young people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">This strategy was backed by £75 million in its first year
alone, £40 million of which is through the NHS Long Term Plan to improve
capacity in crisis services and support children with complex needs in
inpatient care.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and
operational guidance for autism assessment services. These documents are
intended to help the NHS and local authorities improve their autism assessment
services and improve the experience for adults and children who are referred to
an autism assessment service.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Together, the framework and
operational guidance are expected to help reduce autism assessment waiting
times and to aid the recruitment and retention of the autism assessment
services workforce. They will also ensure there is greater consistency in
services across the country for people before, during and after a diagnosis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Furthermore, building on the
2021/22 investment of £13 million, the Government invested £2.5 million in
2022/23 to support local areas with improvements in autism assessment
pathways. In 2023/24, £4.2 million of funding is available across England to
improve services for autistic children and young people, including autism assessment
services, pre-and post-diagnostic support, and the continuation of
the Autism in Schools programme. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-59164869373855858702024-02-16T07:12:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:12:25.212-08:00Campaign Reply - Freedom of Religion or Belief Worldwide<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for bringing the World Watch List 2024 to my attention.
Sadly, the World Watch List makes clear that many Christians are targeted
daily purely for their faith, despite the protections of international law. It
is evident that the need for collective action and unwavering commitment
from the international community to protect FoRB for all remains imperative. I
am therefore grateful that FoRB remains a human rights priority for the UK</span><strong style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">.</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Nobody should live in</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> fear because of their identity or beliefs.
My ministerial colleagues and I are committed to defending FoRB for
all, and to promoting respect between different religious and non-religious
communities. Indeed, promoting the right to FoRB is one of the UK's
longstanding human rights priorities. Regrettably, however, the UK</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #2980b9; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Government remains deeply
concerned about the increase in FoRB violations globally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I welcome that officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office (FCDO) regularly raise concerns with national
Governments who are not meeting their obligations to this end, both
publicly and in private, including at a ministerial level.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The FCDO also works via multilateral fora, such as the UN,
G7, and the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance to promote
and protect FoRB for all. In July 2022, the UK hosted an International
Ministerial Conference on FoRB to energise collective efforts on this
agenda, in addition to announcing £500,000 of new funding to support FoRB
defenders and to provide legal expertise to countries where FoRB is under
pressure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When FoRB is respected, societies are more likely to be stable and
secure, and to flourish economically. They are also less prone to extremist
attacks. It is therefore not to put too fine a point on it to say that in promoting
FoRB we are promoting peace, and doing so now is as critical as ever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I hope this has provided some reassurance to you on this important</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #3498db; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">matter. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-42801622794560007192024-02-16T07:11:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:11:33.146-08:00Campaign Reply - Guide Dogs<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">No one with a guide dog should be refused access to businesses or
services because of their canine companion. Everyone deserves to travel with
comfort and dignity, and guide dogs give people with disabilities the freedom
and confidence to work, travel and visit friends independently.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As you are aware, there are already strict laws against the
discrimination of those who rely on guide dogs. The Equality Act 2010 clarifies
the duties of all people to permit guide dogs without any hindrance to most
services, premises and vehicles. Failure to comply can result in prosecution
and a fine on conviction of up to £1,000.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The use of guide dogs is supported by guidance on the rights of
guide dog owners, including the ability to report those who do not make
reasonable adjustments to make a disabled person’s journey easier. Distinctive
jackets for guide dogs to wear are available to ensure they are easily
identifiable. It is also advised that any identification cards, if provided,
are carried by a person with disabilities to prevent discrimination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022,
which came into force in June 2022, provides specific protections for disabled
people. This includes new duties on taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to
carry any disabled person and their mobility aids, to provide reasonable
mobility assistance, and to support them in identifying a booked vehicle,
without extra charges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-13099771932006342142024-02-16T07:10:00.001-08:002024-02-16T07:10:52.885-08:00Campaign Reply - International Health Regulations<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about the proposed changes to the
International Health Regulations.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) are a key part
of the global health security system to prevent, protect against, control and
provide a public health response to the international spread of disease.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The original International Sanitary Regulations, which preceded
the International Health Regulations, were adopted in 1969 and amended several
times: in 1973, in 1981, and in 2005. The third edition (2005) has been amended
twice – in 2014 and 2022. The revisions of the regulations illustrate their
fluid nature, adapting to the health challenges that the world faces at that
time. As medical knowledge changes, I believe it is only right that health
regulations change too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Regarding the current amendments, the UK Government is eager to
ensure that countries' obligations under the IHR remain fit for purpose and reflect
the lessons learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic. Measures that the Government
wish to see include a stronger global commitment to effective disease
surveillance, early reporting of potential health threats, and transparency in
sharing information. I understand that the UK continues to formulate positions
during ongoing textual negotiations and has engaged other World Health
Organisation member states on the matter, including through the Working Group
on Amendments to the IHR (2005).<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-35568407578299216172024-02-16T07:10:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:10:11.933-08:00Campaign Reply - Stonewall (Transgender policy)<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Thank you for contacting me
about Stonewall and the Government's policy towards transgender people.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">My ministerial colleagues are clear that, although they do engage
with numerous LGBT groups, organisations like Stonewall do not decide
Government policy. The UK does not recognise self-identification for the
purpose of obtaining a gender recognition certificate.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In regards to
schools, I do not believe our children's education should be politicised.
Schools<u><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">,</span></u></span><u><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #9b59b6; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> </span></u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">are required by law to maintain political impartiality. It is
vital that children are exposed to differing viewpoints, but this must be in a
fair and balanced way: the law explicitly states that where political
issues are brought to the attention of pupils, they must be offered a balanced
presentation of opposing views. Guidance published by the Department for
Education in 2023 states that, while schools must be respectful and tolerant
places, there is no general duty to allow a child to ‘social transition’. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Government is determined that everyone should be able to live
their lives free from unfair discrimination, and that free
speech and open discussion must be protected as long as it does not
break the law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking
the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-86952987218022810832024-02-16T07:09:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:09:20.804-08:00Campaign Reply - Patient Safety<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about patient safety.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Patient safety is central to our NHS, ensuring that people are
able to seek the care that they need with the confidence they will be safe
doing so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">You may be aware that the Government has established the Health
Services Safety Investigations Body as an independent statutory body, through
the Health and Care Act. This builds on the work of the Healthcare Safety
Investigations Branch, with the function of investigating incidents that occur
in England during the provision of health care services which have, or may
have, implications for the safety of patients. I fully support these steps to
empower staff and patients to report incidents, enabling NHS staff to learn and
better protect future patients.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In December 2021, the Government published its response to the
findings of the inquiry into the issues raised by disgraced surgeon, Ian Paterson.
The Government accepted the overwhelming majority of the recommendations made
by the inquiry and set out an implementation plan of 40 actions to put those
recommendations into effect. The Government published a progress report on the
implementation plan in December 2022. The report provides full details of this
progress against the four themes of the Government’s response as laid out in
the implementation plan, and demonstrates that good progress has been made.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In 2021, the Government responded to the Independent Medicines and
Medical Devices review and set out an ambitious programme of change centred on
patient safety. The main features are improving how the system listens to and
responds to concerns raised by patients, strengthening the evidence base on
which decisions are made, and improving the safety of medicines and devices.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I was encouraged to see the outcome of the consultation on the
role of a Patient Safety Commissioner, acting on the second recommendation of
the Review. Views were sought on a range of proposals from terms of office to
remuneration and, in light of support for each proposal, the Government will
proceed with them. I welcome the appointment of Dr Henrietta Hughes OBE as the
first ever Patient Safety Commissioner for England in July 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Further, the NHS published a Patient Safety Strategy in 2019 and
this is updated yearly. This plan sets out how the NHS looks to continuously
improve patient safety, building on the foundations of a safer culture and
safer systems.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-29414236076587547752024-02-16T07:08:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:08:37.987-08:00Campaign Reply - Tax Credits<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about Tax Credits.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Tax Credits have been replaced by Universal Credit. It is no
longer possible to make a new claim for Tax Credits. However, existing Tax
Credit claimants can continue to renew their Tax Credits and add additional
elements to their claim. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There are two types of Tax Credit - Child Tax Credit and Working
Tax Credit. There are different qualifying conditions for each. Working Tax
Credit is paid to those who are employed and on a low income. To be eligible,
claimants must be between the age of sixteen and the State Pension age. Child
Tax Credit is paid to people who have children. It is paid in addition to child
benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">While I note your concerns about eligibility requirements for Tax
Credits, I understand that Pension Credit can provide those over the State Pension
Age with payments to assist with their living costs. Pension Credit can also
help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In April 2023, the standard minimum income guarantee in Pension
Credit was increased by 10.1 per cent, in line with inflation. As a result,
Pension Credit can top up a claimant's weekly income to £201.05 if they are
single, or their joint weekly income to £306.85 if they have a partner. In
April 2024, the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee will rise by 8.5 per
cent, in line with average earnings growth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Claimants of Pension Credit can also access other support
including Housing Benefit, free TV licences for the over-75s, and the Warm
Homes Discount. Full information is available here: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit">https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit</a><span style="color: black;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-16602674212687022502024-02-16T07:07:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:07:42.684-08:00Campaign Reply - Rwanda Scheme (Effectiveness of Legislation)<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about the Rwanda scheme.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I understand your concerns about the level of illegal migration
and the likelihood of the success of the Rwanda scheme. However, I can assure
you that the Government is committed to ensuring that it will be possible to
remove people who arrive here illegally to Rwanda or to another safe country. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As such I welcome that the Home Secretary has signed a new joint
treaty with his Rwandan counterpart to strengthen the UK and Rwanda's Migration
and Economic Partnership and directly addressing the concerns of the Supreme
Court. The agreement is part of the Government's plans to ensure that illegal
migrants can lawfully be relocated to Rwanda under its ambition to stop the
boats, ensuring people know that if they come to the UK illegally, they cannot
stay here. The landmark treaty is binding in international law and ensures that
people relocated to Rwanda under the partnership are not at risk of being
returned to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened – an act
known as refoulement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I am aware that to further bolster assurances that relocated
individuals will not be returned, under the treaty, Rwanda’s asylum system will
be strengthened through a new appeal body. The appeal body will consist of a
Rwandan and other Commonwealth national co-president, as well as judges of a
mixture of nationalities with asylum and humanitarian protection expertise
(appointed by the co-presidents) to hear individual appeals. Further, this
treaty comes together with new legislation that has been introduced to
Parliament so that it can be scrutinised to confirm that, with this new treaty,
Rwanda is a safe country. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I am glad that people will know that if they come here illegally,
they will not be permitted to stay.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-40863538836607402822024-02-16T07:06:00.001-08:002024-02-16T07:06:46.712-08:00Campaign Reply - The Electoral Commission<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about the Electoral Commission.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees
elections and regulates political finance in the UK. In accordance with the
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Commission has a
range of supervisory and investigatory powers which enable them to monitor
compliance with electoral finance laws proactively and enforce suspected
offences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Electoral Commission has civil sanctioning powers that apply
to referendums and elections. More serious criminal matters can be and are
referred to the police, and then considered by a court of law. The courts
already have the power to levy unlimited fines.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It is important to remember that political parties are voluntary
organisations and not large corporate organisations. Disproportionate
regulation could discourage volunteering and undermine local democracy.
Political parties and referendum participants of all colours have been fined
for breaches of technical reporting requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I am assured that the Government will continue to work closely
with the Electoral Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-88601750406147903982024-02-16T07:06:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:06:02.958-08:00Campaign Reply - NHS Waste<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I would like to reassure you that existing NHS England guidelines
advise NHS Trusts to reuse medical equipment when safe and appropriate to do
so. For example, Trusts are encouraged to reuse crutches, frames and walking
sticks to help improve access for patients and save money. This also provides
an excellent opportunity for carbon savings due to the high greenhouse gas
intensity of aluminium manufacture.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Trusts are also encouraged to set up dedicated walking aid return
and reuse schemes. This will ensure that walking aids are only returned to a
designated walking aid drop off location where they can then be assessed using
a simple procedure of checks, parts replacement and cleaning to ensure they are
safe for reuse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Furthermore, the Medical Technology Strategy, published in
February 2023, committed to developing an environment to deliver value for
money and affordability across the whole patient pathway for medical supplies
and equipment. As part of this commitment, the Department is working closely
with NHS England and NHS Supply Chain alongside industry and patient groups to
develop a consistent methodology for assessing value in terms of outcomes and
not just unit cost, which will be adopted at both a national and local level.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-23461879885739630232024-02-16T07:05:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:05:08.672-08:00Campaign Reply - Reducing Smoking Rates<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about actions the Government is taking
to reduce smoking rates in England.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As the single leading behavioural cause of preventable death
across our country, responsible for around 1 in 4 cancer deaths and 64,000
premature deaths per year, reducing smoking is crucial for ensuring we live
longer, healthier lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Significant progress has been made, with smoking rates now the
lowest on record, thanks to duty on cigarettes being doubled since 2010 and
continued funding of stop smoking services. However, we must reduce smoking
rates further given the substantial cost to the economy and the NHS.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This is why the Government is committed to bringing forward the
Tobacco and Vapes Bill to ensure that children aged 14 or younger - anyone born
on or after 1 April 2009 – can never legally be sold tobacco products. By 2040,
these proposals will ensure that smoking is phased out completely among young
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This Bill will focus on those who sell tobacco products or buy
them on behalf of someone else. All tobacco products - including heated tobacco
and herbal smoking products - will be in the scope of the Bill. In addition, I
want to clarify that a national licence scheme is not being proposed, which
could have placed a greater burden on convenience stores.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1277373693355073512.post-78195817665311247052024-02-16T07:04:00.000-08:002024-02-16T07:04:15.058-08:00Campaign Reply - Stop the Criminalisation of Homelessness (Criminal Justice Bill)<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you for contacting me about the Criminal Justice Bill.</span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There is a firm commitment across government to end rough sleeping
once and for all, backed by £2 billion worth of investment over three years.
The Government’s ‘Ending Rough Sleeping For Good’ strategy is built around a
‘prevention first’ approach, including bringing forward investment so that
nobody leaves a public institution – such as a prison, hospital or care – for
the streets. Investment includes over £547 million for the Rough Sleeping
Initiative which enables local authorities to provide tailored support, the
£200 million Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme to provide long-term
homes to people with complex needs with a history of rough sleeping, and more
than 6,000 move-on homes through the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I understand that police forces and local agencies have asked for
more direct tools to respond sensitively, yet firmly, to instances of nuisance
begging and rough sleeping that place individuals involved at risk or make the
public feel unsafe. It is important to address the fact that begging can cause
harm to the individuals involved as well as to wider communities and public
spaces. Giving police and local authorities the tools they need will enable
them to help more vulnerable individuals off the streets and will open up new
ways to direct people to appropriate support, such as accommodation, mental
health treatment or substance misuse treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I will ensure my ministerial colleagues are aware of the concerns
you have raised with me as the Criminal Justice Bill continues being debated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Cherilyn Mackroryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01247144723185161561noreply@blogger.com0