E-scooters Event Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding e-scooters.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the suggested event, but I will of course keep an eye out for any future events as I know that this is an important issue to those with a vision impairment.

As you may be aware, the Department for Transport is running a series of electric scooter trials in select areas across the country. The trials will run for twelve months, allowing the government to investigate the benefits and costs of electric scooters. It is being considered if e-scooters could ease the burden on the transport network and, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, help to facilitate social distancing. However, the government will need to scrutinise the full impact of e-scooters before any decisions is made on whether they should be legalised.

Some councils have raised concerns about the trials after reports of misuse of e-scooters, such as use in pedestrianised areas. This is against the clear government guidance first published in July, which lists the rules for members of the general public who are using e-scooters as part of trials. The full list of guidance is below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users

As I understand it, two cities have halted trials due to these issues, and I very much welcome the fact that councils are prioritising the safety and concerns of their communities. I have been told that the trials that have been put on hold will be reviewed by local authorities and may resume only when they can be sure that e-scooters will be used safely and appropriately.

Ministers have been clear that the more robust initial launch plans must be put in place for future trials, and it is my understanding that the Department for Transport is using this feedback to help other trials avoid these issues.

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

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

UK Factory Farming - EDM 1582 Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding EDM 1582 on banning UK factory farming.

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

The government promotes efficient, competitive farming, but does not seek to favour large or small-scale farms. There are a number of different farming systems in use within the UK and farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture. Increasing the size of herds does not necessarily equate to lower animal health or welfare standards. All farms must comply with comprehensive UK law on animal health and welfare, planning, veterinary medicines and environmental legislation. Stockmanship and high husbandry standards are key to ensuring high welfare standards for all farmed animals.

In the UK, we can be justly proud that we have amongst the highest standards of animal welfare in the world. We are developing an Animal Health and Welfare Pathway which will promote the production of healthier, higher welfare animals. Improving animal health underpins the welfare of farmed animals; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; slows the rise of anti-microbial resistance; better protects farmers and the public from the economic impacts of disease; and helps demonstrate a commitment to rising standards of animal health and welfare to our current and future trading partners across the world.

You may also be interested in an earlier post I did on the Pig Husbandry which I have provided on the link below:

https://cherilynmackrorymp.blogspot.com/2021/03/pig-husbandry-campaign-response.html

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

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

Nuclear Weapons – EDM 1776 Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding Nuclear Weapons and EDM 1667.

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

Whilst I of course hope that we never need to use them I will be supporting the latest decision to lift the cap on our nuclear stockpile as we face evolving security threats.

I do not believe this is going to lead to a new nuclear arms race and I would add that even when lifting the cap we will stay 5th in the world in terms of nuclear stockpiles behind Russia, USA, China and France.

The risk of nuclear conflict remains remote, but the threats the UK faces are increasing in scale, diversity and complexity. That is why we must be able to deter the most extreme acts of aggression against us and our NATO Allies.

The UK has taken a consistent and leading approach on nuclear disarmament but not all states have followed. Some are significantly increasing and diversifying their nuclear capabilities. We must ensure they can never use their nuclear weapons to threaten us, constrain our decision making, or sponsor nuclear terrorism.

It may sometimes feel that these threats are far removed from our daily lives, but the UK must have the capability to protect itself and our NATO Allies. Deterrence plays a key role in keeping the public safe, and to abandon our nuclear deterrent would put us all at greater risk.

You can see full details of the integrated review on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-britain-in-a-competitive-age-the-integrated-review-of-security-defence-development-and-foreign-policy

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

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

Centene in our NHS – EDM 1628 Campaign Response.

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding Centene in our NHS – EDM 1628.

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

GPs have always been private contractors that work to NHS contracts, follow NHS guidelines and see NHS patients. They do not compete for patients, or profit in the way competitive providers of healthcare do. The NHS is free at the point of use and that does not and will not change with whomever is contracted to provide NHS services.

This is not new or different, this sort of thing has happened for a very long time. The NHS delivers services through a mixture of public and private provision – the key fundamental being that anyone accessing the services does not pay for them and that isn’t changing.

They are also still subject to all the regulation and inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CCQ).

If patients felt the care they were receiving under the new provider was insufficient or compromised in any way, they have the option to report to the CCQ. or, if they feel that strongly and the option is available, register with an alternative local GP surgery.

I am not aware of any GPs in our constituency being taken over by this company. I would of course always expect any GP to fulfil its contractual obligations and to be held to the highest standards.

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

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

Ban Warfare Experiments on Animals - EDM 291 Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents who have recently go in touch with me regarding Warfare Experiments on Animals.

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

The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and it is right for us to cement our status as a global leader by continuing to raise the bar now we have left the EU. It is welcome that the trade agreement struck with the EU recognises that voluntary cooperation on chemicals regulation can facilitate trade in ways that benefit consumers, businesses and the environment can contribute to enhancing the protection of human and animal health. I am pleased that the agreement also notes the UK’s and the EU’s commitment to facilitate the exchange for non-confidential information on the issue of chemicals.

I would like to reassure you that Ministers have stated their determination that there should be no need for any additional animal testing for a chemical that has already been registered to EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). I am pleased to say that the government will recognise the validity of any animal testing that has already been undertaken and so avoid the need for further testing. I am pleased that the Environment Bill already includes safeguards to protect the fundamental principles of REACH, and therefore the proposed amendment was not necessary. The grandfathering of all existing UK-held REACH registrations into the UK system will further avoid the need to duplicate animal testing associated with re-registration.

The UK will now be able to establish its own independent chemical regime. Although both the UK and EU will operate REACH frameworks, the two systems will not be linked. This means that companies wishing to retain access to the UK market will be required to notify and submit registration data to the Health and Safety Executive to confirm the registrations and ensure compliance with UK REACH.

I am very pleased that the UK has been at the forefront of opposing animal tests where alternative approaches could be used. This is known as the last-resort principle, which will be retained and enshrined in legislation through the Environment Bill.

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

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

Ocean Recovery Strategy Campaign Response

Thank you to the many constituents getting in touch regarding oceans.

I am assured that the government is fully aware of the need to protect our oceans. Through our COP26 and G7 Presidencies, the UK will showcase global leadership in tackling key pressures facing the ocean and will use its influence to advocate for greater action and global collaboration. Ministers also intend to publish an update to the UK Marine Strategy Part 3, outlining the programmes of measures that will continue to move the UK towards Good Environmental Status in its seas.

As you may be aware, at the recent One Planet Summit, the UK accepted the position as Ocean Co-Chair of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People. Between this and the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance, there are now over 60 countries supporting a target to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 as part of the aim for an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework for adoption at the 15^th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

The protection, restoration and management of the marine environment is central to objectives in the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. Further, it is encouraging that 38% of UK waters are in Marine Protected Areas and Ministers are focused on ensuring these are effectively protected. Ministers have also stated their intention to pilot Highly Protected Marine Areas in Secretary of State waters, and I look forward to reading the government’s response to Richard Benyon’s review on this issue in due course.

Together with Vanuatu, the government is driving forward ambitious action to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, a growing group of 34 Commonwealth member states. The government has also committed up to £70m to tackle plastic pollution, helping developing countries to prevent plastic waste entering the ocean, and has committed to start negotiations on a new global agreement on marine plastic litter and microplastics.

Further, Ministers have committed to establishing a new £500m Blue Planet Fund, to help developing countries protect the ocean from key human-generated threats, including pollution.

I particularly pleased to see the high interest in this campaign as I am the Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ocean Conservation and it is an issue close to my heart.

The Ocean Conservation APPG brings together politicians, peers, charities, experts, academics, business leaders and other key stakeholders into a participatory space where expertise, ideas and networking converge to help better protect the marine environment.

The group aims to examine a broad range of issues, including:

Water Quality – Water is essential for all life on our planet and pollution of our rivers and oceans has a huge detrimental impact upon us and wildlife. The laws that have cleaned up UK waters were made in Europe so as we prepare to leave the EU, we must ensure we keep our coastline clean and safe for everyone to enjoy through strong and progressive legislation that at least matches that of the European Union.

Plastic Pollution – Plastic pollution is one of the biggest issues facing our marine environment. Our oceans are at choking point. Its critical we all play our part in tackling this issue with governments putting in place strong legislation, businesses reducing and redesigning products and packaging, and individuals taking responsibility for their purchasing. Policies to stem the flow of plastic at source are in existence, we just need to implement them.

Global Heating – The Earth is warming at an alarming rate. Increasing ocean temperatures affect all marine life, causing coral bleaching and the loss of breeding grounds for fish and mammals. They also affect the things we rely on from the ocean – threatening fish stocks, causing more extreme weather and accelerating coastal erosion.

Marine Protected Areas – Overfishing has had a devastating impact on the biodiversity of our oceans. The consequences are far-reaching for the future of the food we eat and, because healthy oceans absorb half the CO2 we produce, for the stability of the climate.

This platform enables the collaborative development of policy drivers and legislative change to better protect our marine environment.

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

cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk

Newspaper column 8 April 2021 - The Road to Recovery continues...

I hope everyone had a good Easter Weekend and my thanks to everyone who worked through it during these difficult times.

Easter Monday saw another step forward in our Roadmap to Recovery as the Prime Minister announced our plans are on track and the planned easements of COVID-19 restrictions can go ahead from next Monday, the 12^th April.

This is excellent news and I am pleased to see the continued positive news from the incredible rollout of the vaccine programme, which is going so well both nationally and in Cornwall. As of 3 April, 31.4 million people in the UK have had their first jab, 5.2 million people have had both doses, and over half of people aged over 80 have had both jabs. Hospitalisations and deaths are also both significantly down, showing that the vaccine programme is working.

The Government’s assessment to continue easing restrictions was based on meeting the four tests previously laid out, that the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully, that evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated, that infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS, and that the assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants.

From 12 April additional premises will be able to reopen – with the rules on social contact applying. Indoor settings must only be visited alone or with household groups, with outdoor settings limited to either six people or two households.

This includes non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers, beauty and nail salons; and indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas.

Overnight stays away from home in England will be permitted and self-contained accommodation can also reopen, though must only be used by members of the same household or support bubble.

Public buildings such as libraries and community centres will also reopen.

The majority of outdoor settings and attractions can also reopen, including outdoor hospitality, zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances events.

Hospitality venues such as pubs and restaurants will be able to open for outdoor service, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcohol, and no curfew. The requirement to eat and drink while seated will remain.

People should continue to work from home where they can, and minimise domestic travel where they can. International holidays are still illegal.

The number of care home visitors will also increase to two per resident, and all children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity, including sport, regardless of circumstance.

Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five years old) can restart indoors.

While this is all good news, we must all continue to show caution - there are no changes to social contact rules and many restrictions remain still in place. Outdoor gatherings must still be limited to 6 people or 2 households, and you must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with or have not formed a support bubble with.

As ever my thanks goes to everyone who continues to do what they can to stay safe and stick to the rules and I hope that we will be able to continue on this positive path and ease more restrictions as we head into the summer.

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