Newspaper Column 06th November 2023 - Supporting the village pub

In Parliament this week we will see the first King’s Speech from King Charles III. However due to press deadlines I won’t be able to cover the various announcements that will come from this speech, which will set out the Government’s priorities over the coming months, so I will revisit that next week.

The other big event in Parliament this month will be the Autumn Statement, which will be delivered by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on 22 November. The Chancellor will update MPs on the country's finances and the government's plans for tax and public spending.

In the run up to this, I will be making representations to the Chancellor asking that the Autumn Statement recognises the vital importance of the village pub.

In so many of our villages in Cornwall, the village pub is the heart of the community, providing so much more than a place to eat and drink, but a venue for social events, with some even hosting other amenities such as post-office services, community libraries and village shop facilities.

Pubs such as the Pheasant in St Newlyn East, The Plume of Feathers in Portscatho and Mitchell, The King’s Head in Ruan Lanihorne, The Barleysheaf in Gorran Churchtown which will be coming into our constituency following the next election, The Tywarnhayle Inn at Perranporth, and The New Inn in Veryan, The Kings Arms in Tregony along with so many more, all fulfil a key role in their community.  The Hawkins Arms in Probus even opened its doors to provide a community hub during Storm Ciaran last week!

These are difficult times though, and people and businesses everywhere are having to tighten their belts. This hits pubs on two fronts, and I hear from landlords who are struggling both due to increased operating costs, but also fewer people visiting due to the decrease in disposable income.

I believe we as a government should do all we can to support our hardworking pub landlords and their teams, I will be writing to the Chancellor asking for him to consider a range of measures to help pubs. For example, this could include a reduction of VAT and/or business rates, to build on reduced draught tax we already have.

I hope the Government will listen and act accordingly. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to use your local pub and support this vital part of our business community.

Finally, this weekend, our nation will stop to commemorate Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, a pause to reflect and look back on the heroic sacrifice of all who serve and particularly those who gave their lives during times of conflict so that we could remain free. I will be joining Civic Services in Truro and Falmouth to pay my respects and would like to take the opportunity to thank all who serve or who have served.

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.

Newspaper Column 31st October 2023 - The last Parliamentary session

Parliament went into Prorogation last week ahead of the King’s Speech next week. Prorogation is the period between the end of a parliamentary session of Parliament and the beginning of a new session which begins with the State Opening of Parliament, which itself features the King’s Speech, which on this occasion will be the first that King Charles III has given in his reign. The King’s Speech will set out the Government’s priorities for the coming Parliament.

Looking back at the previous Parliamentary session, I thought it would be good to highlight some of the 39 Bills that received Royal Assent over the last eighteen months. This is of course, the core work that we deliver as your Members of Parliament, and the delivery of various Parliamentary Bills into law is how Governments deliver on their manifesto promises made before General Elections.

Over the past 18 months we have delivered:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, part of our efforts to stop the boats and putting fairness back at the heart of the immigration system.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 (𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹) 𝗔𝗰𝘁, ensuring the public can access essential public services in the face of political strike action.

 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁, bolstering energy security and delivering net zero in a fair and proportionate way.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, clamping down on seriously disruptive protests including Just Stop Oil’s militant techniques.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁, protecting children from harmful content online and holding social media companies to account.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁, cracking down on economic crime and dirty money in the UK.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, reducing domestic energy prices and encouraging the efficient use and supply of energy.).

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗨 𝗟𝗮𝘄 (𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺) 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, repealing certain EU law and delivering legislation that works for Britain’s interests. 

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴) 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, unlocking key technologies to improve food security.

T𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵) 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, ensuring universities protect and promote freedom of speech on campus, fulfilling a manifesto promise to bolster academic freedom.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗨𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁, speeding up the planning system to build more homes and unleash levelling up.

T𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, bringing together vital new measures to protect the British public and address the evolving threat to our national security.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, protecting seafarers from being paid less than the National Minimum Wage.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, strengthening powers to tackle failing social landlords and improving support for tenants living in unsafe homes.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 (𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝘀) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮, helping us fund cost of living support for families and business.

This is a significant amount of legislative change delivered by the Government, but there is still much more to do. I will write in my column next week on the highlights from the King’s Speech, which will focus on the work we as a Government will be doing on your behalf over the coming months into 2024.

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.

Newspaper Column 23rd October 2023 - The conflict in Israel and Gaza

My number one focus is to be the best representative for Truro & Falmouth that I can be. Sometimes, in Parliament, an opportunity is presented to also do something rather different. I have been a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), more recently to the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon James Cleverly MP. 

My role is to act as the voice of MPs at the FCDO and help keep our fantastic Ministerial Team in tune with how events abroad are impacting MPs’ constituents on the ground here in the UK. I support the Secretary of State and other Ministers in debates and other events in the House of Commons.  On top of this, I ensure that MPs of all parties have regular briefings from the Ministerial team on current events and issues.

As you can imagine, over the last few weeks, the current situation in the Middle East has been of huge concern to constituents around the UK.  There are a number of Israeli and Palestinian families within the UK that have concerns for relatives in and around Gaza and I have had the privilege of championing those more difficult, emergency cases on behalf of my MP colleagues directly with our Team at the Foreign Office. Most of these cases involve desperately worried family members here in the UK, which I always find incredibly grounding as it demonstrates above all else that what happens across the world in the Middle East has a direct implication for local families and the security of all of us.

It is vital that a peaceful resolution is found to the conflict in the Middle East. I have been proud to stand by Israel in the face of Hamas’ terror attacks. Hamas is responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians on both sides of this conflict.

What has all this got to do with my work as your constituency MP? Earlier this year, you may remember that I also spent a lot of time with our Royal Navy and our Royal Marines as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. These two, largely unseen parts of my role inform the decisions I make on behalf of my constituents. They inform my debate and, God forbid, if we are called to vote on whether to send our armed forces into an overseas conflict, I will feel more able to make a more informed decision than I might have done a couple of years ago. 

These sorts of decisions affect all of us and I want to continue to do my very best.  When we think about what we want our Members of Parliament to do, all of us want somebody who cares about our communities. As a local mum in Cornwall who tries to get stuck in with everything in Truro & Falmouth, I hope I’ve already proven that! But we also need somebody who can think of the big picture and defend our British interests on the international stage, otherwise, we just end up with another representative doubling up on the work of our local councillors.

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.

Newspaper Column 25th September - Net Zero

The big news last week was the Prime Minister’s announcements on a new path to Net Zero.

Reaching Net Zero and becoming more environmentally friendly and sustainable is a key goal for the Government, but since we started that journey, which we have been doing very well on, previously unforeseen circumstances have meant that the Government has had to consider how it can best deliver this result, while bearing the overall impact on the public to mind.

Things such as the COVID pandemic and the Russian war on Ukraine have caused massive increases in the cost of living, which in turn mean that currently some of the measures previously set out, such as around the rollout of electric vehicles and discontinuation of petrol vehicles, and modifications to properties to promote energy efficiency, were becoming increasingly difficult to deliver from an affordability perspective for the public, particularly given the tighter timescales we were following.

The debate about climate change is stuck between two extremes: those who want to deny climate change or abandon Net Zero altogether because the costs are too high, and those who want to go further and faster with no regard to the cost to people’s lives or how much our country has already achieved compared to others. We need to change this debate – and forge a credible path to reach Net Zero by 2050 that brings people with us and is properly transparent about the choices involved.

It is to the Prime Minister’s credit that he has recognised this, been pragmatic, and set about adopting a more sensible, proportionate, and realistic approach to meeting Net Zero that eases the burdens on working people.

This includes:

· Easing the transition to electric vehicles from 2030 to 2035, in line with other similar countries

· Giving families far more time to transition to heat pumps – and exempting altogether households where this simply doesn’t make sense, while significantly increasing grants to upgrade boilers

· Scrapping onerous energy efficiency requirements – and not forcing people to make alterations

· NO rules on carpooling, seven different bins, more expensive meat and NO new taxes on flying

· Supporting new oil and gas in the North Sea so we are less reliant on foreign imports

At the same time as this, the Government is also:

· Speeding up connections to an expanded national grid infrastructure.

· Providing £150million in new funding for green research and development.

· Continuing funding for Sizewell C and support for small modular nuclear reactors.

We can do this because over the last decade, we have over-delivered on our targets (the fastest reduction in emissions in the G7, down almost 50 per cent compared to 1990), technological advances which have reduced costs (such as offshore wind

costs down by 70 per cent more than we projected in 2016), and higher than forecast adoption of clean technologies like electric vehicles.

Part of my role in Parliament is as a member of the cross party Environmental Audit Select Committee. It is only right that major decisions such as this are given proper scrutiny, and we have already held a meeting, and as a result will be writing to the Prime Minister, welcoming some aspects of the announcement, but seeking further detailed clarification on his assertion that all targets can still be met, including how. We will also ask for a Minister to attend a session of our committee, to ensure scrutiny, which would normally have happened at the dispatch box.

The journey to Net Zero is an important one for us all, but I am pleased that the Prime Minister has recognised the importance of delivering this in a realistic and achievable way, and look forward to continuing to ensure the Government delivers on this commitment in the future.

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.

Newspaper Column 19th September 2023 - The Cornish Mining Conference

Last week I wrote about some of my work in Westminster on your behalf as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Critical Minerals, a group of Members of Parliament who work together from across the political spectrum, as well as with the industry, to highlight the UK's need for a secure, sustainable supply of critical minerals to deliver the nation's industrial strategy.

This mission was brought home locally to me last week, when I had a chance to speak, both as Chair of the APPG and also as the local Member of Parliament, at the 2023 Cornish Mining Conference, which this year was held at Falmouth.

It was a privilege to be asked to speak about what the Government is doing to help bring about this new age of Cornish mining, and the opportunities it will bring for all of us. I spoke about the work the government is doing to ensure our energy security, on how we use our energy at home, how we best utilise our natural capital, our mineral wealth, and how we best harness the talent of the Cornish people and grow our economy here in Cornwall, creating quality career paths for our children and future generations, while also ensuring biodiversity and sustainability for the environment at the same time.

With all of the exciting developments around Cornwall’s resurgent mining industry that I have recently written about, last week’s conference was an exciting time, with the mining industry sending global representatives to Falmouth to hear about everything that is going on in Cornwall.

With the world’s insatiable demand for technology metals such as lithium, copper, tin, tungsten, cobalt as well as minerals to increase food production and provide housing and infrastructure for an ever-growing population, the mining industry really is booming.

Held over several days, the Cornish Mining Conference highlighted the opportunities to responsibly extract the abundance of metals and minerals in the UK, recap on the work undertaken so far and illustrate the potential investment opportunities that lie ahead, with many fascinating presentations from the various attendees that demonstrated the importance of the growth and resurgence of the mining industry in Cornwall to the UK’s economy.

Cornwall is set to benefit for generations to come from new jobs, and economic growth utilising the assets we have right here – our landscape, and the determination of the Cornish people, and along with that, I will continue to do all I can to work with the Government to ensure the mining industry in Cornwall continues to get the recognition, support and resources it needs to be a world leader in these new and exciting technologies.

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.

Newspaper Column 11th September 2023 - Cornwall's tech economy

Since Parliament returned last week I have been in discussion with colleagues, including our Prime Minister, about the potential Cornwall has to innovate and lead with new technologies, both nationally and internationally.

Leading in this way is not new for Cornwall. In the halcyon days of the 18th and 19th centuries, parts of Cornwall were the silicon valley of its time. Driven by the tremendous wealth and economic investment unlocked by our mining industries, names such as Richard Trevithick, Sir Humphry Davy and Michael Loam were synonymous with technological innovation, born in Cornwall and exported around the world, along with so many sons and daughter of Cornwall to go with it.

Hundreds of years later, as go through the 21st Century, Cornwall again has the potential to be at the cutting edge of our nation’s technological future and energy security. We have the skill development capacity, evolving digital infrastructure, and clear political enthusiasm to lead. Along with my fellow Cornwall MP colleagues, I am making the case for us to be at the front of the queue when investors are considering where to build the data centres, renewable energy infrastructure and refreshing green initiatives that are going to power our future and connect the United Kingdom with the rest of the world.

Already, Cornwall is a national digital interchange with sub sea cables running hundreds of miles to the United States, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ireland, France and Germany, something that began with Porthcurno acting as the genesis of worldwide telecommunication with the submarine cables able to transmit messages around the world in place from the 1870’s, and in the same way that our successful mining history drove our past international trading relationships.

As the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Critical Minerals, a group of cross party MPs who work together in this area, I see first hand the opportunities young people in Truro and Falmouth will be able to enjoy over the course of the next few years, and it is vital the Government continues to provide opportunities for local people to come the engineers and wider labour force for these exciting emerging sectors, such as lithium extraction and processing and geothermal energy.

The Prime Minister wrote to me last week and confirmed the support it is giving to tech businesses, including the Digital Growth Grant, Shared Prosperity Fund and Local Digital Skills Partnerships, and I am determined to ensure we get our fair share of this in Cornwall, to allow us to continue to innovate and lead the way in all of the above areas and more.

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.

 

Newspaper Column 5th September 2023 - New technologies, renewable energies, and achieving net zero

After a busy Summer Recess spent out and about around our constituency, this week I am back in Parliament. One of the things on my mind, as with many of my fellow MPs, is about how we as a nation make it to net zero, the government commitment to ensure the UK reduces its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels by 2050. If met, this would mean the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the UK would be equal to or less than the emissions removed by the UK from the environment.

This is an area in which I have done extensive work since my election, as a member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee, a cross party group of MPs whose role is to consider the extent to which the policies and programmes of government departments and non-departmental public bodies contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development, and to audit their performance against sustainable development and environmental protection targets.

There are many organisations telling us how we can make it to net zero.

The things they list the UK and others must do will vary, but they will all be about the update of particular technology. Debates tend to centre on which list is the right one. On the political spectrum, the debate has often been whether we should be doing this at all. What few focus on is how we can really incentivise change.

Green technology or other measure to reduce our energy use is often unaffordable and rather stressful. “You know where you are with a boiler. Heat pumps, not.” “How do they work?” “Do they work?” “Wouldn’t be a good idea to wait until this was a more established and certainly cheaper technology before you made the change?” It is assumed that kick-starting the manufacture of such products by subsiding them will lead to reduced costs, but only real scale will do this affectively. Those business and individuals who have taken the leap are sometimes struggling to adapt. For example many are factoring in hours of turnaround time when someone takes one of their electric fleet to another site, in order to recharge for the return journey. At what point will people feel real confidence about their ability to recharge their electric vehicle, when they need to, and fast?

It is assumed that once you have legally binding targets agreed, or deadlines when certain technology will no longer be on offer, the job is done. This is nonsense.

If we want to stick to the environmental roadmap that has been set out, we need to recognise just what it will take; huge innovation and products and services that the public will absolutely love. Not just because they are good for the environment, but because they make their lives easier, and reduce their costs. Take renewable energy. It is cheaper. However, that is not reflected on your utility bills. But it could be. Where there are potential exiting benefits to the consumer, as your government, we must work faster to make them a reality.

We need to recognise there needs to be better ideas and products to help drive the massive infrastructure investments needed. How can we support the creativity required? The carve out to ensure tidal power could be developed before it became competitive was the right thing to do.

We need to be clearer about the benefits to the UK economy of this work. So many ideas and inventions have the UK as their cradle, but our manufactures never get to make or market the resulting products. Our failure to capitalise as a nation is well known. We must address this, not just for our own economic growth but to ensure we are still the cradle of ideas in the future.

And we have to learn from why previous initiatives failed to take off. One example was the Green Investment Bank used to struggle to get Local Authorities like Cornwall Council to improve its streetlighting or housing stock, even though they could demonstrate the financial return in a short period of time.

In Truro and Falmouth we have some amazing companies who are creating products, service and financing which does really to the job we need it to. From Kensa, who fit heat pumps both right here in Cornwall and across the UK, to Cornish Lithium, who recently received £24million investment to kickstart their work with this vital mineral. We must champion them and the work they are already doing.

The task for politicians like me is not to fight about whether we should be making this transition or listening to the hard pushed, stressed out public who haven’t the resources to deliver it. The task for us it to enable solutions people will want to adopt. Then sell them to the world. Parliament heads back this week following Summer Recess and ensuring that the Government gets this crucial part of our work right is something I will be meeting with the Prime Minister about very early on.

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