Newspaper column 08/01/2024 - Gerrans Bay seaweed farm

This week Parliament returns following the end of Christmas Recess, and I am looking forward to continuing working to progress the Government’s legislative programme on behalf of the people of Truro and Falmouth.

Prior to that, this past week I have been working hard in our constituency on a variety of local matters.

I thought I would go into detail on one issue that has had a particularly high profile over the past week locally, which was the application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), the non-departmental Government organisation, which exists to protect and enhance our precious marine environment, and support UK economic growth by enabling sustainable marine activities and development, for two licenses to operate a seaweed farm in Gerrans Bay off the Roseland.

The seaweed farm would have involved suspending lines 65ft (20m) apart, held in place by surface floats and anchored to the sea bed. This would have massively limited the use of the sea across a 270 acre (or 153 football pitches) site both for our fishermen, who are heavily reliant on inshore waters for their livelihoods, but also for leisure and community use, with the iconic Portscatho Regatta event, for example, taking place on these waters. It was also essentially a large industrial feature in what is currently a beautiful and unspoilt piece of coastline and marine environment that enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural beauty status under planning rules.

I was contacted by a great number of people about this issue and spoke about it last week on BBC Radio Cornwall, which you can see a link to on my Facebook page, if you would like to listen to it.

A few months ago I facilitated a meeting between fishermen on the Roseland and Biome Algae so that assurances could be made, one of which was for an Environmental Impact Assessment, which did not materialise.

As the Member of Parliament for Truro & Falmouth I have a duty to represent our friends, family and neighbours who are concerned about the future of fishing if this seaweed farm had gone ahead.

Last week, I attended the Gerrans Parish Council meeting and wrote to the MMO to ask for an extension to the public consultation on this application.  Subsequently it was announced that the consultation on the seaweed farm was extended due to concerns over the timings of the public notices for the application, giving us more time to make sure that local people are heard.

Then on Friday, I was delighted to hear from the MMO that both applications had been withdrawn. This was ultimately a successful campaign by local people, who came together as a community across a variety of platforms, to ensure their voices were heard and that the full impact of these proposals on the surrounding area was known. I was pleased to play my part in highlighting issues around the process to the MMO, and must say a huge well done to everyone involved in the campaign - a great example of what happens when a community pulls together and pushes for the outcome they all want to see.

This is just one example of some of the work that I do as your MP, even during a period where it might traditionally be quieter than usual. I hope you found it interesting, and I look forward to continuing to share examples of my work on your behalf as we move on through 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 1st January 2024 - Happy New Year!

I hope everyone across Truro and Falmouth had a great New Year.

I am back at work this week and with Christmas Recess ending on Friday, will return to Parliament where it will be back to the business of delivering the Government’s legislative programme while ensuring the voices of everyone living and working in Truro and Falmouth is heard.

2023 was another challenging year, what with the continued pressures on our costs of living caused by Russia’s war with Ukraine, and the lingering affects of the virus.

The Government, which I am proud to be a part of, is making progress – inflation has fallen by more than 50%, we continue to see record levels of employment, and the numbers of illegal immigrants coming via small boats across the channel has fallen by a third.

As I outlined last week, the Government met its Manifesto commitment to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers and we now have a record number in Devon and Cornwall Police. The Government has also delivered the additional 50,000 nurses promised in 2019 and we are working hard to continue to provide record levels of funding to our NHS.  

Looking forward to this new year, this week I want to focus on some of the measures the Government is taking to help working people

In January National Insurance will be cut for working people, while in April all full-time workers on the National Living Wage will get a pay rise of over £1,800 a year. That will end low pay in this country, delivering on another manifesto promise.

As a working mum myself, I know that childcare is one of the biggest costs facing working households, which is why we want to make it cheaper and more accessible, to reduce the barriers preventing some parents from going back to work.

Hundreds of thousands more working parents will be supported through an extension of the free childcare on offer, more than doubling the current support in place. This will help mums in particular to stay in work and keep the economy growing.

From April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare. From September 2024, 15 hours of free childcare will be extended to all children from the age of nine months. From September 2025, working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week.

This staggered approach will give childcare providers time to prepare for the changes, ensuring there are enough providers ready to meet demand.

As your Member of Parliament I will continue to do all I can to deliver on action like this for working people, as part of this Conservative Government, as we head into 2024 and beyond.

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 December 2023 - Wishing you all a very happy Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and was able to spend some time with their loved ones to mark the festive period.

I was able to spend some time with my family over the last few days and it was also lovely to be able to be out and about around our constituency in the run up to Christmas taking part in festive community events. Well done to everyone involved in the organisation of these, as well as a big thank you again to everyone in the health and social care, emergency services and forces and hospitality sector who continued working through the Christmas break.

At this time of year, I like to look back at what’s happened over 2023, as well as look forward to the next year, so will spend the next two weeks of columns writing about that.

This year I have:

·       Worked with the Government to ensure another year of £50 rebate for all South West Water customers.

·       Worked with the Department of Health and NHS to see major refurbishment works completed at Falmouth Hospital.

·       Worked with the Government to provide £1.4million to support vulnerable people with drug and alcohol issues in Cornwall.

·       Welcomed the Prime Minister to Truro College to see the new site and celebrate the delivery of more than 8,030 new apprenticeships in Truro and Falmouth since 2010.

·       Worked with the Government to deliver £3million of funding for a new clean energy ferry between Falmouth and St Mawes.

·       Pushed the Government to include measures to stop the over-saturation of holiday lets and second homes into our communities in the Levelling Up Bill, which has now become law.

·       Welcomed the awarding of Government Shared Prosperity Funding of nearly £1million to assess opportunities for growth at Falmouth Docks.

·       Supported 9,700 households in Truro and Falmouth with three cost of living support payments to help them through difficult times.

·       Been part of the Government which has now hit its Manifesto commitment to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers since 2019, meaning Devon and Cornwall Police now have more officers on the beat than ever before.

·       Worked with the Department of Health to confirm full funding for the new Women and Children’s Hospital in Truro.

·       Been part of the tremendous local bid and events that saw Falmouth host the National Armed Forces Day event for 2023.

·       Worked with the Government and local lithium firms to explore and encourage the re-emergence of mining as a viable option in Cornwall.

·       Spearheaded the plans for the Mid-Cornwall Metro, which will Falmouth and Penryn get a direct line and regular trains to the mainline and Newquay, backed with £50million of Government funding.

·       Welcomed an additional £111million from the Government to Cornwall for roads maintenance after the cancellation of part of the HS2 scheme.

·       And worked with the Department for Education to see £1.6million more money for schools in Truro and Falmouth.

This is just to name a few things that I have done over the past 12 months, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Conservative Government to deliver for Truro and Falmouth and Cornwall as we head into 2024.

As ever, my thanks go to my supportive staff who have worked with me to take action on and respond to the many thousands of pieces of correspondence I have received over the past year, helping residents and businesses with a myriad of issues, making a real difference to the people we serve.

As we head towards the New Year I’d like to take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year with all the very best for a happy and healthy 2024.

My office is closed over the Christmas period from 22 December until 2 January, but my emails will be monitored, and urgent ones responded to so please do get in touch if you need to, via cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk or at 01872 229698 which will forward any messages onto my inbox.

Campaign Reply - Live Animal Exports

The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world which the Government continues to strengthen further.

My ministerial colleagues and I recognise that long journey times for slaughter and fattening pose welfare risks including stress, exhaustion and injury. I understand that the shortest direct to slaughter export journey from Great Britain to continental Europe in 2018 was a journey time of 18 hours. Most domestic journeys to slaughter in the UK are significantly shorter. In 2020, the Government carried out a consultation on ending live animal exports, and 87 per cent of respondents agreed that livestock and horses should not be exported for slaughter and fattening.

Now that the UK is no longer in the European Union, the Government can end live animal exports, further strengthening animal welfare protections. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill delivers the Government’s manifesto commitment by banning the live export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses for slaughter and fattening. It will prevent unnecessary long export journeys, instead using shorter and less stressful domestic journeys. The Bill will ensure that animals are slaughtered domestically, in high welfare UK slaughterhouses and preventing the export to unknown and likely lower welfare slaughterhouse conditions. These new rules will still allow live animal exports in other circumstances, for example for breeding and competitions, provided they are transported in line with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare.

While no animals have been exported for slaughter from Great Britain since the Government announced its intention to bring forward a ban in 2021, I know that this Bill makes this permanent. I am assured that this legislation reinforces the UK’s position as a world leader on animal welfare, boosting the value of British meat and helping to grow the economy.

Campaign Reply - Israel and Palestine

A tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East. Israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its history at the hands of Hamas, and Palestinian civilians in Gaza are experiencing a humanitarian disaster. My thoughts are with all those affected. 

The UK recognises the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and supports a lasting solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike. However, Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people or their aspirations; it offers nothing for them other than more terror and more bloodshed. I therefore support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, deter further incursions and strengthen its long-term security.

However, the loss of every innocent life is a tragedy, and the UK Government has repeatedly stressed that Israel must take every precaution to minimise civilian casualties, in line with international humanitarian law. Ministers regularly engage with Israeli counterparts to ensure that the campaign is targeted against Hamas terrorists and military infrastructure, and call for discipline, professionalism and restraint from the Israeli military.

The rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza is deeply troubling, and I welcome the extensive efforts of British Government to ensure that vital aid reaches the Palestinian people. 

During his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Foreign Secretary announced £30 million to support trusted partners, including UN agencies on the ground, to deliver lifesaving aid to people in Gaza. It brings to £60 million the additional aid announced by the UK for Palestinian civilians since the crisis started in October.

Funding alone is not enough, and work is ongoing to increase the flow of aid into Gaza; while the opening of the Rafah border crossing is a major development, the UK has confirmed that it will continue to work with Egypt, Israel and other international partners to increase the flow of support. 

I welcomed the recent pause in hostilities, which allowed for an increased flow of vital aid into Gaza and saw a number of hostages released. Ministers have made clear that the pause that took place between 24 November and 1 December should not be a one-off, and should act as a confidence-building mechanism for future pauses.

The UK Government is working towards a long-term two-state solution to ensure this crisis never recurs, and I am following developments closely. Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

Specific to certain concerns:

 

-        Continued commitment to a two-state solution: Looking to the long-term, the UK Government has been clear that we must never lose sight of how essential the two-state solution is. The UK will work with our international partners to bring renewed energy and creativity to that effort. This will rely on establishing more effective governance for Palestinian territories in Gaza and the West Bank, and will also mean challenging actions that undercut legitimate aspirations for Palestinian statehood.

-        Calls for Israel to abide by International Law: The terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas are heinous and unprecedented, and I support Israel’s right to defend itself proportionately as guaranteed by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The UK recognises that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, and has made it absolutely clear to the Israeli Government that its military operations must be conducted in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must be respected and protected. I know that both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have emphasised the importance of taking all possible measures to protect innocent civilians in their discussions with their Israeli counterparts.

I am proud that the UK has a strong track record of supporting international humanitarian law, and calls on friends and partners overseas to do the same.

-        In response to concerns about the use of language in relation to Palestine: I note your concerns about the language used by members of the Israeli Government. I would again like to emphasise that the UK Prime Minister has stressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog the need to act in line with international law and take every possible step to avoid harming civilians in Gaza.

-        Al Ahli Hospital: The explosion at the Al Ahli hospital caused devastating loss of life. It is a tragedy on a scale that is difficult to comprehend.

On the basis of the deep knowledge and analysis of UK intelligence and weapons experts, the UK Government has now judged that the explosion was likely caused by a missile, or part of one, that was launched from within Gaza towards Israel.

This incident only reinforces the importance of getting humanitarian relief into Gaza, and again, I welcome all UK efforts to that end.

-        Calls for a ceasefire: I note calls for the UK to push for a ceasefire.

The UK is working via all diplomatic channels—bilaterally and collectively in the region—to ensure that this conflict, which has cost so many lives already, can be brought to a halt. 

However, the reality is that Hamas have no interest in a ceasefire. They have no interest in resolution, have never attempted to engage in a two-state solution and have made every attempt to collapse the Oslo process. Furthermore, a unilateral and unconditional ceasefire would simply allow Hamas to entrench their position and continue their attacks. Indeed, Hamas have reiterated their intentions, stating clearly that "we will repeat the October 7 attack time and time again until Israel are annihilated". I must therefore reiterate that Israel has the right to take action to defend itself, and the UK, while respecting that, will continue to stress the necessity of adhering to international law and taking every possible measure to protect civilians. 

-        Concerns about Israel’s settlement expansion leading up to 7 October: As you may be aware, the UK has long held the position that there should be a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders. For many years the UK has consistently called- both bilaterally and via the UN- for an immediate end to all actions that undermine the viability of such a solution.

-        British nationals in Gaza: The safety of all British nationals continues to be the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) top priority. Following intensive engagement with Israel and Egypt, a number of British Nationals have been able to leave Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, and have been met with consular officials in el-Arish. I have been assured that the FCDO will continue to do all it can ensure that all remaining British nationals in Gaza can leave safely.

British nationals in need of assistance should contact +972 (0)3 725 1222 or +972 (2) 5414100. If they experience technical difficulties or if they are in the UK, call +44 20 7008 5000. British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, are advised to register their presence with the FCDO. https://www.register.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/israel-20231009/tell-the-uk-government-youre-in-israel-or-the-occupied-palestinian-territories https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel.

-        Use of white phosphorus: I am aware of recent reports that Israel has been using white phosphorus in Gaza, according to Human Rights Watch. Israel however has categorically denied its usage.

While white phosphorus itself is not a prohibited substance, when used against civilian targets, it is considered an incendiary weapon under Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of Use of Certain Conventional Weapons. The UK firmly believes that it must be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.

-        Jabalia Refugee Camp: I am aware of reports that an Israeli air strike killed dozens of people at Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. As mentioned, the UK Government has repeatedly stressed that Israel must take every precaution to minimise civilian casualties, in line with International Humanitarian Law. The UK Government continues to press Israel to ensure that its campaign is targeted against Hamas leaders, militants and military infrastructure.

-        Al-Shifa Hospital: I understand your concern about the situation at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. 

Israel is facing an enemy which has enmeshed itself amidst civilian infrastructure, and is using the people of Gaza as human shields. However, as Israel carries out its military operation, the UK is clear that it must adhere to international humanitarian law and take every possible measure to minimise harm to civilians. This includes respecting the sanctity of hospitals. 

The suffering currently being experienced at the al-Shifa hospital is difficult to comprehend; it is tragic that innocent people, including young children and babies, have lost their lives there as a result of the lack of electricity.

The acute situation at al-Shifa further highlights the urgent need to get more aid into Gaza, and I welcome all that the UK is doing to this end. 

-        Children in Gaza: I too am deeply concerned by the suffering faced by children in Gaza. 

All parties to this conflict must ensure that their actions are proportionate and necessary, affording innocent civilians the protection that is their right under international law. Civilians, including children, must be respected and protected and our collective priority must be to alleviate this suffering, including at hospitals and schools.

The UK continues to make representations to the Israeli authorities on the troubling high number of Palestinian children who are not informed of their legal rights when detained, in contravention of Israel's own regulations. The UK welcomes the release of Palestinian detainees as part of the hostage deal brokered on 22 November, a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Hospitals in the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be allowed to operate safely and treat the vulnerable, in accordance with international humanitarian law. The UK Government has provided an additional £30 million in humanitarian funding and has sent more than 51 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This funding will support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and other trusted partners to respond to critical food, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.

-        Arms Exports: The UK Government takes its export control responsibilities extremely seriously and operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, based on the most up-to-date information and analysis available.

Licence decisions take account of prevailing circumstances at the time of application and include human rights and international humanitarian law considerations. Export licenses are not issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the consolidated criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the items might be used for a serious violation of international law.

Campaign Reply - Patient Safety

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.

 

You may be aware that the Government is working to establish the Health Services Safety Investigations Body as an independent statutory body, through the Health and Care Act. This will build 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I was encouraged to see the outcome of the recent 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 last year.

 

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.

Newspaper column 18th December 2023 - The Christmas Recess

As I write this Parliament has just two more days to sit this week before we rise for Christmas Recess, meaning I will once again be working in our constituency before taking some time off over Christmas for the festive break.

Last week it was great to see Cornwall Council’s Cabinet back the Mid-Cornwall Metro project and accept £50million of Government Levelling Up funding to enable the project to progress.

The Mid Cornwall Metro Project is one I have backed from the outset and will provide a direct rail link for Falmouth and Penryn to Newquay and the mainline, as well as more regular trains for the whole route, thereby improving services for the communities along the way and all who wish to commute or travel for leisure to the destinations.

I was delighted to see Cornwall Council’s Cabinet back the plans at their meeting last week and now look forward to seeing the funding drawn down and put to work to realise this fantastic project from next year.

Meanwhile in Parliament, as I wrote about last week, it was good to see the Government’s Rwanda Bill pass through the first stage of voting in the House of Commons. I know that so many of you are passionate about the absolute priority that we must give to cracking down on illegal immigration by stopping the boats, and I was pleased to support the Prime Minister and our Government in voting to support the passage of this bill. I will continue to support it as it goes on towards becoming law over the coming months.

Truro and Falmouth is such a special place at this time of year and it has been brilliant to be out and about around our constituency seeing the festive events and getting involved in some of the community activities in the run up to Christmas.

While I hope everyone will get some time to appreciate the meaning of Christmas and mark it in the way you choose, I would also like to thank everyone in our emergency services, armed forces and the care and service industries who will continue working throughout.

My office will close from the midday on 22nd December and reopen on 3rd January. I’d like to thank my excellent Constituency and Parliamentary team for their hard work on my behalf over another busy year. You can still email me at cheriyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk and my team and I will get back to you as soon as we are able to.