Last week I welcomed the introduction of The Energy Prices Bill in the House of Commons – giving us the legislative footing we need to support people and businesses across the UK with their energy bills. With prices spiralling as a result of Putin’s abhorrent invasion of Ukraine, we are putting support for energy bills into law, helping consumers and businesses across the UK through the winter months. The Energy Prices Bill was introduced to Parliament to provide the legislative footing to deliver the Energy Price Guarantee, saving the typical family £1,000 a year; and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme – providing businesses and non-domestic properties with a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for the next six months’ worth up to half the price of expected energy prices this winter. This will ensure families and businesses get the support they need, providing certainty for them over the months ahead, whilst we continue to secure energy security for our country in the long term.
Alongside our energy plan, we are also cutting National Insurance contributions for millions of workers. The tax burden on working people has been too high for too long - we need to cut taxes and drive reform to grow our economy. That is why we repealed the Health and Social Care Levy – delivering on our promise to put £330 more back into the pockets of working people, without compromising the record funding of £39 billion for the NHS and social care. This will help people and businesses keep more of the money they earn – providing instant support to help with the cost of living and grow the economy. Maintaining our record investment of £39 billion for our NHS and social care services, delivering a better service for patients. Reversing the Levy does not compromise our record investment of £39 billion in our NHS and social care – slashing Covid backlogs, delivering better social care and improving our ambulance service, ensuring a service people can rely on. The Health Secretary also announced our Plan for Patients, reforming the health service to ensure our record funding targets the right places. Our Plan for Patients prioritises ambulances, backlogs, care and doctors and dentists; improves patients’ access to GP practices, recruits additional support staff, gives pharmacies powers to prescribe more medicines and introduces cloud-based telephone systems to GP practices.
Finally, I was very pleased to announce a bid for a Bodmin – Liskeard Investment Zone with my colleague Sheryll Murray MP. These zones have the potential to increase jobs and prosperity in their areas, which is why I want to see one established in our part of Cornwall. Too often we see funding going to West Cornwall. Setting up an Investment Zone across Bodmin and Liskeard would be a welcome boost to our local economy that would create new opportunities for local residents and for businesses across the County. A stronger local economy means more money in people’s pockets and more money for our public services – it’s a win-win.
ENDS
