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Update from Peter Luff

Posted by Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire, at 13:11, Tue 24 March 2009:

Dear all,

Thank you very much for subscribing to receive updates from me via the Hear from Your MP website. Below I spell out what I have been doing on behalf of my constituents both locally in Mid Worcestershire and in Westminster.

The past few months have been as busy as ever. As economic situation continues to deteriorate I have been working hard to help protect jobs and businesses in my constituency. Earlier this month I introduced legislation – the Small Business Rate Relief (Automatic Payment) Bill – in an attempt to ensure small businesses are automatically paid the rate relief they are entitled to, unlike they current system where they have to apply for it first. At present around half of small businesses are not applying – for whatever reason – and therefore are not receiving much-needed financial assistance. The Bill was opposed by the Government and therefore unfortunately would not have succeeded. The Minister responsible did however give me assurances that my Bill had put the matter firmly on the Government’s radar, and that they will be addressing it in the forthcoming Budget. I hope they keep to their word – a lot of small businesses will suffer if they do not.

I continue in my role as Chairman of the Business and Enterprise Committee. The Committee is currently involved in several high-profile inquiries, including pub companies and the future of the Post Office. You can find further information on these inquiries, and the other work of the Committee, by visiting its website by clicking on the link above.

On the wider issue of the economy – and in my role as Select Committee Chairman – I delivered this speech last week on the performance in this economic crisis of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

Locally, I have continued to fight against plans to build a so-called ‘eco-town’ at Long Marston. The Government’s policy is unravelling fast – with four recent reports dealing it wounding blows. Until the policy is officially dead – or until Long Marston is ruled out as a potential site for one of these monstrosities – I will continue to do all I can to oppose it.

I have also highlighted the serious problems with our planning system and the absurd situation where the Government effectively gags locally elected officials from speaking out against planned developments such as the proposed Wind Farm at Lenchwick.

To find out more about my work on behalf of my constituents, please visit my website, where you can read my recent news, articles and speeches, and find out what parliamentary questions I have tabled and which motions I have signed.

As ever, if you are a constituent and think there is any way in which I can help you or your organisation, then please do not hesitate to contact me on 01905 763952 or email me at luffpj@parliament.uk

I'm sorry this system doesn't show the hyperlinks I carefully inserted - but it's all available on my website!

Peter Luff