Update from Linda Gilroy MP: Week ending 27 November 2009
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 11:18, Mon 30 November 2009:
Thought of the Week
Queen's Speech - Debating the Programme for Britain
All this week we have been debating the Queen's Speech. I have uploaded a video to YouTube in which I discuss some of my thoughts on this. Let me know what you think! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thkk3dEkun0
On Tuesday night we had the debate on the environment and climate change. Two of the Bills introduced under the Queens Speech include Flooding and Water Management (very topical this week) and Energy. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to again highlight the wealth of marine science expertise we have in Plymouth. In particular I drew the House's attention to the growing problem of ocean acidification. Plymouth Marine Laboratories (PML) have done much research in this area. I was also able to intervene on the speech of the Conservative frontbench spokesman, highlighting the fact that this party opposed the fiscal stimulus which, in addition to delivering benefits to the economy, also included £1.45 billion for new investment in developing a low carbon economy - of which the South West is taking the lead as we have been designated the first low carbon economy zone.
My Week at a Glance
My weekend
Last weekend I watched the regional heat of the Bar Mock Trials in Plymouth Guildhall – this national competition allows pupils from across the City to take on the roles of lawyers, judges, and witnesses to prepare and present fictional court cases. The quality this year was once again extremely high. I would like to pass on my congratulations to all who took part and I look forward to the national finals in particular Plymouth High School for Girls who reached the final.
I was also delighted to be a part of the South East Asian society’s celebrations – I always enjoy the festivities at this time of year and was once again very happy to be a part of them.
Defence Committee
On Tuesday we interviewed Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth as part of our scrutiny of the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts. There were understandably a lot of questions asked about how the Afghanistan mission is faring; why there is so little positive coverage of what we, along with forty other nations, are achieving there; and what the MOD is planning to recover to the levels of harmony, and readiness for contingent and future operations.
Dementia Care
On Thursday night I hosted a meeting of MPs and representatives of the medical industry to discuss the use of medicine in dementia care. I know that this is a very serious issue for many people in Plymouth - and it is high up on the Government's agenda too.
A Friday Working Back Home
On Friday I was back in Plymouth visiting the A4E Employment Agency, popping in to Princess Yachts and meeting with the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit at Plymouth City Council. On Saturday I attended the Citybus Rally -yoy can watch the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5u96KhlNM4
Devonport and the Incinerator Proposal
A number have people have asked me for my view on this. I have issued the following statement:
This is not a good idea. There is no direct relevance to the work that takes place in the dockyard or the naval base, all of which is highly skilled and complex. I struggle to see how an incinerator would bring worthwhile numbers of quality jobs to Devonport or support our existing economic sectors. However in common with other local residents I can see that it would almost certainly bring increased traffic and noise to what is a very already busy area. I think the proposed site at Lee Mill is the most suitable choice. There is more space and a lower population density, meaning it is well suited to cope with increased traffic.I will be working with councillors and local residents to advance this argument.
Looking ahead
On Monday I will be asking a Parliamentary question to the School's Secretary. I will be pressing him on when Plymouth may expect to hear whether or not we have been successful in obtaining funding for school rebuilding under Building Schools for the Future Programme. This is something I passionately believe in and have been fighting very hard for.
I am also hoping to help welcome 19 Light Brigade to Parliament following their tour of Afghanistan, attend a briefing with the new US Ambassador to Britain, catch up with the British Beer and Pub Association on their campaign to support local pubs, continue to lobby Anna Walker regarding the impending conclusion of her Review into Water Metering the charging as well as attend Defence Committee sessions.
P.S. This week I have been sending out my Environment Matters newsletter. If you are interested in climate change or marine science and would like to receive a copy please let me know!
Comments
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Posted by Robert Hawley, 12:59, Mon 30 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Are there any comments about the recent water bills?
There is an 'underwhelming' reduction:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8380227.stm
The coastline should be a national issue and not something that is left for the people of the SW to pay for.
MPs need to do more and possibly there is a need for a more public campaign.
Posted by Linda Gilroy, 14:52, Mon 30 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Thanks for your comment.
I have a campaign for fairer water bills - see my website www.lindagilroy.org.uk/water
Regarding Ofwat's price sessting, this was the response that I published on my website earlier this week:
"The Water Regulator Ofwat has today announced its final decisions on the prices water and sewerage companies can charge their customers between 2010 - 2015.
The Chief Executive Regina Finn has said that water bills will remain flat. In fact the average Bill across England and Wales will decrease by around £3 by 2015.
The typical unmetered Bill could rise but interestingly Ofwat also predict the number of households on metered water supplies will rise in the South West from the current ratio of two in every three housholds to around nine households in ten.
When the draft determinations were published before the summer, they suggested Bills in Devon and Cornwall could fall by around £30. I know this would have made a big difference for households in Plymouth.
Bills will not rise over the 5 year period and, although the settlement is less than the company asked for to the tune of £35 per averge bill, I am disappointed that Ofwat have not stuck to their guns and delivered the £30 cut that their initial determination justified.
Ofwat point out that the period 2010 - 2015 will see water companies investing in flood management. With the recent events in Cumbria most people will recognise the value of this - and I know from dealing with flooding issues in Lipson and Laira how much competition there is for scarce money to invest in flood relief works .
At a national level some people in the water industry seem to be saying that the five year price setting periods are insufficient to allow them to plan funding for these kind of long term infrastructure projects in the best way that makes for value for money.
Constituents understandably resent large profits that water companies make for their shareholders.
I believe the time has come for water price regulation itself to be looked at. As the regulator herself remarks, water customers cannot shop around for the best deal - they rely on the regulator to do it for them and at the same time to ensure the service they receive is safe and reliable. A sliding scale system of tariff regulation, which beyond a certain level shares excess profit to the consumer's advantage, might be one way of ensuring customers get - and feel they get - a fair deal. There may well be other ways of achieving this, but twenty years on from privatisation, a review which considers both the concerns of consumers and the concerns of industry is due.
The Secretary of State for DEFRA has said that the Walker Review of Water Metering and Charging will release its final conclusions before Christmas. I will shortly be meeting with the Water Minister to discuss how we can take these forward in a way that will give help to water customers in the South West, especially those on low and modest incomes.
The issues arising from the 29% increase in unmetered bills need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The Walker Review is an opportunity to ensure that the necessary action is taken to make the Regulator and the water companies take much more seriously their responsibility to seek out and help low income customers on unmeasured tariff. Following the water affordability pilot in the South West South West Water lead the country in what they do through their Water Care programme. But more is needed and I shall be pressing for this in working on the follow through from the Walker Review".