Future looks good despite challenges
SINCE the start of 2020, our country and South Derbyshire have risen to the greatest challenge ever posed to the British public in peacetime. It is beyond doubt that the war in Ukraine, as well as the reanimation of the global economy post-covid, has put upward pressure on inflation and the cost of living.
Despite these global pressures, our economy has bounced back, remained resilient and our country has rallied to oppose Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Queen’s Speech last week signalled how the Government intends to ease the burden for those grappling with the cost of living squeeze.
We know that the best way to ease pressure on families is to turbocharge growth across the entire UK. I am pleased that the Government has committed to taking full advantage of our regulatory freedom enabled by Brexit.
The new Brexit Freedoms Bill will allow laws inherited from the EU to be changed to suit small and medium sized businesses.
Among these new freedoms are the ability for our country to sign tailored Free Trade Agreements, and I look forward to voting for the implementation of new agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
I also look forward to supporting the Government realise new trade agreements with CPTPP countries in exciting growth markets such as South East Asia, which represent the fastest growing economies in the world.
To keep costs down in the long term, the Government plans to invest in securing Britain’s own independent energy supply.
This will also create hundreds of high skilled jobs in South Derbyshire. I have written before about the benefits that Rolls Royce SMR nuclear reactors will have for our region, and I am encouraged that South Derbyshire will play a vital role in guaranteeing low energy bills in the future.
We are also equipping the nation’s children with the tools to prepare the next generation to fulfil their potential, wherever they live, and raising education standards.
By increasing productivity and skills, we can ensure that our economy is prepared for uncertainty.
The Government will introduce the Lifelong Loan Entitlement, a new and flexible way of providing loan support for post-18 study. This will provide individuals with a loan entitlement equivalent to four years of post-18 education (£37,000 in today’s fees) that they can use over their lifetime for a wider range of studies.
The Government will set minimum qualification requirements for students, to ensure that those in tertiary education receive the necessary skills to have the best potential of contributing to the workforce.
The tremendous news that the Government plans to reform the planning system to give residents more involvement in local development, and increase houses across the UK, will mean that young people across South Derbyshire will not only be given the best chance to thrive in a job, but will also have the means to get on the property ladder.
We know the best way to ease pressure on families is to turbo-charge growth across the entire UK. I am pleased that the Government has committed to taking full advantage of our regulatory freedom enabled by Brexit
■■The views and opinions of guest columnists do not necessarily represent those of either the Burton Mail or its staff