MP is clearly out of touch

I have just looked over the article posted online in which MP Paul Bristow is encouraging Peterborough residents to support the local hospitality industry.

This article clearly shows Mr Bristow is clearly out of touch with the residents of Peterborough, as a high amount of families can barley afford to feed their families at home and with the numbers needing food banks increasing.

I have worked in the hospitality trade for over 20 years and I understand and feel for the industry, as this is the toughest time the industry has faced.

However, with the correct planning and financial controls this can be weathered through.

The mini budget set out last week offering 25 hours paid salary for 16 - 24 year olds to obtain employment will help, but will also affect the residents looking for work over the age of 25 years as an employer can not advertise for a set age group.

Therefore when applying for a job you could be given an interview but not the vacancy as most employers will take up the offer of free labour for six months.

This will affect the higher age group and cause more hardship for families and singles over the age of 25.

This age group has been chosen as a high percentage live with parents and have very little financial commitment and therefore will spend their money back in to the community. Whereas people above the 25 age group do have financial commitment and have very little or no money to pay back in to the community.

I do think this is a good start for the youth but this money being spent has to come from somewhere and will affect every person moving forward through taxes and other means.

It was a mini budget that was set for the youth and home owners and not the high percentage of the community who needs it.

MP Paul Bristow needs to get in touch with his com- munity and realise that a high percentage can not afford to dine out.

In relation to his comment on the John Lewis article, yes it’s great they are reopening but he should look at the small business owners and the market that needs more attention and help.

I care about the community and it frustrates me that we have an MP commenting on spending and not on support and understanding of the financial struggle his commu- nity is going through.

Paul Tapparno-Clark

Peterborough