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New Blackmore Vale, 15th April 2022
blackmorevale.net
MPs’ round-up
Fundamental thinking is needed to avert current challenges Are we at a tipping point? So many troubles are close at hand: Covid still on our doorstep, hot war in Europe, every business, household and family being hit by energy prices, rising taxes, supply chain shortages and higher costs of imports. It can be difficult to remain positive. On the other hand, is this the moment we should do things differently? The energy price crisis is making us think hard about driving and heating our homes. It is clear, though, that for those with the fewest resources this has become an existential matter. For Ukrainians the choice is “fight or flight”; for the poorest here the equivalent is “eat or heat”. The spring statement tinkered
Mike Chapman on behalf of Liberal Democrats across the Blackmore Vale with the cost-of-living crisis. Smoothing the numbers, playing shops and politics with the various taxes, thresholds, tapers and
clawbacks and keeping back a substantial contingency is the modern-day moral equivalent of a combination of “jam tomorrow” and “let them eat cake”. The present challenges are too significant for the marginal changes proposed and warrant more fundamental thinking. The logic of a windfall tax or a bold cut in VAT remains strong. The former could deliver substantial revenue not subject to the vagaries of future economic performance and which could be used directly to fund a reduction in VAT. This would relieve price pressure across the economy and be felt immediately by everyone. Big companies such as the energy giants invest where
they see a good risk/return profile not because they have unexpectedly large surpluses. A windfall tax or the threat of it might even be used to pump prime further renewable energy projects. Whatever happens, the poorest and most vulnerable householders need continuing help now in the face of sky-high energy costs. The case for a wholesale, properly joined-up review of the Dorset Local Plan is just as strong. There is cogent thinking and wise judgement flowing through the Dorset Deserves Better campaign from Dorset Climate Action Network and Dorset CPRE. Another tipping point in how so such Plans are made?
In my determination to make progress on this issue, I have already requested an urgent meeting with the Buses Minister to address this. ‘Levelling Up’ is a fantastic idea and I wholeheartedly support it in its aims. However, it is my job to make sure that the Government seriously reconsiders these allocational decisions when it comes to rural counties like Dorset. Not just for buses but other provisions too, and I am continuing to lead that discussion for Dorset. Digital Voice – a programme by BT to replace the copper network for landlines with an internet-
based digital service – has been an issue for quite a few people. For many, this presents serious concerns over what to do if there is poor internet or phone signal. I very much welcome the news last week that BT has decided to postpone the Digital Voice scheme for those who do not wish to take part. The cut-off date for replacement of the old copper landline network remains set by Openreach at 2025, but I hope this pause gives our internet and phone providers time to properly address the long-term implications of Digital Voice and the solutions for those living in connectivity ‘not-spots’.
Dorset must be seriously considered in levelling up allocations The first tranche of the bus improvement funding has taken place this week, as part of a £7billion package to revitalise and bolster the bus service provision across the UK outside of London. It is highly disappointing that rural Dorset was not included in this first tranche, although Bournemouth and Poole has been included. The rural heart of our region is in urgent need of investment to improve our bus services. The current state of bus service provision here in West Dorset is simply not acceptable. They are a much-needed lifeline for many hundreds, even thousands of people here and I believe the scale of necessity
Conservative MP for West Dorset Chris Loder and inadequacy has not been properly considered when assessing which areas should be prioritised for funding.
