EVESHAM’s MP Nigel Huddleston writes for the Observer…
LAST month we saw the passing of our beloved monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I was fortunate to be able to speak in the House of Commons in a special debate and pay tribute to Her Majesty on behalf of my constituents.
We also saw hundreds of thousands of people come to London to pay their respects, whether at the lying in State in Westminster Hall, the procession from Buckingham Palace, the funeral itself or to lay flowers at one of the palaces or parks. Here in Worcestershire, people also paid their respects in a wide variety of ways. It was a fitting goodbye to our Queen, whom we shall never forget.
With a change of monarch, I also took a new Oath of Allegiance in Parliament to our new King, Charles III. In this rather dramatic and fluid month we also had a change of Prime Minister as well as a change in the Head of State and the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, asked me to become a Government Whip (which is more formally known as a ‘Lord Commissioner of His Majesty’s Treasury’) in last month’s reshuffle. In my new role I will be working particularly closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and have been busy getting the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill through Parliament.
My new appointment comes with mixed feelings, as I was sad to be leaving the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport after such a busy and challenging two and a half years. However, I leave the Department with fond memories and some new friendships.
This is a difficult time for many of my constituents and the Government is committed to helping people with their energy costs, backing businesses, and assisting households with the cost of living.
The Energy Price Guarantee will mean that a typical household should pay no more than £2,500 per year and will run until April 2023 when a review will occur.
The Government also reconfirmed that the Health and Social Care Levy will be scrapped from November 6, saving 28 million taxpayers an average of £330 a year.
The past month has also been a challenging time for the Worcester Warriors family – including employees, players, and fans. I and the other Worcestershire MPs have been kept updated by the new Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew, and we will stay in regular contact with him, the administrator, and the team at DCMS. I know how important the Worcester Warriors are to my constituents and the broader community and I will do what I can to help secure a future for our beloved local rugby club.”
