EVESHAM’s MP Nigel Huddleston writes for the Observer…
MARCH was yet another busy month in Westminster, with the Chancellor’s Spring Budget taking centre-stage. I was pleased to be in the House of Commons Chamber for the Chancellor’s speech and welcomed the continuation of support for energy bills through the Energy Price Guarantee. I know my constituents will be particularly pleased with the Government’s commitments on childcare provision, introducing 30 free hours of childcare per week for children from 9 months to 4 years. This will be rolled out in phases from April 2024 and is in addition to the 30 hours a week already provided for eligible working parents of 3 to 4-year-olds.
Meanwhile, my Ministerial responsibilities continue to keep me busy. Having attended the final round of negotiations in Vietnam, I was delighted that the UK concluded negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The UK will be the first European member and the first new member of the trade bloc, which represents 15% of global GDP and is home to over 500 million people. For the communities of Mid Worcestershire, this new agreement signifies a bright future, with the potential to attract new businesses and industries to the region, while strengthening existing ones. This deal will open up new markets for local producers and provide them with a competitive edge, ultimately contributing to the prosperity of the region.
In Parliament, I and MP’s from across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire had a constructive meeting with Health Minister Will Quince, at which we discussed the case for funded places to train doctors at the Three Counties Medical School in Worcester. I know that this is an issue which constituents care deeply about, and I was reassured to hear that the Minister recognised there was a very strong case for places to be funded as soon as possible.
It is always a pleasure to welcome constituents, schools and businesses to Parliament. I was particularly delighted to welcome delegations from Worcestershire County Council, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and the National Farmers Union to Parliament recently to discuss issues affecting farming and other businesses across our region. I also met a constituent from Droitwich to discuss the specific challenges facing the poultry sector. Pupils from Cleeve Prior Primary School were particularly enthusiastic during their visit to Westminster, asking plenty of questions about Parliament and the role of MPs.”
