MARCH saw another busy month in Westminster, as the Government continues to deliver on the people’s priorities.
The most significant event of the month was the Spring Budget and, in my capacity as Financial Secretary to the Treasury, I was involved in developing many of the measures announced by the Chancellor.
I am particularly pleased with the announcements of further cuts to National Insurance contributions for over 29million people and changes to child benefit eligibility, which benefit half-a-million families by an average of £1,260.
On top of this, 12million pensioners will also see increases in pensions of between £690 and £900-a-year from April as a result of the 8.5 per cent increase due to the triple lock.
As a former Minister for Sport, I also welcomed the announcement of a new Independent Football Regulator.
Introduced as part of a wider Football Governance Bill, the legislation to create a new independent regulator will aim to block clubs from joining breakaway leagues, create a new licensing scheme for owners and enable more fan representation.
The bill delivers on the Government’s longstanding commitment to protect the national game.
The Government is adopting a light-touch, advocacy-first approach to regulation whilst ensuring the regulator retains the power to take action to protect the financial sustainability of clubs and the interests of fans.
In more local news, I was delighted to learn the Department for Transport has allocated £460,000 to Westlands in Droitwich for a new pedestrian crossing on the A38 island.
Connecting the estate to the economic opportunities of the town, the funding is an important step to help enable those in Westlands to be able to better access Droitwich town centre and its associated social and economic benefits.
Furthermore, with safety and accessibility at the heart of active travel, the pedestrian crossing will address the current safety risks at the busy A38 roundabout and, most significantly, will be both wheelchair-friendly and cycle-friendly.
As ever, I have enjoyed a range of visits and meetings in the constituency over recent weeks.
Particular highlights include Whites Logistic and Storage Ltd in Pershore, Claire Dyson Equine Water Treadmill and Rehabilitation Centre in Cleeve Prior and meeting Severn Trent to see the replacement and upgrade of the Lower Moor Treatment Works.
Nigel Huddleston
MP for Mid Worcestershire
