Category Archives: Politics

Catching up on Local Issues with Tim Oliver

On Friday, I caught up with Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County and Elmbridge Borough Council. We discussed a number of local issues such as school funding, Elmbridge’s Local Plan and council finances.

We also discussed Heathrow’s latest airspace consultations, which set out plans to accommodate more flights on the existing two runways, and propose routes for the flight paths an expanded Heathrow would use when fully operational. I will be responding to both consultations, raising local concerns about the impact on noise levels and air quality. Residents can find out more about Heathrow’s proposals here, and can submit to the consultation until it closes on the 4 March 2019.

It’s important to have a good team effort with our local councillors, so I value the opportunity to talk local issues through – and see how I can support up at Westminster.

Where Now on Brexit?

Yesterday, I wrote an article for The Sun on Sunday, setting out what the government should do next on Brexit, and the optimistic vision we need for the post-Brexit UK economy. I appeared on BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show and Sky’s Sophie Ridge Show to discuss the issues.

You can read my article here, watch my interview on The Andrew Marr Show here (from 16m) and catch a clip of my interview with Sophy Ridge here.

Meaningful Vote Speech

Yesterday, I spoke in the House of Commons debate on the government’s Brexit deal explaining why I could not support it.

In my speech, I set out how the draft deal would have severe, long-term, risks for our economy and trust in our democracy. The deal would also stifle the positive opportunities of Brexit that inspired over 17 million people to vote to leave the EU in June 2016.

You can read the full text of my speech on Hansard here, or watch a video of my speech here.

The UK after Brexit: A Bright Future for Small Businesses, Workers and Consumers

Today, I delivered a speech at the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) think-tank in London. I explained why I am optimistic about the UK’s future after we leave the EU.  I set out a positive vision for post-Brexit Britain, based on free trade, competition-based consumer reform – and, above all, a focus on making the enterprise economy better serve small businesses, workers and consumers.

You can read a full version of my speech, and take a closer look at the reforms I propose here.

How Brexit can Still be a Success

Yesterday, I wrote a column for The Sunday Telegraph about why I will vote against the Prime Minister’s deal onTuesday, but how we can still make a success of Brexit.

This current deal would weaken our negotiating position with the EU and leave us bound indefinitely by EU-imposed rules. Rather, the UK should return to Brussels with a revised offer, which remedies the flaws in the backstop and ensures a transition to a ‘best in class’ Free Trade Agreement.

You can access my column here.

Also on Sunday, I was interviewed by Sophy Ridge on Sky News which you can watch here.

My Resignation Letter of Today

Today, I took the difficult decision to resign from the Cabinet as Secretary of State. I resign in sorrow not in anger, and with enduring respect for the determination and fortitude of the Prime Minister.

I do not agree with the terms of the proposed Brexit deal, and I cannot in good conscience support the decision of the government to sign up to this deal. You can read the letter explaining my reasons below.

Budget 2018

Yesterday, The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, announced the government’s Autumn Budget.
First, there was good economic news. GDP growth forecasts have been revised up for 2019 and 2020, whilst unemployment forecasts have been revised down – with unemployment forecast to be just 3.7% in 2019. With unemployment already at a 43-year low, and wages growing at the fastest rate for nearly a decade, our economy will remain robust and strong for the foreseeable future.
Next, the government will support the High Street by introducing £900 million of further business rates relief over the next two years. This will benefit nearly half a million small retailers, saving them 1/3 in business rates bills – a total saving of up to £8,000 a year. The Chancellor also announced the creation of a £675 million ‘Future High Streets Fund’, which will rejuvenate town centres and improve transport links. An extra £420 million has also been pledged to fill potholes. This is good news for small businesses and consumers across Elmbridge.
The budget contained good news for local families too. The income tax threshold (the point at which people start paying income tax on their earnings) will increase to £12,500 from April 2019 and the higher rate threshold will increase to £50,000. This will save the average taxpayer £1,205 in tax compared to 2010. Fuel duty has again been frozen – for the ninth consecutive year – which means that, by next year, the average driver will have save £1,000 since 2010.
Finally, on investment in our public services, the Chancellor announced an extra £2 billion more per year for mental health services. This will provide more mental health ambulances, a dedicated mental health crisis hotline, and greater community support. It comes as part of our long term plan for NHS funding, which will mean an extra £20.5 billion more in real terms per year by 2023-24. The Chancellor also announced we will support schools with an extra £400 million next year – an average of an extra £10,000 for every primary school and £50,000 for every secondary school.

Ensuring Fairness in the Housing Sector

Yesterday, I opened the Second Reading debate for the government on the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill.

Put simply, the Bill does two things.

First, it allows councils to charge double the rate of Council Tax on homes left empty for over 2 years. Currently, local authorities can levy a 50% premium, which has seen the number of long-term empty homes drop by a third since 2010. We now want to go further. This Bill will allow councils to double the amount of council tax on vacant residential properties, to incentivise bringing long-term empty housing back into use.

Second, the Bill reverses the so-called ‘staircase tax’. The staircase tax resulted from a Supreme Court ruling, which changed the way business rates were calculated. It meant that businesses who worked from two linked areas of the same building (but which were separated by a wall or staircase) faced multiple rates assessments, rather than just one. As a result, many hard-pressed businesses faced an unjustified tax hike. We are amending the law to reverse these changes, which will support small businesses and the high street. 

So, the Bill was an important boost for small businesses, and for increasing the supply of residential homes. The Bill passed the House of Commons at Second Reading. You can read my contributions to the debate here, and watch my speech here (from 18:03:45).

Spring Statement

Today, the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, delivered his Spring Statement – billed as an update on the state of the economy, rather than a mini-budget. The Chancellor confirmed that the UK economy is performing better than previously forecast. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the UK’s independent economic watchdog, increased its forecasts for UK growth to 1.5% for 2018. This morning, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD joined them in raising their forecast for growth this year.

This means our economy will grow more quickly, which will lead to more jobs, and greater tax revenue. The OBR expect unemployment to remain close to its 40-year low, so we can continue to build on our strong record of over 3 million jobs created since 2010. The OBR also join the Bank of England in predicting that pay will start to increase faster than inflation this year, and for the foreseeable future. This is good news for working families, particularly those on low and middling incomes.

A number of recent budgetary measures will directly benefit us, locally, in Elmbridge. We have abolished stamp duty for first-time buyers entirely for those spending under £300,000, and on the first £300,000 for those spending less than £500,000. This will exempt 80% of this group from paying stamp duty entirely, while cutting the bills for 95%. It has already helped 60,000 people get onto the housing ladder, and saves the average first-time buyer in Elmbridge £5,000.

We are also supporting local businesses and the High Street. The government has introduced a package of Business Rate relief worth almost £10 billion. The government has also brought forward the planned switch from RPI to CPI by two years, to next month, a move which will save businesses £2.3 billion over the next five years. This will support local small businesses, in Elmbridge and nationally, which are vital for driving job creation.

Finally, the tax-free allowance will rise to £11,850 from next month. This means that the average worker will take home an extra £1,075 a year compared to 2010. You can read a summary of the key points made by the Chancellor here.