Parliament is now in the home stretch before the Christmas break.
Last Monday, Housing Minister Matt Pennycook updated MPs on one of the Government’s key commitments – to build 1.5 million homes during this five-year Parliament. In order to enable that, we need to modernise the planning system and Ministers have published a working paper seeking feedback on proposals to streamline planning committees ahead of a formal Government consultation on this. Our clogged-up planning system has been a major obstacle for years and I am pleased that Ministers are conducting a review as part of our mission to rebuild economic growth in Britain.
Later on Monday, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a statement about the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. The world has long hoped to see Assad gone from Syria and I welcome the opportunity this brings for Syrian people. Assad was a dictator, criminal, murderer of innocents, drug dealer and perpetrator of illicit finance. His demise is humiliating for Russia and Iran and it is right that they should be held accountable for their actions in Syria. The UK is working with non-governmental organisations and civil society to support them in recording human rights offences.
However, we must not be blind to the risks. Assad’s collapse is not a guarantee of peace, and the humanitarian situation in Syria is dire. There are millions of Syrian refugees in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Many are already starting to return to Syria which is a positive sign, but a lot depends on what happens now. This flow into Syria could quickly become a flow back out, potentially increasing the numbers using dangerous, illegal migration routes to Europe and the UK, and while Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group who deposed Assad, are offering guarantees to minorities and committing to international cooperation on chemical weapons – we will judge them on their actions rather than words.
The Commons also debated the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill on Monday which will strengthen the security of events and venues against terrorist attacks. The bill follows an inquiry into the murder of 22 people in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017 – a day which will never be forgotten by people across the North West. I was pleased that the Bill passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons and now passes to the House of Lords for further debate and scrutiny.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House of Commons considered aspects of the Finance Bill, which puts into law some of the measures announced in the Budget. I welcome that this Bill will deliver a fairer, more sustainable tax system, while ensuring the Government raises the revenue required to fund public services. I welcome in particular that the Government is protecting working people from higher taxes in their payslips by not extending the freeze to income tax and National Insurance contributions thresholds; maintaining the fuel duty freeze and temporary 5p cut for 2025-26; and delivering on the commitment to not increase taxes on working people, by not increasing the basic, higher or additional rates of Income Tax, employee National Insurance contributions or VAT.
The House of Commons also considered changes in the Bill to capital gains tax (CGT) and to the energy profits levy (the windfall tax on oil and gas companies). On CGT, the Bill increases the lower rate of the tax from 10% to 18% and the higher rate from 20% to 24%. It also increases the rate of CGT for business asset disposal relief and investors’ relief to 14% from 6 April 2025 and to 18% from 6 April 2026. On the Energy Profits Levy, the Bill increases the windfall tax on oil and gas companies by three percentage points and removes the investment allowance for the levy, as well as confirming an extension of the tax until 31 March 2030.
Later, I joined other Parliamentarians at the Cats Protection UK reception. I know how important animal welfare issues are to my constituents so I was pleased to pledge my continued support for their work.
On Wednesday, the House debated the Bill’s provisions for removing the VAT exemption on private school fees and for increasing the higher rates of stamp duty for the purchase of second homes and for house purchases by businesses. I believe it is essential that all children receive a good education. I therefore believe it is fair that we levy VAT on private schools so we can spend that money driving up standards and unlocking opportunities for the 94% of children attending state schools. I also back the changes to stamp duty, which will help free up housing stock for main home buyers and support 130,000 additional people to buy their first home.
Also on Wednesday, the Home Secretary gave a statement on new deals that the Government has struck with European allies to clamp down on people trafficking. Where the previous Government pointed fingers at our partners to deflect from their own failures, we are committed to stopping smugglers in cooperation with our partners in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and beyond.
After ministerial meetings at the DWP, I was abled to spend the afternoon in Parliament to support two charities whose work impacts on many people in the constituency. First, I went to an Alzheimer’s Research UK event where I had an opportunity to learn more about the work being done to tackle this devastating illness. Alzheimer’s is one of the biggest health and care challenges of our time and I sympathise profoundly with anyone who is affected. We must prioritise research, because ultimately our goal must be to prevent, treat and cure this heart-breaking condition so I am delighted that Labour have made a manifesto pledge to invest in science and research across the economy, between public and private sectors, to put “Britain at the forefront of treatment for dementia”.
I also attended a Versus Arthritis event to pledge my support for their vital work. I sympathise deeply with the challenges faced by people with chronic, serious conditions like arthritis and will do all I can to support sufferers in Parliament. One of the Government’s key focus in our pledge to rebuild our NHS is to prioritise the management of chronic, serious conditions. It’s clear that the current system does not adequately support those with long-term health conditions and we need to shift to a system of prevention, early diagnosis, and swifter treatment for all conditions, so that we can all live longer, and more healthily.
On Thursday, the Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook, returned to the House to speak frankly about the housing crisis that Britain faces. The Government’s changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF) will see much-needed green energy projects given default approval and we are also introducing new ‘golden rules’ for releasing Green Belt lands for development. We are making sure that when these lands are developed, they are only done so when building provides a real and tangible benefit for local people.
Later in the day, the Minister for Children and Families gave a statement confirming that we will be overturning the previous Government’s plan to cut funding for some post-16 qualifications.
As part of our driving mission to bring growth back to Britain, Janet Daby announced that funding will be retained for courses that help learners get a foot on the ladder into industries key to the UK economy. This pragmatic step will ensure that courses which act as pipelines into employers such as the NHS will not be cut off.
Back in Stretford & Urmston on Friday, I was delighted to announce that Imogen Cundick, 15, from Manor Academy submitted the winning design for my annual Christmas Card Design competition. I presented Imogen with her prize at a special assembly in front of her mother Suzanne, her classmates, teachers, and local Labour councillor Keleigh Glenton. Imogen wants to be a set-designer when she leaves school and clearly has a bright future ahead of her!
I then hosted a Christmas Coffee Morning for Partington residents at St Mary’s Church where it was great to meet local people and discuss their concerns as we enjoyed a brew and a mince pie.
I also met with officials from Manchester United to talk about the plans for the Old Trafford regeneration project. This has the potential to be one of the most exciting projects that our area has seen for some time – and we committed to a monthly meeting going forward in order to make sure the views of the people of Stretford & Urmston are represented.
I then met with residents at my advice surgery where nearly every case raised related to poor quality housing – both in the private and social sector highlighting just how dire the situation has become under fourteen years of Tory Governments.
If you would like to meet with me and my team at a surgery soon, please email andrew.western.mp@parliament.uk for details on how to book an appointment.
Have a great week wherever you are.
Andrew Western MP