Intouch November 2023
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**Energy and the Environment**

 

This week has brought a chill in the air and frosty mornings. As a Member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Energy Security and Net Zero I am pleased we have started work on a new inquiry about “Heating Our Homes”. The inquiry will look at the ways UK Citizens can heat their homes, both now and in the future as well as issues surrounding energy bills and supply.  

 

There has been a considerable increase in the number of well insulated homes over recent years, especially in the social rented sector. This is thanks to a number of Government led initiatives. However, more needs to be done. 

 

I recently met with Chelmsford’s largest social housing provider, CHP, to discuss projects they are considering improving home energy efficiency locally. Chelmsford College is also increasing its courses and apprenticeships to increase the number of skilled tradespeople in this area.  This has been backed by additional skills funding from Government.

 

I travelled with other members of the Select Committee to visit a project in Scotland which will deliver the world’s first Green Hydrogen Neighbourhood. In a community of around 1,000 homes, nearly 50% of households have signed up to become customers. Electricity from a nearby wind turbine will be used to convert water into hydrogen gas which will then be used to fuel their hot water and central heating. The boilers look almost identical to a typical home boiler today. Lessons from this trial project will help inform other communities of options that might be considered in the future. 

 

I will be traveling next week with members of the Select Committee to represent the UK Parliament at the Global COP Conference. 

Photo Below: Vicky Ford MP with other members of the Energy, Security & Net Zero Committee in Fife Scotland.

**Record tax reductions**

 

Last week brought the Autumn Statement on public spending. It was very good news that the UK economy has outperformed expectations, and that inflation is now less than half the level of a year ago. This meant that the chancellor was able to give some welcome commitments such as keeping the pension triple lock, increasing benefits in line with inflation, reducing National Insurance and cutting taxes to help businesses grow and create jobs. 

 

However, the costs incurred during the pandemic with furlough payments as well as the support given to households with energy bills last year have added to our national debt, so there is not a huge amount of headroom for further tax reductions at this stage. It remains important that government spending is kept under control in order to prevent further debt rises and to keep reducing inflation.

**Infrastructure Update**

 

I went to see the massive infrastructure project that is being undertaken to complete our second railway station at Beaulieu Park. Platforms two and three on the north side of the line are now nearly complete, and the new track has been laid between them. The coming weekends and the period between Christmas and New Year are critical, each hour has been planned out in meticulous detail. If all goes according to schedule then, from January, trains will start to use these new tracks so that work can commence on delivering platform one which is on the south side of the site.

 

I have written to households in North East Chelmsford to give them an update on the progress on the station and other infrastructure projects. It is also extremely good news that the investment required for our new Army and Navy junction has moved a step closer now that the green light has been given to the Outline Business Case. This is backed by over £67 million of Government funding. 

 

Photo Below: Vicky Ford MP and Cllr Wagland visiting the new Beaulieu Park Station.

**Schools and young people**

 

I visited Trinity Road Primary School to see their new building which opened this term. The school has served the children of Chelmsford for over 100 years. One 8-year-old explained that the new building felt “more professional” – a place where she feels proud to learn. Every element of the design has been thought through in detail. It is always so good to see children enjoying being at school. Standards in education have risen dramatically over the past decade. UK children have recently been ranked number one in the western world for their reading.

 

I also visited Springfield Youth Club, which was buzzing with happy young people enjoying a safe evening out with their friends. I went to Beaulieu Academy to look at the sports field where unfortunately the developers have used very sharp aggregate on the surface.  The field is fine for training but results in dangerous cuts if matches are played. I have written to the developers to try to get this sorted.

 

Photo: Vicky Ford at Springfield Youth Club.

I took the new Essex County Council cabinet member for highways to Broomfield Road where we met the head teacher of Chelmsford County High School for Girls. I am extremely keen to find a new place for the school buses to wait at the end of the school day, both to reduce congestion and for children’s safety. 

 

Photo: Vicky Ford MP at Trinity Road Primary School with Cllr Andrew Sheldon & Cllr Ray Gooding

**Police, Crime and Safety**

 

Our local police have been doing an exceptional job this autumn since they started more patrols and operations in the city centre. Each week they are making multiple arrests in central Chelmsford, and recently took down a significant drugs line. During Prime Ministers Questions I took the opportunity to thank our local police.  Please do continue to report incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour. 

 

Across the UK, crime rates have dropped by 50% since 2010 and they have come down in Chelmsford too.  However, there is an issue with car thefts, the thieves are becoming much more savvy. Please do keep your car keys in a faraday pouch to prevent break-ins and thefts. 

 

New “Safer Streets” projects are on their way in Chelmsford, backed by Government funding to help keep people safe.  This will include better lighting and CCTV at the footpaths towards the Bunny Walks from the Avenues and other work in the city centre.  

 

I met with the new Home Secretary, James Cleverly MP, to discuss the issue of spiking.  Spiking is dreadful and it is a crime. However, this is based on ancient legislation that has been in place since Victorian times.  I am campaigning with other MPs to have the law modernised and updated to create a specific offence of spiking. We believe this will deter offenders and help protect people. 

 

Photo: Vicky Ford MP meeting with The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, Mims Davies MP, Richard Graham MP.

**Migration**

 

Many constituents speak to me about migration. It has been right for the UK to support refugees from Ukraine, and British Nationals leaving the increasingly autocratic regime in Hong Kong but the record migration numbers are putting pressure on local services like schools and housing and do need to be reduced. 

 

Small boat arrivals are down by over 1/3 this year due to a number of different measures – all of which have been opposed by both Labour and Lib Dems. This compares to an increase in illegal migration of over 1/3 across other European countries. The Government has also introduced new rules regarding the dependents of overseas students which are due to come into force in the coming weeks.

**International Affairs**

 

Much focus remains on the deeply tragic situation in Israel and Palestine.  It has been good to see some of the hostages return and more humanitarian aid flow. The truce has been very important and, as the UK minster said this week, we hope it can be built on. You can read the minister’s comments and questions from MPs, including myself [**here**]([link removed]).

 

In Parliament I have met with MPs from Ukraine. Russian bombardment continues and people are bracing themselves for another very challenging winter.  

 

As chair of the All Party Group for Sudan and South Sudan, I am also very concerned about the catastrophic situation faced by many millions of people due to the war in Sudan and the increased instability across Africa’s Sahel Region. We know that instability in other parts of the world can create greater migration and increased instability in the UK. 

 

I attended a major Global Conference on Food Security, with so much uncertainty in the world there were some uplifting moments of hope, especially on how increased innovation is helping to develop more resilient crops and more sustainable agriculture. 

And Finally

 

All across Chelmsford, I see holly bushes laden with berries, a sign that Christmas is on its way. I would like to thank all the children who entered by Christmas Card competition.

 

It was a huge pleasure to join the acting Dean of the Cathedral to judge the entries.

 

Congratulations to Tahir of Westlands Primary School whose winning design will feature on the card and to the two runners up; Rosie of The Cathedral Primary School and Ada of Baddow Hall Infant School.  

 

What talented young people we have in Chelmsford!

 

Below Photo: Vicky Ford MP & The Very Reverend Paul Kennington, Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral choosing the winning designs.

As ever please do email me if you have issues or feedback. 

 

With best wishes,

 

Vicky.


**The Rt Hon Vicky Ford MP**

Promoted by Christine Garrett on behalf of Vicky Ford MP both of 88 Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1RF.

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