I hope you find this newsletter a useful summary of local support, initiatives, COVID-19 updates and my work on your behalf.


** HUW MERRIMAN MP NEWSLETTER
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Dear Resident,

I hope this bulletin finds you well.

It has been a busy couple of weeks both locally and in Parliament, but I am pleased to have spent time with four local schools over the last fortnight.

This newsletter is a mix of work in Parliament and the constituency. My local work can be found below in blue.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter.

Yours sincerely,

Huw

Update on Southeastern Investigation

Earlier this month, the Department for Transport wrote to me with an update on the investigation into South Eastern Railway, following the discovery of serious revenue declaration discrepancies on the franchise.

In his letter, the Transport Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, sets out the background and scope of the investigation, and proposed further actions that will be taken. It is essential that there is public trust in train operators, and I will continue to follow this investigation closely.

I am pleased that local services have continued to run smoothly since the franchise transferred to the Operator of Last Resort last month. This is testament to the commitment and dedication of those employed on the railway who work so hard to keep passengers on the move in East Sussex and beyond.

You can read the Minister’s letter here ([link removed] ) .

Welcoming Operation Pitting Soldiers to Parliament

This week, I joined MPs, Lords and Parliamentary staff in welcoming 120 member of Armed Forces personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force who have recently returned from Operation Pitting – the evacuation of Afghanistan. The Speakers of both Houses made speeches to welcome and thank the brave service men and women.

Migrant Crossings

Following the news of the tragic loss of life in the Channel this week, I share the anger and disappointment that we are seeing a record number of people risking their lives to make this perilous journey, many at the mercy of people-traffickers. Through working closely with France, 20,000 crossings have been stopped this year, 400 arrests have been made, a number of criminal people trafficking gangs have been closed down, and a host of boats dismantled, but more needs to be done. You can read my full response to this issue here ([link removed]) .

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Transport Committee Road Freight Session

On Wednesday, the Transport Select Committee held it’s first evidence session in our new Road freight supply chain inquiry. We heard from a number of freight industry representatives, including Logistics UK, who warned of the impact that new EU border ID checks - the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) - could have in the South East.

Due to become operational from April next year, the EES will require drivers to physically get out of their vehicle in order to complete biometric border checks; slowing down the speed at which people can be processed. It is predicted that this could result in 17-mile tailbacks at Dover, resulting in Operation Stack all over again for Kent.

You can watch my exchange with Elizabeth de Jong, Policy Director at Logistics UK here ([link removed]) .
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Sustainable Aviation

Last week at BEIS questions, I asked the Industry Minister what steps the Government intends to take to support the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and help bring their costs down.

Earlier this week, I also spoke at an event in Parliament on sustainable aviation hosted by the Sustainable Aviation coalition of UK airlines, airports, manufactures and other key business partners.

Produced from sustainable feedstocks, such as oils from plants, the use of SAF results in a reduction in carbon emissions compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces. They are, however, currently around three to four times more expensive than traditional fuel.

Last year, UK aviation became the first national aviation group in the world to commit to being net zero by 2050. Much work will be needed to achieve this, including measures to lower the price and boost supplies of sustainable aviation fuels, which have the potential to cut emission by 80% compared to traditional fuels.

There is real confidence in the industry that their plans to achieve net zero emissions will not only aid the fight against climate change, but also help create thousands of new green jobs across the country whilst accommodating the 70% growth in passenger numbers expected by 2050.

SAF have the potential to play a crucial role in achieving Net Zero and I was encouraged that the Government intends to support new technological solutions to help bring their costs down and it was good to hear the views of the SAF industry at the event this week.

You can watch my question and the Minister’s response here ([link removed]) .

Bexhill College Q&A

Last week, I joined Politics students of Bexhill College for a virtual Q&A session. This was part of their UK Parliament Week activities. We discussed a wide range of issues from migrants on the Belarusian border, dangerous and illegal Channel crossings, free school meals and housing. They were incredibly well informed and we enjoyed some robust discussions.

GP Provision and Housing Growth

I held a meeting with the Sussex NHS Commissioners this week to discuss how much the local NHS and GPs are involved in the planning process to ensure that they can cope with increased patient demand created by new housing developments. Constituents often write to me to express concern that local services and infrastructure do not keep up with housing growth. Whilst our local NHS are kept aware of planning proposals, they are not a statutory consultee in this process. I don’t think the current system is satisfactory and I will be taking this up with the government.

Rural Speeding

Following on from my rural roads and road safety meeting in September, I visited residents in Wartling last Friday to look at the dangers faced by villagers who live outside the 30mph zone on Wartling Hill. This is a very busy, winding and fast stretch of road. I am going to work with the local councillors to see what can be done to make the road safer.

De La Warr Pavillion: Culture Recovery Fund

I am pleased to report that the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill was given £325,000 in the latest round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, designed to help arts organisations survive losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The De La Warr has a strong appeal to both domestic and international visitors, helping to drive our local economy, which is of huge importance.

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My Recent Votes in Parliament

Following my previous newsletter, a constituent got in touch with an excellent idea to include a section on what legislation I have been voting on. I will include this in my newsletters going forward. Since my last newsletter, I have voted on:
* The Health and Care Bill
* The Finance Bill
* Social Security (Up-rating of Benefits) Bill (Lords Amendments)

You can find further information on each of these Bills here ([link removed]) .

Stonegate CE Primary School make their voices heard in Parliament

This Week, I was delighted to meet students from Stonegate CE Primary School in Parliament when they were taking part in an Education Centre workshop on political campaigns.

I was pleased to answer their questions (a number of which really got me thinking) and talk to them about my job as an MP.

It was fantastic to learn which issues mattered to students most and I am very grateful to the staff at Stonegate for arranging the trip.

Find out more here ([link removed]) .

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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Since my last newsletter, I have been contacted by several residents concerned about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's ongoing situation and asking me to attend the Westminster Hall Debate which took place last Tuesday.

I was, unfortunately, unable to attend the Debate as it fell at the same time as my fortnightly meeting with East Sussex MPs where we meet local stakeholders and discuss pressing local issues, but I have written to the Foreign Secretary to ask for an update on Nazanin’s case alongside assurances that the Department is doing everything they can to support Richard and their young daughter. I will post the Foreign Secretary’s response on my website.

You can read my letter here ([link removed]) .

Transport Committee Airlines and Airports Session

Last Wednesday, the Transport Select Committee held the second evidence session in our airlines and airports inquiry.

The Committee heard from the International Air Transport Association, the Airport Operators Association, and Airlines UK, who all represent the aviation industry, as well as consumer representatives Which? and the CAA Consumer Panel.

Aviation has been one of the industries worst affected by the COVID pandemic. With passenger numbers only slowly beginning to recover, this session was a useful opportunity to look at how the UK compares to our competitor markets, the way in which consumers may be impacted as we begin to travel abroad again, and how the UK’s travel testing regime has affected the ability of the aviation industry to fully recover from the pandemic.

You can watch the full session ([link removed]) here ([link removed]) .


Visit to Little Common Primary School

I was really pleased to meet the newly elected School Council at Little Common Primary School and attend their first meeting. It was also “Year 6 Takeover Day” when Year 6 pupils were taking on the roles of school staff and learning. I was so impressed with the pupils who applied to be school staff for the day, what a tremendous and exciting opportunity. You can read more here ([link removed]) .

Pevensey and Westham Primary School

I was invited to Pevensey and Westham Primary School during UK Parliament Week to chat to Year 5 & 6 pupils about Parliament and the job of an MP. They had some great questions for me and took part in a debate. Read more here ([link removed]) .

Pevensey Sea Defences

Earlier this week, a member of my team attended a meeting with the Environment Agency, which had been organised by Cllr Lin Clark, Wealden District Councillor for Pevensey, to discuss the new sea defence contract for Pevensey. The current contract is due to end in 2025 and it is imperative that the local community is aware of, and involved in, the proposals for the new contract. This meeting was the first step in planning for community engagement.

Observer Article

In my column for the Bexhill and Battle Observer last week, I wrote about Parliamentary standards and illegal Channel crossings. Read the full article
here ([link removed]) .

Hurst Green

Once again, the variable speed signs on the A21 outside of Hurst Green primary school are not working properly. This is a totally unacceptable situation which I have taken up as a matter of urgency with senior managers at National Highways who manage this road. After the local community had to wait years for the faulty signs to be replaced, it is an abject failure to find that the new ones are already malfunctioning and have not been immediately fixed. I stood with residents to protest about this situation in 2018. I don’t expect us to have to do so again but will do so if this is not quickly remedied.
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