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Death of The Queen
On 8th September, we received the incredibly sad news of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. News we had dreaded for some time.
Her death sparked a train of events, some of which I was privileged to take part in and which are documented further on in this bulletin.
Her Majesty The Queen was the longest reigning monarch in British history and the oldest Head of State. Quite simply, she was the most respected and admired person in the world. She was a constant source of stability throughout our lives and devoted everything
she had to us. In so many ways she summed up all that is best about this country.
I think it will take a long time to come to terms with no longer having her as our Queen. We will all miss her enormously.
God Save the King
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Opening the books of condolence
As our country and the Commonwealth came to terms with the immense loss of Her Majesty The Queen, I joined the Leader of Dartford Borough Council at the opening of the book of condolence at the Civic Centre for those who wanted to pay their own personal tribute.
This book of condolence is now closed and it will be bound for posterity and placed on exhibit at Dartford Museum before being placed within the town archive.
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Proclamation ceremony in Dartford
On 11th September, I attended the proclamation ceremony which took place in Dartford to herald our new Sovereign, His Majesty King Charles III.
The event was introduced by Councillor Jeremy Kite, Leader of the Council. The proclamation was read by the Worshipful the Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Paul Cutler, with public acclamation led by Group Manager, Lawrence Pater of Kent Fire and Rescue. A blessing
was offered by the Mayor's Chaplain, the Reverend Kenneth Clark.
The Deputy Mayor, Archdeacon Andy Wooding Jones, Dartford Borough Council Cabinet Members, Senior Councillors, Group Leaders, officers and distinguished guests including Mr Kelvin Holford, one of His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenants for Kent, were in attendance.
To play the video of the ceremony, please click on the photo above.
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Tributes to Her Majesty The Queen
As a Government Whip, I was not able to take part in debates, but on this auspicious occasion I was granted permission to take part in the two days of tributes made to Her Majesty the Queen in the House of Commons.
To play my speech, please click on the photo above.
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King Charles III addresses Parliament
On 12th September, His Majesty King Charles III addressed both Houses of Parliament for the first time.
Both Speakers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords offered condolences on behalf of the Houses of Parliament. During his speech in Westminster Hall, the King said Parliament was the "living and breathing instrument of our democracy" and he pledged
to follow the late Queen's selfless duty.
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Lying in State
On 14th September, Her Majesty The Queen's coffin travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on a gun carriage. I attended a ceremony held in Westminster Hall to meet its arrival.
It was a real honour to be in Westminster Hall as Her Majesty began lying in State. The occasion was a sombre one but also a reminder of how magnificent this country can be.
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Swearing in
Members of the House of Commons were able to take the oath to the King or make an affirmation, although this is not a procedural or statutory requirement.
To view me taking the oath, please click on the photo above.
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Our new Prime Minister, Liz Truss
Following the Leadership Contest over the summer, on 6th September, Her Majesty The Queen asked Liz Truss to form a new Administration. Ms Truss accepted Her Majesty's offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.
On 8th September the Prime Minister set out decisive action to support people and businesses with their energy bills and tackle the root causes of the issues in the UK energy market through increased supply – ensuring the country is not left in the same position
again.
The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will give people certainty with their bills. It will apply from 1st October and will discount the unit cost for gas and electricity use.
The EPG will ensure that a typical household in Great Britain pays an average £2,500 a year on their energy bill, for the next 2 years, from 1st October 2022. The consumer saving will be based on usage, but a typical household will save at least £1,000 a year
(based on current prices from October). Energy suppliers will be fully compensated for the cost of the Energy Price Guarantee.
This guarantee includes the temporary suspension of green levies. It is important to note that the EPG comes in addition to the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme.
The Government has also announced support for businesses in the form of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. Through this scheme, the Government will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for all non-domestic customers (including all UK businesses,
the voluntary sector like charities and the public sector such as schools and hospitals) whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices. This support will be equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee put
in place for households.
It will apply to fixed contracts agreed on or after 1st April 2022, as well as to deemed, variable and flexible tariffs and contracts. It will apply to energy usage from 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2023, running for an initial 6 month period for all non-domestic
energy users. The savings will be first seen in October bills, which are typically received in November.
As with the Energy Price Guarantee for households, customers do not need to take action or apply to the scheme to access the support. Support (in the form of a p/kWh discount) will automatically be applied to bills.
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You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits.
Find out more by clicking on the link below.
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The Growth Plan
The Chancellor recently unveiled his Growth Plan, tackling energy costs to bring down inflation, backing business and helping households. Some of the measures taken are as follows:
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Corporation tax rise cancelled, keeping it at 19% as government sets sights on 2.5% trend rate of growth.
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Basic rate of income tax cut to 19% in April 2023 – one year earlier than planned – with 31 million people getting on average £170 more per year.
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Stamp Duty cuts will help people on all levels of the property market and lift 200,000 homebuyers every year out of paying the tax altogether.
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The 1.25% rise in National Insurance contributions is reversed.
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Support for pubs and hospitality.
The plan set the ambitious target for 2.5% trend of growth, securing sustainable funding for public services and improving living standards for everyone.
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Thames Water
I recently arranged a meeting with Thames Water to highlight the ongoing problems with leaks in and around Greenhithe and Swanscombe, with particular emphasis on London Road.
A representative from Kent County Council also attended the meeting and presented statistics that show in the last four years, the Council has issued 47 immediate/urgent permits to Thames Water to deal with leaks on London Road alone. This is apparently one
of the worst spots in the county.
Thames Water stated at the meeting that the pipes are very old and deep and the nature of the soil makes them prone to movement, particularly in warm weather.
As a result of this meeting, Thames Water has committed to undertake a survey to examine the viability of replacing the pipe infrastructure on London Road. The company also confirmed more staff are being employed to speed up repairs.
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Update on National Highways improvements at J1a
In my June bulletin, I reported that National Highways was planning some improvement work at the A282 Junction 1a Littlebrook Interchange.
This work will add a new third lane on the A206 westbound carriageway, between the east and west roundabouts at Junction 1a, which should improve journey time reliability and reduce congestion. Other improvements, such as new lane markings and signs, will
encourage better lane discipline on the east roundabout and A206 westbound carriageway.
National Highways has provided me with an update on this work. The preparatory work, which included safely relocating some of the existing utility services, such as electric cables, which were previously buried underneath the road surface, has now been completed.
Work has now commenced on widening the A206 westbound carriageway where it crosses above the A282, allowing a new third lane to be introduced.
Additional traffic management measures have been introduced with the two existing lanes on the bridge, open but narrowed slightly and speed restrictions in place. These measures will be in place 24 hours a day until December, with all work expected to be completed
before the Christmas holiday period.
The work will generally take place between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday. However, there will be occasional full overnight closures.
To find updates on the scheme webpage, please click on the link below.
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Dartford Crossing and Lower Thames Crossing
National Highways has produced a new data-led animation that highlights a typical Friday on the Dartford Crossing where traffic starts building from 10.00 am and almost every journey is delayed and unreliable journeys are normal. Northbound, during the evening
peak, 19 out of 20 journeys are delayed and two-thirds of journeys take twice as long as they should. Three times a month, a northbound journey will take five times longer than it should.
The Dartford Crossing is designed for 135,000 vehicles a day and yet regularly carries 180,000. It is used by over 50 million vehicles a year.
We know only too well in Dartford, the knock-on effect this has on congestion on the local roads and how much the Lower Thames Crossing is needed.
The Lower Thames Crossing will almost double road capacity across the Thames east of London, easing congestion on the Dartford Crossing, improving journeys across the southeast, and creating a reliable new route across the river. It will take 13 million vehicles
away from Dartford each year.
If you would like to show your support for the Lower Thames Crossing, either as a business or as an individual, you can do so by adding a pin to the Support map for the Lower Thames Crossing which can be found by clicking on the button below.
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Picturing High Streets
Historic England and Photoworks has launched @PicturingHighStreets – an exciting project encouraging people to look at their high street as never before. Over the
next 12 months, they are inviting everyone to respond to fortnightly challenges that uncover the secret life of their high street by posting their own photographs on Instagram using the
#PicturingHighStreets tag.
A selection of photographs submitted before 21 December 2022 will form a national outdoor exhibition opening in Spring 2023 filling outdoor advertising spaces, outdoor exhibition panels and shop windows on high streets across England. These photographs, alongside
a selection of others submitted from January 2023 onwards, will also enter the Historic England Archive, the nation’s archive for England’s historic buildings, archaeology and social history.
Follow @PicturingHighStreets on Instagram and post your pictures using #PicturingHighStreets. The national outdoor exhibition will open Spring 2023.
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Jobs news
Dartford Jobcentre Plus has been working in partnership with People Plus and hosted a jobs fair on 7th September at Crown House in Dartford. There were over 20 employers representing a variety of sectors and from this, 20 offers were made with a further 39
potential or pending.
In addition, recruitment specialists in Dartford and Bluewater, will be working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council to support Ukrainians at the fortnightly cafe held at Princes Park Football Club. They will be offering support in gaining the right
skills and knowledge to progress their careers in the UK.
Dartford Jobcentre Plus, in partnership with the Learning Shop at Bluewater, held a jobs fair in Bluewater on 6th July. 1,250 people attended and 92 job offers were made.
There is another seasonal Bluewater jobs fair next Wednesday, 5th October. Retail and hospitality employers will be attending, offering vacancies with an immediate start. It's a great opportunity to meet employers, including Next, John Lewis, Arket, Wagamama,
Zara and Hotel Chocolat. It is being held at the Bluewater Marquee (next to The Village Area car park) from 10.30 am to 3.00 pm. Don't forget your CV!
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Appointment as a Minister in the Justice Department
On 20th September, I was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Ministry of Justice.
As a Minister, I will have responsibility for a number of areas in the department, which include Legal Aid, tackling the backlog in the courts, the Barristers’
strike and other issues affecting courts and tribunals.
I will also assist the Home Office with legislation to tackle the problems with small boats in the channel.
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