This week, the Prime Minister announced some important changes to our approach to Net Zero.
We have over-delivered on our targets and have reduced our carbon emissions faster than any other country in the G7. We are the only country in the G7 in the Top 10 in an independent assessment. But there is no point in us going at break neck speed if other countries don't catch up and our good progress to date means we have room to manoeuvre now in the face of economic challenges. Whilst it is absolutely true economic growth will come from being leaders in new technology, we still have to put in money up front and the money available is limited right now.
So while we should continue to take steps to reach net zero and will remain ahead of the curve, this must be done in a way that is realistic and does not put unnecessary burden on tax payers.
Read on below for full details of the changes to approach being made.
Last week, I invited local veterans champion, Steve Pragnall, to No.10 Downing Street to meet with Veterans Minister, Johnny Mercer. The aim of this event was to thank people who have gone above and beyond to help our armed forces veterans. You may know him as ones of the organisers of the Armed Forces Day event at Queen's Park in Crewe that has taken place in the last couple of years.
I saw this week that Labour think we can solve the small boat crossing problem by agreeing to be part of an EU Migrant Quota Scheme in some way. It gives the impression that there is some easy option-perhaps if we agree to take some children from France they will take back the thousands of young men crossing. That is not going to happen. The only deal they would agree would be for us to take tens of thousands of migrants. I have always said we should take a share of migrants, but not an amount based on the EUs unwillingness to control its borders. I know we have not delivered that yet, but I think we will get there. What Labour want is the opposite of what I think most people want to see and just shows how little they value people's priorities.
Finally, he Post Office has confirmed that they have now appointed a new Postmaster for Crewe and are in the early stages of finalising a deal to reopen a town centre Post Office. Good news and thank you to everyone who fed back on their suggestion they would just have a parcel drop off.
I think it might be a good idea to have it in Crewe Library! We know we need to diversify the funding of our libraries. There are also vacant units in Crewe. Let me know. What do you think? Let me know.
Have a great weekend.
New Approach to Net Zero
Crewe Post Office
Local Veterans Champion
Youth Select Committee
New Ping Pong Parlour
Virtual Surgery
Traffic Report
New Approach to Net Zero
We have over-delivered on our targets and have reduced our emissions faster than any other country in the G7. We are the only country in the G7 in the Top 10 in an independent assessment. But there is no point in us going at break neck speed if other countries don't catch up and our good progress to date means we have room to manoeuvre now in the face of economic challenges. Whilst it is absolutely true economic growth will come from being leaders in new technology, we still have to put in money up front and the money available is limited right now.
So while we should continue to take steps to reach net zero and will remain ahead of the curve, this must be done in a way that is realistic and does not put unnecessary burden on tax payers.
That is why yesterday, the Prime Minister announced some important changes to our approach to this issue. This includes:
- Pushing back the ban on selling new petrol cars from 2030 to 2035
- Giving families more time to transition to heat pumps - and exempt households where these would not make sense
- Scrapping energy efficiency requirements due to come into effect - not forcing people to make expensive changes to their home
- Stopping the introduction of new taxes on meat and flying, the introduction on new rules on carpooling and forcing families to have up to seven bins.
- Supporting new North Sea oil and gas - making us less reliant on foreign imports
Find out more about these plans here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-on-net-zero-20-september-2023
. They have my full backing and anyone who disagrees needs to say why we should be stretching ahead even faster than the rest of the world and how they will pay for the additional investment.
Crewe Post Office Update
The Crewe Town Centre Post Office has been shut since March, leaving residents without a central Post Office for nearly 6 months. We were told last week that we would be getting a ‘slimmed-down’ service on Edleston Road which features a click and drop service only.
I asked residents what they thought and it was clear this was not going to cut it! In good news the Post Office now say they've appointed a new Postmaster for Crewe and are looking for a location.
I have asked Cheshire East Library Services and the Post Office to think about having the Post Office in Crewe Library to help give it a long term home. We know libraries need to diversify what they do to generate income and I think it could be a good match. I have researched similar team ups across the country and they seem to work well. What do you think?
Local Veterans Champion
Last week, I invited local veterans champion, Steve Pragnall, to No.10 Downing Street to meet with Veterans Minister, Johnny Mercer. The aim of this event was to thank people who have gone above and beyond to help our armed forces veterans.
I thought this would be a great way to thank Steve for the work he does locally. You may know him as ones of the organisers of the Armed Forces Day event at Queen's Park in Crewe that has taken place in the last couple of years. I regret that I could go along too, due to my ankle injury, and thank him in person.
Steve's son Nathan Pragnall is a serving royal navy leading hand, currently on the QE. Steve himself also served in the RCT VR 224 field ambulance.
Thank you for your service and for all that you continue to do!
Youth Select Committee
Members of the Youth Select Committee, including the representative from Cheshire East Jonathan Frisher, are undertaking an inquiry into the impact of the cost of living challenges on young people. They recently came down to Parliament, questioning and listening to experts on the topic.
I think it is always good for young people to be involved in politics and raising issues that concern them. This is what Johnathan had to say about his experience:
"I applied to the committee after hearing about it through the Cheshire East Youth Council. I heard it was about the Cost of Living crisis and wanted to be part of it, as I had heard about people struggling in the local area.
"We conducted oral evidence sessions in Parliament, where we spoke to experts from organisations including the Joseph Rowntree foundation, the Childrens Society, the YMCA, Disability Rights UK and Chefs in Schools. It was very interesting to hear how people in unique situations and marginalised communities are struggling around the country and how the cost of living crisis is impacting young people’s health and well being, and it would be great to receive as much written evidence as possible, which will be included in the report."
New Ping Pong Parlour in Crewe
We have a great local table tennis club in Nantwich (https://crewecentraltabletennisclub.co.uk/), but for anyone wanting to try it in Crewe a new ping pong parlour has opened up this week in The Market Shopping Centre allowing people to pick up a bat and ball and give the sport a go - free of charge.
This is part of a project by Table Tennis England to introduce Table Tennis to more people and have already taken over empty shop units in over 50 locations across the country.
Why not go along and give it a go!
There are still big challenges with Crewe Town Centre, but I will carry on focusing on the positives.
Virtual Surgery
Do you have an issue you would like to raise with me? Unfortunately, I'm still limited in my mobility following my ankle fracture operation. As such, my next surgery will be virtual over video call. This will take place on 9th October between 5:00pm and 6:30pm
If you would like to book an appointment please give my office a ring on 01270 583 432 or email kieran.mullan.mp@parliament.uk
Traffic Report
The following are road closures for the week ahead as reported by Cheshire east.
Annions Lane - Until 20th November
Flowers Lane – Until 26th Nov (see Leighton closures)
Smithy Lane – Until 1st Nov (see Leighton closures)
Goddard Street - 23rd September until 24th September
Readesdale Avenue - 28th September until 29th September
Manor Way - 25th September until 17th November
Park Road - Until 19th October
For further details of the closures around Leighton hospital, please see: North West Crewe Package (cheshireeast.gov.uk)