MP Nigel Huddleston writes for our paper.
FEBRUARY saw yet another busy month in Westminster as Parliament once again united in support of Ukraine on the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion.
We must remember how this war began and reaffirm our shared values and the reasons we stand united in proud support of Ukraine.
Security and defence have dominated political debate recently.
The Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, delivered a major speech on national security and defence, calling for the Government to use the overseas aid budget to increase defence spending. I welcome the Government’s announcement of increased defence spending made after Kemi’s speech and, in an increasingly dangerous world, we must now back up our words with firm action including higher defence spending and improved military preparedness.
Whilst Parliament rightly remains united on Ukraine, my colleagues and I continue to hold the Government to account on their economic policies, especially the increase in National Insurance contributions and business rates changes.
I have received a significant volume of correspondence from a range of sectors including leisure and hospitality, charities, GP surgeries, hospices and the care sector – all have raised concerns.
In Worcestershire alone, 470 pubs and bars face an average business rates hike of £4,523 next year, putting jobs and businesses at risk.
I was pleased to attend the Opposition Day debate on family businesses as, having spoken to many businesses and farmers in my constituency, it is clear the decision to introduce a cap on Property Relief is threatening many small and family-run businesses.
Nowhere is this more visible than in the farming sector and I was pleased again to join farmers in Whitehall as they protested against the new ‘Family Farms Tax’. Farmers aren’t just running businesses – they are the backbone of our rural communities and custodians of our landscape. The Conservatives have pledged to reverse the ‘Family Farms Tax’ and Labour’s changes to Business Property Relief.
It was a great pleasure to host Visit England in Parliament. As a former Tourism Minister I have always championed British tourism and it was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and industry leaders from Worcestershire and beyond. The tourism sector is a vital part of the economy, supporting jobs, businesses and communities right across the UK.
It has also been a busy month in the constituency as I undertook a number of visits and engagements.
Highlights include meeting representatives from National Highways to discuss the A46, joining the Valentines Day celebrations at Spectrum Days centre in Droitwich, meeting the hardworking teams at Droitwich Spa and Evesham hospitals and visiting Kimal – a business which designs and manufactures innovative products to global healthcare systems – at their headquarters in Worcester Six Business Park.
Nigel Huddleston
MP for Droitwich and Evesham
