The UK had the fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2014 and is set to retain that position this year. This is very welcome news and demonstrates that the difficult financial decisions taken by the Coalition Government are paying off, literally! I know that times have been tough for many and are not yet over. The Chancellor estimates that we should achieve a budget surplus by 2019/2020. I have been proud of the resilience of our local economy with high employment being retained through the last decade.
The Budget also contained welcome news for householders:
· A rise in the tax-free Personal Allowance to £11,000 next year;
· Introduction of the National Living Wage, which will start next April at £7:20 per hour and rise to £9 by 2020;
· Benefits protected for society’s most vulnerable: the disabled and pensioners;
· Fuel duty frozen again this year;
· Reformed inheritance tax rates enabling couples to pass on a home worth up to £1million, free of inheritance tax;
· An additional £8billion for the NHS, that’s on top of the additional £2 billion already announced;
· £30 million for transport to connect northern England with oyster-style ticketing across the region.
As many of you will know I have been following the planning application for 165 dwellings on Lambs Road closely. In my last article I reported that I have been pressing the Highways Agency, to object to the application on the grounds of the cumulative effect of the development and further development planned by Wain Homes. Unfortunately, the Agency is not very receptive to my calls. Local campaigners are currently looking at the developer’s plans for the Skippool Roundabout and questioning the ownership of the land. I am helping with both these aspects. It looks like the application will be considered by the Planning Committee next month!
Please can I remind you about Wyre Council’ consultation on its Local Plan? I encourage all residents to have their say by taking part in the process. Once in place the Wyre Local Plan will become a shield from unwanted development. The consultation runs until 7 August. Further details on can be found here: http://wyre.gov.uk/info/200319/emerging_planning_policies/970/issues_and_options_2015
I look forward to seeing you out and about over the summer. My next surgery will be in Great Eccleston on 17 July. If you would like to book an appointment please call my Office at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5804. I can also be contacted at my Constituency Office on 01995 672976, alternatively you can email me at [email protected] or write to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.