Last week I was in the House of Lords to hear The Queen read out her speech setting the government’s programme for the year ahead. There has been considerable debate about what was in the speech and the fact that a Bill to grant the referendum on our membership of the European Union was not. Since then, the Conservative Party has published its Bill to grant this referendum. I think we should pass this Bill as soon as possible so that the date for the referendum is fixed and we know that everyone will have the chance to have their say on whether we stay in, or leave. I believe that the status quo is not an option, and that unless we can negotiate much more favourable terms of membership focused on free trade, we would be better off out.
Overall, the greatest priority for the government is to create sustainable growth in the economy that will provide people with opportunity, work, and security in their retirement. Unemployment in Shepway is continuing to fall, and the £35million government backed Regional Growth Fund for East Kent is investing money now that will create hundreds of new jobs locally. I also welcomed the measures in The Queen’s speech to bring greater fairness to public services, by stopping immigrants accessing them when they are not entitled to and compelling landlords of private housing to check the immigration status of tenants, facing fines if they don’t. The Queen’s speech also included the Care Bill, which will cap care costs and extend the means test threshold for financial assistance to ensure that no-one has to sell their home in their lifetime to pay for residential care. Introducing this Bill supports the pledge I made in my campaign at the last election.