Peter Aldous welcomes the 110 measures to boost growth introduced by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement and highlights three areas that he believes need further work: investment in skills, protecting the most vulnerable, and levelling up the east of England - particularly in relation to renewable energy and coastal erosion.
Peter Aldous urges the Government to speed up the draft proposals for the new police funding formula which were promised to Suffolk police back in January and also for the Home Office to work with the police to improve the use of out-of-court disposals which will relieve pressure on the local force.
Peter Aldous makes the case for the introduction of an energy social tariff to protect vulnerable households in an era of high energy bills and backs calls for a consultation on the form that the tariff should take to be undertaken straightaway.
Peter Aldous highlights the success, after a challenging start, of the apprenticeship levy in creating higher-level apprenticeships in larger firms, but, he says, there is a need to provide more opportunities for younger people and new entrants to the labour market. He proposes a number of changes to the levy, including extending the expiration period for levy funds, making the minimum duration requirements for apprenticeships more flexible, and increasing the apprenticeship minimum wage to improve retention rates.
Peter Aldous highlights concerns raised by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce that anti-fraud measures implemented by HMRC have created an overly bureaucratic and time-consuming process for SMEs seeking to claim research and development tax credits which is causing delays and deterring businesses from investing in R&D.
Peter Aldous highlights the importance for the UK to secure high, sustained economic growth across the country which can be achieved by addressing the cost of living crisis, building more houses, investing in new jobs in the renewables sector, investing in infrastructure, recognising net zero as an opportunity to revitalise coastal communities and revitalising town centres.
Peter Aldous welcomes the Non-Domestic Rating Bill but stresses this must only be the start of business rates reform which must be more radical and carried out more quickly, particularly the uniform business rate multiplier must be reduced to an affordable level, the complex myriad of reliefs removed and annual valuations introduced.
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on the future of horseracing, Peter Aldous highlights the importance of the supply chain which extends from racecourses to the countryside and on to licenced betting offices employing people on high streets everywhere around the country.
In Prime Minister’s Questions, Peter Aldous highlights the ongoing national crisis in NHS dentistry and asks when the dental recovery plan will be published and seeks assurances that funding will be ringfenced to deal with emergencies and to help clear the backlog.