Peter Aldous joined the Beachwatch survey at Gunton Beach on 9 October. The survey will form part of the national survey being collated by the Marine Conservation Society to help them understand the current situation with marine litter.

The survey at Gunton Beach was one of three organised by the Greenprint Forum this year.

For more information click here.

Peter Aldous writes for The House Magazine.

This week’s economic fallout from the Chancellor’s statement on 23 September has been painful to watch.

Amidst deteriorating international confidence in the United Kingdom’s financial outlook and a dramatic fall in the value of government-issued debt bonds, the Bank of England was forced to step in on Wednesday and purchase £65bn in government debt. That it did so out of fear of widespread insolvency in the pension funds market, which could have precipitated a 2007 Northern Rock-style collapse, is a reflection of how serious the situation had become.

As a Conservative, I sympathise with any agenda which aims to cut taxes, thereby allowing people to keep more of their hard-earned money. In cutting National Insurance contributions and the basic rate of income tax the Chancellor’s intentions were noble, and his sincerity in believing this the best way to help working people beyond doubt. Meanwhile, the Bank’s intervention has, for the time being at least, had the desired effect, and the slide in the values of sterling and gilts have reversed.

However, as a Conservative I am also acutely conscious of budgetary constraints, and the need for sound money. Nothing about the Chancellor’s opening weeks at the Treasury have reassured me – nor, more importantly, the markets – in this regard. From the ill-advised dismissal of Tom Scholar to the dash to rush through fiscal policy measures without an accompanying OBR report or proper parliamentary scrutiny, actions have almost seemed designed to provoke the markets at a time when they were already demonstrably volatile.

We also need to be clear about what market investors were signalling this week in choosing to dump sterling on the back of the Chancellor’s tax cuts, as well as following the Bank’s decision last week to raise interest rates by 0.5 per cent, which surely represented an undershoot. Tax cuts alone are highly unlikely to prove sufficient in achieving a sustained 2.5 per cent growth target, nor are vague pledges to remove red tape, which every government in living memory has promised to cut. The biggest priority at the present time must be to address the UK’s chronically low productivity rates, for which a resolute focus on boosting people’s skills across the country is a prerequisite. This can drive sustained income growth which reflects improved employment performance, rather than tax cuts which will not do so if accompanied by spiralling mortgage repayments.

Whilst the government must be applauded for introducing the Energy Price Guarantee, which though not as well targeted as it should have been will give people certainty regarding their energy bills, I continue to believe that it could be doing more for the most vulnerable, for whom the tax cuts do little. Traditional social security support mechanisms are there for a reason, and it is essential that Universal Credit serves as a safety net for people at risk of destitution amidst the spiralling cost of living. I argued and voted against the withdrawal of the pandemic-induced £20 uplift to this last September and believe that the previous government made a strategic mistake in proceeding with this. This year’s up-rating must reflect a real-terms rise. Anything less will be unconscionable to people given the government’s tax-cutting agenda elsewhere.

Looking ahead, the government must do everything it can to reassure the markets of the UK’s ability to finance its debt, and through this restore its reputation for economic competence. This surely means bringing forward November’s medium-term fiscal plan, which will crucially set out details on fiscal rules. It must also come forward with a plan for growth – which it is now betting the house on – that recognises that the role for any government in the modern world goes beyond simply “getting out of the way”, even if this role is simply to run a balanced budget.

With a general election drawing nearer, time is running out to show the British people that the Conservative Party deserves to retain the honour of serving as their government.

The House Magazine

Peter Aldous seeks assurances that existing enterprise zones, such as the one in Lowestoft, will benefit from the opportunities announced in the Government’s Growth Plan for the new investment zones.

Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)

In the Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth area there is already an enterprise zone that has been very successful, although the land allocated needs to be adjusted to take advantage of the opportunities in offshore energy and a revived fishing industry. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the existing enterprise zone will benefit from the opportunities that will be provided for the investment zones that he has announced?

Kwasi Kwarteng (The Chancellor of the Exchequer)

The enterprise zones, freeports and new investment zones will all benefit from tax reduction and planning relaxation. Of course, there will come a time when other places will want to become investment zones. This is a huge opportunity for communities up and down the country.

Hansard

Peter Aldous welcomes news that work has started on a new NHS dental contract and seeks a commitment from the Government to root and branch reform to NHS dentistry, including fair funding, a strategic long-term approach to recruitment and retention, a proper prevention policy and transparent and full local accountability.

Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)

It is welcome to hear that D is for dentists. As a constituency neighbour, my right hon. Friend is very much aware that there is a crisis in NHS dentistry in Suffolk. There have been some improvements, and it is welcome, as she has said, that work has started on a new NHS dental contract. Can she confirm that she is committed to root and branch reform, which also includes fair funding, a strategic long-term approach to recruitment and retention, a proper prevention policy and transparent and full local accountability?

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Dr Thérèse Coffey)

My hon. Friend is right. In his constituency —in Lowestoft in particular—there has been increasing provision. Meanwhile, in Leiston, not a single dental practice will take up the opportunity to provide NHS dental care at the moment. I entirely accept that the matter needs sorting. That is why we will be putting the priority on the local NHS to make sure that we avoid these dental deserts. In terms of other aspects of the contract, they will continue to evolve.

Hansard

In a letter sent to the new Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport, the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) called, once again, for Government investment in the overdue improvements at Ely and Haughley rail junctions.

The letter was supported by 21 MPs, Peers, business groups, local authority leaders and rail freight representatives, demonstrating the wide coalition of support for investment in this crucial east-west rail corridor in recognition of the economic benefits to the logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ and businesses across the UK.

At the leadership hustings in Norwich on the 25 August, Elizabeth Truss MP indicated support for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) project and criticised unnecessary delay. In this letter the APPG is asking her, now the new Prime Minister, to back those views with action quickly. These schemes have been identified as priorities within the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline, however, have not received committed funding and have been subject to considerable delay.

Within its letter to Government, the APPG highlights the significant economic and decarbonisation benefits that the planned improvements at Ely will deliver, both to the East and nationally.  The planned doubling of freight capacity, alongside increased passenger services on poor frequency routes will result in the benefits spreading well beyond the East, supporting access and growth in the Midlands and North.

Improvements at Haughley are a low-cost way of reducing delays to services on the Great Eastern Main Line and improving reliability for freight trains to and from the Port of Felixstowe.

The letter concludes by stating the investment would be good for UK plc as well as for businesses and communities in the East of England. It would also help the Government deliver its ambitions to deliver growth, to level up the country, achieve net zero, and drive global Britain forward whilst simultaneously increasing the East of England’s existing net contribution to the Treasury.

Peter Aldous MP, Co-Chair of East of England APPG said:

“Investment in Ely and Haughley rail junctions would be good for UK plc as well as for businesses and communities in the East of England. They contribute significantly to meeting Government ambitions to deliver growth, to level up the country, achieve net zero, and drive global Britain forward whilst increasing the East of England’s existing net contribution to the Treasury.”

Daniel Zeichner MP, Co-Chair of East of England APPG said:

“No other changes to the network will deliver the strategic outcomes the capacity enhancement improvements at Ely or the upgrade at Haughley Junction are designed to address. If the Government does not commit to funding these projects there is a potential and significant risk of non-compliance with its own policy, particularly the legally binding commitment to net zero by 2050.”

Peter Aldous met with college principals, training provider chief executives and business representatives in Norwich earlier this month to discuss how to meet Britain's skills needs in a post-Brexit, post-pandemic world.

Click here to read article in Lowestoft Journal

Peter Aldous speaks in Parliament to pay tribute to Her Late Majesty The Queen.

Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)

I rise on behalf of the people of Waveney to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen.

With the nation’s guiding light taken from us, there was last night for a moment, from my perspective, a sense of helplessness. What do we do? How are we going to get on without her? The answer is that we learn from the high standards of dignity, duty and humility to which she adhered throughout both her life and her 70-year reign. We shall always fall short of the summit that she reached, but if we get to her foothills, we will have succeeded. Great Britain and the Commonwealth have faced numerous challenges over the past 70 years, and the world has changed a great deal. She was our shield to any arrows of adversity, and despite the enormous responsibilities that she bore on our behalf, she never, never put a foot wrong.

Her Majesty was a family person, and in some respects we were all part of her wider family. She enjoyed those aspects of life that we all enjoy—animals and pets, whether corgis, ponies and horses, or racing pigeons; family meals, whether that be barbecues, picnics or Christmas dinners.

As we have heard, Her Majesty had a lifelong passion for horse racing. Back in coronation week in 1953, her horse Aureole ran second in the Derby, the nearest she ever got to securing that cherished prize. One might have expected a hint of disappointment, but there was none. She joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the victory of national icon Sir Gordon Richards in his 28th and final attempt to win the race for the first time. An aureole, Madam Deputy Speaker, is a radiant light around a head or body. Our aureole has been extinguished, but her legacy will endure forever.

The Queen ascended the throne as we emerged from the ravages of the second world war. As she departs, we face more adversity and an uncertain and worrying immediate future. If we strive to conduct ourselves as she did, if we apply a mere modicum of her wisdom and sound judgment, then we will get through it. Your Majesty, on behalf of the people of Waveney, thank you for all that you have done for us. Our deepest condolences to all of your family. God save the King.

Hansard

Peter Aldous speaks in Parliament to pay tribute to Her Late Majesty The Queen.

Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)

I rise on behalf of the people of Waveney to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen.

With the nation’s guiding light taken from us, there was last night for a moment, from my perspective, a sense of helplessness. What do we do? How are we going to get on without her? The answer is that we learn from the high standards of dignity, duty and humility to which she adhered throughout both her life and her 70-year reign. We shall always fall short of the summit that she reached, but if we get to her foothills, we will have succeeded. Great Britain and the Commonwealth have faced numerous challenges over the past 70 years, and the world has changed a great deal. She was our shield to any arrows of adversity, and despite the enormous responsibilities that she bore on our behalf, she never, never put a foot wrong.

Her Majesty was a family person, and in some respects we were all part of her wider family. She enjoyed those aspects of life that we all enjoy—animals and pets, whether corgis, ponies and horses, or racing pigeons; family meals, whether that be barbecues, picnics or Christmas dinners.

As we have heard, Her Majesty had a lifelong passion for horse racing. Back in coronation week in 1953, her horse Aureole ran second in the Derby, the nearest she ever got to securing that cherished prize. One might have expected a hint of disappointment, but there was none. She joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the victory of national icon Sir Gordon Richards in his 28th and final attempt to win the race for the first time. An aureole, Madam Deputy Speaker, is a radiant light around a head or body. Our aureole has been extinguished, but her legacy will endure forever.

The Queen ascended the throne as we emerged from the ravages of the second world war. As she departs, we face more adversity and an uncertain and worrying immediate future. If we strive to conduct ourselves as she did, if we apply a mere modicum of her wisdom and sound judgment, then we will get through it. Your Majesty, on behalf of the people of Waveney, thank you for all that you have done for us. Our deepest condolences to all of your family. God save the King.

Hansard