Peter Aldous leads a debate calling on the Government to set out a strategic approach to net zero transition with the necessary infrastructure and resources so that the East of England region can realise the full potential of its clean energy sector and seize this opportunity to become a global leader in the transition to a zero-carbon economy.
Peter Aldous highlights the challenges facing the FE sector; such as the rising number of 16 and 17-year-olds, rising costs, and the workforce crisis and calls on the Government to ensure that the 2023-24 funding rate keeps up with inflation, allow colleges to reclaim VAT and ensure that 50% of the apprenticeship levy is spent on apprentices at levels 2 and 3, below the age of 25.
Peter Aldous highlights the success of contracts for difference (CfD) auctions - a government mechanism that helps reduce risk for investors - in developing the offshore wind sector in the UK, and calls for changes to maximise job creation in places such as Lowestoft and to ensure that we adopt a strategic approach to the provision of enabling infrastructure such as ports and the grid.
Speaking in a debate on an e-petition calling for an increase in the HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payment rate, which has not increased since 2012, Peter Aldous highlights the impact on volunteers and employees using their own vehicles for work-related travel and, particularly, on community transport providers such as BACT who provide essential services to vulnerable people in Waveney.
Peter Aldous outlines the challenges facing the fishing industry in East Anglia and, in particular, calls for a simpler ML5 medical certificate process, investment in local infrastructure, markets, and processing facilities, a national strategic plan for regional fish markets and a more strategic approach to marine planning, with the needs of the fishing industry being properly represented.
Peter Aldous highlights the importance and value of local radio such as BBC Radio Suffolk and backs calls for the BBC to reconsider its plans to replace locally-produced output with shared content after 2pm which could mean Radio Suffolk broadcasting content from as far away as Buckinghamshire or Northampton.
Peter Aldous calls on the Treasury to work with other Government Departments to ensure that the Lifelong Learning Bill gets rid of barriers preventing people on lower incomes from acquiring the new skills necessary for them to get better-paid jobs.