The big news out of Westminster in recent weeks came from the Chancellor who announced his Autumn Statement.
The announcements from the Autumn Statement show that the Government’s long-term economic plan is working as it was confirmed that the UK is the fastest-growing major economy in the world with higher growth, lower unemployment, falling inflation and a falling deficit.
This matters to families in Rugby and Bulkington because it’s only with a strong and healthy economy that families here can have economic security for the future.
The announcements included welcomed changes to Stamp Duty which will save money for 98% of those who pay it, cutting income tax, cutting Air Passenger Duty for children saving families money on their holidays, supporting small businesses with action on business rates and more help for the high street which will support our town centre and help create jobs for local people providing more families with the security of a regular pay packet, tackling tax avoidance by multinationals that artificially divert profits and limiting how much banks can offset previous losses against profits.
With the Autumn Statement, it is clear that the Government is delivering for hardworking people here in Rugby and Bulkington and across the country and that we have turned a corner.
This month I also launched a new All-Party Parliamentary Group in Parliament on E-Cigarettes. The group made up of MPs and Lords will look into all aspects of this emerging industry and analyse how e-cigarettes may help to get more people to stop using tobacco. There is a lot of work for us to do on this subject but I can see great potential in these devices to help people stop smoking but we have to ensure that the products used are safe. We will be looking at a wide range of evidence in the coming months and looking at all sides of the argument. It is an industry that deserves Parliamentary attention and I am glad to be involved in the debate.