March Newsletter

Dear Constituent,

Welcome to my latest newsletter to keep you updated on my work in Parliament and around Amber Valley.

As always, you’ll find a selection of what I’ve been up to over the last month and details of upcoming events. You’ll also find the usual information about my columns and surgeries, and how to get in touch.

Earlier this month, I also sent out a special Budget newsletter following the Chancellor’s 2016 Budget, in case you missed it, you can find out more here.

Multinational Tax Avoidance Bill:

I recently sponsored Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP’s Ten Minute Rule Bill on Multinational Enterprises (Financial Transparency). I have long supported increased transparency in multinational’s tax affairs and I appreciate my constituents’ concern with multinational company tax avoidance. I believe this Bill would increase confidence in the tax system and address public anger regarding multinational companies’ failure to pay enough tax.

Currently, to address this, the Government is legislating to require large multinational companies to report their tax, revenues, profits and assets to HMRC – on a confidential basis – as part of an international effort to tackle tax avoidance.  However, this Multinational Enterprises (Financial Transparency) Bill would ensure this information becomes public.

This Bill would force companies to put this information into the public domain, which would ensure that the public can see what companies are paying and avoid future scenarios where multinational companies, via complicated international arrangements effectively choose the tax they want to pay, rather than paying the tax they should pay. I believe this Bill would restore public faith in the tax system and ensure that multinational companies pay their fair share.

I am hopeful that the Government will support the Bill or include its principal purpose in this year’s Finance Bill, which will be introduced following the Chancellor’s Budget.

Devolution Deal Progress – Communities and Local Government Questions:

On Monday 21st March, I took the opportunity to ask the Department for Communities and Local Government about progress to pursue a Devolution Deal for the East Midlands and asked him to confirm that a devolution deal would not be imposed on local councils without their consent. I was reassured that the Government continues to pursue a deal that reflects the needs and wishes of local councils and residents with the promise of more control over job creation, housing, transport and skills.

You can read the full text of my questions and the Minister’s responses by clicking here.

Independent Review of the State Pension Age – Work and Pensions Questions:

During Work and Pension Questions on March 2nd, I took the opportunity to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the independent review of the state pensions age which will be led by Sir John Cridland. The review will make recommendations for the Government to consider, to ensure the future state pension age is fair and affordable in the long term.

It is important that the Government considers the future of the state pension age and I am aware that in his review Sir John Cridland will consider the future of the state pension and this will include changes in life expectancy, as well as wider changes in society, in line with statutory provision for a regular set of reviews of the pension age.

This review is part of the Government’s reforms to pensions to ensure that they are affordable for the long term. However when future changes are made to the State Pension Age I would like the Government to ensure that people are aware of changes and that they are not affected by changes less than 10 years before they are due to retire.

You can read my question to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and his response on my website by clicking here.

Public Accounts Committee:

The Committees report on Contracted-Out Health and Disability Assessments is now available here, and you may be interested in an in-depth blog post I prepared at the time of the inquiry available here.

You can also find out more about upcoming inquiries and evidence sessions here.

Don’t forget you can also sign up to receive notifications of my appearances in Parliament by clicking here.

Inns Lane, South Wingfield, Campaign Success:

I am pleased by the Planning Inspector’s recent decision to dismiss the developer’s appeal to build more than 70 houses on Inns Lane in South Wingfield. The developer’s separate costs application against Amber Valley Borough Council’s was also refused.

In January, I spoke at a Planning Inquiry to support many South Wingfield residents in their strong campaign against a proposed development on Inns Lane. I know that this planning application was against the wishes of local people and councillors, and I supported their concerns that this would be an inappropriate major development of greenfield land which would irreparably alter the character of the area and harm the fantastic setting of Wingfield Manor.

I therefore welcome this decision to refuse a clearly inappropriate planning application. This case shows that Amber Valley Borough Council can, and should, turn down housing applications on inappropriate sites and then defend appeals successfully, even in the regrettable absence of the new local plan, which I will continue to push for release as soon as possible.

Local Bus Services Consultation – Have Your Say:

Derbyshire County Council are proposing changes to subsidised bus services and Community Transport from 2017. These proposed cuts could have a significant impact on many rural and local residents, particularly those in Oakerthorpe, South Wingfield, Pentrich and Fritchley. I would therefore urge you to respond to the Council’s consultation here to let them know bus services are to you. The closing date for the consultation is the 24th April 2016.

Street Watch:

If there are any street repairs in your area, such as potholes, pavement repairs or broken street lights, I’ve recently added a page to my website where you can report these issues and concerns to me quickly and easily, so I can ask for the repairs to be investigated and addressed. You can access the form, and report any needed repairs, here.

Latest Columns:

You can read my latest Derby Telegraph column, considering the Chancellor’s recent Budget, here.