November news from freddie van Mierlo

it’s been another busy month in parliament and in the constituency.

We are continuing to do our best to help and champion constituents who have contacted my office - last week we whizzed past the milestone of 2000 items of new casework since being elected in July. As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me at freddie.vanmierlo.mp@parliament.uk (please remember to include your postcode).

The big news this month has clearly been the budget (see below for my thoughts) however, October also saw the Liberal Democrats’ first full ‘opposition day’ in parliament in 15 years. With a much larger parliamentary party, there are far greater opportunities for us to hold the government to account and shape the agenda – particularly in the absence of an effective Tory party, still internally divided.

In Parliament

Opposition days are special days in parliament set aside for opposition parties to decide the agenda and put forward motions.

The Liberal Democrats chose to focus on health and care for our two debates in parliament, putting forward motions to reform carers allowance and primary care. Ed Davey spoke passionately again on carers, and was rewarded for his efforts in the budget with an increase in the earnings threshold for carers allowance. I’m convinced this wouldn’t have otherwise happened without the consistent pressure from my party. I chose to speak during the debate on primary care – emphasising the role of practice nurses and thanking receptionists for their hard work in the face of difficult circumstances.

I spoke at a Westminster Hall debate (parliament’s ‘second debating chamber’) on paternity pay and leave. As a new-ish first time dad, my contribution focused on the importance of leave in those precious first weeks and months for the father to bond with the child, learn new skills and crucially avoid the mother becoming the default care giver. I’m also concerned about the lack of access to paid leave for people in precarious work and blue collar industries. The debate was well attended and as a follow up I’ve joined the All Parliamentary Party Group for Babies.

I also met with 5Rights Foundation to discuss online child safety, and will be continuing to actively support this in parliament

The budget

Whilst recognising the dire state of the nation’s finances left by the Tories, Liberal Democrats as constructive opposition are raising concerns about measures proposed in the budget by the Chancellor.

In advance of the budget, I joined Liberal Democrat colleagues in writing letters to the Chancellor on funding for local government, the hospitality sector, and measures to support rural communities. I also asked a question to the Chancellor on Agricultural Inheritance Tax Relief – which was declined to be answered. We now know why. I met with farmers in and around Nettlebed this week to discuss the Government’s tax raid on family farms; It will hammer family farms and tenant farmers, to the benefit of corporate landowners who will sweep up land families have no choice but to put up for sale. It demonstrates a staggering misunderstanding of rural communities and one which I will oppose vigorously

The rise in employers’ national insurance also risks wage suppression, inflation, a hiring freeze, and even job losses. Businesses that can pass on the cost to customers may do so, but companies that can’t increase their revenue face difficult choices.

A little known fact is that GP surgeries are most often run as small businesses with the GP partners acting as business owners. Their income comes from the core contracts they have with the NHS – but this income is fixed and cannot be increased. GPs will still need to pay higher national insurance contributions on their employees (other GPs,nurses, mental health nurses etc.) that will risk the financial stability of the entire practice. GPs legally cannot run a deficit and many could close without action.

Sewage

On sewage, I opposed development at Land North of Bayswater Brook without an adequate plan to upgrade Oxford Sewage Treatment Works. I held a meeting with regulator OFWAT and challenged the minister for water Emma Hardy, to include in her Water (Special Measures) Bill measuring sewage storm overflows in litres, not hours. I also met with protestors setting off from Henley to the national protest in London.

Whilst far more needs to be done, on my visit to Benson Sewage Treatment Works last week, I saw first-hand what improvements can be achieved with with proper investment.

Health

This month, I held a meeting with Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to make the case for a new hospital to replace the aging Royal Berkshire Hospital.

I also held meetings with more local health bosses, including the CEO of the Local Medical Committee for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire,  as well as the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries regarding medicine shortages, and the Royal College of GP's.

I am taking up the case of ADHD treatment in our area; shockingly, there is no NHS capacity for new diagnosis referrals or adult specialised treatment.

Cost of Living

I continue to hear from residents their concerns about the cost of living, as we hit the doorsteps again in the lead up to County Council elections next May. Councils have a critical role in providing financial support to struggling residents and I will be supporting these efforts in the coming months.

With thanks to...

A special thanks this month to the Mayor of Thame for inviting me to the Mayor’s Civic Service, the teams at the River and Rowing Museum, Henley College and Nettlebed School for taking the time to show me around, and Bioabundance for organising an excellent Q&A on climate and nature in Benson, and Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire for the brilliant insight into their work.

Finally, it was a true honour and and privilege to attend the Remembrance Day service in Thame on Sunday.