Matt Western, the Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington, spoke to around 30 firms from across the area during a call set up by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce as part of its #policyhour.

He said he would not provide opposition to Government measures for “opposition’s sake” but would raise the concerns of business with the Shadow Cabinet, who are in regular contact with the Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

During the video call, firms raised a host of issues around the support available to businesses as well as suggestions on how to improve cashflow within some sectors of the economy.

They ranged from easier access to Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans through to Government releasing cash now to those law firms who provide legal aid rather than holding onto it.

Mr Western said: “It was a very good session with the Chamber and the many businesses from across the region who raised a series of issues.

“It is important that we do not oppose the Government’s handling of the crisis for opposition’s sake but we must also ask constructive questions and that can also mean learning from other country’s handling of Coronavirus.

“When it comes to the help for business, there needs to be more flexibility in the system to ensure that some companies aren’t denied access to support because certain thresholds have been set.

“As well as the very obvious health challenge that this crisis is presenting, we must do all we can to protect as many businesses as possible in order to ensure the future of the economy, prosperity and jobs.”

Sean Rose, policy officer at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said it had been a very constructive call.

He said: “That’s our third session with a local MP since the crisis hit and companies are making good use of the time to be able to talk directly to their elected representatives about the issues they are facing.

“We’ve had some very good feedback from members who joined the call with Matt Western and there was certainly a variety of issues brought to light that he will be raising with the Shadow Cabinet and Government.”

Firstly my thoughts are with Boris Johnson, who at the time of writing is in intensive care. I wish him a speedy recovery at a time when the nation needs its Prime Minister. It demonstrates how all of us are potentially at risk and therefore how important it is to do our bit by staying at home – for our own protection, to protect our NHS and save the lives of others in our community.

I’d like to commend our local response. On the whole, we are following the guidance and I’ve been impressed by our collective response. Every day I am speaking to nurses, doctors, care workers, local authorities, business people and other workers from all sectors to understand the impact of this crisis – so that I can continue to ask questions and make suggestions to Government on how it can help.

I remain concerned by the failure to provide health and care workers (as well as all other frontline key workers), with adequate personal protective equipment. Likewise, the urgent need for wider testing. I fear that the Government has not got a grip of the situation. If you are a local business or organisation that can help with the production or sourcing of PPE or any other support, please get in touch.

That said, this week saw the opening of a testing centre at Coventry Hospital which is a very positive development and we will see the NEC Nightingale Hospital open by the weekend. That is very welcome and I commend the Government and authorities on this achievement.

Finally, I welcome the election of Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party. Keir is someone I know to be a principled and highly capable politician, who will bring the constructive but forensic opposition called for at this time.

If you wish to contact me on this issue, please check the coronavirus hub on my website first – as you are likely to find an answer there. Otherwise, I can be contacted by email at ‘matt.western.mp@parliament.uk’ or you can ring my office on?01926 882006.

I have put together a hub for Coronavirus information on my website. It outlines advice, support, and representations I am making for people and businesses in Warwick and Leamington.

People are rightly concerned, as a result I am experiencing a very high volume of enquiries. Please check the website first before emailing to see whether your query is answered there.

I will do all I can to support the local community and to push the Government to do all they can to beat this virus and ensure they leave no one behind.

https://mattwestern.org/covid-19/

Warwick and Leamington MP has four asks for the upcoming Budget and asks for residents to help.

On Wednesday, the Government will be unveiling their Budget, which will announce their spending plans for the coming year. I’m sharing what I will be asking for to ensure we rebuild our country and local community into a sustainable society. Agree with me? Tell the Chancellor..!

With the economy faltering, public and welfare services cut to the bone, and the threat of climate change ever increasing, it is vital that this Budget addresses these massive issues.

Warwick and Leamington residents’ voices must be heard by the Government. Many have written in to share with me what they want to see in the Budget – ranging from compensation for WASPI women, to reinstating the over-75s free TV license and investing in health and social care. I believe that all of these should indeed be included in Government’s plans and will be supporting these calls.

This Government, who have been in power for a decade, is failing on so many issues. They aren’t addressing the climate emergency, we face a housing crisis, our businesses are struggling, and our communities are less healthy, wealthy, and safe. However, this is not inevitable; things can be different.

For that reason, I am calling for the Chancellor to:

• Support the auto industry to transition to a low-carbon transport future
• Provide Central Government support for public services like education, health and policing (not just through Council Tax)
• Invest to build 100,000 council homes a year
• Reform Business Rates to support our high streets

These investments are critical to ensure we rebuild into a sustainable society. We must support those most in need by providing low-cost housing, kick-start our economy by supporting businesses, and assist the automotive industry to transition to a low carbon transport future (by promoting car scrappage schemes, creating electric bike and car subsidies, and installing car charging points) to combat climate change.

I will be putting these asks directly to the Government during the Budget debate in Parliament.

If you agree with me, fill out the form below where you can send a message to the Chancellor asking for the same investments.

Matt Western, Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington wants to hear from constituents over what they would like to see in the Government’s budget next week.

Matt said:

“The Budget is where the Government announces its spending plans for the year ahead. With the economy growing at a slower rate, public and welfare services cut to the bone, and the threat of climate change ever increasing, it is vital that Warwick and Leamington residents’ voices are heard by the Government.

Are you facing hardship due to a particular issue? Are you concerned that there is not enough investment in something? Let me know below.”

I spent the Parliamentary recess embedded with the armed forces to gain real insight into the work and training they do, as well as to better understand their concerns. Our forces are much reduced by the Government but I will always stand up for our troops who risk their lives to keep us safe.

Elsewhere, we’ve learned recently that residents are about to see a huge increase in their Council Tax from April. On average, people will pay up to £124 per year more – that’s £10 a month extra. Living in Whitnash will cost over £2,000, in Warwick just under that, and in Leamington £1,767.

Since the Government came to power in 2010, we are paying more and getting less.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, cuts to funding from central government have led to a 17% fall in councils’ spending on local public services since 2009–10. In the same period, council tax for in Leamington has gone up by 21%.

We absolutely need more funding for essential services like social care and policing, as well as resources to combat climate change. However, the Government are relinquishing responsibility to pay their fair share of this cost. If you’re concerned about this increase in council tax, please do get in touch.

I’ve also written again this past week to the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, to request that HS2 is re-routed, in an attempt to save Cubbington Woods from destruction. Many people in Warwick and Leamington are hugely concerned about the destruction of the woods. Whilst the site falls just outside of my constituency, a great number of residents have contacted me to make representations.

A golf course in Kenilworth was saved from HS2 going through it. How can it be that a golf course is worth more than an ancient woodland? I will do all I can to ensure the negative environmental impacts are reduced as much as possible. We face a climate emergency and we must protect our woodlands, not destroy them.

As ever, I can be contacted by email at ‘matt.western.mp@parliament.uk’ or ring my office on?01926 882006.

Matt Western, Labour Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington urged the Environment Secretary to tackle poor air quality by giving more power to local people.

A World Health Organisation report placed Leamington among the 31 most polluted areas in the country, with hotspots often registering the worst air quality.

Matt suggested that the Government provide Councils with air quality monitors to be fitted to waste collection vehicles to provide an accurate representation of the scale of the issue. In response, the Secretary of State did not commit to the proposal.

A similar scheme is being explored in the City of London.

Speaking about his intervention, Matt said:

“Polluted air in Warwick and Leamington poses huge risk to our health. I’ve urged the Government to urgently act.

One of the issues we have in tackling it is that we simply don’t have enough data to understand the scale of poor air quality on every street.  My proposal will make residents aware of just how poor the air has become even on their doorsteps and force a shift in policy.

I’ve worked hard to advocate for improvements to the air quality in our towns. For example, I hosted a summit last year to find solutions to the issue and have worked closely with the Clean Air for Leamington group and others. I will continue to push for reductions in air pollution, for the sake of our health.”

Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington has called on the Prime Minister to minimise environmental destruction and invest fully in upgrading regional and local transport rather than HS2 in light of the climate emergency.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the Government has approved the controversial HS2 project, which passes through Warwickshire and will see the destruction of ancient woodlands.

The cost of HS2 currently stands at over £100 billion – more than double the 2015 estimate.

Along with the HS2 announcement, the Prime Minister has announced a £5bn investment for zero carbon buses and a relatively paltry 250 miles of cycle routes, ie 640 yards per constituency.

Speaking in Parliament, Matt asked Johnson to invest in more buses and cycle routes far above what was announced today and match the investment seen in Europe.

Speaking about today’s announcements, Matt said:

“Poor management of the project by the Government has meant the cost of HS2 has gone through the roof. These costs must seriously start to come down if it is to have any net benefit for taxpayers.”

“The Government has underfunded public transport for a decade. They are now cherry-picking Labour policies on buses and cycle routes but failing to properly invest them. These limited improvements announced today simply don’t go far enough. I’m pressing for the ‘Chiltern line’ from Birmingham to London to be upgraded and for more cycle routes and electric buses to be installed, especially in Warwick and Leamington. This is where the Government should be investing.”

The announcement follows a visit by Matt last weekend to residents camping near Offchurch who are protesting to save woodland planned for clearance to make way for HS2. As it happens HS2 does not run through his constituency.

Greenpeace UK has said today that Boris Johnson will be “this century’s largest destroyer of irreplaceable ancient woodlands in the UK”.

Commenting on the environmental impacts, Matt said:

“After visiting the three campsites which fall just outside of my constituency, it is clear that residents feel strongly about protecting wonderful natural assets that help us in our fight against climate change.”

“The Government must now seriously work to minimise the environmental destruction from HS2”

This week, Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western delivered a petition in Parliament to urge the Government to step in and ensure that Warwickshire County Council withdraws its plans for a quarry near the village of Barford.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Matt argued that quarries sited close to towns and villages pose huge health risks from airborne dust and should not be permitted.

In other countries, there is a legally established minimum exclusion zone. For example, the regulations in Canada state a minimum of 600 metres.
US-based Environmental Working Group found that “the danger of airborne silica is especially acute for children…silica air pollution has become a danger for residents near open sand mining and processing.”

The site on which Warwickshire County Council is planning to allow the quarry is also close to the local school.

The petition calls for the Barford plans to be scrapped and will now be sent to the Government for consideration.

Local Barford villagers have been campaigning against the plans since 2015 and Matt has been supporting their efforts since he was elected. Last October, he hosted a debate in Parliament urging the Government to step in and scrap the plans.

Speaking about the petition, Matt said “Since I raised the issue in Parliament last year, more pressure has been placed on the Council to withdraw their plans for the quarry. I’m proud to have delivered this petition on behalf of Barford residents. It’s important that I take every opportunity to ensure that constituents’ voices are heard. It’s clear to me and residents that this quarry cannot go ahead. I will continue to advocate on behalf of Barford residents.”