My Priorities
Water Quality
Water quality is an important issue for Cornwall. Our beaches, rivers, and seas are central to our well-being, economy, and way of life.
That is why I am so pleased that this Government has hit the ground running with new laws to force water companies to clean up our rivers and seas, monitor spills and invest in the infrastructure. Water bosses’ bonuses can be stopped and they will face criminal proceedings if need be.
A huge independent review of how our water industry works is also being led by Sir Jon Cunliffe. That will look at regulation, ownership, everything about our water system. It will report in the summer and more legislation will follow.
This Government and I are determined to clean up our rivers and seas and secure our water supply for the future.
NHS
When Labour came to power the NHS was on its knees in Cornwall.
Since then the Womens and Childrens Unit has been confirmed for Treliske Hospital and waiting lists are going down - 2 million new appointments have been provided.
The Government is also starting to provide those 700,000 extra dental appointments.
There is still a long way to go, but we are determined to get the NHS in Cornwall back on its feet.
Education
Our schools suffered and our SEND support system collapsed under the Tories.
This Government is already investing over a billion pounds in special educational needs and disabilities support for our children.
It will take time to fix such a broken system, however I am determined that future generations of the children of Cornwall will get the education, care and support that they deserve.
Housing
This Labour Government is planning the biggest wave of social housing for a generation.
It is also so important that the infrastructure is built alongside any new houses.
At the Langarth development outside Truro, roads, green space, woodland, a primary school, a sports stadium, and geothermal heating are all being developed alongside houses.That is the way we need to build for the future.
I want to make sure that developments like Langarth and Pydar in Truro are built well and sustainably.
Green Economy & Jobs
The Green Economy is growing three times faster than the economy as a whole. This Government is taking advantage of that and pushing ahead to get to Clean Power by 2030. This will mean decarbonising our energy grid.
Cornwall is uniquely set to benefit from the push to clean power. We have wind power, geothermal and critical minerals like tin and lithium from the granite under our feet and tidal and solar power too.
The Government has already set up GB Energy – the new publicly owned energy company and a Wealth Fund capitalised with £28 billion. This can be used to unlock Cornwall’s potential. £28 million has already been invested in South Crofty tin mine unlocking many more millions in private investment. This will mean good well-paid jobs in the supply chain. Specialised jobs for our children so they can stay in Cornwall and have the careers they dreamed of.
The Government’s Local Power and Warm Homes Plans will also mean millions invested in local energy schemes with solar on top of public buildings and community owned wind turbines meaning our energy will get cheaper and greener.