This week I have been keeping myself busy during my second experience of self-isolation. This time I was notified whilst in Westminster, so it is a slightly different experience. Nevertheless, we are well versed in virtual technology now so working from home has not stopped me from getting on with the job.
Throughout the week I have had a lot of briefings relating to my new role with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). It’s an interesting role with a department which really makes a difference, and I am very pleased to have been invited to join the team.
On Wednesday I had a virtual meeting with the Prime Minister to talk about levelling up in the North. We discussed his new ten point plan to create a Green Industrial Revolution which will create and support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the UK. I want to see some of those jobs and opportunities coming to our area, so it is especially good to know that there is a specific £35,000 fund to support jobs in the North West.
On Thursday I had a virtual meeting with HQ Standing Joint Command (UK) to talk about the Military response to COVID-19. Delivering this roll-out is understandably a complex operation so I am pleased that our service personnel will be supporting efforts.
I am sure that many people will be reassured to hear news this week that the Government is investing an additional £24.1 billion into defence over the next four years. This will be the largest investment in our nation’s defence since the end of the Cold War and alongside keeping our country safe will help to create 10,000 new jobs a year and revitalise British shipbuilding.
Over the past year we have seen how we have become more dependant than ever before on technology. That’s why I am pleased to support the Governments plans to create a new National Cyber Force and Artificial Intelligence agency to protect us from digital and cyber threats. Our new Cyber Force will be a joint unit between the MoD and GCHQ.
As part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, and because I could not be there in person, on Thursday I was given a virtual tour of HMS Defender, the fifth of the Type 45 or Daring-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy. Defender launched in 2009 and she is the eighth ship to bear the name. Together with her sister vessels, she is one of the most advanced warships ever constructed.
I was extremely pleased to see that our hard-working negotiators have secured a Trade Continuity Agreement with Canada this week. This is an important trading relationship for the UK and this agreement will bring certainty and opportunities for businesses on both sides and puts us in a stronger position as we move towards our exit from the EU.
Finally, I have had a lot of emails from people this week who are extremely concerned about the devastating local effect that Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester Spatial Framework will have on our area if it is passed by Councils next week.
The GMSF is not fit for purpose and people here have campaigned long and hard to have it scrapped. Yet still Labour’s GM Mayor, Council Leaders and Councillors are seeking to ignore local people and pass the proposals. I have met with local people and groups, spoken openly about the threats to our greenbelt and that development should focus on brownfield sites to address local needs, I will be supporting our Conservative Councillors from across the borough this week as they vote against Labour’s GMSF.
