I know many people here in Fylde will be worrying about the rising costs of energy. While I do not want to wish away the last weeks of summer, autumn is approaching and it will not be long now before families will have to start thinking about turning on the heating as the nights draw in.
Last week the long-predicted increase in the energy price cap was announced. As anticipated prices will rise significantly, placing further pressure on household budgets and I realise how much everyone’s personal finances will be squeezed by these unwelcome changes. It is important, therefore that whoever wins the race to be Conservative leader and our next Prime Minister, is ready to hit the ground running. This is, without doubt, the most significant challenge we face as a country and the Chancellor has made clear work is already under way to determine how further support might be delivered.
Of course it is not just households which are struggling with rising costs. Businesses too are feeling the pinch and there have been stark warnings this week from the hospitality sector over the future of pubs and restaurants. Hospitality businesses are vital to Fylde’s economy, not only providing jobs but making our towns vibrant and enjoyable places to live and work. They also play a crucial role in our rural economy, where the tourism and hospitality sector is growing, driven by high quality, award winning businesses. The industry has already faced enormous challenges over the past two years and many are still recovering from the worst impacts of the pandemic. There is a real risk that, alongside staffing and recruitment challenges, progress made this year will be reversed, something none of us want to see.
Of course, alongside immediate help for households and businesses there is a need for the new Prime Minister to grasp the nettle and ensure we invest in our future energy security. That means a huge acceleration of our domestic nuclear programme, alongside ongoing growth in renewables. Only by ending our reliance on fossil fuels can we ensure the challenges we face are not repeated. While addressing our national energy needs, the expansion of nuclear generation is also good news for Fylde, protecting skilled jobs at Springfields, home to the UKs only civil nuclear fuels manufacturing facility.
Away from such worries, the bank holiday weather made for some fantastic events here in Fylde. St Annes Music Festival was enjoyable and very well attended with some very talented local performers providing three days of entertainment. On a rather bigger stage it was fantastic to see Alfie Boe back home on the Fylde Coast to perform to a sell-out crowd at Lytham Hall, the Last Night of the Proms bringing down the curtain on a fantastic summer of entertainment.
Equally welcome was the long-awaited unveiling of a tribute to another local legend. Bobby Ball’s statue now stands proudly in Lowther Gardens. It is a brilliant likeness and stands in recognition not only of Bobby’s work as an entertainer but of his charity and fundraising achievements. Well done to all those involved, the statue looks fantastic and is a very fitting tribute.