The big event of the last week was the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. There had been no shortage of speculation about what might be included in the package of measures announced, or about the potential for painful decisions to be made.
I believe the decisions taken were fair, ensuring money is spent where it is needed but recognising that we cannot continue to spend beyond our means. I very much welcome the decision taken to restore the triple lock on pensions, standing by a manifesto commitment, and to boost NHS spending. Particularly welcome was additional funding for social care provision, helping ensure packages are available to those who are ready to leave hospital, freeing up vital capacity. In our local area around £8m is being made available, through a combination of the NHS and local councils. It is absolutely essential this extra money is put to good use.
Another big announcement came on funding for home energy efficiency measures. With prices rising, cutting the amount of energy we use is more important than ever and I await, with real interest, how the Government intends to target spending, to help as many people as possible improve their properties. Energy efficiency is a growth sector and I am pleased to see businesses here in Fylde leading the way. I took the time, this week, to catch up with Vic Baines and his team at Wise Energy in St Annes. The company has just secured a contract with Fylde Council to deliver energy efficiency improvements in our local communities, tapping into funding from energy suppliers to help those on low incomes. It is great to see local companies being awarded such work, creating job opportunities and ensuring the money spent is invested back into the Fylde economy.
While energy efficiency is important, so is reducing the cost of the power we consume. One of the best way to bring down bills is to deliver more cheap renewable power. That means investing in solar and wind generation, making the most of the natural resources surrounding us. Irish Sea wind is already a huge success and two more big projects are in the pipeline, with the potential to generate enough electricity to power more than 1.5 million homes and businesses. The Morecambe and Morgan wind farm projects are an opportunity to expand the amount of clean, green energy generated off our coast. I have made clear to the team the importance of the scheme but also the importance of minimising disruption related to the project, particularly given plans to bring the electricity generated ashore here in Fylde.
With growth in offshore wind generation, opportunities around solar and a unique role in nuclear fuel manufacture Fylde stands ready to play a leading role in building Britain’s energy security. That is something we can all be proud of.