The weather over the past few days has certainly taken a wintery turn and while Fylde, at least up to the time of going to press, has avoided the snow which made getting into and around Westminster a little more tricky, there has still been plenty of ice about and I am grateful to the gritter crews who have been busy keeping our main routes clear and safe.
I know only too well how worried people have been about their heating costs. However, in the midst of a cold snap it is important that homes are kept warm. The Government is doing all it can to help those at greatest risk with Winter Fuel Payments issues to pensioners, Cold Weather Payments issues to low income households and, just last week a further £324 in Cost of Living support payments, made thousands of people, including more than 2,000 pensioners here in Fylde.
The dangers of the cold snap have, sadly, been made only too apparent. The tragic loss of life in the West Midlands this week is a reminder that, around water, winter fun can turn to heartbreak in a few seconds. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those involved. We have plenty of lakes and ponds here in Fylde and it is important to think about how to stay safe around water, particularly at this time of year when dangers are so easily hidden. I would hate to see such scenes repeated, closer to home so please be careful around frozen ponds, streams and canals around Fylde. Icy water can be beautiful but as events of the past few days show can also be deadly.
Even during this cold snap I know many thoughts are already turning ahead to summer and the new tourist season. It is vital that our beaches are in top condition heading into the spring and am worried to hear that bathing water quality is not reaching the highest standards. I have asked both United Utilities and the Environment Agency what they intend to do to improve matters and to deliver the excellent quality the people of Fylde and its tourism businesses deserve. Answers need to be found quickly and solutions put in place to protect our shores.
On a very much more positive note, I was pleased to see the Prime Minister sign a deal with Japan to join the growing partnership developing the next generation of fighter aircraft. Engineers and designers at Warton are at the very heart of the project and I have spent a lot of time working with Ministers and with BAE Systems to champion the project and the role our skilled local workers play. I will continue to do all I can to bang the drum for Lancashire’s aerospace industry and to champion what the Global Combat Air Programme which has the potential to protect and create thousands of jobs.