2022 has been an eventful year!

It has been dominated by the aftermath of Covid and the health care backlog, the unwarranted aggression by Russia invading Ukraine and its consequences, and the cost-of-living crisis as energy prices rise. 

And, of course, who could forget the drama of Westminster and the too many changes in Prime Minister and cabinet members. 

The consequences of Covid continue with a huge backlog of health care appointments. This has to be the number one priority to address moving forward. We can’t go on like this. We need a very radical review and reform of our systems to make them work not just for patients, but for doctors and nurses too. The Health and Social Care Act passed at the beginning of this year has been a good start, but more is needed and the forthcoming workforce plan for the NHS hopefully will deliver this. 

Covid has also had financial implications for the country as we, rightly, supported employers to keep their employees through a furlough scheme. But we now have to pay down the debt accumulated during the Covid period. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in late November had to deliver some hard messages, and placed emphasis upon everyone tightening their belts to get the country on a sound financial footing.   

The cost-of-living crisis has largely been driven by soaring energy costs, and cuts in food supplies as a consequence of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. While the UK only has minimal exposure to cuts in Russian gas, it is none the less impacted by the international energy market. There is simply less energy to go around – so it’s more expensive wherever it comes from. Alongside our allies, the Government imposed a very stringent economic sanctions package on Russia, including excluding Russia from the SWIFT international payments system. 

The UK Government’s response to this Russian aggression was robust. We led the world in standing up to Russia, providing arms and training to Ukraine. Democracy and the freedom and peace it brings is not for sale. Launching the Homes for Ukraine scheme showed Teignbridge at its best. More families have shown their big hearts, throwing open their homes to Ukrainian families fleeing the war than has been the case in other parts of the country. Thank you!

Of course, we have to recognise that the too frequent change in Prime Minister, Chancellor and Cabinet Ministers throughout this year has made our response to the cost-of-living crisis less coherent than it should have been. However, with stability now, we have a path going forward that should enable the green shoots of growth to emerge in the new year. That will be the acid test of success.

Over the last year, 48 Public Bills have received Royal Assent (enacted into law) on a whole range of issues from the Health & Social Care Act to the Energy Price Act. There are many other bills that have passed the Commons and now await scrutiny in the Lords. This includes the Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill, a bill that among other things will ensure that communities like ours will be able to determine housing numbers and the type of housing built locally. 

Despite these legislative successes, clearly everything has not gone to plan, and important pieces of legislation laid out in the Humble Address (the formal title of the monarch’s speech at the State Opening of Parliament) have not been enacted. The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is an important piece of legislation which must finish its passage through the House. It provides some important protections for endangered species. I signed a letter recently to the minister responsible asking for Parliamentary time to be made. Hopefully time will be made in the New Year for this important piece of legislation. 

Together, let’s look forward to a happier and more prosperous 2023!

As always, if you would like to book a surgery appointment (in-person or virtual) or raise a specific issue, please call my office on 01626 368277 or email [email protected] to arrange an appointment.