THE Online Safety Bill was back in Parliament this week seeking to ensure that there is greater accountability placed on larger tech companies to protect young people online. The bill also ensures that any protections placed upon adults strike the right balance with protections for free speech. These provisions are essential as developments in technology increasingly expose us to the positive and negatives of the internet. The Government has tabled some additional amendments to address the shortcomings of the original proposal. 

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 to the minister responsible asking for Parliamentary time to be made.  A well attended debate in Westminster Hall reinforced the message. I am hopeful we will see it back in the House early next year. We must keep the pressure up! And on Tuesday I attended the launch of the CPRE report on Farming and Hedgerows. 

I am supporting the charity’s #40by50 campaign, which aims to boost our hedgerow cover by 40% by 2050, extending natural habitats and boosting precious biodiversity – I am now a hedgerow hero! 

Crypto assets and currency is something I have never really had to understand. However, this week crypto assets were the subject of an inquiry by the Treasury Select Committee, on which I sit. I have learnt a lot! Some still feel that crypto assets are just a scam. They are not and they are definitely here to stay. 

However, it is true to say that many have been harmed by unscrupulous traders because the crypto world is not yet properly regulated. Sports tokens are a good example. The underlying technology behind crypto currencies and crypto assets means that the digital record cannot be copied or altered. 

So it’s more robust than data on the internet as we know it. These strengths and its speed make it a useful tool in the commercial world. But the advice is clear. These are not assets anyone should invest in unless they are prepared to lose 100% of their investment. 

The Financial Service & Markets Bill began this journey this week giving the government the power to properly regulate crypto assets. It also started the journey enabling our financial markets to take advantage of Brexit. No longer will it be hindered by European regulations which hinder trade. 

But it was also a bill that looked at some of the current challenges of our banking system, such as the shrinking number of places we can access and deposit cash. Not everyone has a bank account and some businesses are still cash only. This bill allows the government to step in if the cash access and deposit regime is inadequate. 

On Thursday MPs from across the South West region met with the CEO of South West Water to discuss sewage and water. We made it very clear that we were not happy with performance to date, particularly as regards sewage discharge when the system is put under pressure by storms – and over development. 

We were assured that considerable further investment had been made and that discharges would be cut by 50% by the end of the year.  Clearly the target must be 100%!  

I am putting pressure on ministers to make water companies statutory consultees so they can say no and/or make proper provision for the additional discharge from new housing developments. Further investment is also being made in water catchment with the acquisition of a mine and a quarry to store water and a desalination project. 

The Christmas season is now in full swing with carol services across Teignbridge including this week in Kingsteignton, Teignmouth, and Newton Abbot. I was delighted to once again share in a big thank you to the RNLI at their annual carol service at St Michaels! The mince pies were fabulous! 

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.