“Last week, I spoke in the Planning Inspectorate hearing against the huge substations that Scottish Power Renewables are proposing at Friston and the associated 9km cabling corridor from Thorpeness. I have continued to suggest alternatives as I think it best not to solely oppose proposals, especially in light of the Prime Minister’s announcement that he wants 40GW of offshore wind electricity by 2030 - up from 30GW in our manifesto commitment. That lends itself to a radical rethink of electricity connectivity. Readers will know that I have been working on this for some time and I am pleased that more parliamentary colleagues have engaged with gusto. The energy minister recently announced an Offshore Transmission Network Review into how offshore energy firms bring their electricity back onshore which has led to the acceptance that integrated connections need to be happening sooner rather than later. While some fear that this step-up in ambition will make local matters worse, I think we need to turn that thinking around and show why this is absolutely the time to make the fundamental change right now.  A video and transcript of my contribution can be seen on my website www.theresecoffey.co.uk. 

Half-term is fast approaching and this is an important week for our tourism sector locally. I expect we will see a lot of people come to enjoy our coast for day trips or longer. Reinforcing the mantra “hands, face, space” and maintaining that discipline is vital to suppress the transmission of coronavirus and for us to keep in the new Tier 1, which has the national control measures implemented like the Rule of 6 and the 10pm closure of hospitality outlets but otherwise we can lead straightforward lives. Limiting direct social interaction will help us ensure our schools, hospitals and most workplaces can stay open and function. Maintaining our cultural pleasures are important too which is why I was pleased that organisations like Aldeburgh Music and the Felixstowe Spa Pavilion received substantial grants from the Government to help them through this difficult time. Together they received £1.7m - which shows how important they are to help keep going.  There is light at the end of the tunnel for all of us if we can stick together.”