"It was an historic week in Westminster last week as Prince Charles delivered the Queen’s Speech for the first time. The speech set out how the Government is planning to grow the economy to help deliver our manifesto promises and address the cost of living. We are already providing support to families worth over £22 billion in 2022-23 to help with rising inflationary pressures and will not hesitate to take further steps to support households if needed. As Secretary of State for Work, I’m proud that unemployment is now back to below its pre-pandemic rate - and we will continue to support people into high-skilled, well-paid work through our multi-billion pound Plan for Jobs.
The day after the State Opening, I met the Energy Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng to seek assurances that any future energy infrastructure applications affecting the Suffolk coast will need to go through a robust site selection process and that sufficient weight be given to cumulative impact. Change is coming with the new National Policy Statements for Energy. However, unless there is a successful judicial review, this won’t change the recent decision to grant development consent for a huge substation at Friston. In my various verbal and written submissions to the recent planning hearings, I advocated that considerable weight should be given to the emerging policy framework, including the new National Policy Statements and the Offshore Network Transmission Review, which I campaigned for. Ultimately though they were judged under the current regime. Although a specific date is yet to be confirmed, the Secretary of State has intimated that the new policy statements should be designated later this year, which is a positive step, considering the risk of further energy applications. I suggested that if they were going to be delayed then more robust transitional guidance be required.
Finally, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend is almost upon us – and I’m looking forward to attending various events as we celebrate Her Majesty’s extraordinary service. Our county does these things amazingly well with the Festival of Suffolk bringing together the celebrations. Good luck to all the torch bearers, symbolising a bright and prosperous future for Suffolk, as it currently winds its way across the county cumulating in its arrival at the Suffolk Show. For details on Jubilee events in your area go to: www.festivalofsuffolk.org/all-events."