With the summer recess over, this week I restarted the twice-weekly journey between Burnley and London. And it’s been straight back to it, with plenty to be keeping me occupied.
One of the big topics, of course, has been the economy. For at least 18 months we’ve had to hear the Labour Party talk our country down. Just like they’ve always talked our borough down.
Their claims, that our economy has been in the doldrums, have now been proven to be rubbish. This week the ONS has published its latest statistics showing that the UK economy is 2 per cent larger than they previously reported; that we recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic faster than they last reported; and that contrary to Labour claims, we were in fact the third fastest growing country in the G7 – beating all European countries and Japan.
Of course, Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Party colleagues have stayed surprisingly quiet on all of this. They haven’t corrected the record and haven’t said one word about how positive this is. And it is hugely positive.
Because it shows that our businesses – the ones who employ thousands across our borough – have been doing a fantastic job. It shows that the support provided during Covid, from furlough and business grants, to bounce back loans, made a huge difference. It was our response to that enormous challenge that supported businesses and allowed them to bounce back as quickly as they have.
Labour’s declinist narrative, talking Britain down, was nothing more than opportunistic politicking. But they need to recognise that approach has an impact – possibly deterring investors. That’s why I am unapologetic about speaking loudly and frequently about how brilliant our area, and our country, is.
I also met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss Levelling Up investment, productivity, economic security, and the kind of measures we need to be thinking about in the run up to the Autumn Statement and Spring Budget. All of these are essential to growing our economy locally, and taking Burnley and Padiham forward.
In the Chamber, we’ve been working on some major legislation. The Northern Ireland Legacy Bill is one, finally ending the unfair trials of veterans decades later and trying to put reconciliation first. A difficult Bill but one that is needed.
And the Energy Bill also progressed. This is landmark legislation designed to ensure our energy supplies are affordable and secure, and to set us up for the future.
Lots to do, and this was only the first week back.
