The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement is due on 17th November and there is the usual media speculation over what will be in it.
Many are expecting tough news for the country as we attempt to fill a pandemic sized hole in our finances we ran up protecting jobs and livelihoods and lives from the ravages of Covid.
Since Rishi Sunak took over, the markets have steadied, but we should be in no doubt there are going to be problems ahead.
These are also global problems. Inflation is everywhere and higher in the Eurozone than here in the UK. Our debt to GDP ratio is too high but it is the second lowest in the G7. Others have big challenges too.
In addition, we need to tackle the NHS backlog, work towards energy security, deal with the war in Ukraine and fix housing and social care.
Neither the manifesto that I stood on nor the Government could have foreseen the £407 billion spent to get us through Covid or the impact on energy costs from Putin’s war.
However, I am a Conservative and I will want to see the Chancellor uphold the principles and values of our party.
While recognising the current crop of problems we must also build for our future growth. Connecting people up to opportunities and creating an environment where people can succeed is vital for Stourbridge and the wider West Midlands.
We all want lower taxes too, and we need a plan of how we are to get back to that central Conservative policy.
Another major problem is immigration. The money being made by criminal gangs bringing economic migrants across the channel is outrageous. The danger of crossing is also obvious, especially in winter.
The majority taking this route do not need sanctuary. They have come from a safe country - France. They want to come to the UK for work. We cannot continue to fill hotels in coastal towns with migrants. The cost is huge and those communities cannot cope.
Changes to the Modern Slavery Act are needed. It is being misused by many to make a claim to stay in the UK. I am sure the Home Secretary is looking at other measures too. There is hope the PM and the French President can reach an agreement about the channel crossings and how to deal with them.
We need skilled workers and modest controlled immigration is good for the country. We have also been a refuge for those fleeing danger for centuries but the numbers coming from France are not fleeing danger. They are economic migrants and a huge and expensive concern.
