Robin Walker's Westminster Diary - The Worcester Observer

Robin Walker's Westminster Diary

Worcester Editorial 5th Jul, 2020   0

Worcester MP Robin Walker, writes for the Observer..

MEETING with businesses from the local chambers and visiting some of the cautiously reopening High Street shops last Friday in Worcester they were all clear on the need for a strong message of support for the recovery.

As we begin to cautiously remove elements of the lockdown and allow more of the economy to reopen, it is essential that Government continues to support business.

I am proud of the fact thousands of jobs have been saved through the interventions of the furlough scheme, bounce back loans and the business grants but I know that to really bounce back businesses want to see a clear plan for the future involving skills, infrastructure and investment.




In this context the Prime Minister’s speech this week calling for a New Deal could not have been more timely.

It is right he has prioritised not just growth but green growth, not just investment to stimulate the economy but a determination to build back better.


I know from my surgeries the need for more housing both nationwide and in Worcester but also the vital importance of delivering it in a way that protects our green spaces.

I know that people in Worcester also want to see better roads, more active travel for cyclists and pedestrians and better connectivity for our railways. The promise of a nationwide investment programme for such infrastructure is welcome.

We also need and I have long campaigned for, investment in our schools and hospitals. I have written to the respective secretaries of state for education and health making the case for Worcester to be at the front of the queue when it comes to such investments and was glad to see a down-payment of this with five local schools awarded funds under the Conditions Improvement Fund.

Working with the local councils, LEP and business and voluntary organisations on the bid for a Worcester Town Deal, I was also very pleased to see that the PM’s speech included an additional boost of around half a million pounds for each of these.

We face a huge national challenge as we hopefully emerge from the public health crisis and face the economic impact of Covid19 and as a one nation conservative I believe that it is better to face that challenge with a proactive plan for growth – backing young people with apprenticeships and job opportunities, investing in new homes and in better, greener infrastructure.

It was good to hear from constituents as part of the Time is Now lobby this week on how they want to see Worcester made into a greener and more environmentally friendly place and I believe we need to grab the opportunity that our extraordinary current circumstances present to deliver that.

As parts of Worcester from the cricket ground to the Cathedral begin to come back to life, we must make sure we continue to safeguard the most important asset our city has, its people.

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