Very good news this week as plans progress at Yeovil College thanks to the Government Further Educational Capital Transformation Programme. The scheme was launched in 2019 to upgrade buildings and facilities and our college is one of sixteen to be included in phase 2 with multi-million pound investment to upgrade the estate. I have pushed Ministers to support a step change in skills development opportunities locally and nationally as one of my core asks as an MP. Yeovil College has played its part by being ambitious and effective, willing to spend time on new projects and forward thinking as to how we can transform. Of course planning needs to be sympathetic to the local community but it’s great for learners to have an exciting place like that nearby.
It was a pleasure to meet up with Max and the team at South Petherton Pharmacy on Friday. Like some other sectors of healthcare, pharmacies are facing challenges of increasing demand and I will do all I can to support them and make sure the system values them as they offer a great service that in turn takes the pressure of GPs and sometimes hospitals too. They also have a reassuring feel which people like about community pharmacy, and it brought back memories of one of my first jobs out of school which was helping a dear family friend stock and set up a new pharmacy.
Plans are being drawn up to reduce green taxes on electricity bills which is something I have been calling for over the last two years. That is not in any way to diminish environmental issues but people are increasingly coming to realise that particularly in a global sense we are not going to help the planet by making energy expensive, particularly relatively clean gas which has so many essential downstream products and impacts like pharmaceuticals and food production.
At the same time we are delivering a cost of living payments package over the coming year targeted at those who need it most. That support will start arriving soon and we are also maintaining the State Pension triple lock which will take affect in April. As energy prices come down we need to see that translate into lower inflation but this big package of help will make a real difference to lots of people. Add to that the work on stopping dangerous and illegal small boat migrant crossings and clamping down on anti-social behaviour means it’s been a busy lead up to Easter in Westminster but it has been good to make progress.
As the weather improves and days get longer spring is a great time for local events and there are plenty coming up, in many cases thanks to the energy and hard work of local groups and volunteers, including Yeovil Library, Haselbury Mill, Chard Churches Together and a special mention to South Petherton Bowling Club, running “have a go” sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays.