Looking back on 2022, it is fair to say that life in Westminster has seen plenty of ups and downs this year! Whilst my focus has been on serving my constituents in Montgomeryshire, I also know that many people will feel that politicians have much to do to regain their trust.
The last few years have brought unprecedented challenges for us all. Whilst the covid-19 pandemic was still prevalent at the beginning of the year with the onset the Omicron variant, we have made major strides in fighting the virus and reopening the UK. Much of this has been down to the success of the covid vaccines and booster jabs, which have exponentially reduced the risk of serious illness.
Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine has seen war break out on European soil for only the second time since World War II. The UK has been one of Ukraine’s and President Zelensky biggest allies since the invasion, providing a huge amount of financial and humanitarian support, as well as military equipment. The unprecedented assistance offered to Ukrainians fleeing the country through the Homes for Ukraine programme has been hugely successful, with over 100,000 Ukrainians guests now safe within the UK.
The war, coupled with a series of global forces, has fuelled the current cost of living challenges being faced across the world. Residents and businesses within the UK and Montgomeryshire have been hit with a sharp rise in everyday prices and inflation. I have been working hard in ensuring that the UK Government supports families and residents with spiralling energy bills, and was very pleased by the introduction of the Energy Bill Support scheme and the Energy Price Guarantee. I campaigned for households who are off the mains gas grid to be given equivalent support, and I welcome that this support has now been doubled to £200; I understand this will be paid early in the new year. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last month has also set out crucial steps to allow inflation and interest rates to begin to fall in the first half of 2023.
Closer to home, 2022 has been a year of progress. The campaign to enhance broadband and mobile signal will see significantly improved 4G coverage with new masts under the Shared Rural Network programme, and over 9000 extra homes receiving fibre broadband by 2025 under the Universal Service Obligation. Montgomeryshire’s trade opportunities have been boosted through new free trade agreements, opening up new global market access for businesses and farmers – such as the lifting of the USA’s ban on British lamb.
There has been major UK Government investment within Mid Wales, with £27million of Shared Prosperity funding for Powys regeneration projects now signed off; and a £2million Network Rail project to protect the Cambrian Railway line from extensive flood damage and closures - as experienced during Storms Eunice and Franklin back in February. Going into 2023 there is much to be positive about, with Wales’ first Banking Hub due to open in Welshpool, and further major Government investment through the £110million ‘Mid Wales Growth Deal’ supporting job creation and increased productivity.
Following the pandemic, I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting as many of you as possible across the breadth of the constituency. The return of our wonderful summer shows was a huge success, and perfect examples of the strong and unique community spirit which can be found throughout Montgomeryshire.
I want to thank all of you for your support and engagement this year, and to wish you a very Happy New Year!
