After speaking with some of my constituents about TV licences for the over-75s, I promised to provide my view. The BBC’s decision to stop funding free TV licences for most over-75s is disappointing. The Government’s position on the licence fee is as follows: It is important to note that this was the BBC’s decision and not the Government’s, after Parliament legislated to give the BBC the full responsibility from 2020. This was part of a deal the Government reached with […]
At the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, IT equipment was rolled out rapidly by the Department for Education to deliver an ambitious programme, enabling children to access remote education. A group of leading IT service providers and equipment manufacturers rose to the challenge – working with the Government to achieve the goal. As we approach the second part of the autumn term, the Department’s approach will ensure allocations are more effectively targeted to the children and schools that have the […]
Tags: Children, Coronavirus support, Department for Education, Schools, Wycombe
This week, I, like many other Wycombe residents, received an email from Martin Tett, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council. He wrote to update on how the situation in Buckinghamshire is progressing, what to do to stay safe, and reveal the campaign the Council are running to help keep Buckinghamshire stay out of the ‘High’ category for COVID. Please see the email below: “The Situation in Buckinghamshire This week there is a clear message as unfortunately, we are starting to see […]
Tags: Buckinghamshire County Council, Coronavirus, Wycombe
On Saturday, the British Furniture Confederation (BFC) launched its Buy the Best, Buy British, Save Jobs Campaign. Its aim is to encourage the British public to seek out British-made goods when they shop this autumn. It is crucial the furniture sector thrives to support the economy. With British furniture factories closed, or with reduced working due to the pandemic, manufacturers expect sales are down. Worse still, around half of British manufacturers believe they may be forced to make some redundancies or see […]
Today, the Secretary of State for International Trade announced the UK’s agreement in principle for a free trade deal with Japan. This is the UK’s first major trade deal as an independent trading nation. The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was agreed in principle by Japan’s Foreign Minister, Minister Motegi, and the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP on a video call this morning. I am really pleased that the historic deal secures additional benefits beyond the EU-Japan trade deal and […]
Trees are often raised with me by local people in Wycombe. The Conservative Party 2019 manifesto committed us to tree planting: We will invest in nature, helping us to reach our Net Zero target with a £640 million new Nature for Climate fund. Building on our support for creating a Great Northumberland Forest, we will reach an additional 75,000 acres of trees a year by the end of the next Parliament, as well as restoring our peatland. The Conservatives website […]
Tags: Environment, Trees, Wycombe
Last week I asked the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support is being provided for theatres in Wycombe following discussions with the Wycombe Swan on how the current Covid-19 crisis is affecting local theatres and other cultural venues. The Minister of State for Culture and Digital replied: “To support the sustainability of the arts sector, including theatres, DCMS has worked closely with Arts Council England (ACE) to provide a tailored package of financial support. In March, ACE […]
Tags: Wycombe
Yesterday evening Travellers moved onto Hughenden Park. Within a day, they have left and moved on. This swift action was possible because of the High Court injunction Wycombe District Council obtained last year after the large number of unauthorised encampments on council-owned green spaces in July and August. The injunction allowed the current Council to speed-up the process of removing the Travellers. Last year I discussed the issue of Travellers with the Home Secretary, and again in May this year […]
Tags: Wycombe
New data from the Office for National Statistics published today begins to show the economic effect Coronavirus is having on the UK. The full data can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/ In Wycombe, there were 2,725 claimants (who were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, or were claiming Universal Credit and are required to seek work) in April 2020, or 3.9% of the population aged 16-64. This was 885 higher than March 2020 and 1,355 higher than April 2019. The equivalent UK claimant count was […]
Tags: Wycombe
I’m incredibly proud of the way our community has pulled together in Wycombe to support the NHS, with local aerospace manufacturer Sabeti Wain repurposing from aircraft upholstery to gowns and scrubs for the NHS. They have provided me with the following statement. Please get in touch with the company direct if you would like them to produce scrubs or gowns for your care setting, or if you have relevant supplies they may need. You can also read more about their […]
Tags: Love Wycombe, Wycombe
Steve Baker is the Conservative MP for Wycombe.
Steve was first elected to Parliament in 2010. He was previously an RAF engineer officer then a consulting software engineer. Find out more...
Steve holds regular surgeries in High Wycombe. If you would like an appointment, please contact me.
