I completely understand that my constituents will be very concerned about the impact on their energy bills, following recent events in the Middle East. There is no point pretending that war on two fronts is going to leave us unscathed economically; but it’s nevertheless important for me to set out how I have been responding to the situation.
Having written so much about the critical issue of the cost of living in this column, I have to confess I did not think it would once again come to a head so brutally. However, the sudden and unaffordable rise in heating oil bills that has occurred in recent weeks for many of my constituents was at a level comparable – even worse than, in some cases – the energy price shock resulting from Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
In particular, what was so aggravating for heating oil customers was finding that orders they had place in good faith were cancelled, even where the kerosene in question had been paid for up front. It’s fair to say I was not pleased with this behaviour, and joined many Parliamentary colleagues in denouncing the practice. I understand entirely that the global price had exploded, and that apparently European aviation companies had purchased much of the stock (kerosene is the primary product both for residential heating oil and aviation fuel). Nevertheless, when customers enter a contract in good faith, they do not expect it to be broken unilaterally, especially when a heating oil purchase is so important to households that depend on it.
As such, I was pleased when at least two major local heating oil suppliers changed course, and honoured contracts placed in the first few days of the US/Israeli strikes on Iran. Whilst the subsequent support package announced by the Government for heating oil customers will inevitably leave many constituents stuck in the ‘squeezed middle’ – their earnings not low enough to qualify, but neither too comfortable to afford the price hikes – at least there is support forthcoming. Having written to Ministers seeking further action in relation to heating oil some weeks before the crisis started, I have to put my hands up and recognise that many of my constituents will benefit, even if a great many will still be left filling up at far higher prices than a mere few weeks ago.
Of course, it’s not just heating oil; as a rural community most of my constituents depend on their car to get around. As one constituent put it to me, it’s incredibly frustrating when the prices on the forecourt seem to increase so quickly with global shocks, but the same isn’t true in reverse when global prices fall.
One way to counteract cost of living pressures is ensuring that we have a local economy delivering growth and well-paid jobs. In fact, this has been an area of real economic weakness of late, and I remain concerned about the fall in advertised vacancies that we’ve seen locally, coupled with significant growth in both overall unemployment, and most worryingly, youth unemployment. I won’t repeat my previous columns ad nauseum, but as ever the key is a national economy firing on all cylinders. That’s easier said than done with war in the Middle East, but that makes it all the more important for all of us in politics to be advocating pro-growth policies – locally and nationally.
Which is exactly why I hold an annual Jobs Fair to showcase the fantastic opportunities we have on offer in our local area. My next Fair is taking place on Friday 10th April 10:00 – 12:00 at the Stevenson Centre in Great Cornard.
Exhibitors will include both national employers and local businesses from sectors such as health and social care, manufacturing, local government, and engineering. We will also be joined by representatives from Eastern Education Group and Apprenticeships Suffolk, who will be available to provide advice and guidance on education pathways and apprenticeship opportunities. Throughout the fair, several sessions will be available to support attendees, including digital skills training, workplace upskilling, and employment application support.
Visitors will have a chance to speak directly with companies about their current and upcoming job vacancies, as well as training programmes, apprenticeships, and work experience placements. I hope this event will once again provide a valuable opportunity for residents to connect with employers, learn more about local opportunities available, and explore different career paths. If you or anyone you know is looking for a new job, apprenticeship or you’re interested in developing your skills, I’d highly recommend coming along.
Published in the Suffolk Free Press.
