New proposals announced recently by the Government will introduce a requirement for planning permissions for short-term lets in tourist hot spots.

This will give councils control over the number of properties used for this purpose for the first time.

A consultation has also been launched on a new registration scheme for holiday lets to gather data and increase understanding of the impact of short-term accommodation on communities. Having campaigned vigorously on our housing challenges, I am absolutely delighted by this news.

I am grateful the Government has worked with me and my colleagues on this vitally important issue.

Tourism benefits our local economy and it’s great to share our beautiful county with others, but the high demand for holiday lets means there are fewer places for locals to rent, and, because of this, local businesses have often struggled for staff.

Together these new proposals will kickstart the process of rebalancing our housing market back towards local residents and should make a huge difference to life in Cornwall in the years to come.

There are measures in these reforms to help boost the tourism industry too, and the consultation will also explore how to give people who let their homes out to tourists for short periods more flexibility in doing so. I’d recommend those potentially affected by these changes respond to the consultation.

I held a very productive meeting with Gary from Op Kernow recently. He briefed me that there are 30,000 members of the veterans’ community in Cornwall requiring different levels of support and gave me insights into some of the problems our veterans face when they come out.

I was also pleased to learn that the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is engaging with them, and I am very happy to offer my ongoing support as MP. Any veterans who need support, or would just like to chat, can always get in touch with me via [email protected] or 01208 74337. My team and I can help in a number of ways, and we have direct contact with Government Departments, the NHS, and so on.

New figures released this week show the rate of inflation has decreased, as we push on with our promise to halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and give people financial security. Inflation is the number one enemy – the tax that eats away at people’s pay packets and savings and increases day-to-day costs.

That is why we are committed to halving it by the end of the year, alongside growing the economy and reducing debt and I welcome the fact that Inflation has reduced by 0.3 percent between February and March 2023. There is still a long way to go, but we will continue to deliver on our promise to halve inflation, grow the economy, and reduce debt to improve the living standards of everyone.

As Wadebridge residents will know, Wadebridge Post Office had to move back in 2020.

Unfortunately, this hasn’t proven to be a long-term solution, and we have now been made aware that the Wadebridge branch will need to move again. The Post Office has contacted me following assistance I offered last time this happened as they are open to discussions on relocation.

They will be visiting Wadebridge shortly to see what opportunities there might be for other local businesses that might be interested in providing the service. I know the Town Council is also keen to ensure Wadebridge retains a Post Office.

I will do everything I can to help facilitate this and build discussions and look forward to receiving an update in due course.

Finally, I was very pleased to learn that Camelford Town Council has been awarded £3,450 to celebrate the Coronation by The National Lottery Community Fund.

The funding will be used to put on a celebratory event to mark the Kings Coronation, the day will include through arts, gardening, circus workshops, games, and refreshments. The day will also be used to inspire more people to volunteer.