Looking back at 2022, the year started with such hope. After two nightmare years of heavy restrictions on our lives, a bright shining light appeared at the end of the tunnel that the pandemic may finally be over – and indeed by March all Covid restrictions were lifted. But we had not even got to the end of February when the horrors of war struck Europe once again, as Putin invaded Ukraine. The economic aftershocks of the pandemic lockdowns coupled with Russian aggression led to rising energy bills, fuel costs and inflation at a scale not seen in generations. Here in the UK we are not outriders or particularly different to other countries across the world, in fact having the second lowest debt to GDP ratio in the G7 puts us in a comparatively strong position. But there is no getting away from the real life economic challenges that adding £400 billion to the national debt to fund furlough and keeping businesses afloat during the pandemic brings, alongside the energy crisis stoked by Putin’s war leading to further demands on the Treasury to borrow and spend to support people’s energy bills. Interest rates are going up. That hurts anyone with a tracker mortgage or households coming towards the end of a fixed term. What matters most of all is to practice the necessary fiscal restraint to get us through this crisis, ensure any recession is as shallow and short as possible, and put the UK back on the road to growth ahead of other countries. That must be governments top priority. 2023 can be the year we turn that corner – I know it will be tough for so many – but with inflation already starting to trend down, there is hope we can turn the corner. Let’s make 2023 a year of positivity.
As Member of Parliament for the 335 square miles of the Buckingham constituency, I will continue to do all I can to support everyone who needs my help and champion the issues affecting us in Parliament. As ever, I welcome hearing from constituents and if you’d like to share your thoughts or come to me for help, please email [email protected].
May I wish all my constituents a very Happy New Year. May 2023 bring health and happiness to all.
