THURROCK MP, Jackie Doyle Price rose on the floor of the House last week to reflect upon the current economic circumstances in the country but illustrate the signs of recovery in Thurrock.
Ms Doyle-Price said:
“Let me begin by emphasising that the priority that the Government are making of dealing with the deficit remains definitely the right one. Some of my hon. Friends have drawn attention to the emerging view that there is a choice between pursuing growth on one hand and pursuing austerity and dealing with the deficit on the other. The simple fact is that deficit reduction and the pursuit of growth are not mutually exclusive; indeed, we lay the foundations for lasting growth when we go back to living within our means.
Jobs and growth rely on investment by individuals and businesses, not on Government spending. We must not be complacent about the economic challenges that face the country, which, as many Members have recognised, are being exacerbated by the uncertainty and lack of confidence prompted by the eurozone crisis, but the need to hold our nerve and pursue measures that will strengthen our competitiveness is more important than ever at this time of economic turbulence.
Let us look at the realities of what is happening in the economy. Of course unemployment remains a great challenge. It is currently too high, and we need to do much more to ensure that everyone who wishes to work can find a job. However, it is also true that employment is on the rise and new jobs are being created.
Many thousands of jobs are appearing on the horizon in my constituency. The Lakeside shopping centre is to be expanded, which will create new retail jobs. The new London Gateway port will create many thousands of new jobs, and is beginning to recruit for them. It is one of the largest inward investments in the country.
The existing port of Tilbury, which has just celebrated its 125th anniversary, is also being expanded, with the promise of a further 10,000 jobs. Despite the global challenges, there is good news in our economy.
I was struck by the comments of Margaret Hodge, whose constituency is next door but one to mine. We are linked by the A13 and the c2c rail link. A 15-minute journey for her constituents will give them access to the new jobs that are being created on my patch. Let me say to all Members that when times are difficult, it is our role as leaders to inspire and encourage, not to tell our constituents that there is no hope.
In order to maximise the opportunities afforded by investment, the Government must remain vigilant in playing their part in building a competitive economy. Ministers must not be complacent about the growth that we are experiencing; additional measures are still needed to enable us to maximise the potential of that growth. That applies in two specific areas: we need to continue to invest in skills to ensure that our work force has the skills that employers need and want, and we need to ensure that our infrastructure is fit for purpose.
I have talked about the massive growth in the port facilities in my constituency. Within this decade, more cargo will be landed in Thurrock than anywhere else in the country. However, in order for that cargo to go where it needs to be—and, equally, to move the new manufacturing products that we will be exporting—we will need sufficient capacity in the road network to enable those items to be moved around the country.
With that in mind, I welcome the recent announcement by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend Mike Penning that we are finally looking at designing and working up proposals to improve junction 30 of the M25.
That single project alone will unlock so much economic capacity in south Essex and will be a big tool in sustaining future growth. However, having made the announcement, my hon. Friend must do absolutely everything he can to ensure that the solution is fit for purpose. We cannot afford a sticking plaster; it has to deliver additional capacity.
To be frank, the measure is a long time coming. It should have been done by the last Government when they widened the M25, but as usual when it came to infrastructure, they were very short-sighted.
The second issue I would like to address is that of skills, particularly for the younger unemployed, who remain a significant challenge for us. I welcome the expansion of apprenticeships that we have witnessed—they have doubled in Thurrock, from 400 to 830 this year—but we also need to consider self-employed apprenticeships.
Well done Jackie. A great attempt at a future cabinet post!
Just haven’t noticed much that you have actually done for Thurrock yet.
Oh Dear an almost ghost like MP that probably claims expenses for her pet blue bottles telling the rest of us to live within their means. MP’s Europe wide have been a complete failure, have failed the people they laughingly purport to represent, and here they are again lecturing people. Let’s face it, the third way led straight to the drain entrance for all economies in Europe and the USA. The left need to get real and take on the concept of finite resource. They have always been a failure at this. Oh well another failed Labour government after the next general election. Who know’s we may well get a situation where the voters actually get a voice in the end because the politicians will be so sh*t scared of the outcome of their pathetic misuse of our trust and money.
It should be common sense to live within your means but unfortunately a great deal of the population failed to do this for years and years. Credit was made too easily available during the Labour years which has made the problem worse with people unable to pay mortgages, keep up personal loan payments etc etc.
It’s very easy to live within your means when you earn an MP’s £65738 per year. what’s that, three times the average wage. But if you are one of the governments unemployed in Thurrock and it is a different story. what a cold hearted politician. all three major parties have failed and now they blame the people.
It is a great pity that the right horrible under-secretery for transport cant get it right, the new complex that the Tories boast about is being built with arab and china money, and the new port will open in 2014, so all the new roads wont have been started on, so by 2016 the congestion will be quite bad on all major roads leading to Junction 30/M25/A13.wouldnt it make sense to start the rebuild now, and finish it at the same time as the new port opens, I suppose that would be too much, wouldnt it for the transport minister to get all parts of the jigsaw right, I think he could at least widen the roads and improve the Junctions , as all the money being spent on the new port at Coryton will becoming from asia, and the port of Tilbury, is now owned by a Scottish company, Forth group, I bet they wont be pleased that there new super port with all the money being spent on it, will still have the same old story, with blocked roads until 2016, I dont think our give that much thought, whilst she was patting herself on the back.
Bernard87. I seem to remember that it was Maggie and her government that encouraged council tenants to get into massive debt with the right to buy. And then the morgage interest rate climbed to 16%!
Just about sums this MP & her govement up doesn’t it. There’s no such thing as we’re all in it together for them.
As catching the bus has written with a salary like the one JDP gets plus what ever she claims on top.
how could she possibly understand us folk here in Thurrock, or how difficult it is for us all to manage with a home & family?
JMW – You have made a good point but the difference then were peoples attitudes. People back then were less inclined to take on debt if they couldn’t afford it. Most people who bought their council houses did so as they saved up, worked all hours and then sold many of them on for a tidy profit. The flip side to that was of course there were many people who lost their homes when interest shot up and they couldn’t continue mortgage repayments.
The attitude of many people over the last decade has been ‘spend even though we haven’t got the money’. Too many people bought properties with huge mortgages, expensive cars all on loan and lived beyond their means (or wages). That has to be discouraged against going forward. We have to get back to the days when people saved up for things and spent wisely….especially considering the still worrying jobs situation in the UK.
Rain Mack – Jackie lives in Thurrock and has done for years now – she is Thurrock folk!
The last paragraph mentions apprenticeships. Can the RHP tell us where the apprenticeships are being created? JMW18 what did you think would happen if you increased the population by 7 or 8 million over a very small period. Did you think house prices would fall?
Sorry NoVoice, think I missed your point. Please explain, I’m only a poor county boy.
Bernard
Could you re read my comment & then pray tell where do I once say JDP doesn’t. Live. In Thurrock?
Rain Mack – Your comment seemed to suggest that she wouldn’t have a clue about the average Thurrock residents needs which is why I made the point that as our MP lives here I find it hard for her to not understand the challenges facing average Thurrock folk.