In Touch | December 2012

Update from Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England

As we all look forward to Christmas, we were reminded in the Chancellor's Autumn statement that many people are still finding it extremely difficult to meet the cost of living. It was good that the Chancellor found money to raise the basic tax threshold and to overturn the 3p petrol rise. Times are tough in the UK and it is important that we do not let the European budget continue to spiral out of control. I voted against the 2.9% increase in the 2013 budget.

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In Touch | October 2012

Update from Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England

The media were predicting that this party conference would be one of infighting and mudslinging. Instead there was a real feeling of resilience and a strong fighting spirit as we were all reminded that we need to look beyond our individual problems and  recognise that we compete in a rapidly changing global economy. Many people have told me that they appreciated the "members only" debates and briefing sessions which enabled free discussion and sharing of experiences and ideas amongst our most active party members.

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In Touch | July 2012

Update from Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England

The run up to the start of the European Parliament's summer recess was a flurry of activity, from banks and bailouts, to the Common Agricultural Policy via Offshore Oil and Investment in Research. My stack of red pens were working hard to delete, amend, tone down and alter a plethora of initiatives.

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In Touch | May 2012

Update from Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England

The EU needs to stop and think again

No wonder people are angry about the EU. In the UK and across all European countries governments have been cutting back public spending - we simply cannot afford to keep spiralling further and further into debt. European Commissioners lecture people about the importance of austerity but then ask for a nearly seven percent rise in their own budget. This is insulting to people who are struggling to make ends meet. The budget should be cut.

Another frustration is the waste of money on expensive bureaucrats and vanity projects like the crazy €100 million "House of European History". Even the majority of MEPs now agree that the Parliament must stop its ludicrously expensive monthly relocation to Strasbourg.

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In Touch | February 2012

Update from Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England

David Cameron in Brussels 

Last Monday brought David Cameron back to Brussels again for the first meeting of European leaders since the UK vetoed their new treaty. Conservative MEPs navigated their way through a Belgian national strike to meet the Prime Minister. As MEPs work in different specialist committees they have a huge range of expertise. We discussed topics 

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In Touch | December 2011

Update from Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England

Energy Efficiency
I recently tabled over 100 amendments on a new EU directive on energy efficiency. The first draft of the new EU law would commit public authorities to renovate at least 3% of all public buildings each year and force energy providers to deliver customers a 1.5% annual energy saving and encourages the use of smart meters.

During the consultation period, I wrote to local councils across the region to help me understand how the proposals could affect public buildings locally. I also visited the state of the art heat and power plant at the British Sugar Factory in Bury St Edmunds as well as meeting power producers, fuel refiners, manufacturing organisations and consumer groups such as Which?

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In Touch | October 2011

Update from Vicky Ford, MEP for the East of England following Conservative Party Conference

Last week I went to the Party Conference in Manchester before rushing to Brussels for meetings on Wednesday, back to Southend on Thursday and then Cambridgeshire on Friday. Journalists complained that this year's Conservative Conference was rather dull and workman like - but isn't that rather a good thing? I find that the conference is a great chance to learn about different issues and to catch up with members, local councillors and MPs from across the 58 Westminster constituencies in the East of England.

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