By Isle of Wight Observer
Earlier this week I met with the Secretary of State for Transport and pressed the case for government intervention on ferries.
There is an Integrated Rail Transport Bill planned for later this year which should complete Labour’s nationalisation of the rail network. I have asked that the bill also provide for regulation of our ferries. It would be nonsense to have an integrated transport network, with nationalised rail, but entirely unregulated private companies operating Isle of Wight ferries laden with debt. In my view we do not need to refer the ferry companies to the Competition Markets Authority which may or may not find a “technical breach” of competition regulations. The Government has the authority to intervene and it should do so via legislation.
I have also met with Richard Quigley MP, in Westminster, to discuss ferries. I am confident that we can (and will) work together on this issue because it is a big priority for us both.
On Tuesday I spoke in the House of Commons during questions to the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting. I asked Mr Streeting whether he would continue to try and incentivise newly-qualified dentists to take on NHS appointments, and relocate to coastal and rural communities like the Island. Mr Streeting confirmed incentivisation would be part of the Government’s plans, and indicated, in a subsequent question, that there would be bigger reforms to the way NHS dentistry is delivered nationally, which dates back to the Blair government. I will back any reforms that can deliver improved NHS dentistry for Islanders, plus reforms to the NHS and social care.
The Isle of Wight Council is currently consulting over primary school closures due to the oversupply of school places, which is placing financial pressure on schools. I met with the IW Council cabinet member and director responsible to ensure that decisions are made only after full consultation with schools and parents, and to ensure that decisions are based on fair and objective criteria. I have also been supporting schools and parents directly.
I will be setting up my new constituency office over the summer; however I can be contacted on joe.robertson.mp@parliament.uk in the meantime.