WELCOME
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk). If you would prefer not to receive it, please use the unsubscribe button below. And please get in touch if there are any issues you would like to discuss.
NORTH DEVON UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS
This week's unemployment figures were extremely good news for North Devon, showing we're doing better than anywhere else in the county and out-performing the UK as a whole. It means the Government's long-term economic plan is working.
North Devon recorded the biggest drop in unemployment of any district in the county. Importantly, North Devon also saw the county's sharpest fall in youth unemployment.
Across Devon, the total number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance went down by 8% between February and March. In North Devon the decrease was 11%.
Among claimants under the age of 24, there was a drop in North Devon of 18% compared with 9.8% for the county as a whole.
The unemployment rate in Devon is now just 1.4%, compared to the national rate of 2.9% - the lowest level for five years.
Of course there's still work to do, but this week's figures are very welcome indeed. Thanks to George Osborne's economic plan, and the hard work of employers and employees, North Devon has reason to be cheerful this Easter.
RURAL SUMMIT
At the time of the last newsletter I was about to attend the North Devon Rural Summit 2014 and promised more details this week.
This was an extremely helpful yet challenging event, and it was good to see it held in my home village of Bishops Nympton.
The main presentations showed very clearly that North Devon is getting a raw deal when it comes to funding. This is nothing new - it's the result of an outdated formula that has been with us for decades and discriminates against rural areas.
The current government is making positive changes and the direction of travel is good, but more needs to be done.
As I said at the Seminar, this is a cross-party issue, and I'm working with the Rural Fair Share campaign to secure a better deal for North Devon in future. It's wrong that we're short-changed just because we live in a rural area, and I'll work with anyone to push that message forward.
TARKA LINE
If you follow me on Twitter (@PeterNorthDevon), you will have seen the conversation I had this week with First Great Western about the Tarka Line - see photo taken by me at Umberleigh station.
On Monday morning I took the train to Exeter. It was standing room only, with passengers, luggage and bikes all squeezed in, and really quite uncomfortable. All good humoured of course, because that's the North Devon way, but you could tell people were annoyed.
Once in Exeter, I Tweeted FGW who replied saying they "don't have enough carriages at the moment and are unable to get more". That would change, they said, as the network is electrified, freeing up carriages to increase capacity.
I have asked for a meeting at a senior level with FGW to discuss this, and will report back when that has happened.
I think there is a wider debate to be had about the Tarka Line. Is it fit for purpose? What should it aspire to be: a proper rail service with some fast trains linking Barnstaple and Exeter, or a local tourist attraction? Can it be both? I'd be interested to hear your views.
What do you think?
I really want to know your views about a number of issues. What matters most to you and your family and to the country as a whole? Please spare a couple of minutes to tell me here www.conservatives.com/survey
AND FINALLY...
Can I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, peaceful and, if possible, relaxing Easter.
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk). If you would prefer not to receive it, please use the unsubscribe button below. And please get in touch if there are any issues you would like to discuss.
NORTH DEVON UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS
This week's unemployment figures were extremely good news for North Devon, showing we're doing better than anywhere else in the county and out-performing the UK as a whole. It means the Government's long-term economic plan is working.
North Devon recorded the biggest drop in unemployment of any district in the county. Importantly, North Devon also saw the county's sharpest fall in youth unemployment.
Across Devon, the total number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance went down by 8% between February and March. In North Devon the decrease was 11%.
Among claimants under the age of 24, there was a drop in North Devon of 18% compared with 9.8% for the county as a whole.
The unemployment rate in Devon is now just 1.4%, compared to the national rate of 2.9% - the lowest level for five years.
Of course there's still work to do, but this week's figures are very welcome indeed. Thanks to George Osborne's economic plan, and the hard work of employers and employees, North Devon has reason to be cheerful this Easter.
RURAL SUMMIT
At the time of the last newsletter I was about to attend the North Devon Rural Summit 2014 and promised more details this week.
This was an extremely helpful yet challenging event, and it was good to see it held in my home village of Bishops Nympton.
The main presentations showed very clearly that North Devon is getting a raw deal when it comes to funding. This is nothing new - it's the result of an outdated formula that has been with us for decades and discriminates against rural areas.
The current government is making positive changes and the direction of travel is good, but more needs to be done.
As I said at the Seminar, this is a cross-party issue, and I'm working with the Rural Fair Share campaign to secure a better deal for North Devon in future. It's wrong that we're short-changed just because we live in a rural area, and I'll work with anyone to push that message forward.
TARKA LINE
If you follow me on Twitter (@PeterNorthDevon), you will have seen the conversation I had this week with First Great Western about the Tarka Line - see photo taken by me at Umberleigh station.
On Monday morning I took the train to Exeter. It was standing room only, with passengers, luggage and bikes all squeezed in, and really quite uncomfortable. All good humoured of course, because that's the North Devon way, but you could tell people were annoyed.
Once in Exeter, I Tweeted FGW who replied saying they "don't have enough carriages at the moment and are unable to get more". That would change, they said, as the network is electrified, freeing up carriages to increase capacity.
I have asked for a meeting at a senior level with FGW to discuss this, and will report back when that has happened.
I think there is a wider debate to be had about the Tarka Line. Is it fit for purpose? What should it aspire to be: a proper rail service with some fast trains linking Barnstaple and Exeter, or a local tourist attraction? Can it be both? I'd be interested to hear your views.
What do you think?
I really want to know your views about a number of issues. What matters most to you and your family and to the country as a whole? Please spare a couple of minutes to tell me here www.conservatives.com/survey
AND FINALLY...
Can I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, peaceful and, if possible, relaxing Easter.
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate