Dear Resident,
It was a pleasure to welcome Rishi Sunak to Earls Court earlier this week.
As you know, I am backing his campaign to become the new Prime Minister. I believe that Rishi Sunak is the best candidate to beat Labour and turn our economy around.
He represents a return to traditional Conservative economic values. He understands that we must get a grip on inflation, then continue our economic growth, and lead to tax cuts. You can find out more about his campaign here.Away from the race to be our next Prime Minister, government continues.
This week, as Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, I've met with colleagues from across government to discuss the action we're taking to prepare for winter pressures on our energy supply.
I'm confident that the UK will withstand these pressures. Unlike much of Europe, the UK is not reliant on Russian energy. We have access to our own gas reserves in the North Sea, steady imports from reliable partners, the second largest LNG port infrastructure in Europe and robust legal contracts underpinning our gas supply.
Thanks to a huge £90 billion investment in homegrown, clean energy in the last decade, we also have one of the most diverse energy systems in the world. Britain's installed renewables capacity grew from 9GW in 2010 to 50GW in 2021. All of this means we are in a position of strength relative to our European neighbours.
However, energy prices are set in the global market, and the U.K. is not immune to the impact of Putin’s shocking invasion of Ukraine. The Government continues to work on further options to take action on the Cost of Living this coming winter.
Locally, Transport for London (TfL) have now closed their consultation into Sadiq Khan's Central London Bus Review.
Thank you if you took the time to make a submission to the review. The review, which includes plans to entirely axe local bus routes: 11, N11, 14, 31, 74, N74 and C3 as well as change or reduce the numbers: 19, 27, 49, 211, 328, 414 and 430 would make it significantly more difficult for many people living Chelsea & Fulham travel around London.
The petition I'm running against these changes is still open. If you have not signed it yet, please take the time to do so here. The more people that sign it, the clearer the message it will send to Sadiq Khan.
Cutting bus services is not the right or indeed fair way to resolve TfL's financial issue.
Have a good weekend!
Yours,
Greg Hands
The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP
Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham
You can read the rest of this edition of Greg's bulletin here.
