Albert Owen MP
Westminster Matters 17th March 2008
The efforts of volunteers on Anglesey never fail to impress me and this was the case when I attended the RSVP gathering at Llangefni. Volunteers from across the island gave an overview of their wide-ranging activities. I feel that groups such as RSVP deserve greater assistance in promoting and enhancing their valuable contribution to our community. I applaud their dedication and will continue to support them in the future.
The budget was always going difficult in the face of global slowdown and economic turbulence. Nevertheless, the Budget report shows the British economy to be resilient and continuing to grow. In fact we have seen unprecedented growth over the last decade that has led to a doubling of public spending in Wales with borrowing less in percentage terms than in the 1980s and 90s when we faced instability and real term cuts.
I welcome the extra investment to tackle child poverty and climate change, and help small and medium enterprises. I also welcome the extra boost to help pensioners with fuel bills and the postponement of the fuel duty increase in April. I lobbied ministers on these issues because of the global increase in oil and utilities.
There is nothing better to lift the nation’s spirits than the Welsh rugby team wining the Grand Slam. The victory over France was a real credit to the players and team management.
I have always been pro-active in promoting closer co-operation with Ireland and attended the 10th anniversary of the Holyhead/Dun Laoghaire Link which does an excellent job facilitating collaboration between Anglesey and the greater Dublin area. I also attended the Irish embassy in London to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and UK/ Irish relations.
I also supported local tourism as part of UK tourism week, visited local businesses and held a full advice surgery.
