Labour’s ‘Family Farm Tax’ will for some be the last straw. What developers have failed to destroy of The Garden of England, The Chancellor of the Exchequer is set to finish off.
We warmly welcome the @NSARLtd future skills assessment. Its aims align with those of the #Manston Skills & Employment Board, our long term collaboration with local employers, educators & councils to plan the airport’s future employment & skills needs. https://t.co/HRJ5zeEPts
NEW: Keir Starmer confirmed to me that there is no impact assessment of removing winter fuel allowance from all pensioners. Pushed on why, he said there is no legal need for one adding: “I know you think there’s a report on my desk but there isn’t one”.
Good news. The full 'new' state pension is to rise £460 a year next year due to the triple lock. That is a real rise of about £200 above inflation. Yet there are 2 things I'd point out in the context of the debate about the winter fuel payment.
1. That starts next April. This winter most pensioners are facing (looking at energy bills alone) a typical £500 higher cost compared to last (energy bills are £100ish cheaper, but no £300 cost of living payment, no up to £300 winter fuel payment)
2. The full state pension rise is for those who get the full state pension. There are up to 800,000 of the poorest pensioners who get less than the full state pension (£11,400 a year) who aren't claiming pension credit and will miss out on the winter fuel payment even though they should get it. They are very hard to reach and will be under huge financial pressure. These are therefore people the govt said should be helped but due to difficulties in the system won't be. These are the people I'm most worried about, some of whom may end up choosing between heating and eating.
Nb Only 1 in 4 pensioners get the 'new' state pension (ht @paullewismoney) the 'old' state pension also has the triple lock but as it is on a lower base won't rise as much.
@RSPManston Just pleased that your investors have remained stoic, and in knowledge of the potential, are prepared for the long haul…
The sooner the work onsite begins the better…
Hard to disagree with this, getting permission for the #Manston Airport DCO took almost eight years from start to finish. We have always been in this for the long haul, but think how much economic benefit & opportunity for the UK was lost in that time? https://t.co/ZjNQULQIiB
The aircraft are starting to arrive and the weather forecast is looking great, so we are all set for a wonderful fly in weekend over the next three days! Who's coming? More details here: https://t.co/WVQ5lf16L2
Today we hosted @CanterburyCCUni business & logistics students. After a tour we introduced them to helicopter sales & engineering tenant Helix.av & discussed UK airfreight demand, the transport of perishable cargo from origin to supermarkets & sustainable airport infrastructure.
We're gearing up for a summer of fun! While an outcome to the Court of Appeal referral is awaited, @RSPManston remains committed to opening up the airport for a wide variety of events making positive use of a site that would otherwise sit empty. https://t.co/ylYl8YlTQI