DevComms associate director – east Jade Uko met MP for Bedford and Kempston, Mohammad Yasin to discuss the way forward for the constituency in light of both the new Government’s plans and the area’s needs and challenges. She presented some of the most pressing concerns, both of the industry and those who are affected by development.
Labour has an ambitious plan for growth. What do you think that will mean for Bedford and Kempston?
I believe the Government’s stated focus on growing our economy and rebuilding public services creates a profound opportunity for Bedford and Kempston, but we need to make the conditions work to enable us to take the opportunity.
From plans to provide capital investment in British businesses, building 1.5 million new homes, scrapping business rates and replacing it with a fit for purpose taxation system consulted on by businesses across the country, and cutting energy bills with GB Energy, I believe this Government will create the economic conditions for towns across the country to thrive.
I know from my conversations with businesses and entrepreneurs across Bedford and Kempston, many want to grow but need confidence and conditions to do so. That’s why I’m not only supporting Labour’s agenda for growth but am also doing all I can to support businesses locally, including holding regular meetings with Universal Studios to progress what would be an industry base for Bedford and Kempston for years to come.
Ultimately the Government creates the conditions for growth but what it means for Bedford and Kempston is, in large part, up to us locally, and so I always welcome hearing the views of my constituents on what they want for the future of our towns.
You have been vocal in your support of Universal Studios since the announcement of plans to develop near Bedford. Are you confident this will be delivered and what impact do you think it will have for the wider area?
I am optimistic. Discussions to date have been very positive but of course there is a way to go before any final decision is made. Universal presents a huge opportunity for our towns: employing over 8,000 people directly, creating jobs in the wider supply chain, bringing thousands of new customers to support new and existing businesses, and generating approximately £14.1 billion in additional tax revenue for the Government over a 20-year period, helping to fund our public services.
All of this means more jobs for local residents, and more opportunities for local businesses. But there are important matters that still need to be agreed.
I have been clear from day one that I do not believe this project can progress without clarity around major infrastructure improvements and full Government support for these. This is currently what is being discussed between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Universal.
I will or course continue to do all I can to address any emergent issues to ensure that we secure this significant project and get the best deal for Bedford and Kempston.
Bedford and Kempston sits right within the strategic Pan-Regional Partnership footprint between Oxford and Cambridge. What role does Bedford have and can it maintain a localised identity?
I recently met with Dipesh Shah, chair of the Oxford to Cambridge Pan-Regional Partnership and I stressed the points of local identity and shared prosperity. All of us want to see economic growth across our region but it’s vital for the long-term economic security of our region that this growth is not just concentrated in Oxford and Cambridge but shared across our towns. Its areas like Bedford and Kempston that need to feel the impact, and arguably would benefit most from, a coordinated approach, including on infrastructure improvements.
I believe we all have a role to play and would hope to see many benefits from deliberate and coordinated efforts, including utilising the skills, research expertise and business experience already present across our region.
East West Rail is seen by many as crucial to the area in realising its growth potential. Is the new government in support of this project and can we expect any changes to proposals?
At the moment, all transport projects are being reviewed by this new Government. We have inherited a £20bn blackhole in our public finances and the truth is, many transport projects existed on paper under the last Government but had no funding underpinning the required resource.
It would therefore be wrong of me to comment on the Government’s position on East West Rail specifically, until this review has been concluded. Although I will say that I appreciate the ongoing delays are causing extreme anxiety for many people living in areas where homes are marked for potential demolition.
I am heartened by a genuine belief that this is not a Government that will base spend and resource allocations on speculation, but, rightly, will review what’s in the best interest of our country and will only commit to carefully considered transport projects we can deliver.
My personal view is that East West Rail does offer a significant opportunity for our region and beyond, but there have been many issues to date that I believe need to be resolved including the unnecessary demolition of homes in the Bedford area, and the need for electrification from day one.
Housing delivery is a key priority for Labour. How does a local MP balance the national housing agenda when it comes to developments in the constituency?
Infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure.
I have shown with my support for Universal that I am pro-development and I know first hand from my office’s casework just how many families are on the housing register in temporary accommodation.
We need more affordable, homes that are fit for purpose, that’s just a fact. For too long there have been too many restrictions on building with an outdated National Planning Policy Framework preventing building on old industrial land or disused car parks that technically fall within a Green Belt site, whilst allowing pockets of green space in brownfield sites to be built on without issue – it just doesn’t make sense.
That’s why I’m pleased that Labour have committed to getting Britain building again and are already taking the steps to make this happen.
For me, as a local MP, it’s about ensuring that our council is proactive, working with residents on the best sites for housing development, and crucially that necessary road, transport (such as bus routes), and service infrastructure (such as GP access and local shops) are planned for. The main, genuine, opposition to housing is often a concern about more pressure on existing services and this is where, as a local MP, I will use my voice to push for more consideration around the needed infrastructure to support new housing.
Are you optimistic for the next five years and why?
I am optimistic but I don’t underestimate the scale of the challenge ahead. Our Government have inherited an economic mess, with public services on the brink of collapse. This first term will be about taking the first steps towards economic recovery, rebuilding the foundations of our economy and public services.
What makes me optimistic is the Prime Minister’s commitment to not taking the easy route – the cheap, quick wins that cost the country later on. Keir Starmer is taking the difficult decisions now, to prioritise economic growth – with a view to ending the cost-of-living crisis.
It will not be easy but, with the prospect of Universal Studios locally, the opportunities for business growth, and the rebuilding of our NHS and police, we have a real opportunity for a bright future for Britain.
© Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.
