WE face challenging times both at home and abroad with the war in Ukraine having a devastating impact on that country with unacceptable atrocities committed by the invading Russian forces including sickeningly, against innocent civilians. The UN General Assembly has taken the clear step to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council and our government has also been leading efforts to refer Putin and his regime’s atrocities in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Prime Minister took the significant step recently of visiting Kyiv in person to meet with President Zelenskyy, confirming the latest package of military assistance for Ukraine, including 120 armoured vehicles and anti-ship missiles. This follows the thousands of anti-tank and anti-air missiles and hundreds of thousands of items of non-lethal equipment already dispatched.

My office staff and I continue to work to help those needing assistance in escaping Ukraine in a range of ways. And the knock-on effects of the war are having a serious effect on the cost of living here, in particular fuel costs, and with that in mind the Chancellor announced a wide package to offer some support.

I am pleased that the Government has also moved swiftly to increase its already significant commitment to renewable energy, announcing a new Energy Security Strategy which will see an acceleration in nuclear with the ambition of 24GW by 2050. Investment in offshore wind has also increased dramatically to committing to delivering 50 GW by 2030 cementing the UK as a leader in wind energy. All of these commitments will ultimately affect us all in terms of security of energy, costs we pay and of course will have a positive effect on climate change.

Finally, and still on a security note, but of a different nature. As Floods Minister I am pleased latest figures from the Environment Agency highlight that more properties than ever before are being protected from the dangers of flooding, Taunton Deane has benefited from £5.8m between 2015 - 2021. It is also welcome news that finally the go ahead has been given to the £100m Bridgwater Tidal Barrier which will protect nearly 13,000 homes and help unlock growth opportunities in the region.

Written by Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane.