The issue of fracking has come up as the government attempts to find as many ways as possible to lower energy prices and give the UK energy security.
Worries about energy bills are a huge concern and the government has intervened with a huge £60 billion package of support There is support for households and for businesses, voluntary sector organisations, such as charities and public sector organisations such as schools, hospitals and care homes. This support is a life-line.
The Chancellor announced last week that the moratorium on fracking in England would be lifted where there is “local consent” and it has been found safe to do so.
I understand the need for new energy sources as war rages in Ukraine but there has been no movement in the science as far as I am aware to answer the environmental concerns.
I doubt very much there is any support for fracking in Eastbourne and Willingdon and I am happy to go on record to say I would not support it. I do not see it in our future; when previously considered, it was determined that extraction here was economically unviable in our area.
My commitment is to look at more solar power here in Eastbourne – one of the sunniest places in the UK. I recently held a parliamentary summit about this to discuss the opportunities and challenges. Next week, I will be going to the launch of a new training unit at East Sussex College in partnership with local company OHM Energy. It is running a T-level course on renewable technology.
I believe we can optimise solar power on our rooftops, especially commercial and industrial, across the town and that Eastbourne can at least partly run on sun. I am delighted the next generation of solar technicians are being trained locally. This is great news.
In other bright news, a big shout out to all at the Lansdowne Hotel celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. This local landmark has been run by the same family since 1912 and to the Trustees and local community at Leaf Hall in Seaside who opened their doors again last Sunday.
