Five takeaways from Truro and Falmouth MP's hotseat

Jayne Kirkham was elected as the Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth at the 2024 general election

Stricter rules on second homes and increased devolved powers are two key issues a Cornish politician has said she will be focusing on.

Labour's Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth, has been in the hotseat at BBC Radio Cornwall answering questions from listeners.

She was asked on Thursday about a range of topics, including farming, devolution, renewable energy.

Read the five takeaways from the show below or listen to the full interview here.

1. Housing crisis

The government has increased Cornwall's annual housing target from about 2,600 to 4,421 - a figure she admitted was high.

She argued building new homes was only part of the solution to Cornwall's housing crisis.

"We also need to look at the housing stock we've got here - so much of it is empty for part of the year," she said.

Kirkham welcomed plans for a registration scheme on holiday lets as "we have too many of them here".

She also praised a new initiative in Truro converting empty retail space into housing.

"It is a good thing to do as it will bring our town centres alive as well if we have people living in them. I think it's a really good scheme," she added.

2. Farming laws

Farmers in Cornwall have raised concerns about changes to agricultural property relief and what this could mean for the future of some family farms.

Kirkham defended the intention behind the policy but admitted farmers' fears should be listened to.

"I do think it's important that this issue is dealt with - people buying up farms to avoid paying inheritance tax.

"But I think it's important the issue is looked at properly in light of what farmers are dealing with and there should be a full consultation," she added.

Jayne Kirkham spoke to BBC Radio Cornwall's Julie Skentelbery in the hot seat

3. Devolved plans

Cornwall Council has recently written to the government asking for Cornwall to be officially recognised as the UK's fifth nation.

Kirkham declined to say whether she supported this, but said she wanted to see more devolution to Cornwall soon.

She explained: "The most important focus for me is, taking into account the national minority and special status of Cornwall, that we make sure we do get some of that support for services and funding.

"So it's working to make sure some of those powers do come to Cornwall in whatever shape or form as quickly as possible."

4. Solar farms

The government has ambitious net zero targets and Cornwall has seen lots of applications for solar farms.

She said solar was only part of the solution and food security was also important.

"It's not all about solar farms. If you look at geothermal, if you look at wind offshore and onshore - there are other things we can do with energy.

"The government is looking at a land use framework so we can talk properly about the land we have and what we do with it because it will need to be a split between food, energy, nature restoration, and housing," she explained.

5. Winter fuel payments

Labour has endured a rocky ride in its first 12 months in power and she conceded things had not always been easy.

"There have been issues with winter fuel payments and welfare benefits bill," she admitted.

She insisted she was proud of new legislation on employment rights and renters' rights, but explained that changing the law takes time.

"Even passing legislation takes 18 months, so of course it takes time," she added.

You can listen here to the full hot seat with Jayne Kirkham.