On Wednesday evening this week, following on from the Chancellor’s statement and debate on the Budget, I will be leading a separate debate in the House of Commons focused on our local fishing industry. In the Budget we will be able to see how businesses are expanding, creating new jobs and investing in our economy. […]
The inflation figures published this week show that last month prices rose by just 0.3%, helped by the falling costs of fuel and food. We can certainly all see the falling prices at the pumps with petrol now below 107p a litre; a saving of 30p a litre from a few months ago. The price […]
The life of our coastal communities comes from the sea. People have been fishing for food off the Kent coast for thousands of years and will still be doing so long after we have all gone. Our fishing businesses are not just part of our local economy, but are at its heart. Last Saturday I was delighted […]
For the last year I have been campaigning with our local fishermen to keep Hythe Bay open for commercial fishing. We have taken this campaign to the door of 10 Downing Street, where we presented a petition demonstrating the strength of feeling on this issue. I also organised a special debate in the House of […]
Last week we saw very positive news for our campaign to safeguard the future of the local fishing industry, and all of the businesses it supports around Folkestone and Hythe Bay. On Thursday in the House of Commons the government confirmed that it will not be progressing with its original proposals to create a marine […]
Damian Collins invited the Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, down to the constituency on Wednesday 17th July. They met with local fishermen at Griggs in Hythe and at Rocksalt in Folkestone. The local fishermen are campaigning to have the Hythe Bay Marine Conservation Zone set at ‘maintain’ rather than ‘recover’ allowing fishing to continue at its […]
The Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon MP, has confirmed that he will be coming to Folkestone and Hythe to meet with local businesses and the fishermen, who are affected by the marine conservation zone proposals for Hythe Bay. This will be the first time that a Fisheries Minister has visited our area officially for many years. […]
This week I called a special House of Commons debate to support the case of the Hythe Bay fishermen against the possible introduction of restrictions in their fishing waters along our coast. This follows the petition we presented to 10 Downing Street earlier this month, which was signed by over 1,000 residents. I am also […]
For centuries fishermen have braved the elements to bring in their catch from the waters along our coast. In addition to this sea fishing is a popular local sport and pastime which attracts visitors to our area. The local businesses selling wet fish straight from the sea where it was caught, like Folkestone Trawlers, Griggs […]