George Osborne recently announced the positive news of improved economic growth and employment. Our long term economic plan is helping to restore growth and stability, but there is more we need to do to secure the recovery. In his budget there were a variety of proposals which affect all us of differently, so below I […]
The Budget presented to the House of Commons last week by George Osborne, contained much to interest savers, pensioners and local businesses in particular. I know from speaking to a large number of retired residents over the last few months, that there has been considerable concern about the low levels of return they have been getting […]
The future of further education in Folkestone was safeguarded last week as East Kent College took over K College in the town. The new principal Graham Razey, has positive plans to reinvigorate the college and to deliver even higher levels of education and training for its students. Ever since K College went into financial difficulties, I have […]
I recently spoke at a special event in London to promote the creative and technology economy in East Kent, which was organised by the ‘Grow for it ‘campaign. This day brought together investors and business leaders from Tech City in London, with local firms like Sleeping Giant Media which specialises in helping businesses promote themselves […]
The Folkestone sisters Margaret and Flora Jeffrey were awarded OBEs at the end of the First World War, with grateful thanks for their work in supporting the millions of service personnel that passed through the town’s harbour, between 1914 and 1919. They ran a simple cafe on the harbour arm dispensing free cups of tea […]
Lydd Airport returns to the news this week as the anti airport campaigners, including the RSPB take their case to the high court to try and overturn the planning application, that was granted to allow the limited expansion of the runway and facilities available to passengers. I have supported the controlled expansion of the airport, […]
In the top forty places in the world to visit in 2014, Folkestone is one of only four places in England to make the list; coming in at number 38, between Moscow and Canberra, Australia. That’s according to the travel pages of The Guardian, and it follows last year’s recommendation by The Times newspaper that […]
Happy New Year for 2014. I hope you have had an enjoyable break over Christmas and are looking forward to the year ahead. Despite the very mixed weather we had a wonderful sunny winter day on Boxing Day, which was perfect for the numerous sporting events taking place across the district. As in previous years, […]
We’ve now had several months of positive economic news, showing that Britain’s recovery is being driven by business and trade. Locally, we seen unemployment falling faster than the national trend, supported by the Government’s £40million regional growth fund for East Kent, the high speed rail link and the expanded apprenticeships programmes. Nationally there are more […]
Kent County Council confirmed last week that all of the children’s centres in Shepway are to remain open, following their consultation on the future of this service. This is excellent news for the three centres which had been threatened with closure; Folkestone Early Years, The Village in Folkestone and New Romney. I believe that this […]