Shepway District Council has announced proposals to submit a bid to the government for support to create a new ‘garden town’ on the land surrounding Otterpool Park Farm, close to the south side of junction 11 of the M20. The council has my full support in its decision to launch this debate, but it is […]
For many students and their families, as well as teachers, August can be the most nerve-racking of months as they await the news of exam results. Last week we had the results for A levels, AS’s and B-TEC’s and this week students will receive their GCSE results. I know how much hard work goes into […]
The latest figures on unemployment published last week showed further significant progress for our area. In the Folkestone and Hythe parliamentary constituency unemployment has fallen by one third since May 2010. There are now more than 800 people fewer out of work and claiming the job seekers allowance in our area than there were a year […]
A new report published this week shows that the Folkestone and Hythe area has been the biggest beneficiary so far from High Speed Rail. The Institute for Economic Affairs report shows that we have seen the best performance in terms of the increase in the percentage of working age population in work, compared with the […]
The Folkestone and Hythe constituency saw a big fall in unemployment last month, according to the latest figures published last week. The overall unemployment rate is now nearly 25% lower than it was in May 2010. Last month this area saw the biggest fall in unemployment in Kent, and over the last year the rate […]
GPs in Folkestone and Dover received a boost this week, with the granting of £1.89 million to improve access to their services for patients. The grant comes from Prime Minister David Cameron’s challenge fund, which has been set up to help give GPs the resources to offer a more flexible service to their communities. Folkestone […]
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 Army Reserve, the new name for the Territorial Army, will play an increasingly important role in supporting our armed forces in the years ahead. There is currently a recruitment drive that will see the Army Reserve double in size from 15,000 to 30,000. For many soldiers leaving the army, including former Gurkhas, joining the […]
We are currently experiencing the highest level of rainfall in east Kent since 1910, and the evidence of it is there for all to see. Whilst we have not experienced the terrible flooding seen in Somerset and the West Country, there are flood warnings in place for the Nailbourne and Little Stour between Lyminge and […]