As we approach the longer nights of a year that has been blighted by the coronavirus pandemic, it seems that we might at last be able to glimpse light in the distance. Two companies, Pfizer and Moderna have now announced that they have covid vaccines that have an effectiveness of over 90% and which could be available as early […]
This year has seen the passing of a Remembrance Sunday unlike any other since the Second World War. The COVID lockdown restrictions meant that none of the usual civic services took place but that couldn’t stop people from paying their respects to those who have sacrificed their lives in the defence of our country. The […]
On Thursday 5 November the government is due to commence a second national COVID-19 lockdown in England. People will be asked to work from home where they can, all hospitality venues and non-essential retail outlets will close, and most leisure activities will also cease. This will continue until 2 December when the government will issue […]
Since the start of the COVID 19 crisis the government has introduced a number of important measures to support people and businesses, which have so far required an additional £200billion in funding. Such a large increase in public spending has been necessary but is also unprecedented in peacetime. The furlough and job support schemes provided […]
The Folkestone and Hythe district currently has the lowest COVID-19 infection rate in England, with just 17 reported cases per 100,000 people. This compares to over 100 cases in some London Boroughs, and over 400 cases per 100,000 people in Greater Manchester, where the imposition of Tier 3 restrictions is being considered. The Folkestone and […]
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has this week announced further measures to protect jobs in local businesses legally required by COVID-19 restrictions to close, by introducing a new wage support through the Job Support Scheme. This means that the government will provide a grant for employees unable to work, covering two-thirds of their usual wages and […]
This week at the online Conservative Party conference the Home Secretary Priti Patel set out her priorities to reform the ‘broken’ asylum system in our country. Next year, we could see new legislation that would deliver safe routes to the UK for those in genuine need, faster processing of claims, and accelerating removals for those […]
On Friday last week I joined a special meeting organised by Folkestone and Hythe District Council to discuss the use of Napier Barracks at Shorncliffe as temporary accommodation for people who are having their asylum claims assessed. I have expressed my concerns about this decision before, and in particular the lack of notice or consultation […]
On Tuesday this week the Prime Minister announced new restrictions to try and slow down the spread of the coronavirus. These include requiring all staff in shops and hospitality businesses like pubs and cafes to wear masks from Monday, as must their customers unless they are eating and drinking, and they must also order and […]
This week the House of Commons has been debating the Internal Market Bill, which seeks to establish the rules for trade within the United Kingdom after we leave the EU Single Market at the end of this year. There has been considerable controversy surrounding this Bill because it contains measures which would allow Ministers to […]