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 […]
The economic shock of the coronavirus is affecting many local businesses, and particularly those that work in the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors. Whilst there have been government schemes to support both jobs and businesses that have been unable to trade as a consequence of the COVID lockdown, we need to look at what more […]
The beginning of September marks the start of the new school year, and few can have been as eagerly anticipated as this one. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and the education of our children for most of the last sixth months, and its vital that students get back into the classroom, so they can continue […]
Nearly nineteen years ago, on 15th September 2001 I watched along with a group of friends the Last Night of the Proms, broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall to giant screens in London’s Hyde Park. This was just four days after the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the decision was correctly […]
August has always been an anxious month for students waiting for the results of public examinations like A levels, GCSEs and B-TECs. I still remember the feeling going into school to collect my grades. It’s not just a matter of personal pride to see the work that has been put in over the previous years […]
This week the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, announced that the Royal Navy would be deployed in the Channel, and RAF planes used to increase and improve monitoring of migrant boats seeking to reach the UK from the French coast. The fine weather and calm seas of the last few days have led to an increase […]
This week the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced over £3.5million in new funding to support the creation of the Romney Marsh Employment Hub. This will be a new business centre on the Marsh which will support the creation of 700 new jobs. It will be delivered by the government’s new ‘Getting […]
It’s great to see how so many local hospitality businesses have adapted to the new social distancing rules, following the lifting of the coronavirus lockdown measures. Many residents and visitors are also keen to take advantage of the chance to get out and about and enjoy what our towns have to offer. Last Friday I […]