Last week I was in the House of Lords to hear The Queen read out her speech setting the government’s programme for the year ahead. There has been considerable debate about what was in the speech and the fact that a Bill to grant the referendum on our membership of the European Union was not. […]
Last week the government approved the planning applications that will allow for the controlled expansion of Lydd Airport. This is excellent news and will I believe provide a considerable boost to the economy of Romney Marsh, creating new jobs and attracting businesses to locate in this area. You can look at the success of other […]
I was very sad to hear today of the passing of Baroness Thatcher, our first woman Prime Minister, and the greatest leader that this country has had in peace time. She was and will remain an icon of the twentieth century. You can read my tribute to her life and career in this article which […]
Reforms to the NHS to help deliver services designed more closely around the needs of patients and the local community have come into effect this week; following the legislation that we passed in parliament last year. Shortly before the Easter break I met with members of the new South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group, which […]
The latest unemployment figures show that more people are finding work in our area and across the country. Over the last year the overall rate of unemployment in the Folkestone and Hythe constituency fell by 2.6% and the rate for the young unemployed (18 to 24 year olds) has fallen by just under 13%. Nationally […]
It’s official, according to The Times newspaper, Folkestone is the fifth “coolest place” to live in Britain. I know what you are thinking; they’ve marked the town four places to low. Whilst these kinds of surveys and lists are a bit if fun, it’s great to see our area receiving some positive national publicity which […]
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 […]
It is three years since Shepway Council approved the planning application for the controlled expansion of Lydd Airport and it’s time for us to know where we stand. Following that decision we have had a planning inquiry and have been waiting over the last year for the final decision to be made by the Secretaries […]
When there are difficult economic challenges, at home as well as across Europe we need to be working hard to make sure we are as competitive as possible. For MPs, the country council and the other local authorities, that means supporting our business community to try and bring external investment to our area, rather than […]
The House of Commons returned from the Christmas recess on Monday and the following day we were straight into one of the main topics of concern; the future of support for people to find work and also those living on benefits. In 2012 I had meetings with the team at the Folkestone Job Centre, Avanta, […]