This week I launched the “Start-up Hub” national competition for start-up businesses, to give them the chance to exhibit their business idea for free at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. This is the third year that we have organised this competition, and twelve businesses will be given the opportunity to join us at the […]
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 […]
The new 'Help to Buy' scheme announced today will make owning a new home a possibility for the many people who are currently unable to move or buy a place of their own because the deposit required is too large for them to afford. High house prices mean that people currently have to try to […]
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 […]