The Queen used her message this Christmas to ask us to draw on the inspiration of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes as we face the challenges of the year ahead. She also highlighted the importance of the ‘small acts of goodness’ we can commit to everyday, and cited the word of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, saying: […]
On Friday last week I joined a special event at Sandgate Primary school organised by Digital Radio UK. Its purpose was to mark the switching on of the final of nine new digital radio transmitters for Kent. These now mean that 95% of homes and businesses in the county should be able to receive a […]
Shepway District Council is starting its community consultation on the proposed development of the Otterpool Garden town, with public events in Sellindge and Hythe on Thursday this week. You can find the times and dates for the full series of events on the council’s website. Whatever you have heard about the proposals, I would urge […]
On Wednesday last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, presented the Autumn Statement to parliament, and with it his first detailed analysis, setting out his priorities for public spending and investment in the economy. It’s clear that spending on infrastructure and new homes will be his main focus. Locally and nationally, we need […]
The Government has announced its support for the expression of interest put forward by Shepway District Council, for the development of a garden town at Otterpool, the area to the south of junction 11 of the M20 motorway. This development could include up to 12,000 new homes, with starter homes, homes to rent and larger […]
Last week, along with a delegation of MPs from across Kent, I met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, at Number 11 Downing Street to discuss future investment in road infrastructure in Kent. In the government’s autumn statement last year, George Osborne awarded the £250million required to deliver the Operation Stack relief lorry […]
Housing is one of the biggest issues we face today. We need more affordable homes for people to buy and rent. There has been a failure in the housing market that means the lack of available properties has pushed up prices and rents. That means today, that many people on lower wages pay a greater […]
Last Friday I visited the Calais Jungle migrant camp, along with Jo Strickland, a Folkestone based businesswoman who has also, over the past year, worked there as a volunteer. The camp is currently home to around 10,000 migrants, although no-one knows the exact number for certain. They have journeyed from across the world, from Afghanistan, […]
This week has seen the re-opening of the Dover to Folkestone railway line, after its closure following storm damage at the end of last year. The closure of the line has been a major inconvenience for all rail passengers in East Kent over the last nine months, and I would like thank them for their […]
Last Friday Highways England published their consultation on the design and management of the Operation Stack relief lorry park. The consultation will be open until 23rd September, and you can find out more about it by visiting the Highways England website. They have also organised a series of public information events about the proposals, starting […]