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West Sussex Youth Democracy Awards 2018

On Thursday I was delighted to host the West Sussex Youth Democracy Awards for the sixth time where those schools who have most engaged with the recent youth cabinet and UK Youth Parliament elections are recognised and awarded a rather nice chunk of glass.

Children’s safety at risk from wildly varying system of social care

An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children, suggests children’s safety is being put at risk by a system of social care that varies wildly from place to place, and where children must often reach grave danger before getting any help at all. More than 4 in 5 Directors of Children’s

Herald column July 12th 2018

Probably best not to talk about Brexit too much this week but for those who are interested I have written a blog on my Facebook page in response to the Chequers ‘lock-in deal.’ Much more enjoyable was the opportunity to spend most of Thursday joining local patients, nurses and doctors celebrating t

Update from Govia Thameslink and Network Rail

Please find below the latest update from GTR and Network Rail: Interim timetable 15th July Details of a new interim timetable to provide a more reliable service for Thameslink and Great Northern passengers have been published today. GTR has committed to running more peak hour trains and provide a

Brexit’s coming home? - initial response to Chequer's agreement

Once a week, usually on a Wednesday at 5pm, the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs meets in Committee Room 14 at the House of Commons. After discussing the upcoming business of the House we usually have a cabinet minister to talk us through topical legislation and take friendly fire.

Herald column July 5th 2018

Last week there was a decisive vote on giving the go-ahead for a third runway at Heathrow. I abstained as I am still not convinced that this can be achieved without serious environmental damage, not least on air quality, and it is likely to be contested through the courts for years to come.

GTR compensation scheme does not go far enough

The compensation scheme for Thameslink announced today is welcome but doesn't go nearly far enough for the sheer hell that commuters are continuing to suffer.  Will continue to pressure the government into bring forward a comprehensive compensation scheme that delivers on the real cost of cont

Taking back control of our waters

Today, the Government set out its plan for how the UK will take back control of our waters and ensure stocks are fished sustainably. Currently, the UK is permitted to fish less than 50% of the fish within our own territory whilst European fisherman overfish our waters meaning our stock is depl