Last week, the Conservative-led Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) secured an extension to the protective injunction banning the setting up of unauthorised encampments and fly-tipping in our local parks and open spaces. The injunction prevents people from entering or occupying the borough’s parks, open spaces and car parks for the purposes of living there (including caravans, […]
Read MoreToday, I took the difficult decision to resign from the Cabinet as Secretary of State. I resign in sorrow not in anger, and with enduring respect for the determination and fortitude of the Prime Minister. I do not agree with the terms of the proposed Brexit deal, and I cannot in good conscience support the […]
Read MoreOn Sunday 11 November, I attended a poignant and moving Remembrance Day service at Walton war memorial. I was honoured to lay the first wreath at the service marking 100 years since the end of World War One. The inspiring occasion saw local Cadets, Scouts and Brownies, together with veterans and around 2,000 local people. […]
Read MoreOn Friday, I welcomed Robert Jenrick, MP for Newark and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, to speak at my Connect business breakfast club - which brings together local businesses, large and small. I gave an update on Brexit, and then introduced Robert who spoke in particular about the November budget and productivity in the UK […]
Read MoreLast week, I met with local community group Elmbridge CAN, who are helping refugees to find their feet in Elmbridge. The group has supported the resettlement of five Syrian families in the borough, including nine children. I was impressed how people from across the community have come together to offer their support, helping with donations […]
Read MoreYesterday, The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, announced the government’s Autumn Budget. First, there was good economic news. GDP growth forecasts have been revised up for 2019 and 2020, whilst unemployment forecasts have been revised down - with unemployment forecast to be just 3.7% in 2019. With unemployment already at a 43-year low, and wages growing at […]
Read MoreLast week, I spent the morning with Elmbridge Rentstart, a Walton-based charity supporting local homeless people into rental accommodation and work. I was particularly impressed with their ‘Freedom2Work’ scheme, which helps homeless people secure shared accommodation in the private-rented sector in order to provide a stable environment for them to find employment. Under the scheme, […]
Read MoreThis morning, I addressed a small business roundtable breakfast discussion in Walton for the second year in a row. 30 local businesses were invited, representing a broad range of sectors – from ESC Digital, an audio-visual company based in Walton-on-Thames, to Crane & Associates, an architectural practice based in Esher. Each of the companies had […]
Read MoreToday, the Department for Health has announced that Surrey County Council will receive an extra £4 million to help support our local social care services ahead of the coming winter. The money comes as part of a £240 million package that could help deliver up to 71,500 home care packages to help get patients out […]
Read MoreOn Saturday, I joined Walton and Cobham Heritage Days. First, I went to Walton where Joanna Gordon from the Walton on Thames Trading Alliance (WoTTA) showed me round the various stalls and activities, from the screening of black and white films at Cecil Hepworth Playhouse to the dog show down by the river. I then […]
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