Yesterday, I spoke in the House of Commons debate on the government’s Brexit deal explaining why I could not support it. In my speech, I set out how the draft deal would have severe, long-term, risks for our economy and trust in our democracy. The deal would also stifle the positive opportunities of Brexit that […]
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 MoreThis month many residents have contacted me regarding illegal traveller incursions across Elmbridge, in particular in Cobham, Claygate, Long Ditton, Esher and Walton-on-Thames. I share the acute frustration many residents feel at these illegal encampments, and I am taking action at every level to tackle the issue. First, locally, I met with Elmbridge’s new Neighbourhood […]
Read MoreYesterday, I opened the Second Reading debate for the government on the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill. Put simply, the Bill does two things. First, it allows councils to charge double the rate of Council Tax on homes left empty for over 2 years. Currently, local authorities can levy […]
Read MoreToday, I announced a Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation on the enforcement powers available to councils and the police to address unauthorised traveller encampments. The latest data shows 84% of caravans are located on sites authorised for travellers, so the vast majority of the traveller community are behaving lawfully, decently and […]
Read MoreToday, the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, delivered his Spring Statement - billed as an update on the state of the economy, rather than a mini-budget. The Chancellor confirmed that the UK economy is performing better than previously forecast. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the UK’s independent economic watchdog, increased its forecasts for UK growth to […]
Read MoreOn Friday, I announced two new Courts and Tribunals Service Centres to be opened in The Midlands, as part of the £1 billion modernisation reforms to our courts and justice system. The centres, based in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent, will transform the way we manage court and tribunal cases by transforming from traditional paper-based systems to […]
Read MoreI have been passed a copy of the Westminster List, reportedly compiled by two researchers detailing allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by Conservative MPs. I should make it completely clear, at the outset, that I regard any such behaviour by any MP against staff or colleagues as totally unacceptable. It should be reported and […]
Read MoreI am delighted to see that primary schools in our constituency will together receive over £454,000 of extra funding for PE and sports this year. The money comes after the Department for Education’s decision to double the PE and Sports Premium from £160 million to £320 million, and is one aspect of a series of programmes […]
Read MoreToday, I announced that the Ministry of Justice has issued a call for evidence on the government’s plans to crackdown on fraudulent holiday sickness claims. Bogus claims encouraged by unscrupulous lawyers push up the price of holidays for everyone else - so tackling the problem will cut the cost for families taking a break. Since […]
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