On 18th May Sir Geoffrey called a public meeting in Bibury Village Hall to serve as a platform to discuss the pressing issues affecting Bibury, Arlington and, Ablington and to listen to the concerns of residents. In attendance were Cllr…
It was a bit of a shock for all of us who are standing that yesterday it was announced that we are having a General Election on the 4th of July! However, my team and I have already started making plans for a full and vigorous election…
There are currently 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040, so research is crucial to understanding the condition and improving outcomes for those affected.
I would like to assure you that my ministerial colleagues and I take the welfare of all animals seriously. Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, the Government has delivered an ambitious legislative programme, bringing…
As you will likely know, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that the world is warming faster than anticipated, the effects of which are being seen in every single region of our planet. Urgent action is needed…
The Government recognises the importance of climate action and I welcome that the UK was the first G7 country to legislate to achieve net zero by 2050 and is decarbonising faster than any G20 country.
Canals form an important part of the Government’s work in reintroducing biodiversity in nature. In addition to their history and industrial heritage, they also provide the backdrop to the health and well-being routines of many. I…
All children should be able to access healthy food at school every day. With the help of good nutrition, pupils will be ready to learn and have the chance to achieve their full potential. It will hopefully encourage healthy and stable…
The MP’s annual river and sewage pollution meeting took place last Friday 17th May. In attendance were representatives from Stroud and Cotswold District, and Parish councillors, as well as representatives from the Environment Agency and…
I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to the environment. Farming activities are a main source of water pollution in the UK and the Government is working with farmers to reduce pollution and encourage better practices…
I welcome that the Government is making significant progress in stopping the arrival of small boats, with crossings down by 36 per cent in 2023. In 2023, the Government prevented 26,000 crossing attempts, saw the small boats deal with…
The affordability of food is a serious issue and everyone has a right to nutritious and adequate food supply. High energy prices and pressures on global supply chains, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, have put pressure on food prices…
The first Farm to Fork summit took place in May 2023. These summits are now to become an annual event, with another summit due this Spring, at which the first draft Food Security Index will be published.
Transport within London is devolved to the Mayor of London, who has taken the decision to expand the existing ULEZ across the whole of London. This is despite having said at the last mayoral election he would only expand it to the North…
Air pollution is the biggest single environmental threat to public health and Ministers are continuing to take robust action to improve air quality and minimise public health impacts. Air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010:…
I welcome that the Victims and Prisoner Bill will fundamentally transform victims’ experience of the criminal justice system by enshrining the Victim's Code in law, reforming the parole system and stopping prisoners serving whole-life…
As part of a consultation on aviation tax reform between March and June 2021, the Government sought views on whether a frequent flyer levy could replace Air Passenger Duty (APD) as the principal tax on the aviation sector.
A secure electoral system is vital to a healthy democracy, and the public must have confidence that our elections are secure and fit for the 21st century. I believe asking voters to bring photographic identification to their polling…
I fully recognise the urgency of the campaign being run by Target Ovarian Cancer to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms and reduce the time to diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Please be assured that the Government and NHS are committed…
I believe that international cooperation is important in tackling global tax challenges, and the Government actively engages with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s and UN’s work on tax policy.
Like many of my Parliamentary colleagues across the House, I am appalled by the treatment of the sub-postmasters who were accused of theft based on flawed evidence from the Horizon IT system. Victims' accounts of the impact of these…
While there are 100,000 fewer children in absolute poverty compared to 2009/10, the Government remains committed to reducing child poverty and supporting low-income families. The Government’s approach to tackling child poverty is based on…
More money than ever before is being invested in schools, ensuring every child gets a world-class education. In 2024-25, the total core schools budget will be at its highest-ever level, in both real terms and in real terms per pupil. This…
I appreciate the depth of your feeling on this issue. I know that the Government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare and would prefer that all animals are stunned prior to slaughter. However, Ministers also recognise the…
I completely understand what an incredibly emotive issue this is, and I appreciate the strength of feelings on both sides. It is for this reason that, as with other matters of conscience, the Government adopts a neutral stance on abortion…