I'm passionate about ensuring the UK's Life Sciences Sector flourishes. Today I asked Minister of State for Health (and my successor) for a progress update on commercial clinical trial recruitment. I was delighted to hear that monthly…
I took part in the House of Commons debate on hospices and hospices funding. This gave me the opportunity to raise a number of issues but importantly to also praise the work of both St Helena Hospice and EACH.
This afternoon, in the House of Commons, I asked a question at DLUCH Questions about homelessness and rough sleeping. I am concerned about proposals as set out in the Criminal Justice Bill that in my view risk criminalising rough sleepers.…
It was a pleasure to meet with Alison Andreas at Colchester Institute today for a catch-up and to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
It was good to catch up with the Secretary of State for Health, Victoria Atkins MP this week to talk about a number of health issues including my recent debate on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
I was pleased to have been able to secure a debate in Westminster Hall today on AMR (anti-microbial resistance). An issue, which during my time as Minister of State for Health and Social Care, I found extremely concerning and one which I…
It was a pleasure to host Cancer52 in Parliament today for the launch of their pre-election manifesto: The Other Half. The link to which you can find below.
Yesterday I visited the NHS-Galleri trial mobile clinic in Colchester. Over 18,500 volunteers from the East of England area have been enrolled and are now returning for their final appointments. I would like to thank all the trial…
Last week I attended Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal event in Parliament, I met with Marie Curie ambassador Chris Kamara and Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant Cherry to celebrate the UK’s leading end of life charity’s 38th Great…
In #BrainTumourAwarenessMonth I am supporting Brain Tumour Research and their manifesto call to do things differently, improve options for #braintumour patients and get us closer to a #braintumourcure
At Treasury questions today, I took the opportunity to again raise the proposed changes to wine duty which will add huge cost and complexity to wine businesses. The easement due to end on 1st February should be made permanent, I asked the…
This morning I visited the new Community Supermarket in Greenstead which opened on 1st March offering affordable food and household essentials to local residents. The new supermarket is open Thursday to Saturday from 09.30am until 12.30pm.…
Today I asked my first Prime Minister's Question since re-joining the backbenches on the importance of passing legislation as quickly as possible to deliver justice to sub-postmasters across the UK.
Today the Chancellor made his Spring Budget Statement in the House of Commons and I was really pleased that he confirmed that the Household Support Fund, which was due to end this month will continue at its current level for another 6…
Yesterday I secured a debate in Westminster Hall on wine excise duty after Majestic (who have a large branch in Colchester) contacted me raising their concerns.
My question to the Health Secretary today welcoming news of a deal with consultants unions which they will now put to their members with a recommendation to accept.
In 2020 the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities launched the Getting Building Fund, which is a £900m programme which aims to deliver jobs, skills and infrastructure across England.
It was great to visit Colchester Townhouse, Essex Youth Service today, spanning across three floors, it makes for a fantastic venue that already hosts a variety activities for young people.
It is always a pleasure to pop in and see Gareth from DGSL at 14 Lion Yard Colchester. Gareth offers a range of cleaning and touch up services for trainers, handbags and leather shoes. He is brilliant at what he does and this local…
Always a pleasure to visit Steve at Colchester Canoe Club which is going from strength to strength. However, the recent collapse of the weir at Middle Mill has caused significant water level issues making using the river difficult. The…
It was brilliant to visit Changing Lives Community Services new premises on Crouch Street today. A huge improvement on the previous site with more space and much closer to the city centre. Changing Lives carries out really important early…