I want to start my column this week by passing on my thanks to Alia, aged 8, from Soudley Primary School for her winning entry to my Christmas card competition this year.
Today I visited Lydney Harbour to learn more about the work the Environment Agency (EA) is doing in safeguarding and enhancing this much-loved facility.
The pandemic and the impact of conflict like the war in Ukraine has led to unprecedented levels of immigration to the UK. Net migration in the year to June 2023 was up significantly on pre-pandemic levels but lower than the number who came in 2022.
In rural areas like the Forest of Dean, it is especially important that residents are provided with a high-quality road network and access to local buses, and this is something that I have always taken extremely seriously during my time as your Member of Parliament and more recently, as Secretary
Today is #SmallBusinessSaturday, a celebration of the small and medium sized businesses we have right here across our beautiful corner of Gloucestershire. I have lived in the Forest for over twenty years, and I have used and got to know so many of the fantastic business and business owners.
In January, the Prime Minister set out his five priorities for government. Three of which were economic: to halve inflation, grow the economy, and reduce debt.
A good response on the doorstep today in Newnham-on-Severn as I called on residents. Many I managed to speak to face to face and left a card for those I didn’t catch. I canvass regularly across the constituency, all year round, and listen to the views and concerns of residents.
