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.
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 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.
New figures have shown that thanks to the actions of this Conservative Government we have halved inflation from its peak of 10.7 per cent at the start of the year to 4.6 per cent in October – giving families the immediate relief they need.
Last week marked the official State Opening of Parliament, which took place on the first day of the 2023-24 parliamentary session and was His Majesty The King's first as Monarch.
As the Prime Minister has rightly said, tackling inflation is the best way to boost people’s incomes, but as the Government works to halve it, we must support families through the challenging winter months ahead.
Earlier this month, the Prime Minister announced that the Government is creating the first smokefree generation, by bringing forward legislation so that children turning 14 this year or younger will never be legally sold tobacco products.
Earlier this month I attended the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester and in my capacity as Secretary of State for Transport, I had the honour of delivering an address to the main conference hall.