I’ve been clear that I oppose this Government’s decision to cut the UK aid budget from 0.7 to 0.5 per cent of GDP. This only saves approximately £4 billion but will have a significant impact in supporting people in need across the world, especially during a global pandemic.
I wrote to the Chancellor and urged him to reconsider this decision.
On 2 December the Home Office scheduled a departure flight to Jamaica.
Before the flight’s departure, I wrote to the Home Secretary on this issue and have now received the below response. Please open the pdf attachment at the bottom of this post to see the response in full.
After a decade of austerity, it’s easy for the Chancellor to say local authorities are receiving more cash than last year.
Councils are often at the frontline of providing vital services – the Government needs to step up and support hard-pressed councils.
Many constituents have contacted me to raise their concerns about the danger posed to hen harriers and other birds of prey as a result of wildlife crime.
I wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and received this response. Please open the pdf attachment at the bottom of this post to click on the links and see the response in full.
I will continue pressing the Government to take this issue seriously.
During the summer, I received hundreds of emails from constituents who raised their concerns about the lack of diversity in our national curriculum. I share these concerns and wrote to the Secretary of State for Education. You can see his response above.
I am clear that it is vital our curriculum reflects the rich diversity and history of our country. The contribution of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities must be celebrated in schools. I am also clear that we have a responsibility to teach the truth about our colonial past.
At the Liaison Committee on the 27 May, I challenged the Prime Minister over the Dominic Cummings scandal and his double standards for lockdown. The Liaison Committee is the committee comprised of the chairs of all House of Commons select committees. See my original question to the Prime Minister, and his response, here.
Tonight we’re voting on the Internal Market Bill, which is an utter shambles.
❌ It breaks international law,
❌ Shreds our country’s credibility,
❌ Risks a No Deal Brexit.
I called out the Prime Minister for shredding our country’s international credibility and challenged him over his constant use of cheap slogans that are now coming home to roost.
I continue to press the Government for action to support those who are self employed, many of whom have been living on fresh air during the pandemic.
Many have good track records with HMRC but still fall into the gaps in support. The Government needs to understand the cost to the Exchequer as well as the impact on people’s lives.
I will continue to make the case.
A number of constituents have contacted me to raise their concerns about supertrawlers (large fishing vessels) operating in Marine Protected Areas. I wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and received this response.