A number of residents have been in touch with me today about images circulating online showing small amounts of food being delivered to children who are eligible for free school meals.
I have not voted to take free school meals from children. I am fully committed to free school meals and this government has expanded the eligibility for free school meals to more children than any government in the last fifty years.
Many thanks to residents who contacted me about maintaining our high standards in trade negotiations. I know that this is an issue that many people care about.
First and foremost, I believe animals are sentient beings who can feel pain and suffering, and I would like to reassure residents that strong action is being taken to reduce their risk of harm.
As set out in the 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment, the decision to leave the European Union has created an historic opportunity to deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.
I understand the strength of feeling surrounding adult social care. I’d like to thank all those who got in touch with me on this issue, expressing a wide range of opinions.
A number of local business managers and residents have gotten in touch with more on the reopening of night time industries, such as nightclubs. Many thanks to them for doing so.
I understand that Brexit has been a very sensitive issue in Hertford and Stortford. Many residents have therefore written to me on whether we will leave without a trade agreement at the end of the transition period. I’d like to thank them for doing so.
Thank you to residents who got in touch about the Coronavirus Act. As we emerge from lockdown, it is only right that we review this piece of legislation.
Many Hertford and Stortford residents got in touch with me to express their frustration at delays they have experienced in receiving refunds for cancelled flights. Please rest assured that I appreciate how frustrating this must be for residents.
On Monday, the Trade Bill was passed by the House of Commons. There are some misleading stories on this Bill, so I thought I would clear some issues up.
On the NHS’ role in trade discussions, the Bill says:
Many thanks to residents who contacted me on the change of guidelines in relation to face coverings.
I have received some very passionate emails from both sides of the debate so I thought I would outline why the new rule has been brought in and my view on it.
Thank you to those who contacted me about our withdrawal from the EU and on the end to the freedom of movement of people. Please be assured that I appreciate how the issue of our EU exit has divided people like few issues have done before.
Thank you to all those suffering from or knows someone dear who suffers from blood cancer. I emphasise totally with the position that these people find themselves in and respect the difficulty in sharing such emotional experiences with me.
Thank you to Hertford and Stortford residents who contacted me on Israel and the West Bank. I firmly support the UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process.
Thank you to all residents who contacted me on support for the performing arts during coronavirus.
I very much regret the impact that coronavirus has had on performing arts in our country, and look forward to when our treasured cultural sector can make a full return.
I appreciate there are many concerns surrounding gaps in support during COVID-19. Thank you to all Hertford and Stortford residents who shared their concerns on this with me.
Marriage is one of the most important institutions we have. The principles of long term commitment and responsibility which underpin it bind society together and make it stronger, and I am pleased the Government is of the same view.
I agree with residents who got in touch regarding the welfare system that it is critical the Government delivers essential support to people across the country during this unprecedented time.
I believe it is vital that the UK has the digital infrastructure it needs to compete and grow in the modern economy. The Government is committed to making the UK a world leader in 5G.
Thank you to residents who contacted me about the merger of the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Aid more broadly.
Please allow me to assure those who got in touch with me regarding prostate cancer that improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with this disease remains a key NHS priority.
I am always interested to hear from residents who have an interest or knowledge of the heat pumps sector as one of the hardest things to decarbonise is heat and I am convinced heat pumps are central to achieving net zero.
Assisted suicide is one of the most sensitive issues of our time. I’d like to thank every resident who got in touch and shared such personal details with me.
The number of disabled people in work increased by 1.34 million between July-September 2013 and July-September 2019, and the disability employment gap fell by almost six percentage points.
Pension Credit is intended to provide support for economically inactive pensioner households. It is not intended to support working age claimants. As such, I do not believe any changes to Pension Credit are planned to provide support to those who are yet to reach State Pension age.
I welcome the action the Government has taken to meet its legal obligation and introduce the abortion framework for Northern Ireland. The Government was placed under a statutory duty to deliver abortion law for Northern Ireland by implementing the recommendations of the CEDAW report.
I want to reassure you that I take pay gaps very seriously and I know that my colleagues in government are working to address this issue. To achieve this, most importantly, we must ensure that everybody has equal access to opportunities.
I understand that parents across the country are going through particularly difficult and stressful times. We have never had a period of disruption like this and I know parents and children alike will be longing for a return to normality.
The Grenfell Tower fire was one of the worst tragedies this nation has experienced in many years. It is impossible to comprehend what those affected by the fire have had to deal with. The Government must ensure that those affected continue to receive the support they both need and deserve.
In this country we have a long-standing tradition that people can gather together and demonstrate, and the right to protest peacefully is a fundamental part of our democracy.
The suggestion that being LGBT can be “cured” is both morally and medically wrong and the concept of conversion therapy has no place in our society. Being lesbian, gay or bisexual is not an illness to be treated or cured.
I understand the strength of feeling on this issue and, naturally, I support the right to peacefully protest within the law. The recent show of solidarity against racism has been outstanding. We should not let the actions of a few detract from that fact.
The Government has continued to take action to combat these abhorrent crimes by significantly strengthening our laws and introducing new tools to protect victims.
I believe it is vital for young people in this country to learn about Black history. I am therefore pleased that all schools have the freedom to teach it from primary school age onwards, as part of the history curriculum.
I appreciate your concern for those Members who are still shielding being able to vote. I can assure you that I did not vote for anyone to lose their ability to vote remotely.
The UK’s position on Israeli settlements is clear. Settlements are illegal under international law and damaging to renewed efforts to launch peace negotiations.
I believe distributed generation may have a role to play a part in a smarter, more efficient energy system and small scale low-carbon technologies should have a level playing field as the market for smarter services evolves.
I know the Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously. Indeed, the UK operates one of the world’s most robust and transparent export control regimes.
I firmly believe that just one person without a roof over their head is one too many, and it is vitally important that the most vulnerable people in society, including homeless people and rough sleepers, are helped to get their lives back on track.
I was glad to hear that at the end of March the High Court ruled that the Government's approach to detention and coronavirus was sensible and the appropriate precautionary measures were in place.
The Government has continued to take action to combat these abhorrent crimes by significantly strengthening our laws and introducing new tools to protect victims.
The evidence suggesting that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 is extremely concerning and troubles me greatly.
My sincere condolences go to the family of Belly Mujinga and other families like them who have lost loved during this crisis. It’s important for us to keep our transport system going but so is the need to protect transport staff.
When people voted to leave the EU, they did so in the knowledge that the free movement system imposed by the EU would end. The Home Secretary has been clear that she has a particular responsibility to take back control and bring an end to free movement once and for all.
It is vital that people across the UK have confidence in the food that they eat, which is why I welcome the Government’s very clear commitment that future trade agreements must uphold our country’s high food standards.
I am proud that the UK has some of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world. There is comprehensive legislation to uphold these standards, as well as guidance on how best to protect the welfare of specific animals living on farms, such as hens, pigs and cattle.
I cherish our National Health Service and its guiding principles: that it is universal and free at the point of need. The Government has been repeatedly clear that our NHS will never be on the table in any trade agreements, a position I fully support.
It is incredibly important to protect and support the health of children and young people in our society. In recent years we have made huge progress in understanding mental health issues, and I support efforts to transform children and young people’s mental health for the better.
I firmly believe that just one person without a roof over their head is one too many, and it is important that the most vulnerable people in society are helped to get their lives back on track.
I believe that a vibrant, open and free press that is able to hold the powerful to account is vital to our democracy. Balanced against this it is not unreasonable to expect the press to act with understanding in relation to sensitive personal stories.
The internet has become an integral part of our lives. Whilst being online can be a hugely positive experience for children, we have to be alive to the dangers.
As set out in the 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment, the decision to leave the European Union has created an historic opportunity to deliver a Green Brexit, where environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.
This country has a proud history of allowing free speech but the right to peaceful protest does not extend to harassment or threatening behaviour. The law already provides protection against harassment and intimidation, and the police have a range of powers to manage protests.
I believe that the irresponsible use of the whip is completely unacceptable. The British Horseracing Association (BHA), the governing and regulatory body for the sport, requires that whips used in horse racing must be used responsibly, for safety reasons and only to encourage the horse.
The UK is a leader on global health. I gladly welcome the Secretary of State for International Development's announcement that the UK will step up efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, new-born babies and children in the developing world by 2030.
Early diagnosis of blood cancers can be difficult with symptoms, for example back pain, bruising, or tiredness, often misdiagnosed. That is why I am glad that guidance for clinicians on diagnosing blood cancer has been set out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Commonwealth citizens, like the Windrush generation, are a unique group who have built their life here and have contributed enormously to our country. I do not want anyone to be in any doubt about their right to remain here.
The Pensions Act 1995 legislated to equalise the State Pension age, and the Pensions Act 2011 accelerated this equalisation. The 2011 Act included also transitional arrangements limiting State Pension age delays.
The BBC’s decision to stop funding free TV licences for all over 75s from June 2020 is very disappointing. I recently stood on a manifesto that made clear that the BBC should do the right thing and fund TV licences for over 75s.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face, and I can assure you that I recognise the importance and urgency of public debate on this issue.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face, and I can assure you that I recognise the importance and urgency of public debate on this issue.
I continue to believe strongly that we need to do all we can to help the world’s most vulnerable people. I agree with the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury who said that the resettlement of thousands of vulnerable refugees over the last four years is something the UK can be proud of.
The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for the Commonwealth, the UN and South Asia have been in contact with their Australian counterparts to offer condolences and stress the UK’s readiness to help.
Thank you for contacting me about assisted suicide and for bringing the debate held on 23rd January to my attention. Unfortunately, due to prior diary commitments I was unable to attend, however a member of my team went on my behalf to represent me and my constituents.
Ending child, early and forced marriage must remain a high priority: it is shocking that more than 700 million girls and women alive today were married as children.
Oceans are currently facing unprecedented challenges, including climate change and over-fishing. It is more important than ever to take action to ensure our seas are healthy, abundant and resilient.
I can assure you that dementia is a priority for the Government. In 2015, the Challenge on Dementia 2020 was launched, and I know that the Government remains committed to delivering this. This sets out the vision for dementia care, support, awareness, and research to be transformed by 2020.