For centuries fishermen have braved the elements to bring in their catch from the waters along our coast. In addition to this sea fishing is a popular local sport and pastime which attracts visitors to our area. The local businesses selling wet fish straight from the sea where it was caught, like Folkestone Trawlers, Griggs [...]

When there are difficult economic challenges, at home as well as across Europe we need to be working hard to make sure we are as competitive as possible. For MPs, the country council and the other local authorities, that means supporting our business community to try and bring external investment to our area, rather than [...]

I believe that foreign owned heavy goods vehicles, which often pay no tax in our country, should be required to make a contribution towards the upkeep of our roads network. British haulage firms will be paying road tax, fuel duty and business taxes, whereas many foreign owned and registered lorries will not even pay fuel [...]

I know that people really want to see the Government taking action to cut red tape and bureaucracy, particularly when it gets in the way of voluntary groups and organisations from putting on events. One of the issues that has often come up in the last two years has been the requirement for small venues [...]

One of my favourite carols is ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and in particular the line ‘the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight’. As we gather for Christmas, we will have fond memories of the year past, moments of reflection and reasons to look forward to 2012. Looking back [...]

Christmas is a time for good cheer but for some it also the busiest period of the working year. Last week I visited the Royal Mail sorting offices in Folkestone, Hythe and New Romney, to meet the postal workers who make sure that all of our cards and presents get through in time. This time [...]

Put the date in your diaries, the Olympic flame and torch will be coming to our area on Wednesday 18th July 2012. As a member of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, one of our roles in parliament is to scrutinise the plans for the London Olympics, and to hold the [...]

On Monday the Government announced a £40million boost for jobs in East Kent. The award from the Regional Growth Fund will benefit the four East Kent districts, including our own Shepway, and is designed to support businesses, encourage investment and create jobs. I am delighted that the lobbying for this from the local councils and [...]

Parking should continue to be free for those who want to visit and shop in our town centres. Free time-limited on street parking in the centre of Folkestone, Sandgate, Hythe and New Romney – as it is now – encourages people to use and support local businesses at a time when they are recovering from [...]

This week started at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester where I was able to introduce the competition we have organised to promote start up businesses from across the country. From talking to the businesses involved with the ‘Start-up Hub’ there is a strong importance attached to Government helping to ensure good quality business infrastructure, [...]