In the last few weeks the UK has been hit by two large storms, and I want to reiterate my support for constituents across Southport who have experienced flooding on their road, or worse – to their home. My office issued letters to those constituents in the worst hit areas of Southport which included emergency numbers for flood services at United Utilities and Sefton Council respectively. I trust that everyone was able to remain safe and that there is a reprieve of the bad weather that we have become accustomed to.




My previous week in Parliament has been filled with meetings, one of which was with the Member of Parliament for West Lancashire, Rosie Cooper, to discuss the re-introduction of the Burscough Curves train line, which would be a positive force for transport and connectivity to both constituencies. Since then, both Caroline Fletcher MP (South Ribble) and Cllr Geoff Driver, Leader of Lancashire County Council have joined our campaign. I also met for a HS2 briefing with Grant Schapps MP, the Secretary of State for Transport, to discuss the first phase of the project and see what benefits there will be for towns such as Southport who are in need of further transport connectivity to larger cities.

I attended a Parliamentary Drop-In where I was able to gain further information of the issues surrounding the IR35 pay-roll tax, which could affect many constituents living in Southport. And I attended a drop-In to discuss the GAVI 2020 proposals on vaccinations in developing countries.

On the 13th of February, I welcomed Stanley High School to the House of Commons. A small group of pupils came on a parliamentary tour of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They were able to experience parliament with an MP and learn more about our representative democracy. After this I attended a Westminster Hall Debate on Small and Medium Apprenticeships. Southport is served by many small and medium sized enterprises who consistently work with apprentices in order for them to gain further experience. I gained further knowledge on the proposed changes and issues that MP’s and constituents alike have felt towards the current policy and I have liaised with the appropriate ministers to ensure those concerns are aired.

I returned to Southport on the Friday and I was able to meet constituents at the Ainsdale Discovery Centre where I was introduced to the measures that are in place to protect Southport’s natural coastline as well as the animals whose habitats are within the sand dunes. I then went to meet with constituents to discuss the change in regulation in regard to plant importation now that the UK has left the EU before visiting The Learning Rooms, a local charity supporting many people living in Southport with work skills.

This past week was the Parliamentary Recess and I spent the first half of the Recess period in New York as a part of the Parliamentary Delegation to the United Nations to discuss global education. On returning, I have now moved departments and will be working as the Parliamentary Private Secretary for Amanda Milling who is the co-chairman of the Conservative Party.

A nice Freebie to New York for Half Term, sod the environmental effects!