Live Animal Exports
Live animals commonly endure excessively long journeys during exports, causing distress and injury. Previously, EU rules prevented any changes to these journeys, but leaving the EU has enabled the Government to pursue plans which would prevent unnecessary suffering of animals during transport and see the UK become the first country in Europe to end this […]
Animal Testing
The Government is committed to supporting, funding, and accelerating cutting edge technologies that allow animal use to be replaced or avoided. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) provides core funding to the National Centre of the 3Rs (NC3Rs) which works nationally and internationally to drive the uptake of 3Rs technologies and ensure that advances in the […]
Booking your Covid-19 Booster Appointment
The National Booking Service was updated today, which will allow all those eligible for a booster vaccine – people over 50 and those most at risk of COVID-19 – to pre-book their jab five months after their second dose. Originally, the service only allowed you to book your booster jab once 6 months had passed since […]
Autumn Budget
I welcome the contents of this year’s Autumn Budget, announced by the Chancellor on 27 October. Just one year ago, this country was in the grip of the biggest recession it had experienced in 300 years and was dealing with the huge, far reaching effects of a global pandemic. With that incredibly challenging set of circumstances in mind, it […]
October Update
This month’s update is written after the recent tragic death of my friend and fellow Essex MP, Sir David Amess. I pay tribute below to Sir David as well as to James Brokenshire, who also had strong links to Essex and who sadly lost his long battle with cancer this month. I would like to […]
Sewage Vote
Many of my constituents have written to me this week, to tell me their views on last weeks sewage discharge vote, particularly with regards to the environmental impact of poor storm overflow systems. I too, completely agree that the amount of sewage being released into our rivers and seas is unacceptable and must be addressed […]
Meeting with Chief Superintendent
Last week John met with Chief Superintendent, Tom Simons, Essex North Local Policing Area Commander, to discuss local policing issues. Essex Police has seen over 700 new police officers join the force since 2016, which has helped with strengthening local response teams. It is good to see that there is a particular focus on reducing […]
Tribute to Sir David Amess MP
David Amess was a great friend to me, and a brilliant MP for nearly 40 years. His death is truly shocking, and a huge loss to his constituents in Southend. At this time, all my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Visit to Thomas Plume’s Library
Last week John visited Thomas Plume’s Library in Maldon, to learn more about the recent restorations that were completed to preserve the historic building. Thomas Plume’s Library is one of the oldest public libraries in the UK. The Plume Library was added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2020, as restoration work was deemed essential […]
GP Surgeries
In the last month, there have been concerns that have been raised by constituents about access to primary care in the constituency. It is an issue that I have previously raised with the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and have closely monitored during the summer. I have recently been informed by the CCG that, of […]