Speeches in the House

Prince Philip has been at the Queens side through her entire reign- in a life of public service: from his time in the second world war serving with distinction as the youngest commander in the Navy, to his work with thousands of charities, establishing ground-breaking projects like the Duke of Edinburgh’s awards, and his work on science and technology.

But through it all behind the scenes he has been the rock to HM The Queen through tumultuous times of change: as husband, father, grandfather and great_ grandfather. Our nation owes him a huge debt of honour.

Deepest condolences on behalf of the people of Mid Norfolk to Her Majesty the Queen and all the Royal Family.

I was delighted this week to hear that the appealed planning permission for a development on the outskirts of Dereham known as “Dumpling Green” has finally been stopped.

For too long, aggressive out of town developers have sought to bank land permissions so as to force through often inappropriate and unsustainable large-scale developments in our towns and villages elsewhere. As a result, public trust in our planning system is at an all-time low.

This all reaffirms the need for a proper strategic Dereham TownPlan, and I remain committed to supporting Dereham Town Council, along with all the other groups involved, as they look to bring one about.

For a full report on the planning officer’s decision please see attached file here.

Also a link to the EDP article here

Our region, and particularly Norfolk, is ideally placed to play a frontline role in the ‘Green Revolution’ that the country is embracing on its road to Net Zero. But what does that ‘Revolution’ actually mean for the everyday people and businesses on the ground?

That question is exactly why I have been working with the New Anglia LEP and others to explore what can be done to deliver tangible ‘Greener, Cleaner’ benefits and projects on the frontline - to help us all evolve our lifestyles in a way that brings us prosperity, better health, greater happiness and fulfilment AND progresses our society to one that not only respects and protects our planet (and local environment), but also gives back and enhances it.

Through the Norfolk Way (a not-for-profit organisation I set up in 2007 to champion ‘Rural Renaissance’ in our part of the world) and the Norfolk Enterprise Festival (which I co-founded with local entrepreneurs back in 2018), I am making the case that we don’t just need massive infrastructure like the Sizewell C improvements, Freeport East and an integrated Offshore Wind Network (although all are crucial!). We also need much smaller, tangible projects and initiatives to connect them to local communities and entrepreneurs, and ensure that Net Zero is achievable for us all.

Rest assured, I am firmly committed to the road to Net Zero, and look forward to combining it with my work on post-Covid Regeneration.

The injustice faced by many leaseholders over cladding has caused untold misery and financial difficulties up and down the country. I completely sympathise and appreciate the terrible toll this has caused so many. That's why decisive action is precisely what is needed to end this cladding scandal and I have been working closely with Ministers to make sure the voices of all those who are affected by this in our area are heard loud and clear.

Unfortunately, the recent Opposition motion was flawed in its approach. It is unfair that the taxpayer should bear full responsibility for the historic failures of building safety when the building owners cannot pay.

That’s why I am pleased that Ministers have given strong and clear commitments that they are on this and will be bringing new legislation forward to ensure this scandal never happens again. I welcome the Government’s announcement of a further £3.5billion towards cladding remediation – taking the overall figure to over £5billion – as part of the overall approach to tackling this urgent issue for leaseholders.

Unlocking the true economic potential of Norfolk (and the East), and ensuring that commuters have the rail services they need to travel and get to work, have been two of my key missions since becoming an MP back in 2010.

That’s why I was delighted to join another call with Network Rail and fellow MPs this morning – for an update on the work being done to progress this project and continue lobbying for the improvements necessary to eventually deliver half-hourly Norwich-Cambridge and Ipswich-Cambridge services.

Rest assured, I’ll continue to keep speaking up for Norfolk and the East.

How we care for our most vulnerable people is an important marker by which our society can, and should, be judged by.

That’s why I welcomed the opportunity to join a meeting with representatives of NCC’s Adult Social Services team and members of the Disability Network Norfolk Group recently – to learn more about the challenges many of our working age disabled adults face, and how they and their families would like to see the system improved to support them.

I am now making representations to the CQC and the Department of Health on their behalf, and I look forward to continuing to support NCC and the DNNG in the weeks and months ahead.

16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year. They are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age – killing more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

A couple of years ago, I lost a close childhood friend, Charlie, to a brain tumour – he was aged just 50 and in the prime of his life.

So many others have similar stories – and that’s why I am proud to support Brain Tumour Research’s ‘Wear A Hat Day’ again this year – THIS Friday, 26th March 2020.

Join 1000’s taking part at home, work or school – and learn more at the Brain Tumour Research website here

For Charlie, and the thousands of others who have lost their lives or been affected by brain tumours:

Many parts of Norfolk were badly hit by heavy rainfall back in December, and in the first couple of months of this year. The flooding caused followed similar problems back in the summer of 2020, and on several occasions over the preceding few years – continuing an increasingly common trend.

In Wymondham specifically, over the past few months, I have been contacted by a growing number of constituents concerned by the high level of the River Tiffey and, having seen first-hand how high it has got numerous times over the past couple of years.

I do share local concerns that the proposed dwellings on land off Friarscroft Lane could exacerbate the current problems being faced in the area.

Therefore, I have urged the Council to give particular consideration to this issue.

Please click here for my full letter to Norfolk County Council: