As part of my ongoing campaign work on flooding in Norfolk, I have written once again to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – this time to highlight that there needs to be a far more joined-up approach to water management for:

1. Agriculture
2. Housing
3. Flood Prevention

While we must ensure that rivers are acknowledged as being ecosystems that need to be protected and supported, we must not forget that, if we are to truly tackle the flooding problems that have been becoming increasingly common and make sure farmers have the water they need to effectively carry out their jobs, rivers are fundamentally first and foremost natural drainage (and water management) systems.

That’s why I have asked the Secretary of State what efforts can be undertaken to empower local bodies like Water Resources East and the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board, who already do stellar work and fully understand and appreciate all of the complexities to this issue.

With their expertise and local knowledge, bodies like these are valuable assets as we push for a far more effective, joined-up approach – and I look forward to working with them and partners, like Norfolk County Council and Anglian Water, as we seek to try and make sure the awful flooding we have seen is relegated to the past.

Whenever I speak with local students, the one issue that always comes up in our conversations is the environment – and how we, as a country and society, can speedily pursue the Road to Net Zero, as well as ensure we leave the world in a better way that we found it.

That’s why I am delighted that National Grid have launched their ‘Voices for a Green Future’ competition – an opportunity for pupils from across the UK to have their voices heard by world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow later this year.

Pupils are being asked to answer the question: “If you were in charge of the country, what would you do to help look after the planet?” via a 200 word submission. Ten entrants will then be shortlisted and filmed presenting their submissions, which will then be shared with an esteemed judging panel, including Countryfile TV presenter Helen Skelton.

Four pupils – two primary school and two secondary school winners – will then be announced to the public on 20th October and have their speeches delivered digitally at COP26. They will also win £150 worth of National Book Tokens and STEM-related science toys, as well as a £5,000 grant for their school, to use towards STEM or climate change related educational resources, equipment or experiences. The six runners-up will also receive a £50 National Book Token for taking part.

If YOU are a local student who would love to get involved, please visit the competition website here for details on how to enter. The closing date for entries is Tuesday 17th August 2021.

A great deal of water is wasted due to leaks and Anglian Water have been looking at ways to reduce this over the years.

So, it was good to get out in the heart of Mid Norfolk at Scarning and have a meeting with Anglian Water last Friday to look at the new Pressure reducing valve. Reducing leakage is one of their main priorities and has reduced the likelihood of a burst occurring by over 60%

I look forward to continuing my work with Anglian Water and local communities in the coming weeks and months.

It was at the Norwich Research Park, through work led by East Anglian based investors, Agri-tech engineers and local farm groups, that the Novo Farina pulse flour business idea was born.

That’s why, as part of my most recent constituency Friday visits, I was delighted to be asked to visit Novo Farina – to see their fantastic product which has many benefits for today’s health conscious society.

It’s so good to see a British product being made and processed here in East Anglia.

For more information click: https://www.novofarina.co.uk/

Over the years I have been very fortunate to get to know the local DWP team in Mid Norfolk, who do great work to support the unemployed and help get them back into a position where they can return to the workplace. I have always valued our conversations and do whatever I can to support their efforts.

That’s why I hugely appreciated their invitation to speak with a number of local employers in the poultry sector this week – to hear about the very serious labour shortages in the sector and the significant challenges they are facing as they look to recruit locally (despite a very buoyant labour market currently as we look to move on from Covid).

I look forward to working with those on the call to support the sector (one of the biggest employers in our part of the world) and ensure they can operate as we need them to in the months ahead, especially this next Festive period.

As always it was good to catch up with Rachel and the team who run Break, the young children’s charity that does so much for disadvantaged children here in Norfolk.

I was asked to go and see their latest fundraising campaign where several dinosaurs have joined Dippy in the Cathedral and grounds at Norwich - it is so good to have them back after Covid struck last year.

There will be 21 Tyrannosaurus rex sculptures to view over the summer that have been decorated by local artists and sponsored by local businesses. - the sculptures will then be auctioned off to provide vital funds for the charity. For more information on such a worthwhile charity visit here

If we  are to achieve the Government’s Net Zero targets and move towards a ‘Greener, Cleaner, Healthier’ 21st century way of life, we need to plan smarter, restore habitats and encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy walking and cycling in our beautiful Norfolk countryside.

That’s why, as a lover of the countryside and someone who grew up in East Anglia, I jumped at the chance to support the Wendling Beck Exemplar Project.

I am delighted therefore to learn that, as part of DEFRA’s ground-breaking £10 million Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund, WBEP has been awarded £100,000 to help them develop further. 

Well done to the team behind this innovative approach to farming, habitat protection and enhancement, and Net Zero – doing it right here in Mid Norfolk! It’s such bold thinking that will shape the future.

To learn more about WBEP, please see my previous webstory here and their own website here

The past year has been incredibly challenging for the NHS and our wider health and care sectors as we not only battled the pandemic, but also look to treat all of those people who have had to wait for their non-urgent treatments.

That’s why I was delighted to catch up with Lyndsey Buckland and Helen Maw at the Royal College of Nursing – to discuss the challenges facing the NHS, including how we recruit more nurses.

I look forward to following up this important topic in the weeks ahead, and to working with all the key parties to ensure that our local NHS has the support it needs, and our people can continue to rely on the first-class treatment they deserve.