I’m pleased that Kent will be benefiting from a new £25 million scheme to keep our streets safe.

The Safer Streets Fund is part of the Government’s work to tackle crime, and aims to stop offences that blight communities and cause misery to victims.

Many of our hospitality and entertainment businesses will soon reopen as we continue to make progress in tackling coronavirus.

Latest stats from HMRC show 11,000 people in Faversham and Mid Kent have benefited from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Coronavirus has emptied our high streets and forced many businesses to close temporarily or move online.

Getting people back into shops is crucial for many traders, but we need to do this safely when the time is right.

The Government has provided more than £12 billion to local authorities in England to support businesses through the coronavirus outbreak.

This Budget delivers on people’s priorities.

Right now, one of those priorities is responding to Covid-19.

Faversham’s Magna Carta dates from 1300 and is one of the town’s most important treasures.

I’m delighted to be supporting plans for this ancient document to be put on permanent display in Faversham so it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

A record number of students and employers took part in the 2020 Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair on Friday 7 February.

It’s fantastic to see more and more young people considering an apprenticeship as a way of getting on in life.

I’m delighted to be working with other Kent MPs to host the third annual Maidstone Apprenticeship Fair.

Apprenticeships are a great way of learning while earning, and getting valuable qualifications at the same time. But we often don’t value them enough.

This New Year is an exciting moment for our country. 

It’s a time to move on from past divisions, and be optimistic about the future.

Our Parliament has new energy and purpose to deliver on people’s priorities.