Diary - infection rate continues to fall Friday, 5 March, 2021 First up was another of our fortnightly virtual meetings with senior Dorset Council (DC) officials, councillors and MPs. These have proved very helpful and effective. The good news is that the infection rate continues to fall. DC area is now 47/100,000; BCP 57/100,000; England 81/100,000; and the SW 44/100,000. Those with Covid in the county's hospitals are also down and over 300,000 people in... Diary
W2W - back to work 5th March 2021 “IN this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” wrote US President Benjamin Franklin in 1789. The pandemic has certainly reinforced... Articles
Diary - experiences of women in the military 4th March 2021 A most interesting morning listening to four witnesses giving oral evidence virtually in a new Defence sub-committee on the experiences of women in the Armed... Diary
Speech - Budget 2021 4th March 2021 I refer to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. It was an impressive and assured performance by the Chancellor. Rightly, it was a no-harm... Speeches in Parliament
Letter - Budget 2021 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer 4th March 2021 One year ago, we promised the British people we would do whatever it takes to provide security and stability. We are delivering on that promise: over this year... Westminster News
Diary - Budget day 3rd March 2021 There was certainly an air of expectation prior to Rishi Sunak's Budget Statement and he did not disappoint. In an assured presentation, the Chancellor unveiled... Diary
Diary - defence committee looks at UK/US relations 2nd March 2021 A busy day. Began with a virtual meeting with the NFU. Stuart Roberts hosted it and we discussed badger culling. There is no doubt that the cull has seen a... Diary
Diary - respecting the countryside 1st March 2021 Some interesting feedback from the weekend's influx of visitors to places like Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Residents have been concerned about the lifting of... Diary
Diary - vaccine roll out continues apace 28th February 2021 It's a remarkable achievement, but more than 20 million people in the UK have now had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Rightly, the Prime Minister... Diary
Diary - prison officers must have their jab 26th February 2021 The sun, at last! (Not the newspaper!) Farmers across the south will be welcoming a period of calm after weeks of rain. Today, my column (on the website) looks... Diary
