Today, the Government is introducing the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill. This Bill will provide continuity and stability to farmers as the UK leaves the EU and ensure that they continue to receive direct payment support for the 2020 scheme year.

More bad news from Iran ended the day. An Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 crashed only minutes after leaving Imam Khomeini International Airport this morning, killing all 176 people on board. With all that is going on in Iran right now questions are being asked about the cause.

Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, yesterday asked Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, for confirmation of extra police numbers for Dorset over the next two years.

Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, has today reminded the Prime Minister that regaining control of our fishing waters after Brexit is of “paramount importance to the country.”

First day back in the New Year. Having dealt with routine matters, I dropped down to the Chamber for Treasury Questions at 1430. Unusually, nearly all the seats had been taken, the new intake of MPs making their presence felt.

I had a feeling it was too quiet over New Year which has now taken on a new dimension with the death of Qassem Soleimani, the brutal Iranian general killed in a recent drone strike.

That distinctive sound you may have heard at midnight as the bongs of Big Ben faded away was not the popping of champagne corks or the crackle of fireworks from your neighbour’s garden.

National Living Wage set to increase by 6.2% in 2020.

Annual pay rise of up to £930 for a full time worker.
National Living Wage (NLW) increasing from £8.21 to £8.72.
New NLW rate starts on 1 April 2020 and applies to over 25 years olds.

The Chancellor has today confirmed nearly £3 billion of funding for 2020 to support farmers once the UK leaves the EU.

On this special day, can I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. I think we all need both! It's been quite a year, ending with high, political drama. 2020 will beckon a new era, one where I hope we will fulfil our pledges and bring light to all parts of the UK.