Contributions
129 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDRural Transport ConnectionsNorfolk county council received one of the largest shares of money for bus services in the country, and I am very pleased that we have been able to open new rural bus routes in my…12 Feb 2026HANSARD Local Government FinanceI was first elected back in 2008, when I stood in a by-election for my local town council. I was 22. It was by chance, really, that the opportunity came up to put myself forward…11 Feb 2026HANSARD Police Grant ReportDoes my county colleague agree that there are particular challenges in Norfolk? Under the previous Conservative police and crime commissioner, not only were all 150 of our police…11 Feb 2026HANSARD Local Power PlanIt is quite clear that communities that host energy projects should in some way benefit from them. I welcome that principle being incorporated into this plan. I particularly…10 Feb 2026HANSARDFarming Sector ProductivityPrecision breeding is critical to improving productivity. That is why I was so pleased to see so many Norfolk-based research projects, including the fantastic John Innes Centre,…05 Feb 2026HANSARD National Cancer PlanI congratulate the Minister on this excellent piece of work. It is crucial to my residents in west Norfolk, where we have statistically the worst hospital in the country at the…05 Feb 2026HANSARD NHS DentistsIs the hon. Member aware that the east of England is the only region of the UK that has no dental school, which severely impacts the availability of dentists? Will he join me in…05 Feb 2026HANSARDRoad SafetyPrior to my role as a Member of Parliament, I was pleased to serve as a Norfolk county councillor for 12 years. In Norfolk, each time somebody is killed or seriously injured…05 Feb 2026HANSARD Horse and Rider Road SafetyIt is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Dowd. I want to share with hon. Members and the Minister the case of Susi Rogers-Hartley from Wiggenhall St Mary in my South…14 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural CommunitiesDoes my hon. Friend agree that in places like Suffolk, and next door in Norfolk, hundreds and hundreds of good, well-paying green jobs are tied up in the renewable energy sector,…07 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural CommunitiesI completely agree with my hon. Friend. That is telling—no wonder the Tories do not want to speak about their record on public services and the NHS. I can point them to the first…07 Jan 2026HANSARD Rural CommunitiesI may be biased, but I believe Norfolk is a beautiful place to grow up and grow old in. It is the place where I was born and raised, and it is where I call home. Like so many…07 Jan 2026HANSARDAgricultural Property Relief and Business Property ReliefThis is very welcome news, and many farmers in my constituency will be delighted. May I acknowledge the Minister’s engagement on this subject and the many conversations he has had…05 Jan 2026HANSARDRural Crime18. What recent steps her Department has taken to help tackle rural crime.05 Jan 2026HANSARDRural CrimeWaste crime—an increasing concern in rural areas—often has links to serious and organised crime. Just last week, the Eastern Daily Press revealed that although there were nearly…05 Jan 2026HANSARDBusiness of the HouseI am very proud to employ a special educational needs and disabilities specialist caseworker, and I am grateful that Parliament funds that role, which is currently supporting more…18 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsMerry Christmas, Mr Speaker, and I hope you get to enjoy a turkey from Norfolk. Water availability is increasingly important for my farmers, and Conservative austerity and cuts to…18 Dec 2025HANSARD Animal Welfare StrategyI thank the Secretary of State for the update and for engaging with the various animal welfare charities. I am particularly interested in the farmed animals section, given that we…18 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI welcome the statement and the leadership that the Secretary of State is showing on this issue. Our democracy is important and requires our active protection. Does he agree that…16 Dec 2025HANSARDPlanning ReformI particularly welcome the comments about social and affordable homes in rural communities, and the commitments around swift bricks and chalk streams. In many areas, including in…16 Dec 2025