Category: News & Articles
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June 30, 2021
Julian applauds rural mobile coverage progress after years of campaigning
Having lobbied hard on this for many years at Westminster, Julian has welcomed the government’s announcement yesterday of further progress in implementing its ‘Shared Rural Network’ programme to improve mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas. This involves the big operators EE, O2, Three and Vodafone joining together, supported with state funding, to bring 4G coverage to […] -
June 30, 2021
Julian urges Transport Secretary to commit to vaccine passport timetable to open up amber list travel by start of school holidays
Julian has questioned the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, over the Government’s plans for foreign travel over the summer. At the end of last week, Mr Shapps announced the Government’s intention to scrap quarantine rules for those travelling from amber list countries who are fully vaccinated. Whilst there is no definite timeframe […] -
June 25, 2021
Julian cautiously welcomes Government travel review, but warns much more needs to be done to save summer holidays and support the travel industry
Julian has today welcomed the Government’s travel review as a ‘step in the right direction’ after leading calls in Parliament for safe foreign travel to be allowed to resume without restrictions. He cautioned however that the use of the ‘green watch list’ will undermine the confidence needed for holidaymakers to go ahead and book for […] -
June 24, 2021
Yorkshire Post column: The Travel Industry needs greater clarity
As we recover from the pandemic, the key word to remember is confidence. After months of being told to stay at home, the public needs to have the confidence to go out. After months of treading water, businesses need the confidence to invest. Yet, despite being one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, […] -
June 21, 2021
Julian reflects on what should have been the end of restrictions
Amid feelings of anger, disappointment and frustration, June 21 is a sombre day for struggling businesses, enamoured couples, large families and all who have so much hope invested in the final easing of lockdown restrictions. Their understandable bitterness is only amplified by news that positive vaccine data was suppressed for three days when the decision […] -
June 14, 2021
Julian reacts to delay to Prime Minister’s Roadmap
After over a year of restrictions, I share the frustrations of many this evening as the Prime Minister confirmed that the next stage of his roadmap will be delayed by 4 weeks. The disappointment is only made worse by the rumour, whispers and leaks that have haemorrhaged from Government departments in the preceding days, initially […] -
June 14, 2021
Column – Cutting foreign aid is a false economy as we recover from the pandemic
In my last column for the Press I wrote about the need for the Government to lift all remaining restrictions on the 21st of June, so that all sectors of the economy can get back to firing on all cylinders. At the time of writing, it appears increasingly likely that this will be pushed back […] -
June 11, 2021
Local Coronavirus Update ahead of Decision on June 21 Lockdown Easing
With the latest update of vaccination figures yesterday, all eyes are on the Prime Minister ahead of his announcement early next week regarding the proposed June 21 unlocking date and future restrictions. We have been told that the decision will be based on data so it is encouraging to see vaccination figures continue to increase, […] -
June 9, 2021
Julian supports 0.7% aid target in effort to vaccinate the world
While the amendment ultimately was not selected by the Speaker of the House of Commons due to advice from his clerks, Julian was a supporter of efforts led by Andrew Mitchell MP, a former Secretary of State for International Development under the 2010-2015 coalition government, to return spending on aid to 0.7% of our GDP. […] -
June 7, 2021
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill Inquiry
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, of which Julian is a member, is holding an inquiry into the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill and, as this is such an important issue, they would like to hear the views of the public. The proposed terms of reference for such an inquiry are: 1. Will the […]