ARCHIVED NEWS: FEB-MAR 2023
Previous articles written by Jacob for local and national newspapers.
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ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The Somerset Guardian, 29th March 2023
Anti-social behaviour is a blight on society. It is the harbinger of serious crime and causes distress to law abiding residents. There is considerable evidence that reducing what appears to be low level criminality reduces all forms of crime. Therefore...
BUS SERVICE CUTS
The Somerset Guardian, 22nd March 2023
On Friday, several constituents visited my surgery to discuss bus service cuts, in particular the number 82. I know that the 82 bus has been especially helpful for constituents who live in Midsomer Norton, Westfield and Radstock and shop at...
BRISTOL'S CLEAN AIR ZONE
The Somerset Guardian, 15th March 2023
Recently, the Penalty Charge Notices for motorists driving into Bristol's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) have returned. In the first six weeks of the CAZ starting, Bristol City Council offered a grace period whereby anyone who received a Penalty Charge Notice...
BUS SERVICE FUNDING ISSUES
The Somerset Guardian, 8th March 2023
Last month, the Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES), Councillor Kevin Guy, sent out an e-connect update about forthcoming spending commitments and budgetary changes. In his message, Councillor Guy stated that, as costs...
HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT EXTENDED
The Somerset Guardian, 1st March 2023
Last week, Mims Davies, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, wrote to all Members of Parliament about the extra cost of living support that the Government is continuing to provide alongside its extension to the Household...
UPDATE ON UKRAINE
The Farrington Gurney Parish Magazine, Mar/Apr 2023
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visited Parliament on 8th February to address both Houses in Westminster Hall. I was honoured to be present to listen to his impressive speech. He deserves our support. Since the invasion of...
A NEW CONSTITUENCY
The Somerset Guardian, 22nd February 2023
Last year, following the passing of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 2020 in December 2020 and the publication of the relevant Parliamentary data in January 2021, the Boundary Commission began a new review of all...
VISIT TO LITTLETON STEEL
The Somerset Guardian, 15th February 2023
One of the most interesting parts of being a Member of Parliament is visiting the wide range of activities that go on within a Parliamentary constituency. It is remarkable how many job creating, taxpaying businesses there are in North East Somerset...
CANCEL THIS TAX RISE, SAYS JACOB
The Daily Express, 9th February 2023
The announcement by AstraZeneca that £320 million of investment has been lost by the UK to the Republic of Ireland because of high tax rates is a reminder of Edmund Burke's words 'To tax and to please, no more than to love and to be wise...
FREE SCHOOL MEAL VOUCHERS
The Somerset Guardian, 8th February 2023
The cost of living increase is affecting almost every family in North East Somerset but inflation hits the least well off most. It is, therefore, reassuring that, once again, support is being made available to families who are eligible for benefit-related...
LOCAL FARMING UPDATE
The Somerset Guardian, 1st February 2023
Recently, I met some members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), many of whom have farms or businesses in North East Somerset. The meeting was well attended where many issues were raised. The topics of greatest concern were: the...