NEWS
Articles written by Jacob for local and national newspapers.
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JOBCENTRE VISIT
The Somerset Guardian, 7th December 2022
Last Friday, I visited the Jobcentre in Bath to talk to staff and clients. My visits to the Jobcentre are always helpful in understanding how Government policy is being delivered and how both employees and clients are managing any new changes to...
LET'S CELEBRATE TOWNS
The Somerset Guardian, 30th November 2022
Recently, Visa wrote to let me know that it has set up a nationwide competition celebrating the hundreds of towns across the United Kingdom that help local businesses and communities to prosper. Visa understands that there is enormous...
HELP FOR HOUSEHOLDS
The Somerset Guardian, 23rd November 2022
This week, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, wrote to all Members of Parliament outlining the financial support that the Government is offering as we navigate the current economic challenges. It was recently announced...
REMEMBRANCE DAY
The Somerset Guardian, 16th November 2022
Last Sunday, on Remembrance Day, I was enormously privileged to be invited to the parade at Midsomer Norton. In the last few years I attended parades at Whitehall in my role as a Government Minister. This was an extraordinary honour but...
COST-OF-LIVING SUPPORT
The Somerset Guardian, 9th November 2022
Over eight million people in receipt of benefits will receive an extra £324 this month as part of the Government’s £37 billion package of cost of living support. Nearly one in four families will receive a second Cost of Living Payment by 23rd November...
THE INFRASTRUCTURE BANK BILL
The Somerset Guardian, 2nd November 2022
Recently, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Cartlidge, wrote to all Members of Parliament as regards the Second Reading of the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill, which will ensure that the necessary powers are established to both support...
NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS
The Somerset Guardian, 26th October 2022
Last week, The National Lottery Community Fund wrote to me confirming that £39,654.00 was awarded to community projects in North East Somerset between May and August this year. I am delighted that part of the sum, £9,657, has been...
CHANGES TO UNIVERSAL CREDIT
The Somerset Guardian, 19th October 2022
Last week, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Chloe Smith, wrote to all Members of Parliament about the changes that the Department is making to the Universal Credit Administrative Earnings Threshold Level. On 26th September...
TRUESPEED
The Somerset Guardian, 12th October 2022
Last week, I met Clarke Osbourne, Chairman of Truespeed, who kindly invited me to come and watch what the engineers do and discuss how the company is run. Truespeed was established in 2014 after realising that there was demand in the area...
NEW HELP TO HEAT FUNDING
The Somerset Guardian, 5th October 2022
Last week, Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility, wrote to all Members of Parliament regarding the £1.5 billion being made available to upgrade the energy efficiency of eligible households under the new...
THE ENERGY PRICE GUARANTEE
The Somerset Guardian, 28th September 2022
Last week, as Business Secretary I wrote to all Members of Parliament following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 8th September as regards the support that we are offering to people and businesses in the face of soaring energy...
THE QUEEN'S FUNERAL
The Somerset Guardian, 21st September 2022
On Monday, I was immensely privileged to attend the State Funeral for the late Queen as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; a job I only hold because I am the MP for North East Somerset. Thank you for allowing me this great...
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
The Somerset Guardian, 14th September 2022
“O happy Rome, born when I was consul” was the boast of Cicero but it could be more aptly applied to the late Queen. “O happy Britain, born when I was sovereign.” For the greatest tribute to Her late Majesty is the smooth transition that this...
A NEW PRIME MINISTER
The Somerset Guardian, 7th September 2022
This week, the newly elected Leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party, Liz Truss, accepted Her Majesty The Queen's invitation to form a new Government. In her first address outside 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister paid tribute...
AUTUMN UPDATE
The Farrington Gurney Parish Journal, September/October 2022
Parliament returns on 5th September after the summer recess. It will be an interesting time as the result of the Conservative Party leadership election will be announced and we will have a new Prime Minister. This summer we have all been affected...
LOCAL VILLAGE DAY
The Somerset Guardian, 31st August 2022
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of going to the High Littleton and Hallatrow Village Day with my three youngest children. This year marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the event, which the organisers said was one of most well attended...
THE CLUTTON FLOWER SHOW
The Somerset Guardian, 24th August 2022
On 13th August, I had the great honour of opening Clutton Flower Show in Rudge’s Field. It is something that my family has been involved with since it started over eighty years ago when my grandfather lived nearby and is one of the...
LIB DEM INCOMPETENCE
The Somerset Guardian, 17th August 2022
The Liberal Democrats, who currently run B&NES, clearly do not have enough to do. This week, either through ignorance or idleness, they have written to me asking me to write to myself about procurement law. Such linguistic contortions would make me...
POLICE OFFICER UPLIFT
The Somerset Guardian, 10th August 2022
As readers may recall, one of the pledges made in the 2019 Conservative manifesto was to recruit 20,000 more police officers by March 2023. I am pleased to report that figures released last month show that the Government is on track to fulfil...
MAKING COMMUNITIES SAFER
The Somerset Guardian, 3rd August 2022
This week’s terrible news of a murder in Radstock has brought crime prevention to the forefront of residents’ minds. As our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends so our hope that such tragedies can be prevented rises. The brave local...