NEWS
Articles written by Jacob for local and national newspapers.
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THE PROROGATION SPEECH
The Somerset Guardian, 5th May 2021
Last week, Parliament was prorogued by the Queen and the Lord Privy Seal read the Prorogation Speech on behalf of Her Majesty. Monarchs used to attend in person but have not done so since Queen Victoria in 1854. The speech outlined what action the...
VACCINE ROLLOUT UPDATE
The Somerset Guardian, 28th April 2021
This week, the Health Secretary, announced that adults in England aged forty-two and above are now able to book an appointment to receive their first Covid-19 vaccination. People who turn forty-two by 1st July 2021 are also qualified to receive the...
THE NL COMMUNITY FUND
The Farrington Gurney Parish Magazine, May/June 2021
Recently I was contacted by the National Lottery Community Fund in respect of the funding available to local community groups. After the Government, the Community Fund is the largest funder of Covid related activity since the beginning of the...
DEMENTIA SAFEGUARDING
The Somerset Guardian, 21st April 2021
Recently, I received an email from Sergeant Stuart King of Avon and Somerset Constabulary in respect of the excellent Dementia Safeguarding scheme that he has been running alongside his core police role since 2015. The scheme, which reduces the risk...
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
ConservativeHome, 12th April 2021
“To become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks.” This oath of medieval lineage was used by the Duke of Edinburgh at the Queen’s coronation on 2nd...
DEMOLITION OF WALNUT BLDGS
The Somerset Guardian, 7th April 2021
Recently, Victor da Cunha, Group Chief Executive of Curo, contacted me to update me about the impending demolition of the Walnut Buildings in Radstock. As former residents and those who live locally will no doubt be aware, the buildings are...
GOOD FRIDAY
The Somerset Guardian, 31st March 2021
My children ask me the question that I remember asking my parents. “Why is it Good Friday, not Bad Friday?” It obviously seems so terrible an event, the end of Christ’s earthly ministry, the apostles scattered with Christ betrayed and denied. Only...
A UNITED SOMERSET
The Somerset Guardian, 24th March 2021
Recently, the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government wrote to me regarding the Government’s plans for the locally led reorganisation of local government. Ian Liddell-Grainger, M.P. for Bridgwater and West Somerset...
TURING SCHEME ANNOUNCED
The Somerset Guardian, 17th March 2021
Recently, the Department for Education announced the establishment of its Turing Scheme, which replaces the United Kingdom’s participation in the European Union’s Erasmus programme and will be backed by £110 million of Government funding...
GOLD AWARD FOR MSN COUNCIL
The Somerset Guardian, 10th March 2021
Donna Ford, Clerk of Midsomer Norton Town Council, has recently written to tell me that Midsomer Norton Town Council has been given an award as part of the Local Council Award Scheme. The accolade received by the Town Council...
VACCINE ROLLOUT UPDATE
The Somerset Guardian, 3rd March 2021
This week, the Government announced that well over twenty million adults in the United Kingdom have been vaccinated against Covid-19. This accounts for around a third of the total population and the Health Secretary has pledged that all...
SPRING UPDATE
The Farrington Gurney Parish Magazine, March/April 2021
The Minister for Covid-19 Vaccine Deployment, Nadhim Zahawi has confirmed that the vaccines being deployed across the UK appear to be working well against the Covid-19 variants, helping to save lives and reduce pressure on our NHS. Even with...
COVID-19 ROADMAP ANNOUNCED
The Somerset Guardian, 24th February 2021
This week, the Prime Minister delivered a speech outlining his roadmap for easing the lockdown in England. Vaccinations have now been given to millions and in tandem with people following the lockdown guidance this has meant that the rates...
THE SCHOOL KIT PROJECT
The Somerset Guardian, 17th February 2021
Last week I received a letter from the School Kit Project (SKiP), a local charity which serves those living in Bath and North East Somerset. The charity’s focus is to help families experiencing financial hardship by supplying school related...
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
The Somerset Guardian, 10th February 2021
This week, the Government’s announced that it is giving £50million of hardship funding to higher education providers to support students who have been affected by the pandemic. The new amount is in addition to the £20 million announced in...
HONG KONG UPDATE
The Somerset Guardian, 3rd February 2021
This week, the Home Secretary announced that the Government successfully launched a new immigration route for Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) on 31st January 2021 in recognition of the historic commitment of the UK to the people of...