NEWS
Articles written by Jacob for local and national newspapers.
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EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME CLOSES
The Somerset Guardian, 28th July 2021
Last week, the Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster, wrote to Members of Parliament announcing that the deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens has expired. In his...
VACCINE ROLLOUT UPDATE - JULY
The Somerset Guardian, 21st July 2021
Last week, the Covid Vaccination Deployment Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, wrote to Members of Parliament to update them on the latest developments on the Government’s immunisation rollout. The Government pledged that by 19th July...
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL UPDATE
The Somerset Guardian, 14th July 2021
Last week, the Transport Secretary wrote to Members of Parliament outlining the Government's plans to progress the safe, sustainable and robust restart of international travel. Even though some remain apprehensive about the lifting of travel...
STEP 4 OF THE ROADMAP
The Somerset Guardian, 7th July 2021
This week, the Prime Minister wrote to all Members of Parliament to set out what our lives would be like from 19th July should we move to Step 4 of the Roadmap. This decision will be subject to a review of the final data next week. The Prime Minister...
NEW CANCER CENTRE FOR B&NES
The Somerset Guardian, 30th June 2021
Last week, Libby Walters, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Trust, wrote to me with an update on its progress towards building a new Cancer Centre on the Combe Park site. The Centre received planning...
SUMMER UPDATE 2021
The Farrington Gurney Parish Magazine, July-Aug 2021
As most people will no doubt be aware, the Queen has celebrated her 95th birthday this year. Whilst Her Majesty has, as usual, observed two birthdays – her birthday on 21st April and her public “official” birthday on 12th June, this year celebrations...
SUPPORT GRANT EXTENDED
The Somerset Guardian, 23rd June 2021
This week, the Minister for Welfare Delivery wrote to all M.P.s as regards the extension of the Covid Local Support Grant scheme. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has provided an unprecedented package of support for individuals...
A FOUR WEEK DELAY
The Somerset Guardian, 16th June 2021
On Monday, the Prime Minister announced a four-week delay to the final step of the roadmap. The plan is that this will now happen on 19th July. I appreciate that this will be disappointing news, particularly for those working in sectors that...
VACCINE ROLLOUT UPDATE - JUNE
The Somerset Guardian, 9th June 2021
This week, the Health Secretary wrote to let me know that half of all adults have now been vaccinated with second dose and three quarters of all adults have received their first jab. In short, this means that 27 million people have now received...
COVID-19 UPDATE
The Somerset Guardian, 2nd June 2021
On Tuesday 1st June, the Government announced no daily Covid deaths in the United Kingdom within twenty-eight days of a positive test. This is the first time that there have been zero reported fatalities related to the virus since March last year. In...
NEW GRANTS FOR LOCAL TOWNS
The Somerset Guardian, 26th May 2021
Last week, Historic England wrote to me regarding the local grants for High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) cultural programming. The £95 million taxpayer-funded programme, which is being delivered by Historic England, will unlock the...
LOCKDOWN EASING CONTINUES
The Somerset Guardian, 19th May 2021
This week, the third phase of lockdown easing began in many parts of the United Kingdom. As of Monday 17th May, people in England can meet in groups of up to thirty outdoors and six people or two households are allowed to meet indoors and...
THE QUEEN'S SPEECH
The Somerset Guardian, 12th May 2021
On Tuesday the Queen joined her Parliament for the State Opening. Coming just over a month since the death of Prince Phillip, it was the largest in person public event that Her Majesty has been involved in this year and is symbolic not only of the gradual...
THE RETURN OF SOVEREIGNTY
The Daily Telegraph, 10th May 2021
The Crown carried by the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Sword of State symbolising regal power, the Cap of Maintenance held aloft by the Lord Privy Seal – these will all display the authority of the Queen in Parliament at the state opening. Yet the symbolism...
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 - APRIL
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...