The Education Secretary confirmed yesterday that for upcoming GCSE and A-Level results, teachers will decide the right grades for their students. This decision means that schools will be allowed to independently determine grades, using a combination of mock exams, coursework and essays to best suit the needs of students. Results will be published two weeks [...]
Earlier the Prime Minister set out his roadmap for relaxing the lockdown restrictions. He set out his plan to relax restrictions carefully and gradually whilst it continues to be safe to do so. He established the earliest dates from when, all being well, it will be possible to relax restrictions. The first two steps will [...]
This week I had an article published in The Times on the cladding crisis and how the government now has an opportunity to fix it. Many residents in Southampton have been caught up in this crisis through no fault of their own. You can see the full article which I wrote in support of leaseholders [...]
Images have been circulating online of some unacceptable food parcels which have been given to students entitled for free school meals but are not able to attend school. Some were claiming that the food parcels were supposed to feed children for two weeks and were costing the taxpayer £30. Both of these claims are not [...]
Trials of the new coronavirus treatment developed by Southampton based company Synairgen at Southampton University Hospital have now moved into the next phase of clinical trials. This new treatment has shown very promising results, reducing the odds that patients in hospital develop serious disease by almost 80% in initial trials. I am pleased that Southampton [...]
The Prime Minister has announced this evening new national lockdown restrictions which will come into force tonight. As back in March this year, everyone must stay at home. I know even tougher restrictions than under Tier 4 are disappointing. All schools which haven’t already will move to online learning from tomorrow, except for vulnerable [...]
I am relieved and happy that a trade deal with the European Union has been secured this afternoon. We will need to scrutinise the detail of the deal as it emerges. But a deal is what we all wanted and this is what we now have. Brexit has happened. We now are taking full [...]
It is disappointing news that Southampton, along with almost all of the rest of Hampshire will enter Tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day. This is not what any of us could have wanted, but these restrictions are needed to keep us all safe. We are fortunate that we are avoiding tougher rules on Christmas [...]
The Prime Minister announced this evening tighter restrictions for over the Christmas period which is disappointing news for us all. A new coronavirus variant has emerged which spreads considerably more quickly. Cases are now on the rise again, including in Southampton. In the past week the number of cases has increased by over 50% [...]
The Government is proposing to ban the export of animals for slaughter and fattening abroad. Many have long called for an end to this practice where livestock and even horses are subject to long journeys in cramped conditions just to be fattened up or killed overseas. These plans also intend to cut the amount [...]
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