I visited Castle Mills Waste Water Pumping Station in York this morning to see how Yorkshire Water are deploying fat-busting bugs as part of an innovative and environmentally-friendly treatment process to prevent pollution and combat build-ups of fat in … More…

It is clear that we are not “all in it together” as the Government claims.  Buried in the small print of the Budget is that George Osborne has hit pensioners with a “granny tax”, with £3 billion being taken away … More…

In Parliament yesterday, the Government confirmed that a memorandum of understanding has been signed (on Thursday 15 March) between the UK Department for International Development, the Government of Tanzania, the Serious Fraud Office and BAe Systems, for BAe Systems to … More…

Today I have written to Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem Minister responsible for post offices to urge him to reopen Tang Hall Lane Post office, which has remained closed for over a year.   Tang Hall Post Office closed in … More…

I joined Councillor Helen Douglas and Cafe Owner Roger McGivern to open a new Business Enterprise and Community hub in Burton Stone Lane in York today.   The hub has been designed to support local businesses by providing a place … More…

Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening MP, introduced the new railway Command Paper “Reforming the Railways: Putting the Customer First” today and announced in the House of Commons the biggest reorganisation of the railways since privatisation under the last … More…

In the House of Commons today, I pressed Work and Pensions Minister, Chris Grayling, to agree to fast-track compensation for victims of mesothelioma, a virulent lung cancer triggered by exposure to asbestos.   Last week the death of Arnie Gomersall … More…

I presented cheques to York City Rowing Club and Acomb Cricket Club today, both of whom have secured Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund.   The Inspired Facilities fund is part of the £135 million Places People … More…

Today I met keen cyclist Simon Palmour and Councillor Dave Merrett, City of York Council’s Cabinet Member for City Strategy, to discuss the Cities fit for cycling campaign which calls on the government to make cycling safer.   I chaired … More…

I have written to the Minister responsible for Policing, Nick Herbert, calling on him to reply to a letter which I wrote to him more than eight months ago, on 2 June 2011.   I wrote to the Minister to … More…