‘Fun’ farmers’ protest had strong message
IHAVE always supported our local farmers, and have just agreed to take on the job of chairing the Allparty Parliamentary Group on Dairy. It was honestly fun to see the tractors around Parliament Square this week – I did not see any from our area and think a lot of them came from nearer counties such as Kent – probably realistic.
I have to say, they were beautifully behaved. I read that they had agreed with the Met Police where they would park so as not to cause too much disruption to those who actually live in London – unlike some other protesters!
I have, for some time, been supporting the Best of British campaign, and it’s great to see two more supermarkets – Waitrose and Co-op – support the campaign by adding a Buy British button online.
This brings the total to six major national supermarkets, which reach millions of customers across the country.
The aim of the Buy British tab is simple – to make it even easier for shoppers to buy homegrown produce, which has the dual bonus of helping to protect our environment while supporting Britain’s farmers.
We must back our own farmers who work under, arguably, the highest environmental and animal welfare farming standards in the world.
It makes simple sense to buy British, and locally, where possible – supporting our country’s food security and causing fewer travel emissions etc.
Good news this week from the Government that they are increasing Special Needs Education Funding by £850 million.
The money is for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and in Alternative Provision (AP) and improve the accessibility of existing buildings, providing more specialist support for children with additional needs.
I will be asking the Government for more details so that South Derbyshire gets its share.
Further good news for our nuclear experts in South Derbyshire, with the announcement that Australia has chosen BAE Systems and ASC Pty Ltd to build its new fleet of nuclear powered submarines in the latest significant development in the AUKUS trilateral security pact between the US, the UK and Australia.
Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia and the UK will operate a common submarine of the future, incorporating technology from all three nations, based on the UK’S next generation design, which BAE Systems is leading.
Easter recess starts this week so I will be home in South Derbyshire for a couple of weeks – I enjoy working in Parliament, of course, but it is nice to have a little time at home without the travelling.
May I wish you all a wonderful Easter weekend – and may the weather be good!