News

A lovely visit to Elm Park Primary School in Winterbourne this morning. Work has started on their rebuild, the first 'Passivhaus' school in our area. This will make it incredibly energy efficient.

Very nice to meet Carol-Marie Bond the Head Teacher.

Today during the second reading of the Overseas Operations Bill, I welcomed this new legislation which will help protect our service personnel from repeated vexatious legal claims; and I look forward to future legislation which will help protect our Northern Ireland Veterans.

During Women and Equalities questions today, I asked Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Equalities, about how the Government will encourage women to take up #STEM subjects, particularly in apprenticeships; especially in relation to our local aerospace and defence industries.

Today I met with Gavin Williamson to discuss schools remaining open during the pandemic, funding for local schools, and in particular improvements to Patchway Community School buildings.

Fantastic visit to the STEM lead Bloodhound Land Speed Record project based at SGS Berkeley Green.

An inspirational team, still battling on with their dream to smash the world land speed record.

A documentary about their quest is coming soon to Channel 4.

First day back in the House of Commons, I asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services about the reach of NHS Test and Trace, and how we compare to other countries such as Germany and South Korea.

Met with Mayor Tim Bowles this afternoon to discuss the support available locally for SMEs from the West of England Combined Authority, and the crucial importance of maintaining jobs within our aerospace sector, working with Unite the union.

Great to see Aerospace Bristol has reopened to visitors.

Had a meeting with Lloyd Burnell to discuss the reopening and to find out more on their innovative ideas to highlight STEM to young people locally, in order to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Yesterday I had a great visit Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace Filton.

All really impressive, not only with the way they've kept production going despite Covid, but also with their fantastic plans for the future, like Tempest.

Speaking during a Ministerial Statement on Counter-Daesh today, I raised the vital importance for the British Government to actively help Governments in both Baghdad and Erbil, to work together and resolve differences in military and political matters.