Chucking the Navy in the Channel won't end small boat crossings. The question is how do we end the small boat crossings whilst meeting our international obligations, our legal obligations and our obligations to our European allies?
Tony Vaughan KC MP
@tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social
Proud to be the Labour MP for Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. Follow me on Instagram @tonyvaughanmp
Incredible work by the RNLI Eastbourne and the UK Border Force vessels, BSC Contender and BSC Courageous, to rescue the people who were on a boat attempting to cross the Channel. What is going to unlock this situation is greater cooperation with Europe; this is a European challenge.
University of Kent and University of Greenwich will merge to form London and South East University Group, launching on 7 September. If any students or staff who are constituents have any questions or thoughts, please email me at: tony.vaughan.mp@parliament.uk www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK’s first ‘super-university’, merging Greenwich and Kent, to launch in September
The new London and South East University Group will be UK’s third largest higher education institution
theguardian.com
Lucy is right to focus more on improving technical education, ensuring that schools are not exam factories, but preparing young people for the world of work and business. Rote learning and passing exams should not define a young person's educational output. www.thetimes.com/uk/education...
Lucy Powell: Schooling ‘straitjacket’ has left million youngsters behind
The education secretary says ‘one-size-fits-all’ academic approach, focusing on English, science and history, has led to children being branded a ‘failure’
thetimes.com
Congratulations to Bev Craig on an outstanding result! Bev ran an optimistic, hopeful campaign, seeking common ground and unity. Can’t wait to see what Bev does as GM Mayor.
Had a positive meeting today at the Foreign Office with Joe Bennett and the UK’s Envoy for Complex Consular Detentions. We explored all the possible solutions. I know that Alistair Burt will do everything he can to help bring the Foremans home, as will I! We must act with urgency and purpose.
The EA has moved Kent into Prolonged Dry Weather Status - we've had no significant rainfall in July! A free market won't make the water system as resilient and sustainable as it needs to be. We need public control of water, so we can direct more capital into building the infrastructure.
Kanishka is right - emerging technologies must be at the heart of reindustrialising Britain. Lydd Airport in my patch can be at the forefront of drone research, testing and manufacturing. I look forward to working with the new government to make this happen! www.ft.com/content/5b78...
Chips and drones to be at heart of Andy Burnham’s push to ‘reindustrialise’, AI minister says
Kanishka Narayan tells FT that new prime minister views technology as way for Britain ‘to get its mojo back’
ft.com
Social care is one of this country's forever problems. We haven't been able to find a lasting solution. We must urgently improve pay, training + working conditions for workers. A National Care Service, fully integrated into the NHS, can be one of the era-defining achievements of this government.
Was great to be in Gravesend yesterday to hear Andy speak about his devolution and reindustrialisation agenda. His mission to devolve power to local communities, to boost hospitality, and to wrestle life’s essentials away from the grasp of the free market, will benefit coastal communities.
I welcome the new special envoy to deal with complex consular cases. This is a long overdue move for Britain; the US special presidential envoy for hostages has worked well. I look forward to meeting Mr Burt soon to talk about how we bring the Foremans home. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Foreign Office appoints first special envoy for Britons detained overseas
Alistair Burt will bring diplomatic clout to complex cases involving human rights violations and arbitrary detention
theguardian.com
Keir Mather has done the right thing. The gov is right to not move to an expenses only model for CROs. People like Sonny from my constituency, are the fourth blue light service and they are required to do over 100 hours of training. Let's recognise their courage and selflessness.
My constituent Mr Cleeland has been fighting to clear his name for decades. I've discussed Paul's case with him at length and pressed the gov. I'm pleased to see that the CCRC is reopening his case, after new forensic evidence has been discovered. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Paul Cleeland murder case from 1972 reopens after gunshot review
A murder case dating back to 1972 that saw a man serve 26 years in jail is reopened by the CCRC.
bbc.co.uk
Denmark tried getting lay people (non-lawyers) to decide asylum appeals. It didn’t work out. Interesting evidence on this from former UK Upper Tribunal Judge, Nadine Finch, at the Justice Committee last week.
The Home Office wants to clear the asylum appeals backlog not by resourcing the existing appeals system better. It wants to abolish the current judicial appeals body and build a new one staffed largely by non-legally trained adjudicators (members of the public who’ve done a training course).
Thank you to the MPs, Peers and staff who attended our Free the Foremans from Iran campaign drop-in. Craig and Lindsay urgently need an independent medical assessment. The Gov must declare their detention as arbitrary, give the Foremans diplomatic protection and bring their case before the ICJ.
This kind of story is precisely why we need greater public control of our water industry! www.thetimes.com/business/com...
United Utilities boss under fire for £435,000 annual allowance
Shareholder advisory group ISS has criticised a plan by the water company to hand Louise Beardmore the money to counter a clampdown on bonuses
thetimes.com
I was proud to support the work of Louise Thompson and the campaigners on the issue of securing a Maternity Commissioner. Having led a Westminster Hall debate on a Maternity Commissioner, I welcome the announcement that the UK will have its first Commissioner for Maternity and Neonatal Care.
Businesses - we need you! From tomorrow, businesses can access the new Youth Jobs Grant, paying £3,000 for every eligible young person they hire. This is a major investment, helping up to 60,000 people aged 18-24. If you're part of a business, sign up here: business.gov.uk/recruit.
Recruit the right people with Jobcentre Plus
business.gov.uk
Great speech from Andy B - filled with optimism and hope. It was deadly serious about using devolution to drive reindustrialisation and fix our failing utilities. Brilliant to see the focus on building the social homes we desperately need, as well as the more collaborative political culture.
I'M RECRUITING! DEADLINE THIS THURSDAY Are you passionate about #Folkestone #Hythe & #RomneyMarsh? Do you enjoy being a member of a team? Are you a problem solver and love a challenge? If Yes is the answer, then apply to join my Constituency Office team. www.w4mpjobs.org/Default.aspx
w4mp | The site for everyone working for an MP
w4mpjobs.org
Very concerned by the news of a burst sewer pipe at Sandgate Road. Everyone should stay out of the water at Seabrook Beach - this is a precautionary measure. Am eager to see Southern Water fix this problem and prevent it from happening again. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
People warned to stay out of sea at Seabrook after sewer pipe burst
Southern Water says no "visible debris" has been found on Seabrook beach.
bbc.co.uk
The situation on the M25 reveals that we must prepare our infrastructure and emergency services for more frequent heatwaves. Climate change is making extreme weather events more likely - to deny that means putting lives at risk. To prepare for that, means saving lives.
A constituent has been stuck on the M25 near Oxted for 8 hours. It is 40 degrees. She has kids with her and is running out of water. The person from the car in front has been airlifted to hospital. Surrey Police and National Highways have protocols for this situation - please implement them!
10 years on from Brexit, can anyone actually feel the benefits of the decision in either: a) the cost of living b) job opportunities c) ease of doing business with the EU d) ease of travelling in Europe e) ease of studying in Europe f) phone a friend
PM’s statement today was dignified. His achievements are significant: Renters’ Rights Act, Employment Rights Act, Water Special Measures Act and the start of rail renationalisation, amongst others. He's represented us on the world stage with deft diplomacy. I thank him for his service.
📢 I’M RECRUITING! 📢 Are you passionate about #Folkestone #Hythe & #RomneyMarsh? Do you like working as part of a team? Are you a problem solver and willing to learn? If Yes is the answer, then I dare you to apply to join my Constituency Office team here - www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a....
Huge Congratulations to Andy! In May, Reform won all of the council wards in Makerfield. Today, Andy trounced Reform by 20%, winning 55% of the vote! He ran a campaign based on hope and optimism. Makerfield voted for change. Let’s deliver it. 🌹
Glad to see the Justice Committee’s report on the Courts and Tribunals Bill published today, and pleased to have contributed to it. Our report raises serious concerns about Magistrates’ court capacity, recruitment and workload, and doubts whether the Government’s model will… (1/2)
