The first day of December feels like the perfect time to share the below list of all the Christmas activities happening in the South Hams. From Carols on the Cove in Dartmouth to the Carnival Lantern Parade in Totnes, the below link has everything you need to know about South Hams Christmas events this year. Have a look... https://www.southhams.gov.uk/communities/christmas-south-hams/totnes-christmas-events

The Community Ownership Fund was launched in 2021 to help community groups take ownership of assets that were at risk of being lost. It was originally due to close at the end of March this year, but last December, the Government suddenly shut the fund, despite it having only allocated £135m of the originally announced £150m. In the three years, the COF was in place, it saved thousands of cherished communities sites and helped community groups generate income, build financial

War and restrictions have triggered an “unprecedented collapse across the Palestinian economy…significantly undermining every pillar of survival…and plunging Gaza into a human-made abyss.” That is the assessment from a new report by the UN Trade and Development Agency, which estimates that rebuilding the Gaza strip will cost more than $70bn.   But even after reconstruction is complete, the effects on the Palestinian people could persist for generations. We know from WW2 how s

Finally, after months of speculation, it is Budget week. By the time you read this, you will know what the Chancellor has decided. But, at the time of writing, I am still in the dark.   While I could speculate about what I would like the Chancellor to include, I thought I would take a different route and question instead what the purpose of the Budget actually is.   Of course, in a literal sense, the Budget is a statement on the nation’s finances as well as the Government’s p

Today, I asked the Prime Minister if he would back a smartphone ban in schools. Given the Government’s desire to improve educational outcomes and the wellbeing of our children, you’d think it’d be a no brainer. But, to my deep disappointment, he refused. Instead, he argued that most schools already ban smartphones. That is not correct. While more than 90% of schools have some form of controls in place, research from the Policy Exchange found that only 11% of them are effectiv

South Devon is home to some fantastic small wine producers whose contribution goes far beyond the bottle. Their work supports local jobs, attracts tourism, and strengthens the wider hospitality sector across the area. They are a vital part of our local economy, and they deserve a tax system that reflects their realities and supports their ability to continue thriving. Yet, the Government’s duty changes do the opposite. By replacing a simple, stable system with 30 separate dut