Adrian Sanders MP

I was somewhat taken aback to learn that the Association of British Insurers rank Torbay number 88 in the most ‘at flood risk’ constituencies in the country. There being 650 constituencies this seems very high given we lack a major river, flood meadows or a history of widespread (as opposed to highly localised) flooding.

. . . → Read More: Herald Express Article Thursday 16th February 2012

It is hard to argue with the Number 10 line that it is not fair that benefit claimants can receive higher incomes than people in work.

Equally it isn’t the fault of the claimant that some people’s work pays so little that it is less than what a benefit claimant can receive.  Neither is . . . → Read More: Herald Express article for Thursday 3rd February 2012

Over the Christmas period I visited an innovative health practice based within the Accident and Emergency Unit of Torbay Hospital.

Devon Doctors have an office and consulting room where anyone attending casualty who would be better managed by a GP can be seen, taking pressure off and saving costs of the acute accident and . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article Thursday 19th January 2012

I was very disappointed just before the Christmas Recess to hear Caroline Spelman MP announce a Coalition U-turn on tackling Bovine TB. The Coalition Programme for Government was clear that a cull of badgers would be instigated only if the evidence supported it.

There has been no new evidence since the agreement was signed, . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article Thursday 5th January 2012

I genuinely believe we can look forward to 2012 and beyond with a degree of pride and confidence locally.

In the depths of the worst recession in living memory we have secured £76 million for the long awaited South Devon Link Road, and £40 million a year to reduce South West Water bills.

Both . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article Thursday 22nd December 2011

I was pleased to read that the BBC is rethinking the proposed cuts to local radio that would have seen staff cuts and a reduction in local programming at BBC Radio Devon.

Quite how significant this rethink is going to be remains to be seen, but it is an indication that the BBC is . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article for Thursday 8th December 2011

Last month I expressed concerns that following the acquisition of Plymouth Argyle FC from administration by Akkeron who are the proposed developers for the Oldway estate, that funds derived from the receipts associated with the sale of some of the land or interests may be diverted to support the club.  However, I have now . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article for 24th November 2011

 I’ve reported a couple of times in the past that I was working on something with the Pensions Minister to mitigate against some of the aspects of changes to the state pension age that impacted most unfairly on woman born between April 1953 to April 1960. 

The Government has agreed a £1.1 billion . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article for 27th October 2011

The long awaited report into our banking industry has been published and it contains a number of welcome recommendations.

It provides a very clear blueprint for making the banks safe; dealing with the problem of the taxpayer having to guarantee their losses because not to do so would be catastrophic.

It also suggests implementing . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article for 29th September 2011

 I hardly seem to have been away from Westminster this Recess.  I’ve journeyed to and from Westminster 5 times so far for Parliamentary events, select committee meetings and statements, and now we are about to start the conference season. 

 The last three weeks of recess will be devoted to the party conferences . . . → Read More: Herald Express Article for 15th September 2011