What Has Our Local MP Been Doing?
Greg Hands reveals his busy programme during the run-up to Brexit
Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands has opened his diary once again to reveal the details of his busy programme during the run-up to Brexit.
Since his last news bulletin, Greg has:
Held a public meeting for constituents on Heathrow expansion, an issue Greg resigned from last year to vote against proposals for a third runway. The meeting highlighted the strength of constituents' concerns on night flights, air pollution and noise disturbance – issues which Greg will continue to lobby Heathrow on.
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Featured as Guest of the Day on Sunday Politics London, where he discussed his recent public meeting on Heathrow, and the importance of maintaining pace in the roll-out of super-fast broadband and improving special educational needs provision.
Was delighted to hear from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd, that almost 10 million employees are now auto-enrolled into workplace pensions, including an impressive 21,000 Chelsea and Fulham constituents. 4,290 employers in the constituency are also now compliant with the auto-enrolment requirements.
Congratulated the Minister for Disabled People on the good news that the UK has 900,000 more people with disabilities in work compared with 2014, and welcomed her announcement of an increase in the Access to Work grant.
Appeared live on TV channel CNBC to discuss Brexit, the current Withdrawal Agreement, and the mood in the House of Commons regarding possible ways forward out of the impasse, which can be viewed here. Greg previously appeared on CNBC when the draft Withdrawal Agreement was first released, which can be viewed here
Enjoyed meeting with constituent Quentin Nason of City Pay It Forward and Julian Knight MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People, to discuss raising the profile of financial education in schools.
Spoke on German radio station Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) on why he believes the current Withdrawal Agreement is good for Brussels, but bad for the UK. Listen to the interview here.
Raised in the Commons progress on the UK’s accession to the World Trade Organisation Government Procurement Agreement, and welcomed the news that the UK has agreed in principle to join.
Highlighted during Prime Minister’s Questions the importance of leaving the EU Customs Union if the UK is to strike its own trade deals and establish an independent trade policy. Greg received a welcome response that this remains Government policy.
Launched proposals for a comprehensive UK-EU free trade agreement, an alternative to Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement, that protects workers rights, ensures financial services can operate freely across borders, and creates a level playing field for competition and state aid. Greg launched the 330-page document alongside David Davis MP, the former Brexit Secretary; Shanker Singham, a respected lawyer on international trade; and Barnabas Reynolds, an expert in financial services.
Wrote an article in The Sun to explain how his UK-EU FTA proposal surmounts the current problems with the backstop, while bringing the UK outside of the customs union and paving the way for an independent trade policy.
Wrote for The Telegraph on how Donald Tusk’s unhelpful comments about Britons won’t help us reach a compromise or way out of the impasse.
Was interviewed by Richard Madeley on talkRADIO on everything from the UK-Ireland World Cup 2030 bid to the UK-EU FTA he’d like to see in place of Theresa May’s current Withdrawal Agreement. The recording can be listened to here, with Greg speaking from 14:25pm.
Spoke to Shelagh Fogarty on LBC radio to discuss the comprehensive UK-EU free trade agreement proposal he launched. Hear it here.
Greg also appeared on Sky and BBC news to discuss the UK-EU FTA proposals further.
Gave his view on why the backstop is problematic on German radio station Info Radio.
Caught up with the Germany Director at the British Council, Rachel Launey, to talk about maintaining a strong presence in Germany post-Brexit.
Was appointed a Commissioner on the Conservative Human Rights Commission, a body which works tirelessly to ensure human rights remain at the forefront of the Party’s foreign policy agenda.
Met with Jasmine Whitbread, the CEO of London First, to discuss skills and migration after Brexit and how best to ensure London businesses can attract the workforce they need. Greg also attended their event in Parliament where he heard first-hand from businesses in retail, the City and tech industries.
Appeared on German journalist Gabor Steingart’s podcast, ‘Das Morning Briefing’, to give a German audience a British MP’s perspective on the current Brexit negotiations. The podcast can be found here.
Visited the award-winning Silchester Estate; a fantastic example of British architecture and regeneration in Kensington.
Spent a weekend canvassing in Peterborough for Paul Bristow, prospective Parliamentary candidate for Peterborough.
Welcomed the news that inflation was down to 1.8% in January, down from 2.1% the previous month.
Met with the Bishop of Kensington, Graham Tomlin, to talk local issues, Grenfell, housing and social change in London.
Caught up with good friend and Christian Social Union politician, Stephan Mayer, also a German Minister of State for the Interior and formerly head of DE-UK Friendship Group in the Bundestag.
Ran his regular constituency advice surgery for Chelsea & Fulham residents at MetroBank, Chelsea. To book an appointment at one of Greg’s surgeries, email mail@greghands.com or telephone 020 7219 5448.
You can keep up to date with news from Greg Hands on his website
February 22, 2019
