The lead up to the end of this parliamentary year has continued with several major events, and a local one I’d like to mention is the one I hosted at St Nicholas Church to present veterans with their Armed Forces Veteran Lapel Badges. Despite the bad weather, the occasion was a great success with over 200 people attending, and I would like to thank all those involved for making the event such a success. Special thanks goes out to the Pleasure Beach, C Mac, Anglian Water and Blackfriars Brewery for their involvement as well as the Winterton 901 Troop Marine Cadets and their Senior Officer Terry Byrne for putting on such a great display with their Guard of Honour. Well done to all.

Since the event, more veterans have contacted me to claim their badge, and I would like to urge anyone that has not yet received theirs to apply. Eligibility to be awarded one has now been extended to those who served up to 1994 and I will hold further presentation ceremonies as more people apply as I believe it is only right that veterans have the opportunity to be formally awarded the badge rather than receive it in the post. So if you still haven’t claimed yours, please do get in touch with my assistant Louise in Westminster on 0207 219 3447.

I was pleased with the announcement that the Government have allocated an extra £1.1 billion to enable schools to extend their hours for such subjects as breakfast clubs, out-of-hours tuition and after-school clubs in sport, music and drama. Families will also be able to benefit with access to services such as childcare, family learning and parental support, as well as specialist children’s services such as speech therapy. Evidence from extended schools across the country has shown that they boost pupils’ attainment to double the national rate in GCSEs. I am sure all parents will welcome this announcement. 

The decision not to pursue the allegations of the ‘cash for peerages’ investigation is one that is welcomed by those involved. It is clear that we have to look at the question of funding for political parties. We cherish our democracy and a part of that must be to have a level playing field for all. It should not be the case that if a millionaire can support a particular party or candidate it gives them an advantage.

I am sure that the people directly affected by the flooding last August and September in Great Yarmouth will have a huge amount of sympathy and concern for the victims of the recent spate of flooding from Humberside down to Gloucestershire. The scale of the flooding we see in the media is far in excess of that we had but if you have been a victim of a flood, the result is the same and nearly a year on some are still dealing with the aftermath. It is clearer now, more than ever before, that no place is safe from the effects of the unusually severe weather we are experiencing and there undoubtedly has to be a re-think on what we need to do to reduce the effect of heavy rainfall. But we must also tackle coastal erosion as well, as this also presents a challenge to us in the face of climate change.

Finally, part of the regeneration for Great Yarmouth is the prospect of a new large casino and had this bill been passed in both Houses of Parliament the project would be well advanced by now. However, this was not to be – the bill was lost by three votes in the House of Lords. A couple of weeks ago the Mercury published the view of a Conservative borough council cabinet member that the Government was ‘back pedalling’. On the contrary, the casinos were in fact stalled due to the Conservative leader whipping his MPs and Lords into opposing the bill. Had he not have done this, the bill would have by now received Royal Assent. Nevertheless, discussions I have had with ministers indicate that we will debate and decide the issue - lets hope with the Tories support this time! - on our return in the autumn.

This conveniently gives me the opportunity to discount the annual attack in the national media that MPs are on their long annual holidays. As I make clear every year, I, along with the vast majority of MP’s use recess to continue work in the constituency and this year is no different.