Monday
Week starts with a meeting with the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and the East Anglian Childrens’ Hospice. They are campaigning for a change to laws so that they can run a larger local lottery. Very good causes and I’m happy to support them.
I get a phone call about Sutherland Lodge GPs Surgery which has had a very challenging inspection report. I speak to Virgin Care who tell me about some of the changes they’ve made. I write to the Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS bosses to set up a meeting. It’s important that patients are safe.
The Education minister is taking questions from MPs, I ask about fees for non UK students post Brexit. It’s a big issue for lots of our Universities as they rely on both British and overseas students.
Over to Downing Street where I join MPs packed together in a conference room for a very detailed presentation on the options for customs. It’s clear there are many long negotiations ahead. The PM is very clear that she wants to avoid disruption on the Irish border.
I join cyber experts from all over the UK for a dinner meeting about cyber security.
Tuesday.
In the Science and Technology Committee we start our report into quantum technology with a teach-in session from physics Professor and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili. This is very important for Chelmsford as our local company Teledyne e2v is leading the world in designing advanced quantum instruments.
Join Essex MPs to meet County council team for social care and the cabinet member Cllr John Spence. The county council and NHS locally are doing some good work especially with new projects to help those with Alzheimers. We agree it is important that funding for social care does not get diverted to other parts of the NHS.
I vote on amendments to the Data Bill before going off to meet Highways bosses. I remind them that the A12 improvements must cover the whole route. We discuss the terrible rubbish collecting on our roadsides and potential new solutions to stop littering.
Wednesday
Start the day hosting a huge meeting for manufactures in the House of Commons Fascinating to hear from frontline businesses. It’s clear that many smaller companies are going to need more time to adapt to any new customs systems.
Into the women’s and equality Select Committee where we are hearing from experts on sexual harassment in the workplace - very worrying.
PMQs uneventful for once!
I join a group of MPs visiting the heart disease research project at St Thomases hospital. It is deeply impressive and involves many world leading experts. We discuss issues for visas for doctors and scientists.
I join a debate on Brexit,
Customs and confidentiality. Some (non government) MPs suggest the government may be willing to sacrifice the Good Friday agreement. As someone who grew up in Northern Ireland I feel strongly that we should not risk the peace that exits.
Unfortunately we have a late vote so I can’t get back to Chelmsford for the mayor making - I’ve sent good luck cards to Yvonne Spence & Christine Garret, they will be a great Mayor and Deputy women-power team. I join MPs talking tax policy over supper. Fascinating.
Thursday
Back early into the House of Commons to meet team from the Irish embassy before heading to the chamber for Penny Mourdant’s first questions as the equality minister. I ask for more support for women doing engineering and physics. She is helpful.
I join experts from the Institute for Physics launch a report on girls and physics. We have the lowest level of women engineers anywhere in Europe, which is pretty damning especially as women engineers rank way above average for being “happy” in their career choices. We discuss many ways to encourage more girls students.
I meet leading experts in fighting money laundering and on line financial crime. There is a huge amount to do and it’s good to hear that the UK is leading the way.
Back on a train to Chelmsford to meet patients and staff at Sutherland Lodge Surgery. They tell me they have made many changes since the report. I ask them if they can provide more written answers to some of the key issues raised by inspectors. It’s important that patients know what’s being done. They agree to follow up.
Friday
Start the morning at the job centre, where team have agreed to show me how the “work capability assessment” is carried out. I have many questions and it’s a very helpful morning. I leave two hours later feeling that the staff really do try to be fair to every individual case.
Pop up to the Bee Fit Gym in Beehive Lane. I meet the instructors, managers and gym members. What an extremely nice group of people. The team are very concerned about the BusGate proposals and I explain how happy I am that the County and City councils have agreed to look again at alternative solutions.
Over to Great Baddow where a new nursing home has opened - wow! What a beautiful place. It’s impressive that a business that has only just begun is already ranked one if the top homes in the country.
End the week learning the difference between a flushable wet wipe, a biodegradable wet wipe and totally illegal fraudulent wet wipe. The first two were made in Chelmsford by Guardpack. The company makes very specialist, bespoke wipes which are often used in medical or high tech environments.
The company is leading a move forwards biodegradables where practicable, and a strong message. Do Not Flush the Influshables!
Saturday
What a super super super Royal Wedding - so proud to be British and well done to all involved, especially the Bride and Groom!