Future Relationship with the EU
Following the Chequers meeting the Government published its White Paper on the UK’s future relationship with the EU last Thursday. Whatever view one takes on the Brexit process, the British people voted clearly to leave the EU. This is inevitably a highly complex process and involves a negotiation where it is quite impossible for Brexiteers and Remainers to achieve everything that they might want.

As the White Paper makes clear, the value of imports and exports in goods between the UK and EU is over £423 billion and the UK needs to protect its huge services industry which is worth £1.46 trillion. I wish to be absolutely clear that the Prime Minister has to keep the option of a no deal on the table to ensure that there is no further dilution of this White Paper.

As the Deputy Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee during a hearing with the Permanent Secretary of HMRC that discussed the costs of processing an additional 200 million customs declarations which will cost the taxpayer £17-20 billion a year. This is just one of many consequences of a no deal situation.

Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
In the constituency, I met with a diverse group of stakeholders in the Cotswolds local economy at the newly constructed Growth Hub on the Stroud Road next to the Royal Agricultural University.

L-R Manager Farm 491, Ali Hadavizadeh; Head Teacher Cirencester Deer Park School, Chiquita Henson; CEO Join China, Qing Lin; Director Lounge Design, Adam Vines; Cotswold Tourism Manager, Sally Graff; Sir GC-B; Strategic Director CDC, Christine Gore, Head of Strategy LEP, Mally Findlater; Director South Western Tapes, Howard Burr; Growth Hub Manager, Yesim Nicholson; Deputy Chief Executive of LEP, Dev Chakraborty; 

This Growth Hub will form a valuable facility for businesses in the Cotswolds and will provide them with conference and meeting rooms and, critically for small start-up businesses, service desk spaces with broadband connectivity and access to business advisers with an initial period of free advice.

At the meeting there was much agreement about what was needed to provide school and university leavers in the constituency with better job prospects for the future. I look forward to seeing this Growth Hub thrive in the future and providing an important service for constituents.

Moreton Car Parking

I recently met with representatives from Moreton Town Council and the Moreton Parking Working Group in order to facilitate a car parking solution for the expanding and increasingly congested town of Moreton-in-Marsh.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown meeting with Moreton Town Council and the Moreton Parking Working Group

I have strongly urged all parties to work together to try to devise a solution that is acceptable to the vast majority of the town and its residents. I stand by to use the procedure of public meetings which successfully brought all parties together to resolve substantial problems to achieve a flood alleviation scheme in Moreton and this may be one way forward to overcome this car parking problem.

Cirencester Business Club
I was pleased to attend the most recent Cirencester Business Club breakfast at the RAU. A strong turnout was in attendance to hear from and question Paul Roberts, Joint Chief Executive for Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust, on health issues and organisation in Gloucestershire.

The Cirencester Business Club is an excellent forum for constructive dialogue between local stakeholders, businesses and decision makers. For any readers interested in attending the next Business Club breakfast or to keep up to date with future events follow this link.

Offensive Weapons Bill
In Westminster, I have been actively involved in the Offensive Weapons Bill which passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 27 June.

As the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Shooting and Conservation I have taken a lead on ensuring that this legislation does not unnecessarily affect the UK’s 1.6 million strong recreational shooting community which generates £2 billion for the UK economy.

I have been meeting with the Home Office Minister, Victoria Atkins MP, and the Home Secretary, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, to protect the shooting community’s interests and I look forward to introducing amendments on the floor of the House when the Bill returns for its Third Reading after the Summer Recess.