Dear Reader,

Since the chemical attacks in Syria on 7th April two topics of conversation have dominated the international stage – the use of chemical weapons and what response the international community should take to their use.

It is time for the UK and European Union to acknowledge the “hard facts” about Brexit, Theresa May has said as she paves the way for compromise on a free trade deal.

The call for applications for Round 5 of the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) in England is now open. At least £40 million is available in this funding round which covers the period 2019-20 to 2020-21. To date the CCF in England has provided 131 projects with £132 million of funding.

It may be the start of a New Year, but already it has a familiar ring about it as the EU wrestles with some recurring issues.

Victims of stalking need far greater protection & the #StalkingProtectionBill(second reading Jan 19th) would introduce #StalkingProtectionOrders to stop stalkers contacting victims directly or indirectly. Breaching a SPO would be a criminal offence.

Christmas Card Competition

Thank you to all the school children who took part in my Christmas Card Competition; there were some wonderful entries and it was very hard to choose a winner.

30 Hours Free Childcare

I am delighted that the Government met its commitment to launch 30 hours free childcare earlier this year.

Farmers face continuing uncertainty after the European Commission ignored scientific evidence last month and caved in to political pressure over the use of the weed killer glyphosate (known as Roundup in the UK).

It was a pleasure to answer questions from students across Gibraltar today about my job as their MEP and the Brexit talks. ????

Some of them will make very good Jeremy Paxmans one day.