A very happy new year to all readers.

Stafford MP, Jeremy Lefroy has welcomed the news that Children's hospices are to receive funding boost under NHS plans.

I speak as a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. We looked at this whole issue generally in our report in June, and we looked more specifically at the Bill in October, so I declare that interest.

We are living in the most serious of times, and I think that that is very clear to all of us. What we are discussing today is of such great import that there should be a reaching out across the Front Benches, as I have said in this place more than once.

The arrangements for when UC claimants will be paid over Christmas as well as contact details, including the Freephone number, are available here on gov.uk - https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-youre-paid

Last month, I wrote that we have always to work at peace – it does not occur naturally.  This Christmas, it would be easy to be discouraged when peace and goodwill seem to be in short supply:  Syria’s civil war, Yemen’s suffering population, China and the USA contemplate escalating a trade war; a

I want to look forward 10 years from now, at the position our country will be in if we vote for the withdrawal agreement, as I intend to, and have a deal along the lines of the political declaration.

Stafford MP, Jeremy Lefroy has backed a Ten Minute Rule Bill which aims to protect the availability of free cashpoints on designated high streets.

Message from Alan White - Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing at Staffordshire County Council

Stafford MP, Jeremy Lefroy has joined other Members of Parliament in urging the NHS and Vertex pharmaceuticals to reach an agreement to allow access to essential precision drug Orkambi.