It was an honour to lead the debate in Parliament for Autism Awareness Week. I gave my opening speech on behalf of our All Party Parliamentary Chairman, Dame Cheryl Gillian. It was an inspired debate and speeches followed from MPs from across the country and party divide. 

I spoke in Parliament this week to express my support for the introduction of compulsory health, sex and relationships education in schools. The world is changing, and young people today face harsh challenges.

In photo: back row from left to right Margaret Howell, Battle Town Council;  John Howell MP; Jonathan Vine-Hall, Sedlescombe Parish Council; Frankie Nowne, Clerk to Ticehurst & Flimwell Parish Council; Huw Merriman MP; Russell Hidden, Battle Neighbourhood Plan Team;

In Parliament this week, Huw once again praised the support provided by job centre work coaches to help people into the world of work. He asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd to ensure that these coaches receive the support they need to continue their work.

Since my last column, I was pulled out of the ballot twice in successive Prime Minister’s Questions.

As you may be aware, last week, the Prime Minister’s deal with the EU was rejected by MPs for the second time, albeit by a reduced margin. In the aftermath, the Prime Minister promised MPs two days of debate, followed by votes. These votes are taking place this week.

Huw Merriman, MP for the Bexhill and Battle constituency, continued his campaign for fairer school funding during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the House of Commons yesterday and in Education Questions earlier this week.

In this week’s Transport Select Committee session, we questioned Allan Cook, the chair of High Speed 2 (HS2), on the progress of the project and discussed potential barriers it faces.

In my second PMQ in two weeks  I asked a question on behalf of my Mum (a former teacher) on the need for more school funding, particularly for those areas that currently have the lowest funded schools (such as ours).

Last Friday, I met with Caroline Barlow, Headteacher at Heathfield Community College, to be given a copy of the school funding letter which was sent by heads across the constituency to parents.