This week was Budget Week. Stronger than expected economic forecasts from the independent Office of Budget Responsibility meant the Chancellor had a bit more financial headroom. And he decided to spend it.

Silicon Spa is coming! This week the Digital Minister, Jeremy Wright, wrote to me to confirm that months of lobbying have paid off: the Government has financially committed to Cheltenham’s future as an 'internationally recognised centre of cyber security excellence'. 

John Lewis is opening. Ring out the bells!

Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk has welcomed the award of an extra £2.5million to help winter pressures on Gloucestershire’s social care.

This funding will ease pressure on the health system, and follows the announcement of £145 million to improve emergency care within the NHS this winter.

Enough is enough. The closure of Boots Corner has been a serious mistake, and it should be reversed before more damage is done.

What do you think Party Conferences are all about? From watching the news you might well assume that all the action is in the main hall, as ministers (and wannabe leaders?) set out their stall to the party faithful.

As I wrote last week, I strongly object to plans by local NHS managers to move all gastro-intestinal (general) surgery to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

In basic mechanics there’s a moment of maximum leverage. It’s that short period before a beam tips on its pivot, when a small effort can make a big different.

In relation to the future of Cheltenham General Hospital I believe we are nearing that moment now. 

It’s been said of the UK and the US that we’re “two nations divided by a common language”. Maybe so, but perhaps the widest cultural gulf between our countries is in our different approaches to healthcare.

Cheltenham MP, Alex Chalk’s campaign to increase the maximum sentence for terror offences and address online radicalisation has become law.  The Cheltenham MP has repeatedly called for a toughening of “toothless sentencing” for terrorist acts.  The Government included the measures as a key part o