A friend recently challenged me to write an A-Z of great things that I’ve seen in Chelmsford this year.  There is a huge amount to choose from but here is my first attempt.  I wonder what others readers might like to add to the list?

This week Parliament was meant to be on a “recess” break.

Thousands of workers will receive good news in in their pay slip this month. The National Living Wage has gone up by almost 5% to £8.21 per hour. This is the highest rate since it was first introduced.

Monday 01 April  Start the week with meeting of Great Eastern Main Line task force.  Good news! The 15-minute Delay Repay compensation scheme is now in place and we are told that Network Rail has nearly finished the overhead line replacement project between Chelmsford and London.

I thought it might be helpful to write another update on Brexit following numerous votes this week.  Thank you for the many emails that I have received, I do appreciate all your comments.  I know that there are differing views amongst Chelmsford residents on the way forward.

Monday 25th March  Crucial week as it is vital MPs find a way to unlock the Brexit deadlock. There is a motion tonight about whether MPs should have “indicative votes”. Before the House of Commons meets I have a long phone call with head of CHP, Chelmsford’s largest social landlord.

Thank you to everyone from Chelmsford who has written to me in the past 24 hours or so.

I thought it might be helpful to write another update following the votes on Brexit this week. This is still a fast-moving situation. As you might imagine, I have again received many emails from Constituents.

It was announced this week that Chelmsford has been successful in its bid to receive additional Government funding to help reduce rough sleeping.

Monday   Before parliament starts I meet the British Retail Consortium about reducing wasteful plastic packaging, and with Renewables UK to discuss Green Energy options.