I want to warmly thank everyone who voted to re-elect me as MP for York Outer last Thursday. I was delighted to be returned with an increased majority, and I want to repay this vote of confidence by working to deliver for our city over the next 5 years.

Julian has welcomed the Queen’s Speech for 2019, setting out the government’s proposed draft laws and policies for the new session of Parliament.

Julian has today welcomed the Culture Secretary’s announcement that the National Railway Museum in York is to receive £18.5m in Government funding for the construction of a new Central Hall and exhibition space.

Yesterday, Julian questioned the First Secretary of State, Dominic Raab, who was standing in for Boris Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions, about proposals to build over 500 houses on land adjoining the renowned nature reserve at Askham Bog.

With all the focus on Brexit at the moment it is important not to forget that there are some other big political decisions looming for the future of York.

Official ONS figures show that in Yorkshire and Humber, there are now 2,588,300 people in work – meaning that, under the Conservatives, 206,937 more people have been able to access the security of a job.

Further to the unanimous rejection of this planning application by the Planning Committee at City of York Council in July, Julian is very concerned by the news the developer is appealing the decision, which will now go to a public inquiry starting on 12th November.

I must start by admitting that when I said in my last column that the new Prime Minister had brought in dramatic changes, I didn’t expect them to be this dramatic.

As students across York return to school this week, the Prime Minister has announced that the Government will invest over £14 billion in primary and secondary education between now and 2022/23.

It is of course vital that Parliament decides on how we proceed with the Brexit process, and I am satisfied that this slightly revised parliamentary sitting timetable allows plenty of time for that.