Last Friday I spent most of the day in three local schools.

First thing, I received my annual grilling from the Sixth Form at Ivybridge Community College. I'm always incredibly impressed by the breadth and depth of their questions - they certainly keep me on my toes.

When I was first elected to parliament there were no mobile phones, no internet and no e-mails, no social media, no 24/7 rolling news media. Technology has changed and is changing the way we live.

The MP for South West Devon joined Barratt Homes at its Lucerne Fields development in Ivybridge to celebrate the five-star housebuilder’s 60th anniversary. On his visit Gary Streeter MP marked the anniversary by laying a commemorative stone.

Last Friday I had the privilege to visit Longcause School in Plympton and to meet with Headteacher, Anne Thorne. This local school serves children and young people from across the Plymouth area who have special educational needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

Within a couple of weeks or so, Parliament will have to make a final decision on the results of the Brexit negotiations. The two years notice to quit expires on 29th March 2019 so that unless something else happens, we will be leaving the EU then.

All across the Country, MPs, Councillors, schools and community groups are promoting Parliament Week.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the opening of the new Thales UK Marine Autonomy Centre at Turnchapel Wharf.

They've since produced a video from the opening which you might like to watch to find out more about this exciting opportunity for growth and development in Plymouth.

This year will be the 25th year I have stood on the Hoe to commemorate the sacrifice of our armed forces from the two world wars of the last century. Does it become routine, after all of those years, just another duty? Not at all, if anything more poignant the older I get. 

You may have seen an article on here earlier in the year celebrating the opening of affordable homes provided by Rentplus in Plympton. 

On Friday, I joined Tamar Housing and Rentplus in Sparkwell where they launched a new development of rent to buy homes for more first time buyers.

I have listened to 26 budgets now, sitting in the chamber, trying to make sense of it all. I remember Norman Lamont’s budget in the early 1990’s, cheered to the echo. Some of us left the chamber wondering what does VAT on fuel actually mean. Within an hour the sky had fallen in our heads!