It’s been another very eventful week here across our constituency and up in Parliament. I’ve been pushing hard this week to ensure that North Cornwall’s schools get their fair share of newly announced SEND funding. While it is encouraging to see the Education Secretary pledging £740-million for mainstream schools to better support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, the specifics of how this funding will be allocated still isn’t quite clear - so I’ve been demanding much more clarity on this.

On a recent visit to Budehaven Community School, I was alarmed to learn that their specialised SEND unit’s funding is set to run out in February. And, after hearing so many stories and personal accounts at our SEND Summit in Bodmin, it’s clear families and educators need certainty and timely support. I’ll be raising this issue directly with the Minister in the House of Commons on Monday.

On the farming front, I stood up in the Commons during a speech by my Lib Dem colleague Tim Farron, with a suggestion of a “working farm test” to avoid those genuine working family farms from being hit hard by the poorly-targeted APR changes. With a test of this kind, these family farmers would be exempt from the tax, while wealthy landowners, who are just in it for the tax avoidance, will have to pay their fair share. My intervention in Parliament this week made it clear: we must support the backbone of our rural economy and preserve Cornwall’s agricultural heritage for the next generation.

And in the run up to Christmas, I was delighted to announce the winner of our Christmas Card Competition: Bethany, aged 10, from Camelford Primary School. Her “Moo-ry Christmas” design brilliantly captured a beloved symbol of the Cornish landscape with a festive spirit. A huge thank you to all the children who took part, as well as to the teachers who encouraged them and helped send their entries in. We received hundreds of wonderful designs, and each one brightened our offices in Westminster and Cornwall. Well done to everyone.

Finally, I’ve continued to press for urgent improvements at the Plusha junction on the A30. Following three tragic fatalities this year, a long-term solution shouldn’t be seen as a luxury that National Highways can grant if they’ve the money spare - but that it is an absolutely life-saving necessity. I’ve raised these concerns with the Transport Minister and will keep pushing for a safe, sustainable fix to protect all who travel these roads.

As always, please do get in touch with if you’ve any concerns, queries, or casework for my team and I to take up. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ben Maguire

Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall