Adrian Ramsay MP presses Minister for urgent clarity on funding for UEA dental school.
11th of February 2026
Adrian Ramsay MP presses Minister for urgent clarity on funding for UEA dental school.
Adrian Ramsay, MP for Waveney Valley, has written to Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care at the Department of Health and Social Care, seeking clarity on when funding will be confirmed to allow the University of East Anglia to open its new dental school.
The University of East Anglia has already secured General Dental Council accreditation, its new facilities will be completed this year, and it is ready to recruit its first cohort of students. The remaining barrier is confirmation of funded undergraduate places.
Speaking after sending his letter, Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“Norfolk and the Waveney Valley face some of the poorest access to NHS dentistry in England, while the East of England remains the only region without a dental training institution. Given the scale of unmet need across Norfolk and Suffolk, it is deeply frustrating that the only thing preventing dental teaching at UEA is confirmation of funding from the Department.
"Directing new training capacity to areas with the greatest need must be a priority if we are serious about improving access to NHS dentistry.”
In a Parilmentary debate this week Adrian said:
"The University of East Anglia stands ready to open a new dental school. It has permission from the General Dental Council but is awaiting the funded undergraduate dental places that will be needed to start training new dentists from 2027. Can the Minister set out how those places will be made available on the basis of regional need, so that dental deserts such as the east of England can start to build a sustainable dental workforce?"
Adrian Ramsay has again asked the Minister to set out the timetable for decisions on funded undergraduate places and how regional need will be reflected in the allocation process.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Full text of the letter is available here:
Dear Stephen,
I am writing to follow up on my recent remarks in the Adjournment Debate on NHS Dentists [5 February 2026] regarding the acute shortage of NHS dental provision across East Anglia and the readiness of the University of East Anglia to open a new dental school.
As you are aware, the University of East Anglia has secured accreditation from the General Dental Council, its new facilities will be completed this year, and it is prepared to recruit its first cohort from May 2026, with teaching due to commence in September 2027. The remaining barrier is the confirmation of funded undergraduate places, without which the school cannot begin teaching.
As I have raised on a number of occasions, the Norfolk and Waveney catchment area continues to experience some of the poorest access to NHS dentistry in England, with at least 3,000 patients for every dentist carrying out any NHS work, compared with around 2,220 patients per dentist nationally.
This is both a cause and a symptom of a wider structural problem: the East of England remains the only region without a dental training institution. This entrenched shortage makes the case particularly compelling for directing new training capacity towards areas of greatest need. I therefore welcome your indication that the Office for Students will play a role in allocating places and that ministerial advice will inform how those decisions are made.
Given the scale of unmet need in Norfolk and Suffolk, I would be grateful for further clarity on the expected timetable for decisions on the allocation of funded places for the University of East Anglia.
Expanding training capacity must also be accompanied by measures to ensure that graduates are supported to remain in underserved areas and within the NHS. As I have previously highlighted, this will require targeted incentives to encourage retention, alongside meaningful progress on reform of the NHS dental contract to make long-term NHS practice financially sustainable.
I would welcome your response setting out when funding for undergraduate places at the University of East Anglia is likely to be confirmed, and what advice will be provided to the Office for Students to ensure regional need is properly reflected in the allocation process.
Adrian Ramsay MP welcomes today’s news that a new Post Office will open in the Eye this spring
5th of February 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP welcomes today’s news that a new Post Office will open in the Eye this spring, after the previous office closed more than two years ago and left residents without this vital service. District Councillor Lucy Elkin has worked to restore the post office service as soon as possible.
Adrian, speaking after learning the news, said
“I'm delighted that, following a lot of behind-the-scenes work from Green Councillor Lucy Elkin, Eye will soon have a permanent post office, located in a new convenience store. For far too long, residents have been left without this vital service since the previous post office closed over 2 years ago. With no bank in the town, having a post office is crucial for businesses and residents alike. In Parliament, I have been pushing the need for local post offices to be restored, and I congratulate Lucy, who has worked hard to restore the Eye post office service, assisting local postmaster Minesh Patel in finding a suitable location in the town. I wish Minesh, who already runs the post office in Mendlesham, all the best with this new venture and look forward to visiting.”
Adrian Ramsay MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement on business rates, after raising the issue in Parliament last week.
29th of January 2026
Adrian Ramsay MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement on business rates, after raising the issue in Parliament last week.
Adrian Ramsay MP, Waveney Valley, has welcomed the Government's announcement, after raising the case of Blue Boar in Walsham le Willows in Parliament last week. Adrian highlighted that, like village pubs across Waveney Valley and around the country, the Blue Boar would have faced significant increases in business rates from this April against a backdrop of rising costs such as national insurance, energy bills and food prices.
Adrian said,
"I was pleased the Minister engaged with me when I raised the impact of business rates on local pubs in Parliament last week. I broadly welcome the news that the Government is reducing and freezing business rates for pubs for the next three years.
“However, for local pubs to really prosper, the Government now needs to use the three year review period to properly engage with independent pubs across the country, particularly in rural communities like Waveney Valley, where pubs are socially and economically essential local businesses at the heart of their communities. This engagement is needed to build a long-term and sustainable future for independent pubs and needs to include things like reviewing VAT which has a big impact on the hospitality sector.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay visited Roydon Primary School, where he met with teachers and support staff and looked round the SHIP
29th of January 2026
Green Party MP for Waveney Valley, Adrian Ramsay, recently visited Roydon Primary School in Roydon near Diss, where he met with teachers and support staff and looked round the SHIP, the school’s new classrooms designed to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which will open to children later this month.
During the visit, Adrian joined the school assembly, where he answered questions from pupils. Following the assembly, he was shown around SHIP (Specialist Hub of Inclusive Practice), where new classrooms have been created to help children with SEND access education in ways that work best for them, helping every pupil reach their full potential.
Adrian said,
“It was great to be shown around the SHIP, the school’s new classrooms supporting children with SEND needs. They provide the right support while keeping children at the heart of the Roydon School community.
"With fantastic new facilities and dedicated staff, this is exactly the kind of provision we need more of. Specialist support within the school benefits the children who are based in the SHIP and strengthens support to the wider school community as well.
"From my casework, it is clear there is a severe shortage of spaces like this. Too many children are not getting the support they need, whether in mainstream settings or alternative provision, and this also places huge pressure on teachers. More funding and support are clearly needed, and I will be responding to the government's forthcoming consultation to make this case and put forward the evidence from Waveney Valley."
More information on SHIP
The SHIP, located in Roydon Primary School, is run by Norfolk County Council and supports children from across a wide area. The provision, which has space for 16 children, has its own entrance and outdoor play area and is based on the same site as Roydon Primary School. This shared site allows all pupils, both in mainstream classes and in the SHIP, to benefit from being part of the same school community. The SHIP will open to pupils after the February half term.
Green MP calls out Government over low-welfare imports
23rd January 2026
Adrian Ramsay says Government is 'importing cruelty' and not allowing British farmers a 'level playing field'
Adrian Ramsay MP, Waveney Valley, has criticised the Government for an incoherent system that undermines British farmers and animal welfare.
Speaking in Parliament, Adrian highlighted the contradiction that the UK rightfully bans many cruel farming practices, yet imports produced in the same way remain legal.
Contributing to the debate, Adrian said:
"What is illegal to produce here because it is too cruel remains legal to import and sell. It undermines public confidence and leaves higher-welfare British farmers facing unfair competition," he said.
UK farmers operate some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, yet imports of pork, poultry, lamb, and eggs from countries with lower standards have soared. Trade deals risk widening the gap, while public support for banning low-welfare imports is overwhelming.
"According to the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming, 95 per cent of countries with UK market access have lower animal welfare standards than the UK. HMRC data shows non-EU imports of eggs have more than tripled since 2020, poultry imports have risen by 60%, and pork imports by over 80%. In trade discussions with the United States, Ministers have focused on food safety and sanitary standards, but this narrow focus risks leaving a huge loophole for imports produced in ways that would be illegal here, widening the welfare gap instead of closing it," Adrian added.
Adrian called on the Government to ensure all animal products sold in the UK, domestic or imported, meet British welfare standards and carry clear welfare labelling, closing the loophole once and for all.
Adrian also continues to press for further improvements in UK welfare standards such as ending the use of farrowing crates and cages - with real support for farmers for this transition.
ENDS
Green MP demands tougher powers for environmental watchdog after damning OEP report.
13th of January 2026
Green MP demands tougher powers for environmental watchdog after damning OEP report.
Adrian Ramsay, MP for Waveney Valley and DEFRA lead for the Green MPs, said:
"Today’s Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) report lays bare the scale of the crisis and is a deeply damning indictment of the environmental record of successive governments. The report shows that the majority of the ten environmental targets set out in the Environment Act 2021 have little to no chance of being met by 2030.
"Rather than stepping up action, the Government is actively advancing policies that will further damage it, leaving little realistic chance of stopping the decline of iconic British species such as the hedgehog and red squirrel by 2030. The Government must recognise that halting and reversing the decline of nature is central to our wellbeing and to food security as well as a healthy environment.
"If the Government is serious about its climate and biodiversity commitments, it must give the OEP real teeth, including the power to sanction and fine Government departments and local authorities that fail to meet legally binding targets. This would not be an overreach. It would simply restore the level of environmental accountability that existed before Brexit. Without these powers, the OEP risks becoming a watchdog that can bark but cannot bite, while environmental targets remain unmet and nature continues to decline."
Adrian Ramsay, has welcomed the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published today, but warned that it must have real teeth to deliver meaningful improvements for animals.
22nd of December 2025
Green MP for Waveney Valley, Adrian Ramsay, has welcomed the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy, published today, but warned that it must have real teeth to deliver meaningful improvements for animals.
Adrian Ramsay said:
“There is much to welcome in the Animal Welfare Strategy, but it must have real teeth to deliver for animals. Ministers must set clear timescales to phase out crates and cages, properly support farmers through the transition and not allow imports that don’t meet UK standards.
“I welcome the action on snares, hunting and puppy farming. Puppy legislation must end breeding for extreme, unhealthy traits in dogs. The strategy could go further for animals, particularly by ending greyhound racing, as the Welsh Government is doing.
“Ending the use of farrowing crates and cages – as we called for in the cross-party letter I organised – is particularly crucial for tackling cruelty, and the strategy must set out how and when this will happen.”
Adrian celebrates small and independent businesses and encourages everyone to show their support in the lead up to Christmas
4th December 2025
This week, in the lead up to Small Business Saturday, Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay visited a number of small businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk and attended A Taste of Suffolk, Wine and Cheese in Parliament.
Speaking after the event, Adrian said,
“Small and independent businesses are the backbone of our communities. They create local jobs, bring life to our high streets, and help our market towns thrive. Their success sends out benefits that reach well beyond any single town or high street.”
After speaking with Flint Vineyard, Adrian said,
“Waveney Valley is blessed to have a diverse and thriving independent business like Flint Vineyard just outside Bungay. It is creating outstanding wine - showing the diversity of what can be grown in East Anglia - and supporting local jobs. Reducing VAT for hospitality and reversing the employer National Insurance rise, as the Green Party has proposed, would ease pressure on small businesses like this.”
Adrian added that he always makes a point of visiting local traders.
“Whenever I am in one of our market towns, I try to drop into a few businesses, including local gems such as Zoe’s Kitchen, a beautiful cafe by The Mere in Diss. I talked to the owner about the challenges of rising costs and also about how there's a lot of support locally for our high streets.”
Cross-party Parliamentarians urge Government to end cruelty of cages and crates in UK farming ahead of forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy.
3rd of December 2025
A cross-party group of over 35 Parliamentarians coordinated by Green MP Adrian Ramsay, have today written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs urging her to ensure that the Animal Welfare Strategy - expected later this month - includes a time-bound phase-out of all confinement cages and crates in UK farming, alongside a fully-funded package to support farmers through the transition.
The letter urges the Government to commit to a phase-out of farrowing crates for sows, individual calf pens, and all cages used for birds. It also calls for adequate financial support to help farmers transition to higher-welfare systems.
Every year, millions of farmed animals in the UK endure severe and prolonged needless suffering inside cages and crates that restrict natural movement and behaviour. Sows in crates cannot turn around, while hens in cages can't even fully stretch their wings.
Speaking after submitting the letter Adrian Ramsay, the Green MP for Waveney Valley, said:
“We often say the UK leads the world on animal welfare, yet millions of animals remain confined in awful conditions that many other European countries have already moved away from. As a nation that prides itself on caring for animals, it is unacceptable that these cruel practices continue. The Animal Welfare Strategy is the moment to put this right and set a clear timetable for moving away from crates and cages.”
The MPs warn that failing to act would mean a wasted opportunity to deliver the ambitious and essential animal welfare improvements that voters were promised.
The letter also calls for stronger resources and powers for enforcement bodies, to ensure already existing laws surrounding animal protection are properly enforced.
This comes as new data reveals that only 2.2% of UK farms were inspected in 2024, meaning 97.8% of farms received no official welfare visit at all. The report, published by the Animal Law Foundation today, highlights the current state of monitoring and enforcement in UK farms.
Edie Bowles, Executive Director, The Animal Law Foundation said:
"The UK government cannot claim to be a world leader in animal protection while failing to enforce the laws that already exist.
"This is our third report, and it is also our third year of disappointment. Year after year, the evidence tells the same story: the system is simply not working. When only a tiny fraction of violations ever lead to consequences, the message to industry is clear: breaking the law carries no real risk."
ENDS
Full letter & signatories:
3rd December 2025
The Rt Hon Emma Reynolds
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Dear Secretary of State,
We are writing as cross-party Parliamentarians to request that the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy includes a time-bound phase-out of all confinement cages and crates in farming, alongside a properly funded package of support for farmers to transition away from this practice.
Every year, millions of farmed animals in the UK endure severe and prolonged suffering confined to crates and cages. Around 8 million laying hens are kept in cages no larger than an A4 sheet of paper, unable to forage, feel sunlight, or fully stretch their wings. In addition, around 200,000 mother pigs spend nearly a quarter of their adult lives in farrowing crates, unable to turn around for weeks at a time and forced to nurse their piglets through metal bars.
The UK claims to have some of the highest farmed animal welfare standards. But despite progress in moving towards cage-free systems, millions of animals are still suffering daily, leaving us behind a number of European countries.Cages for hens are either banned or being phased-out in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Slovenia and Slovakia. Farrowing crates for sows are banned in Sweden, Switzerland and Norway.
In the UK there is clear and growing public, professional and industry-level support for ending this cruel and unnecessary practice. Research from Humane World for Animals shows that over two-thirds of the public oppose the use of farrowing crates. The British Veterinary Association reports that 75% of vets are concerned about the welfare impacts of these crates. And many farmers are ready and willing to transition away from this practice, given appropriate support to do so.
This Government was elected on a mandate to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare improvements in a generation. To deliver on this promise, we call on you to ensure the forthcoming Animal Welfare Strategy includes:
A time-bound phase-out of farrowing crates for sows, individual calf pens, and all cages used for birds, including hens, partridges, pheasants and quail.
A comprehensive, funded package of support to help farmers transition to higher-welfare systems.
Adequate resourcing for enforcement bodies and enhanced enforcement powers.
Measures to ensure Parliament can properly track and scrutinise progress on the phase-out, and the Strategy more broadly.
We should be grateful for your response to this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP
Irene Campbell MP
Fleur Anderson MP
Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
Siân Berry MP
Bob Blackman MP
Olivia Blake MP
Richard Burgon MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Carla Denyer MP
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP
Neil Duncan-Jordan MP
Sorcha Eastwood MP
Sarah Edwards MP
Andrew George MP
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Andrew Gwynne MP
Wera Hobhouse MP
Terry Jermy MP
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Clive Lewis MP
Kerry McCarthy MP
John McDonnell MP
Helen Maguire MP
Rachael Maskell MP
Manuela Perteghella MP
Peter Prinsley MP
Baroness Redfern
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP
Andrew Rosindell MP
Vikki Slade MP
Alex Sobel MP
Ian Sollom MP
Steve Witherden MP
Adrian is proud that he & his staff are Dementia Friends
14 October 2025
Local MP Adrian Ramsay is proud that he & his staff are Dementia Friends. Recently, the local branches of the Alzheimer's Society gave training to Adrian Ramsay MP and his team. After the training, Adrian said:
“I am proud to share that my constituency team and I are now all fully qualified Dementia Friends, thanks to the support of the Alzheimer’s Society. I cannot thank the Society enough for working with my team.
With one in three people born in the UK today expected to develop dementia in their lifetime, we all must understand more about the condition and how to support those affected. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are many types, and all have a profound impact on individuals and families.
As part of the Dementia Friends training, we learned five essential facts that everyone should know:
Dementia is not a natural part of ageing
Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain
Dementia is not just about losing your memory
There is more to the person than the dementia
A little understanding makes a big difference
I encourage everyone to consider becoming a Dementia Friend. Small steps in understanding and kindness can help make our communities more supportive and inclusive for people living with dementia and their loved ones.”
Hana Richardson, Alzheimer’s Society Local Services Manager, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness, reach those that might need our support and create a society of Dementia Friends within the local community in Norfolk and Waveney.
“Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK. The impact of dementia is devastating. It can often leave people feeling excluded and cut off from everyday life. Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends is all about increasing people’s understanding of dementia and inspiring everyone to make a difference for people affected in their communities. It could be checking in on a friend who is caring for someone with dementia, being more patient in the shop queue or taking part in a fundraising event. Whatever you choose to do, a little understanding makes a big difference.
“At Alzheimer’s Society, we know the steps it will take to create a future where dementia no longer devastates lives. No one can beat dementia alone. It will take a society to beat it. Join us and become a Dementia Friend today, visit dementiafriends.org.uk”
Adrian Ramsay MP Welcomes Minister’s Commitment to Direct NHS Dentistry Funding Where It Is Most Needed
19th of August 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, has questioned the Minister of State for Care on whether the extra funding allocated to the Department will be reflected in increased funding for NHS dentistry. The question - asked last month before Parliament went into recess - secured a commitment to focusing more NHS dentistry funding in under-served areas like Waveney Valley.
Adrian Ramsay asked:
“Data published last week shows that despite the Government’s initial action, the proportion of dentists working in the NHS in Norfolk and Waveney continues to drop. I am pleased to hear about the Government’s work on the dental contract, but the Public Accounts Committee is clear that this will work only if it is backed by sustainable funding. I will give the Minister another chance to answer the question: will the Government ensure that the extra funding that has been put into the Department is actually reflected in extra funding for NHS dentistry?”
In response Stephen Kinnock MP the Minister of State for Care said
“One thing that I made clear to officials when I came into this post was that every penny that is allocated to NHS dentistry must be spent on NHS dentistry. We are in a crazy situation where demand for NHS dentistry is going through the roof, yet we have had underspends. That needs to stop. We will focus the spending on where it is most needed, including areas that are under-served, such as the hon. Gentleman’s constituency.”
Reacting to the reply Adrian Ramsay MP said
"I am glad that the Government has acknowledged the ridiculous situation where the demand for NHS dentistry is increasing while funding remains unspent and so many people just can’t get access to a dentist. I welcome the Minister’s commitment to ensuring that resources are directed to where they are most needed. In the upcoming parliamentary term, I will hold the Minister accountable to this commitment and will continue to advocate for improved access to NHS dentistry for people in East Anglia and across the country.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay MP statement on the Park Hotel, Diss
15th of August 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, statement on the recent issues relating to the Park Hotel in Diss:
“In recent weeks I have been contacted by many constituents about the situation at the Park Hotel in Diss and I am keeping in close and frequent contact with residents, local groups, and the authorities. This is a sensitive situation and one where the right thing to do has been to focus on working behind the scenes with the Home Office, South Norfolk Council, local police, community groups and residents to seek clear, accurate information and to help ease tensions in our community. I continue to be concerned for the welfare of the asylum seeker families who have been in Diss for some time and have been welcomed into our community and I will continue to press for them to be treated fairly.“
“I have spoken directly with many constituents to hear their questions and to ensure they have the latest verified facts. Responses from the Home Office have at times been slow or unclear and we currently have a situation where it is unclear what the future plans for the hotel are. I will continue to press for timely communication so that we can avoid speculation and so South Norfolk Council and the many community groups who have been supporting the asylum seekers living in our community can continue to do so.“
“Although some local media coverage has not reflected the full picture, my focus remains on supporting our community and ensuring the wellbeing of all residents of Diss, both long term residents and people seeking sanctuary in our town. I have written to the Minister to call for a dedicated MP hotline to improve coordination between local authorities, elected representatives and the Home Office. Clear, open communication and co-ordination between all the authorities is essential to ensure the best outcomes for our community.”
Adrian Ramsay MP Welcomes Swift Brick Pledge and Calls for Greener, Nature-Friendly Housing Standards
7th August 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, has welcomed Saffron Housing Trust’s new commitment to install swift bricks in all suitable new build homes on their future developments – calling the move “A great example of what should become the norm, not the exception.”
Saffron Housing announced that they have made this decision following representations from Adrian Ramsay on behalf of his constituents.
Speaking on the commitment Adrian Ramsay MP said
“With swifts now on the UK’s Red List, we urgently need to protect and restore their nesting sites. That is why I welcome Saffron Housing Trust's commitment to install swift bricks in all suitable new build homes on their future developments. Swift bricks are a simple, low-cost solution that offer real benefits to these birds and many other species.
“We need to make nature-friendly design and high environmental standards the norm in all new developments. We must build homes that are fit for the future – that means measures that are good for wildlife, and also measures that are good for people and reducing bills such as including renewable energy and high insulation standards as a matter of course. I commend Saffron Housing Trust for taking this step and I want to see all housing providers ensuring the highest environmental standards.”
Marie Baynham-Davies - A member of Halesworth Swifts and Suffolk Save Our Swifts who highlighted the issue with Adrian in a constituency surgery, said
“This is a real boost for swift populations which have declined by 66% since 1995. Insulation in modern developments means buildings provide no natural nest sites for birds. Swift bricks provide a safe cavity for swifts to nest in and cost less than a nest box but last the lifetime of the building. It is fantastic that Adrian Ramsay is supporting the use of Swift bricks, and we hope that Saffron Housing's decision to install them shows that putting bricks in new developments is an achievable target for all planners and developers.”
ENDS
For more information, visit https://www.actionforswifts.com and https://hannahbournetaylor.com/the-feather-speech-campaign-for-swifts/
Saffron Housing announcement https://www.linkedin.com/posts/saffron-housing-trust-limited_socialhousing-developments-environmental-activity-7358888552119615489-G4h2?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAACXkKVkBzhFvdiHzxiiRBBCGJvHQaqgifLM
Adrian Ramsay MP joined the local community in celebrating Pride in Bungay over the weekend.
22nd of July 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, proudly joined community members at this year’s Pride celebration in Bungay to show support for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
Adrian Ramsay MP said at the end of the event "Pride is a time to celebrate the progress we have made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and to uphold the idea that everyone deserves to live in safety, dignity, and with equal respect. I was pleased to support the residents of Bungay who are dedicated to ensuring we have an inclusive and welcoming community."
Adrian Ramsay MP statement on the Park hotel, Diss,
22nd of July 2025
What happened in Diss last night was wrong. Groups from outside our community came here to create fear and division. That is not who we are. Diss is a town rooted in compassion and decency. We have a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. People have a right to seek asylum in our country, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, as we would wish to be treated in times of crisis.
We have had an asylum hotel in Diss for two years without any issues. The families staying there have become part of the local community, with many of their children attending local schools. However, late last week we were informed that these families would be told to leave the hotel at short notice. I am frustrated by the lack of communication from the Home Office to the families and to me as constituency MP, and I have raised my concerns with the Minister.
We must reject division and focus on what unites us. I will keep raising questions with the Home Office and work with the town and district councils and local community groups to ensure everyone is treated with respect. Together, we will welcome new arrivals and show what I know Diss to be: a compassionate and inclusive town that helps everyone feel part of our community.
Adrian Ramsay MP, calls on the Prime Minister to put climate resilience on a statutory footing
14 of July 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, calls on the Prime Minister to put climate resilience on a statutory footing, saying, "England is facing its driest start to a year in my lifetime. Extreme weather is becoming the norm, and we are nowhere near prepared to protect our citizens."
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales reacting to the Met Office’s State of the Climate Report, published today, which spells out how extreme weather events are increasing. The last three years have been among the top five warmest on record. Extremes are becoming the norm.
Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“Our climate is fuelling extreme weather, and that is having direct and urgent consequences in the here and now. The last three years have been among the top five warmest on record. Extremes are becoming the norm.
He continued ”We had the warmest spring on record, and we are in the middle of this summer’s third heatwave. The Government has not adequately prepared our infrastructure to protect our citizens."
”The Government must outline the steps they are taking to prepare for the increasing threat of extreme temperature. This is not just about this summer, it’s about how we adapt as the climate crisis continues to escalate.”
“We need to safeguard the public from this rising climate threat. That is why the Prime Minister must put climate resilience on a statutory footing, requiring local councils and major infrastructure providers to carry out climate risk assessments for all projects.”
Reflecting on his first year as an MP.
3rd of July 2025
Reflecting on his first year as an MP, Adrian Ramsay says his focus is on being active and visible in Waveney Valley while also championing local concerns in Parliament.
“As a proud East Anglian, it’s a real honour to serve as the MP for Waveney Valley. From day one, I’ve worked to be a visible voice for Waveney Valley. As I said in my maiden speech, I’ve sought to be Waveney Valley’s voice in Westminster and not Westminster’s voice in Waveney Valley.”
One year on, he says he remains committed to that promise.
"I’ve championed a wide range of local concerns in Parliament, from the need to restore NHS dentistry and other health services to pressing for more affordable housing and adequate funding for local schools and for nature friendly farming.”
He continued
“I’ve also been very active and visible in the constituency – which was the main thing residents told me they wanted when I was campaigning for election. I’ve visited businesses, charities, community groups and schools across the constituency and given support to a wide range of excellent local initiatives from natural flood management to the indoor marketplace in Diss and supporting Waveney Foodbank.”
In closing he said
“I’ve also taken up a wide range of issues. My team and I have supported hundreds of constituents with individual cases, responded to over 4,000 pieces of correspondence from constituents, and I’ve held more than 40 surgeries.
“It’s a huge privilege to represent such a wonderful area.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay MP Urges Government to Restore Trust After Abrupt SFI Withdrawal
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, has raised serious concerns about the Government’s handling of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), following its abrupt and unexplained withdrawal for new entrants earlier this year.
Speaking after meeting with farmers across Waveney Valley and writing to the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“Farmers in my constituency have told me they feel blindsided by the Government’s decision to close new applications to the SFI without any warning or consultation. Many had invested time, money, and energy into preparing for the scheme only to face sudden rejection and financial uncertainty. This has severely undermined trust in the Government.”
He continued:
“The SFI scheme is not perfect, but it offers a meaningful replacement for the EU’s CAP payments and to a future in which farmers could invest in the natural capital of their land. In one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, this kind of support is essential for reversing catastrophic biodiversity loss. Without it, farmers say they may be forced to abandon environmental practices just to stay afloat.”
Adrian Ramsay has written to Daniel Zeichner MP, the responsible minister, seeking urgent answers on behalf of those affected. In his letter, he asked:
Will you confirm when the new eligibility criteria will be published?
What steps are you taking to prioritise farmers affected by the abrupt closure?
What reassurance can you give to those already in the SFI that they will be able to reapply in good time for future phases?
Can you guarantee that the full £2.4 billion annual farming budget will be protected through and beyond the Spending Review, so that Environmental Land Management schemes deliver on their promises for nature, food security, and rural livelihoods?
In closing Adrian Ramsay MP said, “The long-term success of environmental land management schemes should not be dictated by short-term Treasury pressures,” Ramsay added. “This is about protecting our countryside, strengthening rural livelihoods, and meeting our climate and biodiversity goals. Farmers deserve clarity — and a government that keeps its promises.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay MP Marks VE Day at Westminster Abbey and Across Waveney Valley
12th of May 2025
Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley, marked VE Day by attending the national commemoration ceremony at Westminster Abbey, followed by local events across his constituency.
Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“It was an enormous honour to represent the Green Party at Westminster Abbey to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. VE Day is a time to reflect on the significant sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace. As we commemorate that hard-won peace, I am reminded that we, as Members of Parliament, have a duty to promote and protect peace in the world today.”
Later that evening, Adrian joined residents at events in Diss and Harleston to commemorate VE Day locally:
"It was a privilege to attend VE Day events in Diss and Harleston, following the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. It brought home the fact that, at its heart, VE Day is about community and remembrance. Eighty years ago, people across the country came together to celebrate the end of the war with their neighbours, while also mourning the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice. I was proud to stand alongside our communities in Diss and Harleston as they gathered once again in that same spirit. As we honour the past, it is also a moment to reflect on the enduring values of peace, unity, and resilience."
ENDS
"We are woefully unprepared for the impacts of climate breakdown"
30 April 2025.
Adrian Ramsay, MP for Waveney Valley and Co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales said "We are woefully unprepared for the impacts of climate breakdown"
Reacting to the Climate Change Committee Adaptation Progress Report Adrian Ramsay MP said;
The Climate Change Committee report could not be clearer: We are woefully unprepared for the impacts of climate breakdown as a country.
I urge the Government to fully implement the Climate Change Committee’s recommendations and produce a comprehensive plan to prepare for increasingly extreme weather events.
I've called on the Chancellor to ensure that the spending review allows for an additional £7 billion per year in climate adaptation and resilience funding. This investment is critical to protecting vital public infrastructure and ensuring that essential services like transport, energy, and healthcare can continue to function as climate impacts intensify.
The CCC highlights that over half of England’s top-quality agricultural land is already at risk of flooding, jeopardising our food security. Meanwhile, a third of our railways are at risk from flooding and extreme heat; without serious investment, we risk widespread disruption and failure of services that people rely on daily. The Government must act now to future-proof the UK’s infrastructure and protect communities from the worsening impacts of the climate crisis.
Alongside decarbonising our economy to meet net-zero goals, the Government is responsible for protecting our communities from climate impacts. That means acting now.