Last week I launched the campaign to achieve Royal Town status for Barrow-in-Furness, achieving the support of Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the House of Commons.

Royal Town status would celebrate Furness’ rich history, thanking those who have contributed so much to our nation from this remote peninsula, acknowledging Barrow’s role in our national story, and the part it will play in the future too.

I see it as a catalyst for economic and cultural renewal, bringing investment in its wake.

We have a huge amount to be proud of, both in our rich history and also in our achievements right now.  

This campaign is something that I have been working on behind the scenes with, among others Jonny Williams from CandoFM and Brian Boyd from Rotary, and together we have gradually been gathering support.  The council, BAE, local businesses, charities and schools are already behind the idea. I have now written to the Prime Minister to seek his backing.

Royal Town status wouldn’t mean hiding the challenges in our community - which are very real indeed - but would help us to start challenge negative perceptions of this fantastic place.

If you agree that Barrow should become a Royal Town, bringing the enhanced status it bestows and providing a fillip to our tight-knit community, please complete the survey on my website so that I can share your views with the PM: https://www.simonfell.org/royalbarrow

On Wednesday I was delighted to have been appointed as the Prime Minister’s new Anti-Fraud Champion.

Fraud is an insidious crime that is too prevalent and which profoundly harms those affected. I look forward to working with the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat, Minister for Security to help turn the tide.

Government can’t fix this huge problem on its own, so part of my job will be bringing together law enforcement, industry, charities and many others to find common solutions. This was my bread and butter before entering Parliament, and I can’t wait to bring my experience to bear in better protecting the public.

I also raised a number of constituency matters in the House of Commons this week. These included meeting with the Health Minister to discuss an issue that had originated within one of my weekly surgery sessions, namely chronic UTIs in children; and pressing within Transport Questions the need for the electrification of the Furness Line.

I also met with the Education Ministerial team to discuss the need to move forward urgently to get children back to Sacred Heart School; and with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to determine the next steps for their support for a Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing Park in Ulverston.

I headed back here on Thursday after Parliamentary Questions to attend a host of local meetings. These ranged from working with the Sixth Form College on a National Tutoring Programme; talking about police standards with the Cumbrian Police Federation; and a robust meeting with representatives from Northern Rail about its frankly appalling level of service on the Furness Line. I am also due to meet the Rail Minister on this shortly.