🌍 Introducing the Future Homes Standard 🌍 Under these rules, new builds will feature solar panels and heat pumps as standard, ending the era of gas boilers. This crucial upgrade will save households up to £830 a year on their energy bills.

@oliviabailey.bsky.social is right. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

New Funding for SEND Places in Kent 🏫🙌 I am delighted to welcome the Labour government's announcement of a record £860 million national investment to deliver more specialist places for children with SEND.

The situation in the Middle East remains incredibly dangerous but our Government has been careful and strategic in its diplomacy - we must prioritise negotiation and de-escalation to bring this conflict to an end.

Extremely saddened to hear the news that Kent Police Officer Bradley Corke has passed away following a collision while responding to an emergency call. PC Corke was just 27 years old and gave his life while trying to save others. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This morning I spoke on the Today Programme, about the Government’s Earned Settlement proposals. We’ve got to remember that this debate is about who has the right to belong here and contribute, it’s not about cutting migration. It’s also about who we are as a country. youtu.be/U5WxQn56kyQ

The Government is stepping in to help with heating oil costs, offering a £53 million package to support low income households. This will help hundreds of people across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh with their bills.

Discussing the Government's proposed changes to the asylum system last night on Times Radio

EARNED SETTLEMENT We must be a country that is true to our word, and we must be a Labour Party that stands up for the values of community, solidarity, equality and internationalism. youtu.be/ec6LL7McYG4

I recently joined the Sewage Campaign Network’s parliamentary briefing, alongside the brilliant Feargal Sharkey, and the Channel 4 team behind the incredible Dirty Business documentary, to highlight the unacceptable levels of pollution in our rivers and seas.

📢Meeting with the Foreign Secretary regarding the Foremans, arbitrarily detained in Iran📣 We discussed how the Foreign Office can continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Foremans. We must never forget that Craig and Lindsay are innocent. We need to bring them home. #freelindsayandcraig

Honoured to win Backbencher of the Year for my work on the FOLCA Medical Centre and Grace Hill Library Campaign. This recognition belongs to all our local partners who make our area great. I am proud of what we've achieved and will keep working every day for #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh.

Don’t miss BBC Politics South East on Sunday at 10am featuring me, Damian Collins and Sian Berry on new nuclear at Dungeness, Digital ID and skateboarding! #BBCPolitics #PoliticsSouthEast #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh

The US has got this wrong - there must be no temporary lifting of sanctions on the sale of Russian oil. How can it be that there is 124 million barrels of Russian-origin oil on water? We need a unified, strategic and consistent sanctions regime! www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

We need a rooftop first approach to solar. Not sure Tesla has the right leader in Musk if they are going to be supplying clean power to UK homes and businesses. He powered and propelled the fossil loving, drill baby drill Trump to the White House. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Reviewing refugee status every 30 months will be a bureaucratic nightmare for the Home Office, already drowning in backlogs. The Refugee Council estimates that these reviews will cost over £1 billion to the taxpayer over the next decade. #asylumreforms

I agree with the Home Sec that Labour values include fairness, tolerance (inclusion), and patriotism. But these values don’t mean we should threaten to forcibly remove refugees who have lived here lawfully for 15 or 20 years. That breeds fractured communities. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

We’re taking decisive action to support families across the UK: Lower Bills: £150 off energy bills + frozen fares. Higher Wages: Growing faster than the last decade. Lifting 550,000 Children out of Poverty The UK is officially the fastest-growing European G7 economy. #LivingStandards #Labour

Exciting news! Join me for my first fundraising night in Westminster on Tuesday 24th March. ️ It’s going to be a brilliant night of food, music, with a very guest... Book today! ⤵️ myeventticket.org/event/c1eaac... #TonyVaughanKC #Westminster #FundraisingDinner

The military action in Iran presents a serious danger to Lindsay and Craig Foreman, who are currently imprisoned in the same facility that was targeted by Israel in a strike that killed 80 people in June 2025. See my question to the Prime Minister #FreeLindsayAndCraig #Iran

This policy is bad for community cohesion. You don’t build confident, contributing neighbours on rolling 30 month visas. The current 5‑year route is how people plan for the future and fully join our communities. The Danish model won’t work here. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

The Government is investing £4 billion to ensure that every child who needs extra support, gets it. I had a good meeting with several parents about the changes to the SEND system on Wednesday night and will be working closely with parents to ensure the transformation is fair and effective.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in Iran. This is tragic news for the family. The trial lasted 3 hours. The Foremans were not permitted to defend themselves. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Delighted to hear that Sandgate is one of 13 spots across the country being considered for official bathing water status. I have cherished memories of the decade I spent living in Sandgate—swimming with my family, friends, and dog Harry at this beach. #Sandgate #Folkestone #Hythe #RomneyMarsh

I was glad to welcome Joe Bennett to Parliament yesterday. Joe’s parents, Lindsay and Craig Foreman, have been detained in Iran for over a year now in terrible conditions, and their case remains stuck with no chance of resolution in sight...

🥞 3 New Breakfast Clubs for Folkestone, Hythe, and Romney Marsh! 🥞 Last year, over 4,000 children in our area were provided with free school meals by the Labour Government. Now, three more schools will benefit from free breakfast clubs! Tackling child poverty. Cutting the cost of living.

ON MANDELSON: The public deserve transparency. The Intelligence and Security Committee should oversee which documents are released based on national security. If the Govt decides what to release, the public won’t have confidence in the outcome. The courts will be v reluctant to overrule Govt on it.

Last night, I was proud to vote with the Labour Government to scrap the two child benefit cap. This will benefit over 2,000 children in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. Hopefully, fewer families having to rely on food banks – like the Hythe Pantry run by the Folkestone Rainbow Centre.

My question to the PM following his trip to China.

Pubs are at the heart of our community in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, and this Labour government is giving them the support they deserve. These measures will come into force this April. #pubs #labour #folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh

Today on Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and all those persecuted in genocides since. I am proud that the UK Government is ensuring Holocaust education is taught in schools across the country. We must ensure these lessons are never forgotten.

The best candidates should get the best jobs in politics - that is what having an open, democratic, meritocratic political culture looks like. That’s why I believe that if Andy Burnham wants to stand in Gorton and Denton, he should be allowed to. #UKLabour

Community sponsorship of refugees coming to the UK is the future of our asylum system. Following the excellent event in Parliament this week, read my piece in @labourlist.bsky.social about why. url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/egHFCq7zvF... #welcomerefugees #community

Folkestone should be the UK’s next Town of Culture! Please fill in my survey to tell me about a person, group, organisation or project in our local area who you think embodies our local pride, culture, and the creative vision that makes Folkestone, Folkestone. www.tonyvaughan.co.uk/town-of-cult...

‼️REFORM UK's LIBRARY SELL-OFF DECISION‼️ This morning I went head-to-head on the BBC with Reform UK's Deputy Leader of KCC, Brian Collins, about their disgraceful dereliction of duty in selling off Grace Hill Library. #Folkestone #Savefolkestonelibrary #KCC #Reform

I am leaving X. The app is capable of creating pornographic images of children, there is absolutely no question: I cannot, in good conscience, remain on the platform. Follow me on Instagram: @ tonyvaughanmp Follow me on Bluesky: @ tonyvaughanmp.bsky.social Follow me on Facbook: Tonyvaughanlabour

We need to look at other models of ownership in the water sector, like we've done with rail. #water #folkestone #hythe #romneymarsh www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/n...

Local services in our area are on their knees having suffered from historical funding neglect for decades. The IMD figures that were recently released are especially shocking. I will continue to push relentlessly for a better deal for #Folkestone, #Hythe and #RomneyMarsh.

I believe the majority of my constituents in #Folkestone #Hythe & #RomneyMarsh agree we should grant asylum to those fleeing war and persecution – provided the system is fair and managed. I spoke to one constituent, Janice, this week, who thinks that... 1/2 www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

The root cause of the small boats challenge is Brexit. Read my article in the New Statesman on the real political dividing line on border control between Labour and Reform, and my thoughts on how we restore it. #asylum #immigration #ECHR t.co/Cbh3ogqH7g

"Labour must fix the asylum system - but I have two very real concerns with Mahmood's plans" My op-ed in LBC on the Government's asylum plan t.co/06PtJfT4NJ

The UK isn’t a “soft touch” on asylum. UK asylum seeker benefits are similar to European neighbours No right to work before 12 months (it’s 6 months in France, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands) UK settlement after 5 years (it’s 3 or 4 in Germany) Let’s cut out the alarmist rhetoric.

The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning. The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

It is unacceptable that Littlestone and Dymchurch beaches still have “no swim” warnings in place. Dymchurch has seen big improvements this year, so I wrote to the Environment Agency asking to upgrade Dymchurch’s rating. I will be meeting the Water Minister to press the situation next week.

Our #BBC is a vital national asset. It supports our democratic culture, is a lifeline to UK creative industries and globally is trusted by hundreds of millions. Ironically, recent events highlight the importance of well researched, balanced public broadcasting. We must stand by the BBC resolutely

It was an honour to hold a minute's silence to commemorate the incredible contribution of Gurkha communities. In Folkestone, we are lucky to have the Royal Gurkha Rifles 1st Battalion situated at the heart of our community. Thank you Alex Baker for organising a beautiful ceremony. #Gurkhas

Our military personnel put their lives on the line to keep Britain safe. This Labour Government is upgrading 9 in 10 military residences across the UK with a £9 billion investment through the Defence Housing Strategy. Homes fit for heroes. Delivered by Labour. 🇬🇧

For decades, too many renters have lived at the mercy of rogue landlords. Labour have rebalanced that relationship with the Renters Rights Act. Interesting that Reform backed the landlords, rather than voting to give renters the security they deserve... #RentersRightsBill #Labour

Support for LGBT people is fundamental to my British values When a ReformUK MP compares that to backing Hamas, it needs calling out

Since July 2024, Kent Labour MPs have been pulling out all the stops to bring international rail back to Ashford. This is a key hurdle that we have cleared, and we will carry on fighting. #AshfordInternational #ORR #Ashford #eurostar #virgintrains #virgin