Nick Harvey MP

People around the country are being asked to Speak Up, Speak Out to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day tomorrow. This national event is held every year on the same day, and has been running since 2001. The date was chosen to coincide with the date on which Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945.

North Devon MP, Nick Harvey, has welcomed news that the future of Barnstaple's tax office is secured until at least 2015.

Proposals to close 15 offices around the country were announced by HM Revenue and Customs this week, but the office in Barnstaple is to remain open until at least 2015.

Nick Harvey lobbied for the office to remain open after meeting with local union representatives concerned at the proposals, and urged the department tasked with the administration and collection of taxes to ensure that local jobs were protected.

In 2011, the main focus for the Liberal Democrats in government was dealing with the economic crisis that we had been left with. 12 months on, that task remains the number one priority for the Coalition and my wider party.

Whilst it was a difficult year, 2011 was also one where we were able to make a real difference in people's lives. It was the year that we cut taxes for over 20 million people as well as lifting nearly a million low paid workers out of paying income tax altogether.

Interrupted pictures, Welsh news and patchy signal are just some of the problems that people are experiencing in Ilfracombe, and local MP, Nick Harvey is to raise the issues with the Minister, Ed Vaizey, and Ofcom at a meeting in London.

In order to get a better idea of the range of problems, Mr Harvey has launched a survey on his website. Residents are urged to get in contact so that he can present a full picture at the meeting.

Nick Harvey MP has received several complaints regarding TV reception and signal issues from Ilfracombe residents.

The problem seems to have occurred since digital switchover, and in some cases residents are only receiving programmes from Welsh transmitters. There are clearly issues with signal strength and interference as well.

Many people have been in contact with Nick Harvey MP regarding the proposals for the Atlantic Array off the North Devon coast.

Now that the public consultation on the Atlantic Array Offshore Wind Farm has finished, the next stage of the process is underway. A draft of the Environmental Statement for the Atlantic Array is expected to be published in the Spring. The National Trust which owns Lundy Island and stretches of the North Devon coast is particularly concerned about its' proximity to the shoreline and the environmental impact.

An extra £2,243, 802 for social care in Devon will mean people can leave hospital earlier and receive better care at home.

This comes from an extra £150m announced by the Coalition Government this week to be spent on shortening hospital stays across the country during the busy winter period.

Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, the cash can be used to access various preventative services such as better home care support, crisis response teams and specialist equipment for people in Devon.

As part of a Parliamentary All Party Beer Group initiative to highlight local pubs, Nick Harvey MP for North Devon, visited the much loved Jubilee Inn at West Anstey on 9 December.

Hosted by landlord and landlady Robert and Christine Pennells, Nick noted "this couple have become stalwarts of the local community over the past decade and it was good to see them and some of their regulars in action.

North Devon Hospice provide specialist end of life care to people facing the impact of a life limiting illness and support for their families and friends. They are there for all the family and their care is provided free from any charges.

They are applying to Energyshare to donate the cost of buying and installing PV Panels. Solar panels will reduce the cost of our annual energy bills which could be better spent on patient care.