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The King’s Speech 2026 – An Update

Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South)

Earlier this week, within the King’s Speech of the State Opening of Parliament, King Charles has set out this Government’s legislative programme for coming months. 

This government’s agenda is intended to break with the status quo that has previously failed working people by taking action to build resilience, spread opportunity and to build a stronger and fairer country for all. 

In the first session of Parliament, Labour passed 50 new pieces of legislation, each of which fulfilled our manifesto commitment to turn the page and build the foundations of change for working people, including: 

  • The Employment Rights Act, the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation 
  • The Passenger Public Services (Public Ownership) Act, establishing Great British Rail – a publicly owned and accountable body to improve rail services and keep fares low 
  • The Great British Energy Act, establishing a publicly owned organisation to bring clean energy and cheaper bills to British consumers and industry 
  • The Renters Rights Act, providing renters with security and dignity in housing by outlawing no-fault evictions amongst other protections for private renters 
  • The Removal of Two Child Limit Act, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty and providing security to working families by removing the arbitrary two-child benefit cap 
  • The Water (Special Measures) Act, reversing the Tory decline in environmental standards and accountability in the water industry, empowering consumers and holding water bosses to account 
  • The Crime and Policing Act, tackling violence against women and girls, antisocial behaviour and retail crime, and rebuilding public confidence in policing and the wider criminal justice system 
  • The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, making good on our promise to give back control to local communities and provide mayors with unprecedented powers to deliver growth. 

Now, within this second parliamentary session, Labour is seeking to: 

Strengthen our economic security: 

  • Remove the barriers to growth by adopting an industrial strategy to create more high paid jobs, with an apprenticeships plan to match, and an economic plan that is driving down inflation and interest rates. 
  • Introduce bills covering European Partnership, Nuclear Regulation, Competition Reform, Highways Financing, Commonhold and Leaseholders’ Rights, Steel and Clean Water to address these challenges. 
  • Protect critical industries vital to the UK’s resilience and act decisively to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis for families. 

End the opportunity crisis: 

  • Empower people to seize opportunities to enjoy and improve their lives.  
  • Fight for every child to have the chance to go as far as their talent and effort will take them. 
  • Introduce Bills on Education for All, Commonhold and Leaseholders’ Rights, and Social Housing Renewal. 

Strengthen our energy security: 

  • Help families with the cost of bills and make UK more resilient to energy price shocks. 
  • Protect UK against energy price shocks for long term through Energy Independence Bill and Nuclear Regulation Bill. 
  • Protect households and industry from global instability with clean, homegrown energy independence. 

Strengthen our national security: 

  • Tackle extremism wherever it appears, including where it is sponsored by hostile states such as Iran.  
  • Deliver a firm but fair immigration system that restores control and earns public trust.  
  • Introduce bills strengthening National Security, Cyber Security and Resilience and the Armed Forces, as well as our Immigration and Asylum systems, and Tackling State Threats. 
  • Build back the sense of pride we’ve lost in our local communities, and returning a sense of security and control to working people. 

Strengthen and reform the state and public services: 

  • Rebuild stronger public services, which actively support working people and address their needs to build a more resilient country for all. 
  • Introduce the NHS Modernisation Bill, Digital Access to Services Bill, Public Office (Accountability) Bill, and Police Reform Bill. 
  • Rebuild an active state, on the side of the British people, that can help to end the opportunity crisis and help build a Britain built for all. 

Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said: 

“The Government is making these decisions with a clear aim: a fairer society that lifts living standards and widens opportunity for everyone. It will level with the public about trade-offs and investments we need to make. 

“I know Portsmouth people will recognise that there are no silver bullets, but under this Government and through this programme for change decline is being reversed, opportunity and pride can be restored, the future can be better for your family, and politics can be a force for good”. 

The agenda and forthcoming legislation set out within the King’s Speech can be read about in further detail here. 

The post The King’s Speech 2026 – An Update appeared first on Stephen Morgan MP.

Take 5 Breweries - Saint Monday

Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)

Take 5: Saint Monday in London Fields is one of Hackney’s newer breweries - founded in 2023 -and specialises in West Coast-style beers and a love of heavy metal

Amanda Martin’s Political Summer School 2026

Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North)

Amanda Martin’s Political Summer School
Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th August
9am – 3pm

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about how politics really works and to build valuable skills that will help you make your voice heard. Across the two days, you will take part in a full programme of activities, including:

  • Understanding how politics works in practice
  • Learning how to speak to the press and communicate effectively
  • Building confidence in public speaking
  • Creating your own campaigns
  • Asking questions directly to me, as your Member of Parliament, as well as local councillors
Please register your interest below. More details to follow. Limited spaces!
Name
Address

The post Amanda Martin’s Political Summer School 2026 appeared first on Amanda Martin MP.

Employment Rights enforcement

Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)

New employment rights mean nothing if they’re not enforced.

That’s why the Labour government has created the Fair Work Agency this week, to safeguard our hard-won rights at work.

 

In 2024, nearly 30% of home sales in Bristol South were on leasehold properties For far too many leaseholders in Bristol South, the reality of home ownership falls woefully short of the ideal they were promised. Escalating service charges, opaque fees and poor management can be daily stresses with many leaseholders feeling disempowered and at the mercy of a system that feels like it is extracting value from them rather than allowing them to enjoy the home they have dreamed of. Nearly 30% of...

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

Jeff Smith (Manchester Withington)

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, a week to reflect on the importance of good mental health, improve understanding, challenge stigma and encourage people to seek support when they need it. 

Raising awareness about mental health has always been central to this week, however awareness is not always enough, and the Mental Health Foundation theme this year is action. 

You can read more about the actions we can all take to improve mental health here: Take action for good mental health | Mental Health Foundation

This week is also a reminder that support is available. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, support is available across Manchester. 

Urgent Support

  • Samaritans, call 116 123, for free and confidential support 24 hours a day: Contact Us | Samaritans
  • NHS 111 Mental Health, if you feel mentally unsafe or severely distressed, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Local Charities and Support

An extra £20m over the next 10 years is to be invested into Tyisha, Glanymor and Llanelli Town Centre as part of the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme to help rebuild community spirit and give local people a sense of pride in where they live and work.

A new Neighbourhood Board is being established to oversee the project and is looking for an Independent Chairperson – not a politician or a ‘usual suspect’ – someone with drive and enthusiasm for Llanelli whom we can all unite behind.

The Chairperson will play a pivotal role providing clear, inclusive and transparent leadership, working constructively and ensuring decisions are community led, fair and aligned with local needs.

Key attributes include being:

  • Fair and balanced, ensuring all voices are heard
  • Good at facilitating conversations, particularly when differences of opinion emerge
  • Open to learning, feedback and development, and an interest in mentoring and upskilling others 
  • Welcoming, open and listens deeply to others
  • Calm under pressure and manages conflict well 
  • Has time to prioritise the role 

More info on the Pride in Place Programme in Llanelli and how to apply for the Independent Chairperson role can be found here

https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/business/development-and-investment/pride-in-place-llanelli

11 May 2026
MPs raise ‘serious concerns’ over solar farm plans at Planning Inspectorate public hearings

Local MPs raised “serious concerns” about a huge solar farm near Swaffham during public hearings held by the Planning Inspectorate this week.

The 500MW Droves Solar Farm, proposed by Island Green Power (IGP), would be built between Castle Acre and Swaffham.

For more on this story visit Lynn News here.

Preet Kaur Gill MP - My Weekly Update - 8th May 2026

Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham Edgbaston)

This week, the Parliament session officially ended, this means Parliament will not meet until after the King's Speech on 13th May. This marks the end of the current Government's session, and has been a monumental 22 months since we were elected to deliver a new agenda of change for the country.
Judith brings together partners from Bradford Council, West Yorkshire Police, Incommunities, local councillors and volunteers. Judith Cummins, MP for Bradford South, has welcomed the Government’s new Waste Crime Action Plan, the most robust crackdown to date on illegal waste activity. These new measures will see waste criminals facing tougher enforcement action, including additional penalty points on their driving licence and prosecution. The announcement follows a series of meetings convened...

Renters Rights Act Comes into Force

Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill)

A residential street of red brick houses with parked vehicles and 'To Let' placards outside.

On 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act officially entered into force, giving 11 million renters across Britain stronger rights, better protections and more security in their homes.

14,647 renters in Clapham & Brixton Hill will benefit from these new laws, which include a long-overdue ban on ‘No Fault’ evictions, ending the practice of tenants being evicted without a reason.

These reforms are designed to give renters greater security, stability and fairness – helping people to put down roots and feel more secure in their homes.

How have renters’ rights improved?

  • No more Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – private landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason.
  • Goodbye to fixed contracts – all tenancies in the private rented sector will roll on from month to month or week to week (depending on your arrangement) with no end date, giving renters more flexibility. Tenants can end them with two months’ notice.
  • Fairer rent rules – landlords can only raise rent once a year and renters can challenge unfair hikes.
  • No more bidding wars – landlords must stick to no more than the advertised rent price.
  • One month’s rent upfront, max – landlords can’t ask for more.
  • No discrimination – it’s now illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have kids.
  • Pets welcome – renters can now ask to live with a pet and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse permission.

These changes are designed to make renting fairer and more secure, while also giving landlords clear, modernised rules to follow. 1 May 2026 marks the first phase of implementation, with additional provisions coming in later this year and beyond.

What further changes am I pushing for?

This legislation represents a significant upgrade to renters’ rights and I welcome it wholeheartedly but there is still work to do to stop renters being evicted and exploited.

  • Rent controls: whilst the legislation limits the frequency of rent rises, it does nothing to address the soaring hikes we’ve seen. As I pointed out at Third Reading, a large rent increase is just a no fault eviction by another name. The government must adopt rent controls to prevent renters being exploited and evicted in this way.
  • Stronger protections for renters in upgraded homes: I welcome the government’s commitment to improve energy efficiency standards in private rental homes, tackling fuel poverty for renters. However, I fear that without stronger protections, many tenants may not enjoy the benefit of their upgraded homes — even when such upgrades are delivered with public money. That’s why I’ve been pushing for a protected period from eviction after a government grant is used to retrofit a privately rented property — to stop landlords simply cashing in on the increased value of their property by selling up.

What future changes has the government promised?

  • A Private Rented Sector Database – a register of all landlords and rental properties in England, so you can check who you’re renting from. The new online database will be rolled out gradually by area from late 2026, showing who is renting out homes across England. You’ll be able to check your landlord and see if they’re properly registered once it is live in the area you live.
  • A free complaints service – a new independent Private Landlord Ombudsman will help renters sort complaints against landlords quickly and fairly, without needing to go to court. It will also support landlords with tools, guidance and training on handling complaints from tenants early.
  • Warmer and safer homes – new rules in the future will raise the standard of rented homes – tackling damp, mould and dangerous conditions. Landlords will need to fix serious hazards faster and make homes more energy efficient, helping tenants stay warm and cut bills.
  • Greener homes by 2030 – by 2030, all privately rented homes must meet new energy efficiency standards (EPC rating C or better) unless exempt. That means better insulation, lower bills and greener living.
  • Landlord action to fix hazards – the government is looking to extend Awaab’s Law to private rentals – forcing landlords to act fast when homes are unsafe. A consultation on how best to do this will be launched soon, so private tenants can benefit from protections like those already supporting social housing tenants.
  • A new Decent Homes Standard by 2035 for private rentals – the government will introduce a Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes: a clear set of rules to make sure every rented property is safe, warm and in good repair. This new standard will help raise the bar across the board, giving renters confidence that their home meets basic safety and quality rules – and giving councils more power to crack down on landlords who don’t meet them.

How can renters exercise their rights?

  • Landlords are responsible for sticking to these new rules – and your local councils now have stronger powers to act if your landlord breaks them.
  • Should you need help as a renter, the process you follow depends on the type of dispute you want to raise. The government’s guidance is a good starting point to check how you approach different rental issues.
  • It is always a good idea to raise concerns with your landlord in the first instance before taking formal steps. But if you think they might be breaking the law, you should get in touch with your local council. Councils have significant powers to take enforcement action including higher fines and prosecution.
  • In the future, a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman will provide quick, fair, impartial and binding resolution for tenants’ complaints about their landlord.

What does the Renters’ Rights Act mean for landlords?

  • Landlords can still get their property back for clear reasons – like selling up, moving in, or dealing with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
  • The changes aim to strike a fairer balance between renters and landlords, making the system more stable, safer and easier to understand.
  • The government is investing in the courts to help tenants and landlords see justice quicker, with boosted powers and funding for councils now in place to tackle rogue landlords.

The post Renters Rights Act Comes into Force appeared first on Bell Ribeiro-Addy.

SEND Provision

Liz Twist (Blaydon and Consett)

I’m hosting a roundtable on Saturday 2nd May on SEND provision. I know many people were able to attend the roundtable event in January focused on SEND provision within schools, with a lot of constituents having personal experience of this. I really want to see a system that works for parents, schools and local authorities alike. Since that roundtable, the Government has […]

Royal Mail boss hauled before Business and Trade Committee

Liam Byrne (Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North)

Our post is broken. And our community is suffering for it. Missing hospital letters. Lost prescriptions. Court documents going astray. I've been hearing it on doorsteps right across the constituency. So, the Commons Business and Trade Committee, which I chair, hauled in the Royal Mail's new owner. He’s on notice. He has committed to publishing an improvement plan. I'll be watching - and reporting every step back to you. Read my column in the latest Solihull Observer:...

March Update

Sean Woodcock (Banbury)

What I’ve been up to throughout March March has been a busy month, both in Westminster and in the constituency. In Westminster, a lot of my time has been spent on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, where we have been doing pre-legislative scrutiny of commonhold and leasehold legislation. I asked constituents to

The post March Update appeared first on Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury.

March Newsletter

Mohammad Yasin (Bedford)

Dear Constituent,

Eid Mubarak to everyone who was celebrating last week. This month has been marked by the meaningful overlap of Ramadan and Women’s History Month – a time to reflect on equality, community and shared values. I have been working to uplift women’s voices in Bedford and especially recognise their role throughout Ramadan, balancing professional work and family life. This month has been a moment to celebrate progress but also to recommit to action so that women’s health, safety, opportunity and equality remain at the heart of our work in Parliament. 

Yours sincerely,

Mohammad Yasin MP

In the constituency

Over the past month, I’ve been pleased to attend the following visits and meetings: 

Youth Mindset – I had a great meeting with Verity and Claire from Youth Mindset, an inspiring charity providing free mentoring to young people across Milton Keynes. I was particularly impressed by their focus on building confidence and resilience early, and by their diverse team of volunteer mentors. I’m delighted they are now expanding into Bedford. 

Bedford Sixth Form – I really enjoyed visiting Bedford Sixth Form, where I spoke with students interested in public service and politics. I was inspired by their curiosity and confidence, and we had a thoughtful discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing young people today. 

Flood Risk Visit – I met with the Environment Agency to visit areas at risk of flooding, including King Ditch, Kingfisher and Church Walk in Kempston. Seeing these locations first-hand, along with the pumping system at Bedford Girls’ School, reinforced how important it is that we continue working to protect homes and infrastructure. 

Miracle Church of God in Christ – I had a lovely introductory meeting with Bishop Eric Brown. It was great to hear about the Church’s ambition to engage more young people and provide a welcoming space for the community. 

International Women’s Day (Hawaa Empower) – I was honoured to attend this event celebrating the incredible women in our community. I was particularly inspired by young girls sharing how sport has helped build their confidence, and by the meaningful conversations during Iftar about family, work and equality. 

Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha – I was honoured to join celebrations marking the 649th Birth Anniversary of Sat Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of equality, humility and unity in our community. 

Acorn House Veterinary Hospital – I had a fantastic visit to this impressive local veterinary hospital. I saw first-hand the high standard of care available and had a valuable discussion about the cost pressures facing pet owners and the importance of transparency. 

Bedford School – Cultural Diversity Day – I was delighted to speak with students at this event and take part in a Q&A session. It was a great opportunity to celebrate diversity and hear directly from young people about the issues that matter to them. 

The Higgins Bedford (British Science Week) – I really enjoyed visiting the Science Lab and seeing so many young people getting hands-on with science. It was wonderful to see curiosity and learning brought to life in such an engaging way. 

Visit of The Princess Royal – I was honoured to attend the Combined Cadet Force inspection at Bedford School during the visit of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, where a memorial to former pupils who lost their lives in the First World War was unveiled. 

In Westminster

Global tensions and the cost at home 

The situation in Iran has dominated much of the past month. Every day that passes, the Prime Minister’s decision not to follow the United States into this war, despite intense pressure from the White House, the Opposition and Reform, looks more measured. The backpedalling from some of the loudest early advocates, including figures like Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch and parts of the media has been striking to watch. 

That said, this is an incredibly serious and volatile situation. The risks of escalation remain high, and the consequences are already being felt here at home. Rising global energy prices are feeding directly into the cost of living, and what only weeks ago looked like a stabilising economic picture is now far more uncertain. 

The Spring Statement pointed to improving conditions, with inflation easing and expectations that interest rates would begin to fall. But much of that progress is now under huge pressure. As I write, the Bank of England has held rates amid growing economic nervousness linked to the conflict, when previously cuts had been expected sooner. 

In Parliament, I pressed the Government to hold the line: to prioritise the safety of British citizens, act within international law, and resist being drawn into a wider offensive war without the consent of the House. Ministers have confirmed that the UK will not be drawn into a broader conflict, but the longer this continues, the harder it will be to shield households from the impact. 

Closer to home, I have already been supporting constituents trying to leave the region, a stark reminder that these events are not distant, but deeply personal for many families here who are already feeling the pinch in their pockets to rising petrol prices and a word economy looking more volatile every day the US/Israeli war in Iran continues. 

Education and opportunity 

Education reform has been another major focus this month. The Government’s Schools White Paper, a bold plan to raise standards, rebuild services around families and ensure every child can thrive. A White Paper sets out proposals ahead of legislation, so we now have the opportunity to scrutinise and strengthen the detail, particularly around support for children with special educational needs and disabilities which has particularly worried parent’s who have children with SEND. 

In the Chamber, I asked the Education Secretary for firm assurances: that inclusion will not become conformity, that children who do not meet the threshold for formal plans will still receive specialist support without families having to fight for it, and that parents will retain a clear right of appeal. 

I also raised the issue of student finance directly with Ministers. I asked what steps are being taken to improve the student loan system, because too many young people feel it is fundamentally unfair. While the Government pointed to measures such as reintroducing maintenance grants and raising repayment thresholds, I made clear that deeper reform is still needed. Too many graduates are burdened with debts they may never realistically pay off, and that generational imbalance needs to be addressed. 

Young people and the online world 

The Government has launched a major national consultation on how we keep children safe online an issue many parents raise with me. 

It will look at whether there should be a minimum age for social media, how to tackle addictive features like infinite scrolling, and how to protect children from harmful content. I have supported calls to go further, including exploring an under-16 ban, but it is important that any action genuinely improves safety rather than pushing risks elsewhere. 

Health and everyday services 

There have been important developments in healthcare this month, particularly around access to GP services. A new funding package aims to improve appointment availability, recruit more doctors, and modernise how patients access care. 

I also raised a specific issue that constituents have contacted me about: the long delays in diagnosing Endometriosis. In Parliament, I asked whether the Government would set stronger targets and improve GP training to recognise the condition earlier. In response, Ministers acknowledged that too many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed and committed to speeding up diagnosis and treatment through the upcoming women’s health strategy. 

Economy, jobs and fairness 

Alongside the Spring Statement, Parliament has been examining wider economic challenges, including youth unemployment and the ongoing cost of living pressures. 

The Government has set out plans to support more young people into work, but the uncertainty caused by global events, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, makes this more difficult. The longer instability continues, the more pressure it places on households and businesses here in the UK. 

During International Women’s Month, I also welcomed steps to reduce the gender pay gap, expand childcare, and strengthen workplace protections—important not just for fairness, but for economic growth as well. 

Standards, democracy and public life 

This month has also seen progress on transparency and standards in public life. I supported initiatives to strengthen openness in lobbying, because public trust depends on people being able to see how decisions are made. 

I also voted to remove the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, an overdue reform and a step towards modernising Parliament. 

Alongside colleagues from across parties, I supported action to tackle racism in football and challenged unacceptable public discourse where necessary. 

I also supported a letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards regarding comments made by Conservative MP and Shadow Justice Minister, Nick Timothy, who described on the platform X, a mass Muslim prayer event in Trafalgar Square with the Mayor of London, as an “act of domination and division”. Many felt those remarks were Islamophobic inflammatory, divisive and inappropriate… and in breach of the Ministerial Code. 

Whatever our political differences, there is a responsibility on all of us in public life to choose our words carefully and to avoid inflaming tensions. 

Environment and public health 

Environmental concerns remain high on the agenda. Following growing anger about sewage pollution, I met campaigners in Parliament to discuss the need for stronger regulation of water companies following the excellent C4 docudrama, Dirty Business. The drama shows how this national scandal was only exposed by two regular men – Ash Smith and Peter Hammond whose 10 year campaign started when they asked why their local river looked so dirty when it was transparent when they were growing up in a little hamlet in Oxfordshire. I had a chat with Feargal Shearkey, whose tireless campaigning in this area has also been great. 

The Government’s proposed reforms in the “A new vision for water: white paper” offer a significant opportunity to clean up our waterways, but it is clear that public expectations are high and further action will be needed and I am sympathetic to the idea of bringing water companies back into public ownership. 

Looking ahead 

It has been a month where global instability has cast a long shadow over domestic policy. While important progress continues across education, healthcare and reform, much will depend on how the situation in the Middle East develops. 

There is also a wider strategic concern that cannot be ignored. The United States remains an essential ally, but under Donald Trump it has also become increasingly unpredictable. 

There is a real risk that this conflict becomes the justification for a shift in priorities, particularly when it comes to Ukraine. 

We are already seeing signs of that. Peace talks on Ukraine have reportedly stalled as attention shifts to Iran, and there are growing questions about the future of US support. At the same time, moves to ease some oil-related sanctions in response to the energy shock risk strengthening Russia’s position just as pressure should be maintained. 

That is why it was so important to see Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the UK this week, working closely with the Prime Minister. His visit was a timely reminder that Ukraine’s fight remains critical to European security. 

There is also a harder truth here. As energy prices rise and global focus shifts, Vladimir Putin stands to benefit. Higher oil and gas prices bring in more revenue, and the diversion of international attention risks easing pressure on Russia’s war in Ukraine. Analysts have already pointed out that, in many ways, Moscow is one of the main beneficiaries of the current conflict. 

That leaves us in a precarious position. The challenge now is not only navigating the immediate crisis in the Middle East, but ensuring it does not undermine support for Ukraine or embolden those who seek to take advantage of global instability. 

For now, the priority remains to protect British citizens, support households through rising costs, and hold firm to our international commitments under a legal framework even in an increasingly uncertain world. 

The post March Newsletter appeared first on Mohammad Yasin MP.

A graphic that says MP for Barking secured £20 million for the local area - Funding for Eastbury ward and Mayesbrook ward.

Nesil Caliskan, Member of Parliament for Barking, celebrates the announcement £20 million additional funding for Barking & Dagenham from the government’s Pride in Place programme after launching a campaign for more Pride in Place funding for the borough. 

The government has selected Mayesbrook Park, in Mayesbrook ward, and Rippleside, in Eastbury ward, as the beneficiaries of the funding injection. 

Nesil has been meeting with and speaking to constituents about where additional funding in Barking & Dagenham should go to benefit local people the most. 

The Prime Minister backs UK renewal with a historic £5 billion investment into communities across the UK as part of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Pride in Place programme. 

Residents and Members of Parliament are to play a leading role in deciding the best use of the funding in their own communities. Local people decide how the money is spent, whether it is on improving local high streets, reviving green spaces or on community hubs, pubs and leisure centres. 

Nesil Caliskan, Member of Parliament for Barking said: 

“I was pleased with the government’s initial announcement of £1.5 million in funding for Barking & Dagenham’s high streets, but local people deserved more to make a tangible impact in our local communities. 

“I’ve been campaigning for an uplift on the £1.5 million Pride in Place, speaking to Ministers and urging them to invest in Barking & Dagenham. People should feel pride in the places they live and enjoy the opportunities that emerge from revitalised community centres. That’s why I’m pleased that Barking & Dagenham will now receive £20 million which will make a real difference to our local area and economy.” 

Pride In Place Drop In Events

Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields)

The post Pride In Place Drop In Events appeared first on Emma Lewell MP.

Join the Peaceful Protest – 28th February

Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills)

A huge thank you to every resident who is helping to organise and who will be attending our peaceful protest to protect our precious Green Belt and Green Spaces.

Setting politics aside, we are standing together to voice our total opposition to the Government’s plan to reclassify our Green Belt as “Grey Belt.”

This is about standing shoulder to shoulder and protecting our community’s future!

I am getting a huge number of messages from people about potholes across Bassetlaw. Our roads are falling apart and it cannot go on like this.

Many drivers tell me they are worried about damage to their cars. They say they have to swerve to avoid deep holes in the road. People are facing huge bills for car repairs to fix damage to tyres. I have even heard about license plates being ripped from cars by deep potholes in some areas.

Recently, I was contacted by residents who live on Sheffield Road in Blyth. The road there is in a terrible state. Large lorries hit the crater holes at speed, and the impact is so strong that nearby houses shake, day and night. Some residents are struggling to sleep through the night because the vibrations are so bad. Some have even seen cracks appear in their brickwork. That is simply not good enough.

I am pushing for the whole road to be properly resurfaced, not just patched up. I am pleased that this request has now been put forward to the County Council as part of next year’s roads budget. I will keep pressing for it to be approved.

I see the ‘dob jobs’ taking place, but this is a quick fix and not a permanent solution. In some cases, the roads crumble again within weeks. The County Council recently spent £75,000 on flags for lampposts. While I love to see our flag flying, is this really the priority when our roads are in such a bad state?

We have heard plenty of excuses. The councillor in charge of roads has even tried to blame my husband, John Mann, the former MP for Bassetlaw. But I have lived here in Bassetlaw for over 25 years, and I have never known our roads to be in such poor condition. Over the past few months, I have reported over 50 potholes across Bassetlaw. But when I go to report them, I often see that they have been reported many times before, and no action has been taken.

Many people ask me what is being done about it. Here are the facts. Nottinghamshire County Council is in charge of looking after our roads. It runs this service through its company, VIA. The Council has been given an extra £8.3 million from the government to fix roads. This is on top of the £70 million it already has for road repairs. I plan to meet with the County Council very soon, alongside other Nottinghamshire MPs of all parties to discuss the issue.

The Council is saying it plans to buy a special machine called the JCB Pothole Pro. It costs about £200,000 and is meant to repair potholes more quickly. However, I am concerned that the previous Conservative administration looked at this in 2021, and found that the machine did not save money, could damage kerbs, and had problems on narrow roads. Most importantly, it did not fix potholes any faster than normal repair methods.

I will be keeping a close eye on how this money is spent. What matters most is that our roads are maintained and properly repaired. My message is clear, use the money and get on with the job.

The post Potholes are the main concern for Bassetlaw residents appeared first on Jo White MP.

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Dan Jarvis' Christmas Message

Dan Jarvis (Barnsley North)

Christmas is a very special time. It's when we come together with friends and family to take stock, and give thanks for what we have.

Some years – in the best of times, this is cause for celebration.

Other years – it's more complicated if we're missing loved ones,
affected by illness, or facing money worries, homelessness, or loneliness.

Sometimes – let’s be honest, for many reasons, Christmas can just be about getting through it, and that's ok!

Because regardless of the year that’s been, or the circumstances you find yourself in, Christmas offers everyone a precious gift – hope.

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Brendan O'Hara (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber)

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