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Meeting with UNISON Disability Representatives

Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill)

I met with Unison disability reps to hear about how cuts to Personal Independence Payments could negatively impact disabled workers. These cuts would make it harder for disabled workers to undertake meaningful work and risk forcing experienced disabled staff out of our public services. I do not support the government’s cuts to disability benefits. I urge ministers to listen to the public sector concerns about the damage these cuts will do.

The post Meeting with UNISON Disability Representatives appeared first on Bell Ribeiro-Addy.

School holiday activities in Leicester

Liz Kendall (Leicester West)

The summer holidays have arrived, and thankfully there’s plenty going on in Leicester to keep the kids entertained!

From crafts to coding, or animals to outer space – there’s something for everyone!

The post School holiday activities in Leicester appeared first on Liz Kendall.

Nesil Caliskan, Member of Parliament for Barking, hosted almost 70 teachers, councillors and parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities for a SEND Coffee Morning on Saturday 10th May.

Attendees were invited to discuss their current experience of SEND provision in Barking & Dagenham, after the borough has seen a 72% increase in Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plans since 2019. EHC Plans are the tool used by councils, schools and the NHS to plan support for a child with SEND.

They were asked about the barriers they have faced, what support has worked well, and what improvements they wanted to see to help Nesil ensure every child in Barking has the support they need to thrive.

Speaking after the event, Nesil Caliskan MP said: “Every child has the right to the support they need to thrive, but clearly children with SEND are being let down by a system that is totally broken and isn’t working for anyone.

“It was great to hear from people’s lived experiences of the SEND system – I’d like to thank everyone for sharing their personal stories with me in such a supportive environment.

“We must improve SEND provision in Barking & Dagenham, so in the coming weeks I’m collating everything that I’ve heard so I can represent their views to government. If you’ve had experience with the SEND system, I’d love to hear from you.”

Feedback was recorded by Nesil who is writing a report about the SEND experience in Barking to present to the Government in the coming weeks.

Lovely to speak at the  LIttle Inventors Exhibition Launch and Prize Giving at the Lit&Phil, Neville Street

And to  meet the young inventors with their creativity made real by fantastic local makers.

Newcastle and the UK  needs many more inventors and makers!

 

Preet Kaur Gill - My Weekly Update - 11 July

Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham Edgbaston)

Securing our Borders President Macron in Parliament This week it was fantastic to be in the room for the French President Emmanuel...

Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan has said Labour’s radical skills reforms will set Portsmouth young people up for jobs of the future.

Mr Morgan made the comments during a visit to City of Portsmouth College where he toured the specialist Refrigeration & Air Conditioning and Gas & Plumbing workshops.

The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion focusing on the college’s strategic goals, workforce development in the childcare sector, and the importance of collaborative leadership in education.

Mr Morgan discussed the government’s plans to deliver 120,000 new training opportunities across England as part of a radical skills revolution, giving them the chance to develop skills where they are most needed across the workforce to rebuild Britain.

More skilled brickies, carpenters and healthcare support workers will soon be trained up as Labour continues drive to get Britain working, with landmark reforms announced today that refocus the skills landscape towards young, domestic talent.

The Labour Government is making the UK a clean energy superpower creating jobs of the future for Portsmouth young people and investing in new measures to tackle construction skills shortages to build 1.5 million homes.

Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:

“It was great to City of Portsmouth College again to see how they’re equipping local young people with the skills and training they need to succeed in the future.

“Labour is investing in these skills for Portsmouth young people so they have more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage and achieve and thrive.

“The Government has set out ambitious targets to build 1.5 million homes and make our country a clean energy superpower and I’m excited by the opportunities this will bring local people. More skilled brickies, carpenters and healthcare support workers is exactly what Portsmouth can deliver as we continue to get Britain working.”

Mr Morgan recently welcomed a £2.3 million funding boost for students in Portsmouth from a fresh government investment in college buildings.

The post Stephen Morgan backs skills revolution on visit to City of Portsmouth College appeared first on Stephen Morgan MP.

Judith on patrol with West Yorkshire Police Labour to undertake summer blitz on town centre crime and antisocial behaviour in Bradford...

Shoppers and businesses in Llanelli will see increased police patrols and local action to tackle town centre crime this summer, as the Home Secretary launches a major blitz to support safer high streets.

The blitz – which will see more officers in Llanelli town centre during peak times over the summer months – has today been welcomed by Dame Nia Griffith, Labour MP for Llanelli as a way to help shoppers and visitors feel safe and more confident and also to increase footfall in the town.

More than 500 towns have signed up to the Home Secretary’s Safer Streets summer crackdown. In the Dyfed Powys Police area, these towns include Llanelli as well as Carmarthen, Aberystwyth, Brecon, Builth Wells, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Newtown and Tenby.

The towns will see increased police patrols accompanied by stronger prevention and enforcement action by police, councils and other local partners.

Under the previous UK Conservative Government, shoplifting soared to record levels, with a staggering 70% increase in their last two years in office alone.

Local Police and Crime Commissioners have developed bespoke local action plans with police, businesses, and local councils with the aim of supporting town centres to become vibrant places where people want to live, work, spend time.

These plans include increased visible town centre policing and ramping up the use of targeted enforcement powers against troublemakers – including banning perpetrators from hotspots.

The blitz comes as part of the UK Labour Government’s Plan for Change, which will also put 13,000 more police personnel in neighbourhood roles over the course of this Parliament, backed by a £200m cash injection in the first year. Thanks to this investment, Dyfed Powys Police will get an additional 33 neighbourhood officers this year.

The Home Office, alongside police, retailers and industry are also launching a new Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy, which will use shared data to assist in disrupting not just organised criminal gangs, but all types of perpetrators including prolific offenders who are stealing to fund an addiction and ‘opportunist’ offenders.

Dame Nia Griffith, Labour MP for Llanelli, said:

“The Conservatives decimated neighbourhood policing whilst crimes like shoplifting and street theft were spiralling out of control and communities like ours here in Llanelli unfortunately paid the price.

Residents and local businesses have the right to feel safe in our town centre and the increased policing and enforcement will play an important part in sending a clear message to those intent on causing problems that their behaviour will not be tolerated.  Putting more officers back on the beat where people can see them will make a real difference.”

Meg's Weekly Round-Up: Friday 11 July

Dame Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch)

See here for what I've been up to in Hackney and Westminster this week.

Government transfers more power to local leaders

Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North)

A new piece of legislation announced by the Government yesterday is set to deliver the biggest transfer of power to England’s regions in a century. The landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will expand and deepen the existing powers available to mayors, including Kim McGuinness in the North East, and Combined Authorities across the […]

BYRNE CALLS FOR A STATUTORY PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE BIRMINGHAM PUB BOMBINGS 1974

Liam Byrne (Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North)

Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP will make the case for a Statutory Public Inquiry into the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings during his Adjournment...

Jeff Smith MP has today heralded the greenlighting of vital road and rail upgrades as “transformative” for residents in Manchester. The announcement comes alongside the over £92 billion of investment announced at the spending review.

The wave of projects set to go ahead will ease congestion, cut journey times and bring greater access to jobs and opportunities – making working people better off.

Projects given the green light in the North West include:

  • A66 Northern Trans-Pennine scheme is given the go ahead, supporting over 10,000 new homes and connecting millions to drive economic growth and make working people better off.
  • Greater Manchester’s M60 Simister Island has funding confirmed. This will, subject to planning approval, support Greater Manchester’s ‘Places for Everyone’ programme to create 20,000 new jobs and enable the development of 7,000 new homes
  • Middlewich Eastern Bypass greenlit, and more local road schemes across the North West also supported as Government invests in Britain’s renewal
  • Transforming rail services across Manchester.

Working people in Manchester will also gain better access to jobs and housing through these schemes, helping deliver Labour’s Plan for Change to build strong foundations and kick-start economic growth, made possible by the investment unlocked in last month’s Spending Review.

Rail investment outside of London and the South East is long overdue, which is why the Government is confirming additional funding right across England and Wales, which will improve access to jobs and leisure and stimulate housing growth in the regions.

Jeff Smith, Member of Parliament for Manchester Withington said:

“Today’s announcement is very welcome – this funding will be transformative. This Labour government is putting its money where its mouth is and delivering on its transport promises.

“These projects will mean people can get to work and school more easily, see friends and family and attend important appointments. Slashing journey times and improving journeys will make all make a real, positive difference to people’s lives.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

“Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving local areas the funding boost they need, putting taxpayers’ money where it matters most and making everyday journeys easier.

“With over £92 billion investment, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.

“We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.”

Nationally, over 25,000 new jobs and 39,000 new homes are estimated to be supported thanks to the funding committed for major road schemes, helping deliver the Government’s Plan for Change to boost economic growth, and build 1.5 million more houses over five years.

Journey times will be slashed, saving commuters, businesses, and freight thousands of hours every week, and boosting economic growth across the whole country.

These new infrastructure commitments are backed by £92 billion of Government funding to invest in more projects across England, including record levels of funding for upgrading our road and rail networks, extending the £3 bus cap, providing £1 billion to enhance the local road network and create a new Structures Fund.

To support local journeys, the Government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes vital to connecting and growing communities. These schemes, which include the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot schemes, are not motorways or trunk A-roads, but junctions, bypasses and traffic-easing projects which will improve millions of congested commutes and unlock further housing and jobs.

Of the £92.8 billion, the Chancellor has already announced £10.2 billion for rail enhancements, improving connectivity and unlocking growth in key areas of the UK, which have for too long struggled with unreliable, infrequent services. This also includes £24 billion for motorways, trunk roads and local roads across the country.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

“These vital investments are long overdue, will transform local communities and improve living standards across the country.

“Investments like these are only possible because we took the right decisions to stabilise our public finances and changed the fiscal rules so we can invest in Britain’s renewal, grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.”

This continued funding for rail schemes up and down the country will open up access to jobs, grow the economy and drive up quality of life as the Plan for Change is delivered.

MP Column | It’s All Downhill From Here

Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens)

At this stage in the electoral cycle at Westminster any new government, especially one with a 160-seat majority, should be at the peak of...

What matters to you?

Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North)

I’m working hard every day to make Portsmouth a better city for all. Me and the team popped by to hear your views, ideas and concerns today.

We’re out every week listening to Portsmouth people and asking them to share their ideas and concerns on local and national issues to inform my work as our MP. From making our streets safer, to fixing the NHS and ensuring every child in our city succeeds and thrives.

I want to hear from you on what matters to you, your family and our community. As your MP, I take action every day to make Portsmouth a better place for everyone. You can complete my survey below.

If you have a specific issue you would like help with, please do get in touch using the details on this website. I hope you’ll take five minutes to share your thoughts, it really does matter to me. Thank you!

What local issue matters to you most?
Which national issue matters to you most?
Which party would you vote for if there was a general election tomorrow?

Your details

Name
Address

The post What matters to you? appeared first on Amanda Martin MP.

The Labour Government is implementing rules to protect tenants from dangerous mould I am regularly contacted by constituents living in...

One year of Labour

Liz Twist (Blaydon and Consett)

So, what has a Labour Government done in a year?   The short answer is a huge amount – wages and employment are up, and NHS waiting times have fallen. Labour have been taking steps since day one to ensure that everyone in our country can benefit.   From the riots of last summer, to […]

Statement on Sunday Times story June 28th

George Freeman (Mid Norfolk)

29 June 2025
Statement on Sunday Times story June 28th

You may have read the article that appeared in the Sunday Times online on 28 June and be concerned about what it reports. This note is intended to give you some further context and to reassure you that I am fully committed to my public service, to my constituents in Mid Norfolk and to all the obligations that go with that. 

——

Before being elected to Parliament in 2010, I had a 15-year career founding, managing, and investing in high growth businesses in the science and technology sector.

Throughout my parliamentary career I have sought to bring my subject specialist expertise in science, technology and innovation to my various positions in government (PM Adviser on Life Science 2010-12, First UK Minister for Life Science (2012-14), Minister of State for the Future of Transport (2019-20), Minister of State for Science in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; and first Minister of State in the newly formed Department for Science, Innovation and Technolog). More recently as a backbench MP working cross party as Deputy Chair of the Science Select Committee, Chair of the All Party Group (APPG”) for Agricultural science and the APPG for Science in Parliament , and as a UK Trade Envoy.

Since leaving Government in 2023 I have also worked with a small number of new  science and technology companies, projects and research charities on the cutting edge of new sectors.

However, mindful of my obligations as an elected member of Parliament, governed by the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, I have always been careful to register my outside interests and ensure I have  approval from the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) for commercial work, and provided full disclosure of my private interests on the Register and to my Select Committee and APPGs.

I have always taken the first duty of an MP to act in the public interest very seriously and I have been clear that my legitimate personal interests should never prejudice that responsibility.  

I stood for Parliament again in 2024 in the hope that I could continue to make a valuable contribution to Parliament, the UK Innovation Economy and the new governments ambitions for innovation-led growth and Industrial Strategy by working cross party supporting long term policies for key emerging technology sectors.

By drawing on my longstanding experience, I have been keen to contribute to the growth of the UK as a leader in key emerging industrial and technology sectors.  Specifically in space, advocating for the importance of the UKs regulatory leadership in space debris, space health and Earth Observation and emissions tracking in creating a UK sovereign industrial advantage.

In this general advocy I have tried to tread the line of drawing on insights gained by working with companies. I do not believe that I have ever crossed the line of advocating in Parliament for a particular company which I advise.  

On 28 November 2024, I asked a member of my parliamentary staff to submit a number of Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs”) related to the importance of the UK Earth Observation sector and satellite data for greenhouse gas émissions monitoring as a key UK industrial and regulatory opportunity. 

In preparing these questions, I enlisted the help of my client GHGSat Ltd. (The terms of my engagement with whom were all cleared by ACOBA and registered through the appropriate channels.)

Because of their expertise in the greenhouse gas emissions framework, as a world leading provider of satellite-based methane plume monitoring, I asked GHGSat Ltd for their assistance in drafting the WPQs.

I was not asked by GHGSat Ltd to table the WPQs, and which were not intended to derive any specific commercial or political benefit for them. GHGSat Ltd already had an established contract and relationship with the UK Government and Space Agency. I tabled the WPQs because I believed it to be in the public interest to highlight the opportunity for the UK and raise awareness of this sector in the new Government. I also ticked the box on the WPQ form to signal that I had an interest in the field. 

Nevertheless, I am mindful that The Sunday Times newspaper has questioned my motives in tabling these WPQs, and made the very damaging suggestion that I tabled these questions in order to secure specific commercial advantage for GHG Sat Ltd, and that I was paid to do so. I fundamentally reject this allegation. Not only did GHG Sat Ltd not ask or need me to raise their contract with UK Government, my monthly retainer is for defined other services and specifically precludes - on my insistence and with their agreement - any lobbying. I understand and try to assiduously follow the Code of Conduct for MPs, in particular the need to act in the public interest above all else.

The newspaper also alleges that I made inappropriate use of my Parliamentary office facilities and equipment for conducting my non-Parliamentary work.  I make specific provision to use only my personal IT and computer for non-Parliamentary work and when hosting online meetings. 

Nevertheless, I have always understood the need to be transparent in the work I do for commercial clients and charities and am always willing to answer any criticism. As such, upon publication of the story, I am immediately referring myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will accept his judgment in due course.

Whilst I absolutely accept the public interest in this issue and the importance of free press scrutiny, I believe the source of this story is a targeted personal attack and more importantly that the source materials on which the accusations are based have been obtained and used unlawfully. This represents a major breech of personal and Parliamentary cyber security which I have raised with the Police and relevant parliamentary authorities.

It is vital for public trust in Parliament that MPs not just do the right thing but are seen to respect the rules and procedures of the House which we all serve.

June Newsletter

Mohammad Yasin (Bedford)

Dear Constituent,

This month, I marked the eighth anniversary of my first election to Parliament. It is an immense privilege to represent the community I call home, and I never take it for granted.

It was a surprise to many that I won my first election, let alone that we have managed to fend off the Tories in Bedford & Kempston since. Nobody could do this alone, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped along the way. My office team, CLP officers, councillors, members and valued trade union partners who do so much to showcase the difference Labour makes in power have so much to be proud of, and I am humbled to work with you all.

Yours sincerely,

Mohammad Yasin MP

Constituents get in touch

Since my last newsletter, my office has received nearly 1,500 emails and opened nearly 800 cases.

As you might expect, a large number of these were related to assisted dying and abortion, with a number of pieces of proposed legislation, and amendments to Bills. These have been serious matters of conscience to grapple with, and I have listened to a broad range of views. I will come back to this later.

In the constituency

Since my last newsletter, I have had the pleasure of attending the following meetings and visits around the constituency:

  • Bedoc Health Care Services’ new premises in Priory Business Park and the relaunch of the beautifully refurbished tennis courts in Bedford Park.
  • I met several headteachers and staff at local schools to discuss the need for more funding and support.
  • Grange Academy’s Community Farm open day where I saw first-hand the fantastic work being done by staff and students.
  • A delightful May Festival at Goldington Green Academy.
  • I’m happy to support the campaign to secure the future of Bedford Esquires, that has been a cornerstone of Bedford’s music scene and community for over 35 years. As part of the Own Our Venues initiative from Music Venue Properties (part of Music Venue Trust), this innovative campaign aims to place venues like Esquires into community ownership through crowdfunding and investment. 
  • I was pleased to join the launch of Neighbourhood Watch Week with John Tizard – Bedfordshire PCC with Colleen Atkins and other Labour Councillors. Involving the whole community in the work to keep us safe is a key part of stopping crime is crucial.
  • Flag raising ceremony for Nishan Saab celebrations at Valmik Bhagwan Sabha, and this afternoon I attended the 40th anniversary of the Nirankari Satsang Bhawan in Bedford.
  • Network Rail’s maintenance depot in Bedford, which provides around 350 local jobs, learning how staff make use of the onsite training facility for maintain overhead lines, and the emphasis placed on health and safety measures, with fantastic apprenticeship and work experience opportunities for young people.
  • The launch event for North Bedfordshire Network, combining three local units of St John Ambulance in Bedford and Biggleswade to provide first aid in our communities.
  • 170th Anniversary of the Foster Hill Road Cemetery opening.
  • The Darshana Exhibition, a unique and insightful showcase of Hindu civilisation and its vast contributions to humanity.
  • The Place celebrated National Volunteer Week (2-8 June) with an event to recognise the invaluable contribution of its volunteer team.
  • County021 Muranga UK BBQ at the Addison Howard Park in Kempston, celebrating Kenyan culture.
  • The Gurdwara Guru Ravidass Sabha off of Ashburnham Road, and had a great conversation on various topics, from community spirit, to Universal Studios, to Bedford town centre.
  • The Higgins Bedford Great Big Green Week events – a wonderful opportunity to celebrate nature and learn about sustainability at some amazing free creative workshops, information stands and stalls.

I continue to hold regular drop in surgeries, and have been glad to get out to do more canvassing during the warmer weather and lighter evenings.

In Westminster

Turning to Parliament – 

It has been an incredibly busy and important month in Parliament, marked by significant legislative activity and serious international concerns, particularly the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which remains deeply worrying for us all.

Government Spending Review

The Government’s Spending Review was the major fiscal event this month, setting the direction for public investment and departmental budgets through to 2028. This comprehensive plan covers everything from the NHS and education to energy, transport, defence, and more. Its aim is to address both immediate challenges and longer-term pressures facing the country.

A key highlight is the substantial new investment in the NHS, with an additional £29 billion each year to support core services, alongside £10 billion dedicated to upgrading technology and digital systems. Bedford will benefit locally from the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, designed to modernise and expand GP surgeries. Practices including Putnoe, Elstow, and King Street have been prioritised for upgrades, which should improve access and help ease pressure on local services.

Public transport also receives a boost, with the £3 bus fare cap extended until 2027—good news for many residents relying on buses daily. Education funding includes repairs and rebuilding of schools, though specific allocations for Bedford are still pending.

On energy, the review strongly backs nuclear power and carbon capture, while promoting renewables like offshore wind. A new publicly owned company, Great British Energy, will be launched to support this green transition. Notably, new homes will be required to have solar panels, reflecting a consistent approach to sustainability.

Government Concessions to the Welfare Reform Bill

I am very pleased the Government has listened and made significant changes to its proposed welfare reforms. Here are main points:

  • Existing recipients of PIP and the Universal Credit health top-up will not lose their support.
  • No reduction in Universal Credit rates – and fair increases each year
  • £1 billion in employment support brought forward to this year

I was amongst the first MPs to sign the amendment to the Bill, because I have always shared many of my constituents’ concerns around the proposed changes to eligibility for PIP and the health element of Universal Credit.

I have been clear that the Government inherited a totally broken system, which meant disabled people weren’t getting effective support. I agree with the principle of reforming the welfare system and the dignity of work – and firmly believe this must be done with disabled people, not to them. Reforms must support, not penalise those who rely on the welfare system to live with dignity, independence, and stability.

I understand the Government’s concern about the projected increase in PIP claims—from 2.7 million to 4.3 million by 2029-30—but we need to look more closely at why so many people are in this position. The long-term impacts of Covid on public health, the mental health crisis, and over a decade of damage to the NHS and other public services  have left more people unwell and struggling to access the care they need.

While I am proud that the Government is working hard to improve public services and get the NHS back on its feet, we must also protect the safety net that Labour governments have always stood for.

I also welcome the Government’s £1 billion investment in personalised employment support and back initiatives like Connect to Work and Local Supported Employment, which are starting to make a real difference for people with learning disabilities.

It’s important to be clear – PIP is not an unemployment benefit, and its purpose is to help disabled people to access work. That’s why I believe it must not be reduced, without viable routes to support people to access work being in place. Welfare reforms should not come at the expense of the very people they are meant to help.

The original proposals lacked proper consultation and risked pushing 250,000 people—including 50,000 children—into poverty. They would have affected many people living with serious health conditions and disabilities. That is why I was proud to stand with colleagues to challenge them.

Thanks to that pressure, the Government has really listened and has now made important concessions. Existing recipients of PIP and the Universal Credit health top-up will not lose their support, and future assessment criteria will be developed with disability charities, who will be directly involved in designing future benefits through the DWP review. Changes to eligibility will apply only to new claimants from November 2026, after the investment in employment, health, and skills support to help more people back into work has come into effect.These changes are significant. They reflect Labour values: compassion, fairness, and protecting those who need support the most.

I will continue to follow the Bill closely ahead of the Second Reading vote on Tuesday. I am grateful to everyone who wrote to me, campaigned, and spoke out. Together, we made our voices heard.

Cost of Living and Social Support

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis remains a top concern. Measures announced include extending free school meals to 500,000 more children, and after some initial confusion around Winter Fuel Payment changes, the Government has revised the criteria to protect pensioners on incomes below £35,000—thanks in part to local campaigning. The Warm Homes Plan was launched, offering eligible households up to £600 off their energy bills, and prescription charges remain frozen.

Defence, Security, and Skills

Defence spending will rise to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, helping modernise the armed forces and improve living conditions for personnel. Border security also receives significant funding to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.

Skills and training are another priority, with a £1.2 billion fund supporting over a million apprenticeships and a new strategy to prepare workers for jobs in AI, green technology, and advanced manufacturing.

Housing and Infrastructure

One of the most significant announcements is the £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme—the largest investment in affordable and social housing in a generation—aimed at delivering 1.5 million new homes over ten years. This long-term certainty will help local authorities and housing associations in Bedford plan more effectively.

The Government also unveiled a comprehensive 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, committing at least £725 billion to projects across transport, energy, housing, schools, hospitals, and more. A new National Infrastructure and Strategic Transport Authority (NISTA) will oversee delivery to ensure efficiency and accountability.

Local Issues

I have raised several important local issues in Parliament. The potential closure of Bedford’s Oasis and Trinity swimming pools has been a significant concern, given their vital role in community health and wellbeing. I continue to press for secure long-term funding to keep these facilities open.

Improving GP access remains a priority, and I am closely involved to ensure local needs are met. The adjustments made to Winter Fuel Payments show the impact of sustained local advocacy.

Legislation on Women’s Health

The Crime and Policing Bill passed its Report stage, including free votes on amendments related to abortion law. I did not support the amendment to remove abortion entirely from criminal law, as I believe changes should be made carefully with medical safeguards and expert consultation. I abstained on the proposal requiring in-person consultations for at-home abortion pills, mindful of maintaining access while ensuring safety.

I remain committed to protecting women’s rights to safe, legal, and accessible abortion, and will continue to advocate for evidence-based, compassionate policies.

Other Developments

The Home Office launched a pilot scheme to allow survivors of rape and serious sexual assault to request case reviews, part of a broader strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. A national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs has also been announced, with over 800 historic cases being reopened.

Economic indicators offer cautious optimism: NHS waiting lists have started to fall, growth forecasts have improved slightly, and wages are rising after years of stagnation. Nonetheless, challenges such as cost of living, housing availability, and workforce shortages remain pressing.

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Many constituents have written to me, mostly against this Bill – the vote took place last week and the Bill passed, to go to the House of Lords for the next stage. I recognise the deeply personal and emotional nature of the assisted dying debate, and I have great sympathy for those facing terminal illness and unbearable suffering. I fully support compassionate care and the right of individuals to live with dignity.

However, after careful consideration, I have chosen to vote against the assisted dying bill at this time. My decision is guided by a number of important concerns:

Firstly, I believe we must ensure the strongest possible safeguards to protect vulnerable people—such as the elderly, disabled, or those experiencing mental health challenges—from any form of pressure or coercion. I am not yet convinced that the bill’s provisions provide sufficient protection.

I believe we should continue to prioritise and invest in palliative and end-of-life care, ensuring that everyone has access to effective pain relief and emotional support, so no one feels forced to consider assisted dying as their only option.

Finally, I feel that such a significant change to our laws requires extensive public and professional consultation, and I would welcome further dialogue to carefully consider all implications.

I will continue to listen to constituents, experts, and colleagues on this deeply sensitive issue, and I remain committed to supporting policies that protect vulnerable people and uphold compassionate care. I will set my thoughts out in a statement following the vote.

The post June Newsletter appeared first on Mohammad Yasin MP.

It was great to call into Neighbourhood Watch in Pelsall again and catch up with Edwin and Andrew. 

We discussed a range of local issues across the Rushall, Shelfield, Pelsall, and Brownhills Neighbourhood Watch area. Our focus was on how we can work together as one community to address these challenges.  

It was also fantastic to hear about Project Phoenix – a pilot community-run initiative launched by Walsall Council! This project is dedicated to building a stronger community right across our Borough, and I’m really keen to see the positive impact it will have. 

Stephen Gethins MP – Constituency Surgeries

Stephen Gethins (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry)

I endeavour to hold as many local surgeries as possible across the constituency. Below you’ll find any currently scheduled events; please get in touch to reserve a slot and note that appointments are limited to ten minutes each. Upcoming surgery dates: 20th June 2025 10:00 AM Broughty Ferry Library There are currently 4 available appointments ... Read more

Source

After a good kicking at elections, the usual and heavily anticipated response from the ruling party is that we are listening. But this isn’t going to wash. Labour needs a reset.


Sir Keir Starmer has shown strong leadership internationally and he needs to start showing the same leadership in our own country and stop the Government pussyfooting around. He should take a leaf out of Donald Trump’s book by following his instincts and issuing some executive orders. This is leadership from the front.


Where are the child abuse inquiries where the victims are still seeking justice? Telford-style inquiries should be set up immediately in the towns and cities where grooming gangs are running rings around the authorities.
There should be an immediate introduction of digital ID cards, required for employment and accessing public services. This is the only way to stop illegal immigration.


Free our public services from the pressures of Covid debts so they have the finances to deliver on our priorities by writing them off. Our schools and hospitals can be lifted from the shackles of debt in the way quantitative easing was used when Gordon Brown brought stability during the banking crisis. This would be a game-changer.


People are fed up with being told how to run their lives by people looking down their noses at them. We have a huge problem with our messaging; it is failing to hit the mark. Slogans on meeting our net zero targets are a prime example. They are meaningless for people who are facing rising energy costs and purchasing an electric car is an unattainable luxury.
The language needs to shift to the guarantee of green energy in order to get free hot water and cheaper electricity bills. Building on our security by making Britain self-reliant in energy production.


While the Government is busy talking to itself the voices of those on the outside are not being listened to. The realities of living in areas where there have been no big transport projects or huge development investments needs to have a voice around the table. Our lives are very different from the metropolis, our choices, and opportunities, less, our facilities are more remote or non-existent.

The demands raised by the new Labour MPs from the post-industrial towns, where infrastructure is poor and there have been years of disinvestment, and where large numbers voted for Brexit and have now switched to Reform, must be taken off the to-do list and urgently actioned. We know this works.


Ros Jones, the re-elected Labour mayor of Doncaster, made reopening Doncaster airport her number-one priority. The Government committed £30 million investment and she was rewarded at the ballot box.


While over half the country voted for Brexit, there isn’t a single person sitting in the Government who backed the EU leave deal. Where are the voices of the 40 Labour MPs who argued in favour of respecting the referendum? The number of government ministers representing leave-voting constituencies is insignificant.


Both Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher brought in people who were not like them, possibly people that they didn’t even like, and they were certainly people they sometimes disagreed with. This Government needs to step outside its comfort zone. Sir Keir needs to spend more time travelling the country quietly listening to what people are really thinking. This is a sign of a confident government.


Now we need to be honest with ourselves and address the issue that has hung like a weight around our shoulders since the early days of this Government, the Winter Fuel Allowance has now become our poll tax problem. We have lost the pensioner vote because of this; I hear the anger. To serve as the Government that listens, we should be immediately raising the threshold to the higher income tax level, and it is an executive order that my constituents in Bassetlaw would all welcome.


When Harold Wilson first became prime minister in 1964, the country had been left in a ruinous state with an £800 million deficit. Tough decisions were taken, including freezing a pensions rise, and there were concerns about rising immigration. A by-election disaster led to a reset. A Labour MP at the time commented: “The prime minister was becoming just a technician. [The by-election] forced him to remember what it was to be a political leader.” Wilson went on to win a landslide less than a year later. Sir Keir can take lessons from his approach

The post Starmer must stop ‘pussyfooting around’ – Jo White appeared first on Jo White MP.

I have been honoured to sit on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Committee since January 2025, collaborating to work on the momentous piece of legislation. My focus has been making a workable Bill with adequate safeguards. The last sitting of the Committee took place on the 25th March, 2025, where I spoke

The post Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Committee appeared first on Sean Woodcock, Labour MP for Banbury.

The Third Runway: A Monument to Mediocrity

Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire)

An abridged version of this article ran in The Times on 3rd February 2025

In 2007, in the pages of this newspaper, I argued that Britain should seize the moment and move Heathrow to the Thames Estuary, freeing up the congested west London site for much-needed housing while creating a world-leading transport hub fit for the 21st century. It was an ambitious plan—perhaps too ambitious for a nation that has lost its appetite for grand infrastructure. Seventeen years later, what do we have? The same tired debates, the same dithering, and now, a third runway proposal that represents the absolute minimum of what could be done. It is not a vision; it is a concession to stagnation.

Throughout history, Britain built infrastructure that transformed cities and continents. The Victorians laid thousands of miles of railways across India and Africa. British engineers built the world’s first underground railway in London, the great docks of Hong Kong, and the vast shipping hubs that made global trade possible. Ours was once a nation that saw scale and complexity as challenges to be overcome, not reasons to prevaricate. Today, while China constructs floating airports in Hong Kong and Dalian, we are still arguing over a few extra miles of tarmac at an aging airport hemmed in by suburban sprawl.

The case for expanding Heathrow is undeniable. The airport operates at near capacity, with any disruption causing delays that ripple across the global aviation network. Additional capacity is needed. But the third runway is not a bold leap forward—it is an unimaginative compromise. The design is a relic of a bygone era when Britain was still willing to approve large infrastructure projects but had already begun its slow descent into cautious incrementalism. Surely for a solution we should be looking beyond the immediate horizon, daring to create something transformative.

Compare this to the grand infrastructure ambitions of Asia. Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok, which replaced the legendary but perilous Kai Tak airport in the 1990s, was built on reclaimed land. It was a marvel of engineering (mostly British), completed in just six years. Now, China is taking the concept even further: Dalian is constructing a floating airport, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This is a country that doesn’t simply accept geographic limitations—it overcomes them. Britain, meanwhile, is paralysed by protest groups, endless consultations, and political hand-wringing.

A floating airport in the Thames Estuary—an idea proposed and swiftly dismissed—would have been a statement of ambition. London could have had its own Chek Lap Kok, a world-class hub unencumbered by the constraints of Heathrow’s location. Instead, we are left with a piecemeal expansion of an outdated site, in a project that will take decades and still leave Britain trailing behind.

The environmental argument against expansion is often cited as a reason for delay, but it is a red herring. Modern aviation is rapidly advancing towards lower emissions and greater efficiency. If the concern is air pollution and carbon footprints, the answer is not to stifle airport expansion but to embrace new technology, support cleaner aviation fuels, and invest in modern air traffic management. Britain should be leading these efforts, not using environmental concerns as an excuse for stagnation.

The economic cost of our hesitation is immense. Aviation is a key driver of trade, tourism, and investment. Heathrow’s constraints mean we lose out to European rivals, with airlines shifting long-haul routes to Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. The third runway, even if built, will do little to reclaim lost ground. By the time it is operational—assuming it even survives the judicial challenges that will inevitably come—other nations will have long since surpassed us.

What Britain needs is a fundamental shift in mindset. We must stop viewing major infrastructure projects as necessary evils to be endured and start treating them as national priorities. This requires reforming our planning laws, streamlining approval processes, and fostering a political culture that celebrates engineering excellence rather than recoiling from it.

The third runway at Heathrow is not the answer—it is a symptom of our decline. Instead of an afterthought tacked onto an aging airport, we should be considering radical alternatives: offshore airports, high-speed rail integration to regional hubs, and a renewed commitment to infrastructure that places Britain at the forefront of global connectivity. We were once a nation that built the world’s most advanced transport networks, that pioneered engineering breakthroughs others only dreamed of. We can be that nation again—but only if we stop settling for mediocrity and start daring to think bigger.

The world is not waiting for Britain to catch up. While we squabble over a single new runway, China is building entire new airports on water. The contrast is stark, and the lesson is clear: boldness breeds success, hesitation ensures decline. If Britain truly wishes to remain a global player, we must abandon the timid incrementalism of the third runway and embrace the kind of audacity that once made us great.

Kit Malthouse 1st February 2025

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.

Last week I was sworn in as the MP for South Shields for the fifth time, and each time it strikes me how incredibly honoured I feel that you have put your faith in me as the first female MP to represent you in Parliament. It was a truly historic night as the UK elected […]

The post It is the honour of my life to be re-elected as your MP for South Shields appeared first on Emma Lewell MP.

ICC FILES ARREST WARRANTS

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

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Christian Wakeford (Bury South)

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