Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill announced today: 🪪 Paves the way for a unique ID for children across services 💷 Double the investment for Family Help services to £500m next year 🚫 Crackdown on excessive profit by children’s social care providers buff.ly/4iBwJbt

Yesterday the Government introduced the Better Buses Bill which will: 🚌 Allow local authorities to establish their own bus companies 🚌 Ensure lifeline bus services must stay unless councils say so 🚌 Cap single bus fares at £3 🚩 Expand driver training buff.ly/3BAYsbC

I've been working on a trial programme to bring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into Wiltshire Police after recent assaults against officers and I was pleased to discuss with Dan Strauss, who is leading the programme, how we can make policing safer for all.

The government announced £1bn to tackle homelessness: 💷 Over £633 million for the Homelessness Prevention Grant 💷 £185.6 million for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant 💷 £58.7 million for the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment buff.ly/4gFMPin

This week I met with Lilian Greenwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Future of Roads. I spoke about Harry Parker and the effect his case has had on our entire community. After meeting with Harry's parents I'm working on a Bill in his memory.

Midwifery apprenticeships are a proven success with exceptional outcomes. I’ve written to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to express my support for these apprenticeships and to seek clarification on how they can be better supported. Royal College of Midwives 💙

Pleased that this government are taking localism seriously and delivering for areas like Swindon North.

Leasehold Reform is coming soon! 🏠 End 2-year wait for lease extensions/enfranchisement 🏠Expand Right to Manage access 🏠Consultations on service charges, commonhold, & banning new leasehold flats. 🏠Draft bill with stronger managing agent rules. Baroness Dr Sharon Taylor of Stevenage, OBE

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As the year ends, here's a recap of what the Labour Government have achieved since the July 2024 election;

Happy New Year! It was an honour to get elected this year as the MP for Swindon North. I want to thank everyone who has made this year so memorable and I will continue to work hard for my community.

Swindon has fantastic shops, but empty, boarded-up properties are holding our high streets back. The govt’s High Street Rental Auction will empower local councils to act—auctioning long-vacant premises to let local businesses & groups rent them, revitalising our community

Swindon’s Stop Smoking Services to Receive £241,361 Funding Boost for 2025-26 The new funding reinforces the government’s commitment to creating a smoke-free generation, as outlined in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Kicking off the new year & first day back in Parliament with a Question to Luke Pollard MP, MoD Minister. A great chance to share my military experience & discuss how this government is supporting our Armed Forces & veterans.

I’m backing Centenary Action’s #Mission2028 campaign to create a #GenderEqualParliament by 2028, marking 100 years since equal suffrage. Reaching this milestone requires the biggest proportional increase ever in the number of women MPs!

Hundreds of thousands are waiting for social care with unmet needs. We’re launching an independent commission, led by Baroness Louise Casey, to build cross-party support for a National Care Service. This Labour Government is making a difference 👇

I’m getting the ball rolling this year and I am taking action to ban greyhound racing. It was great to meet with BlueXPublicAffairs again to discuss raising awareness of the cruel treatment racing greyhounds face and working together to make a ban a reality.

Please see my statement on the Children's Wellbeing and School's Bill Second Reading and the Opposition's amendment for an Inquiry:

Representing Swindon North, I voted in favour of the Children's Wellbeing and Safety Bill because this Labour Government are serious about supporting and safeguarding children.

Yes, to more alfresco dinning & later last orders 🔔 - as a member of the APPG for Nightlife, I'm excited to see what @sadiqkhan will do with these powers for London & what it could mean for the rest of the country!