Encouraged to see that initial works are finally getting underway for the new train station at Wixams. This has been a long time coming and I will continue to work closely with your local councillors as the scheme continues to develop over the coming weeks and months.

A busy summer recess is over and we're back in Westminster. I got stuck in straight away with a question to the Deputy Prime Minister and I'll be talking about improving SEND services, access to healthcare and opposing Winter Fuel Payment cuts later this week.

17 years after the first shovels in the ground, Wixams is still waiting for a GP surgery. Housing growth must come with the appropriate infrastructure. I hope the Minister will work with me, Wixams Residents Association, the ICB and our local councils to get the surgery built.

The new Government has removed references to 'beauty' and 'beautiful' housebuilding in the NPPF. In Mid Bedfordshire we want to see beautiful homes with the right services which are sympathetic to the traditional character of our communities.

I am grateful to Central Bedfordshire Council for providing me with updates on the reports of a smell of gas in Flitwick yesterday. I'm pleased that after checks from Cadent Gas, the Fire Service and the Council no further action was required.

In a Westminster Hall debate Lewis Cocking MP 🇬🇧 and I called on the Government to provide additional support for SEND services in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. I hope all parties can work together to deliver better support so young people can thrive. blakestephenson.uk/news/local-mps…

In the next few days I will be sending out the latest of my regular e-newsletters. Thank you to everybody who has signed up so far. If you would like to receive it, please head to my website blakestephenson.uk and sign up.

I have now spent time with and listened to each of the Conservatives leadership candidates and I believe James Cleverly🇬🇧 is the person who will rebuild our party and provide the broadest possible appeal. Read more about why I'm backing James here 👇🏻 🔗 express.co.uk/comment/expres…

Great to pick up today's Daily Express to see my article backing James Cleverly🇬🇧 to be the next Conservative Party leader. James is a great communicator, giving us the best opportunity to articulate our values of family, home ownership, free markets, less red tape & lower taxes.

Conservative MPs lead a protest outside Parliament ahead of today's crucial vote on Labour’s cuts to winter fuel payments. Visit keepwinterfuel.com to support.

I'm just about to head into the House Of Commons for the debate on Winter Fuel Payments. The Labour Government's decision to remove access to this scheme for vulnerable pensioners in Mid Bedfordshire is wrong and I will be voting against it.

Farmers are custodians of our countryside. They put food on our tables. Today is #BackBritishFarmingDay and at a time when food security is so important I'm proud to back the many incredible farmers we have across Mid Bedfordshire.

At Prime Minister's Questions today I took the opportunity to speak up for pensioners in Mid Bedfordshire and across the country. A pensioner earning just £11,350 will lose their Winter Fuel Payment this winter thanks to the Government's callous decision.

Very pleased to have joined the East of England APPG. Mid Bedfordshire is a fantastic place to live, work and invest, but we need to talk about it so much more.

We cannot continue on a course of ever higher taxes and higher spending. Under my leadership we will once again be the party of lower taxes and a smaller state.

I'm continuing to hold regular surgeries across the Mid Bedfordshire constituency and you can book an appointment by emailing me or leaving a voicemail. If a virtual surgery works better for you please let me know and we'll look to put something in the diary.

Step-free access at Flitwick train station is long overdue so I've been working with Cllr Ian Adams and have written to Network Rail asking for an update on progress. I will provide an update once I receive a response.

I was pleased to meet with Robin Porter, the Chief Executive of Luton Borough Council, today. We spoke about the opportunities to work together to grow the local economy and ensure that residents in the Bushmead area of Streatley Parish have access to the services they need.