Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. On Monday, I had the amazing privilege of welcoming the victorious Lionesses to Downing Street – it really was a dream come true. I have also continued with my Small Business Summer Roadshow – meeting with business owners and entrepreneurs from across the constituency. So, I was delighted that on Thursday, the Government announced our SME Strategy to help support the kinds of businesses that I have been visiting.
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Welcoming the Lionesses to Downing Street
Along with many, many people across Reading West and Mid Berkshire, I watched (through my fingers) the penalty shoot out between the Lionesses and Spain last Sunday evening. With their amazing tournament, they have not only made the whole nation proud, they will have inspired a generation of young footballers and young girls across the country with their refusal to ever give up.
So, I was delighted to be invited to 10 Downing Street on Monday to welcome our champions back home. It was a dream come true to meet the women who have epitomised the English spirit this summer. They’ve proven that you can do anything you put your mind to – even when the challenges seem too great and other people are doubting you.
Summer Small Business Roadshow
During the past week, I have continued with my Small Business Summer Roadshow, meeting with business owners and entrepreneurs from across the constituency.
It has been great to visit both well-established small businesses like Mortimer DIY institution, Dad’s Shop, The Village Florist in Tilehurst, Velospeed in Yattendon, Great Little Bakery in Mortimer, as well as newer entrepreneurs such as Sarah from Strong with Sarah who runs a range of fitness classes, including for mothers and babies. I have also visited a number of our fantastic independent hospitality businesses including The Blackbird Café in Chapel Row, Dee Caf, Mortimer Café, The Pantry in Yattendon, Street Food Shack in Theale and The Mad Duck Café in Purley.
Many of the local business owners who I talk to, tell me that they are working flat-out every day but feel they are being held back by red tape, high business rates, late payments, limited access to finance and export issues.
So, I was delighted that on Thursday, the Government unveiled a SME Strategy which will tackle these barriers and make Reading West and Mid Berkshire a great place to do business and thrive:
- Slashing business rates for high street venues from 2026
- Tough new laws to end the late payment crisis
- Unlocking £4bn in finance including 69,000 Start Up Loans
- Cutting red tape for business by 25%
- Backing hospitality with New Hospitality and Night-Time Economy Zones
- Helping small firms export and win contracts – with expanded UK Export Finance and a new Defence SME Support Centre
Welcome News for the Royal Berks
I am delighted by this week’s news that the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has received £500,000 from the Government to complete work on selecting a site for the new hospital. This work is an important next step in delivering the new fully-funded state-of-the-art hospital we desperately need, as we have to find a site that is suitable for the new development.
Building a new Royal Berks requires the necessary funding and a clear timetable for delivery – and that’s what we finally have.
Alongside my fellow Labour Reading MPs, I will continue to work with the Trust and press Ministers to see this hospital built as soon as possible.
Tackling Poor Performing Estate Management
Earlier this year, I heard from residents living in the Fairfields Estate in Calcot, about poor maintenance or maintenance work not being carried out by the Estate Management Company, Trinity Estates.
I called for Trinity to meet with me and residents, and I am pleased that this meeting took place earlier this week. At the meeting residents raised concerns about who is responsible for managing different parts of the estate, a lack of transparency around service charges and poor communications.
I am pleased that Trinity agreed at the meeting to put in place an action plan to address these issues and to hold a meeting in the autumn to report back to residents. I will continue to press them to make sure that they follow-up on their promises.
West Berkshire Dementia Hub
On Tuesday, I was delighted to meet with Catherine and James from West Berkshire Dementia Hub, a new charity which is planning to build a brand-new purpose-designed centre, adjacent to West Berkshire Community Hospital, to bring together dementia care services and support under one roof.
The plans are backed by the Greenham Trust, who have committed to purchase the land and match-fund contributions towards the new building.
As someone who has personal experience of a close relative living with dementia, I know that there is an urgent need to support individuals, carers and families to live well with dementia. A central hub bringing together statutory services and voluntary provision is an innovative way to meet this need and I will do whatever I can to support West Berkshire Dementia Hub going forward.
Pop up Surgery at Calcot Sainsbury’s
Also on Wednesday, I visited Sainsbury’s in Calcot – to meet with store staff and also to run a pop up surgery. It was great to speak to so many local residents on a really wide range of topics. Thanks to everyone who took the time to have a chat.
It was also really good to see the new electric car chargers, which are helping to power the green transition.
Campaigning for improvements to the A34
I am committed to working cross-party on my A34 slip roads campaign, as road safety is deeply important for local families regardless of your political persuasion.
That’s why along with Lee Dillon, the MP for Newbury, Kit Malthouse, the MP for North West Hampshire and Olly Glover, the MP for Didcot and Wantage I have written to the Roads Minister asking for the delivery of a full safety study of the A34 and for long term safety improvements on the slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon.
I’m proud of the progress my campaign has made so far, having secured a safety review of the slip roads, and look forward to working with the Government and my neighbouring MPs to deliver the safety improvements we so desperately need.
Best wishes for the week ahead.
Olivia