Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire.
The news this week that a deal has been reached on the first stage of a peace plan for Gaza is extremely welcome. There will be a sense of profound relief all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years.
I echo the Prime Minister’s words from earlier this week that this agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and be accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
To keep up to date with what I am doing in Parliament and in the constituency, you can follow me on Facebook or Instagram.
Tackling antisocial behaviour
Over the last few weeks, I have been continuing to work to tackle antisocial behaviour affecting our communities. I am proud that the Government is giving the police the tools they need to tackle antisocial behaviour, including to deal with the scourge of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters, and it is great news that 48 e-bikes and e-scooters were seized in our area in June alone. This is alongside our commitment to increase the number of police officers and PCSOs in our communities which will see an additional 68 neighbourhood police in place across the Thames Valley this year.
I am keen to make sure that these new powers and resources are being targeted effectively, so following the recent West Reading Safer Neighbourhood Forum meeting, I have launched a new survey so that residents in Tilehurst and West Reading can tell me about their experiences, which I can share with local councils and neighbourhood policing teams.
You can also report concerns about antisocial behaviour directly to Thames Valley Police here.
West Pang Explorer Scouts
It was great to join the West Pang Explorer Scouts in Purley this week and answer their excellent questions about different policies and my role as an MP. I was pleased to talk in particular about how the government is lowering the voting age to 16 and improving mental health support for young people. Thanks to everyone for having me!
Common sense reforms for buying and selling a home
Buying a home is for many people the most important purchase of their lives. So I am really pleased that the reforms announced by the Government this week will make it faster, cheaper and easier to buy or sell your home – saving first-time buyers on average £710. The reforms will also speed up what has become a long drawn-out process by four weeks saving people unnecessary stress.
The reforms will also also see sellers and estate agents being required to provide buyers with vital information about a property upfront, including the condition of the home, leasehold costs, and chains of people waiting to move. This will help end nasty surprises which result in last-minute collapses and give greater confidence to first-time buyers.
These reforms will fix the broken system so hardworking people can focus on the next chapter of their lives.
Investing in employment support
I was delighted this week with the announcement of a huge investment in employment support for people in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. The £9.5 million for councils in Berkshire, through the through the Connect to Work programme, will enable tailored support to over 2,000 people who are sick, disabled or facing complex barriers to work.
Help will include individual coaching from employment specialists, job matching services, and ongoing support for both participants and employers to ensure sustainable employment outcomes. And there will be the option of embedding work advisers in GP surgeries, putting on workshops to improve people’s confidence, or helping people with affordable childcare.
Too many local people that want to work are being locked out of good jobs, so this Labour Government are providing them with the skills and support they need to succeed.
Preventing homelessness this winter
I was really pleased that on World Homeless Day on Friday, the Government announced an £84 million cash boost to help prevent homelessness and support families this winter, including a £9.6m funding injection into services in the South East.
This funding builds on the government’s record £1 billion investment this year to end homelessness and rough sleeping, and will prioritise providing the essentials to children and families in temporary accommodation.
Nobody should be homeless in our community, and I’m glad that this Labour Government is putting its money where its mouth is and providing the funding needed to support the most vulnerable people in Reading West and Mid Berkshire.
Supporting the next generation of scientists and engineers
The Government’s £15 billion investment at AWE will be transformational for our area, boosting jobs, opportunities and skills. So, it is great to see that in their 75th year the team at AWE are inspiring the next generation through their STEM engagement programme, which during the 2024/25 academic year reached over 2,300 young people in Reading West and Mid Berkshire alone.
The programme aims to inspire a passion for STEM subjects in primary school children through hands on learning, and inspire and inform young people in secondary schools ahead of GCSE and career choices.
Schools can find out more about the programme by contacting the AWE Community and Schools team.
Date for your diary
Meet Your MP, Burghfield Common, 2.00pm to 3.00pm on Sunday 19 October. If you live in Burghfield, Burghfield Common or nearby and would like to come along for a chat with tea and biscuits between 2.00pm and 3.00pm, you can register here.
My team will confirm the venue to those registered in advance of the event.
Best wishes for the week ahead
Olivia