Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. To keep up to date with what I am doing in Parliament and in the constituency, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Bluesky.
A new Royal Berkshire Hospital
In Parliament on Monday, the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting gave a firm commitment to deliver the new Royal Berkshire hospital our community deserves, after his review of the new hospital programme. As I said in the chamber, I share the bitter disappointment of local people that the project will be delayed, and I will continue to strongly make the case for our new hospital to be built as soon as is possible.
This delay is a direct consequence of the Conservative Party promising a new hospital when they knew they had no money to pay for it, as well as leaving a huge black hole in the public finances. I am astounded by the sheer nerve of local Conservatives who are trying to deny this fact. This government has set out a realistic, honest timetable that local people can believe in which is in stark contrast to empty Conservative promises.
We were elected to fix our broken NHS, and I am proud that we are getting on with the job. Alongside our plan for new hospitals, we are delivering millions more appointments to bring down waiting times, investing in new diagnostic scanners and surgical hubs, improving choice and convenience, and ensuring everyone in Reading West and Mid Berkshire can access a family doctor.
What’s more, I am glad that in response to my question in Parliament, the Health Secretary accepted my invitation to visit the Royal Berks, to meet the hardworking staff team, but also to see for himself the urgent need for a new hospital. Along with my colleagues, Matt Rodda MP and Yuan Yang MP, I will continue to work hard to ensure our local NHS provides the best possible treatment for local people.
Supporting our police on the beat
On Thursday I went on patrol with the neighbourhood policing team in Kentwood, along with Cllr Mark Keeping and Cllr Glenn Dennis. We discussed how we can tackle the scourge of illegal bikes, and I was pleased to hear that the police are focusing on seizing bikes and using a range of innovative techniques to do so. We also discussed drug use and general anti-social behaviour.
The officers are very keen to hear from local people about crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. You can contact your neighbourhood team through the Thames Valley Police website, or you are always welcome to email my office so that we can pass on concerns.
I am pleased that this Labour Government is serious about tackling anti-social behaviour with our Respect Orders, which give police new powers to deal with persistent offenders, including allow police to ban persistent offenders from local hotspots. We have also introduced stronger powers for the police to deal with illegal bikes, making it easier to seize them and allowing police to crush the bikes within days of them being impounded.
In addition, this government is committed to get more police back on our streets, and we committed £1.9bn of extra funding at the budget so that we can start to deliver the manifesto promise of 13,000 more neighbourhood officers.
Ashampstead Road, Bradfield
Having been contacted by a number of constituents, earlier this week I wrote to the Executive Member for Transport at West Berkshire Council, to ask the Council and Bradfield College look again at the proposal to close Ashampstead Road while work is carried out on one of the College buildings. While it is welcome that the Council and the College have worked together to modify the original road closure proposal, the latest proposal will still significantly inconvenience residents not just in Bradfield, but also in the surrounding villages.
I hope that West Berkshire Council will recognise the concerns that have been raised and modify the scheme to minimise disruption for local people.
Dee Park – new play area
This week, along with local councillors, I met with residents in Dee Park to discuss the proposed plans for the new play area as well as to hear wider views from residents about the local community.
It was great to see lots of people sharing their views – in particular about the importance of maintaining an area for teenagers to enjoy – and I will follow up with the Council to make sure that this feedback is taken on board.
Brilliant news for our local places of worship!
I was delighted this week, that the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport announced that the listed places of worship scheme has been extended for 2025-26, with a budget of £23 million. This follows my question to the Minister last week after I had visited St Bartholomew’s Church in Lower Basildon.
This means that thousands of historical buildings, including churches, synagogues, mosques and temples will be able to claim back VAT on the money they spend on restoration and repairs.
You can support St Bartholomew’s fundraising efforts for their new roof here.
A better deal for leaseholders
I have been contacted by a number of leaseholders in the constituency concerned about the obscenely high service charges, poor maintenance and bad communication from managing agents such as FirstPort. At a recent meeting in Parliament, FirstPort CEO, Martin King acknowledged that they had often failed to deliver to the standards that leaseholders should expect and would take action on the issues that that residents have raised.
Following this meeting, along with over 80 of my Labour colleagues, I have written to him to seek assurances that changes will be made, and I will hold him to account to deliver improvements.
If you are a leaseholder and have had any issues with your managing agents, please do email me.
Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill
Earlier this week, the Government’s Fraud, Error & Recovery Bill had its first reading.
This important legislation will update many of Department of Work and Pension’s anti-fraud powers for the first time in 20 years to make sure we can stop fraudsters taking public money. The bill will:
- Give the DWP new powers to apply for court warrants to enter, search for and seize items for evidence
- Recover debts directly from the bank accounts of individuals who can pay but have avoided doing so. Some fraudsters could even have their driving licences suspended
- Help us protect claimants from error including by getting alerts from banks and building societies where someone’s activity suggests they are receiving money they aren’t entitled to
- Our tough but fair approach will drive down fraud and error and bring greater fairness to the recovery of debts. This is expected to save up to £1.5bn over the next five years.
This important bill also tackles fraud in the public sector – so that we can stop people like those who ripped off covid grant schemes. We will give new powers to the Public Sector Fraud Authority’s Enforcement Unit so they can investigate and deal with fraud against the public sector efficiently and effectively.
Holocaust Memorial Day
On Tuesday in Parliament, I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, pledging my commitment to marking Holocaust Memorial Day this coming Monday 27 January. This is a commitment to honouring all those who were murdered during the Holocaust and paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.
We must remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered during the Holocaust and speak out against all forms of antisemitism, which in recent months has risen exponentially and must be tackled head on.
On Holocaust Memorial Day we also remember and pay tribute to all of those persecuted by the Nazis, including Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, gay men, political opponents of the Nazis and others.
This year marks 80 years since the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps of Europe. With survivors becoming older and frailer, this is likely to the last significant anniversary at which Holocaust survivors will be present and able to share their eye-witness testimony.
As the Holocaust moves from living memory to history, this Holocaust Memorial Day presents a key opportunity to ensure that we never forget.
Dates for your diary
Thursday 6th February, from 7.30pm to 9.00pm – NHS 10-year Plan Consultation Event for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire, Calcot. Please email to book a place and my team will confirm the venue a few days in advance of the event.
Sunday 2nd March, Community Drop-in, Theale – If you live in Theale and would like to come along for a chat with tea and biscuits between 3.00pm and 4.00pm, please email and my team will confirm the venue a few days in advance of the event.
Best wishes for the week ahead
Olivia