Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. This week I have been criss-crossing the constituency on my Small Business Summer Roadshow as well as fitting in some other fantastic visits. Also this week, I was delighted that we finally have the Public Space Protection Order in place for Pangbourne Meadows, so that everyone can enjoy this fantastic open space over the summer holidays.
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Small Business Summer Roadshow
A few weeks ago, I posted on my social media channels asking constituents to tell me their favourite local businesses. Now Parliament is in recess, I’m spending the next few weeks visiting as many of their suggestions as I can to hear from small business owners and entrepreneurs about their businesses and how I can advocate for them in Westminster.
Stop number one was to Bradleys in Theale, a fantastic family run business that is a favourite stop for me and my team for our morning coffee and cake. I have visited a couple of our other fantastic cafes in the last few days – Java Junction in Tilehurst and The Avenue Deli in Calcot, as well as the Swan Hotel in East Ilsley. I also popped into Walters Turkeys in Aldworth and heard from Ed and Kate about the traditional farming methods they use to rear their free range turkeys. I am looking forward to ordering my Christmas turkey from them in a month or so.
Code Wizards
On Wednesday, I had an amazing time visiting the brilliant Code Wizards team in Theale
It was really inspiring to hear about how the business has grown and the work they do supporting games studios of all sizes build and run games.
One of the things that really stood out was Code Wizards’ commitment to diversity and inclusion, bringing together people from all backgrounds to make gaming more creative and social.
I am proud that we have businesses like Code Wizards, providing high skilled jobs based in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. And, I am pleased that the Government is committed to supporting growth in the Games sector, through initiatives such as the recently announced £30m fund to support games development, the pledge to support the UK Games Fund, and by establishing the UK Video Games Council to build closer links with government and drive growth in the sector.
I will continue to advocate with colleagues in Government for support for the Games sector so that businesses like Code Wizards Group can thrive.
South Central Ambulance Service
Yesterday, I popped in to see the team at South Central Ambulance Service in Central Reading. It was inspiring to meet with such dedicated and highly skilled staff who help people across Reading West and Mid Berkshire in their moment of need.
We talked about some of the challenges that the service has faced, and the opportunities with the government’s ten year plan for health. I am pleased the Government recently announced a £450 million package of measures as part of our Plan for Change to ensure that patients will receive better, faster and more appropriate emergency care including the roll out of almost 500 new ambulances by March 2026 – and I am committed to supporting our fantastic paramedics and ambulance staff in whatever way I can.
Readibus
Also, yesterday it was a real pleasure to be able to visit Readibus at their HQ in South Reading and meet with the staff and trustees.
Since being established in 1981, Readibus continues to provide a vital service, with their fully accessible vehicles, for thousands of residents with restricted mobility across Reading, West Berkshire and beyond, enabling people to get out to the shops, attend medical appointments and enjoy life.
Readibus is truly at the heart of our community and I will continue to advocate for the fantastic service that they provide.
Public Space Protection Order for Pangbourne Meadows
I am delighted that the Public Spaces protection Order (PSPO) for Pangbourne Meadows finally came into force this week.
Unfortunately, last year we saw repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour impacting the use of the of the Meadows for local people and visitors. The PSPO will allow the police to ban persistent perpetrators so that everyone can enjoy this wonderful open space over the summer holidays.
I would like to thank everyone who responded to the consultation on the PSPO as well as Pangbourne Parish Council, Thames Valley Police and the staff and trustees at Adventure Dolphin who have been instrumental in pushing for the PSPO to be introduced.
Report of the Independent Water Commission
At the end of last year, the Government commissioned The Independent Water Commission to deliver recommendations to government on reforms to the water sector. The Report of the Commission that was published this week was clear – our broken water system is failing consumers and the environment.
In response, the Government is going to deliver to biggest overhaul of water regulation in a generation and establish a new water ombudsman to support customers and put money back in their pockets.
I’m also delighted that we have pledged to cut sewage pollution in half by 2030, building on the actions we’ve already taken to clean up rivers like the Pang:
- Record £104bn investment for infrastructure upgrades
- Reinvesting over £100m of company fines into local clean-up projects
- Banning bonuses for worst offending water bosses
- Funding hundreds of enforcement officers to prosecute polluting firms
This Government was elected to clean up water pollution and ensure unacceptable water bill hikes can never happen again and we now have all the building blocks in place to make that happen.
Dates for your diary
Wednesday 30 July Meet your MP – Kentwood: If you live in Kentwood and would like to come along for a chat with tea and biscuits between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, please email with the subject line “Kentwood Meet Your MP” and my team will confirm the venue a few days in advance of the event.
Best wishes for the week ahead.
Olivia