Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. There was great news this week on the economy with figures showing that the UK was the fastest growing economy in the G7. And, there was great news for patients in Reading West and Mid Berkshire, with 42,691 extra appointments delivered at the Royal Berks in just one year – part of over 5 million extra appointments delivered across England since Labour was elected.
It has been a busy week in both Parliament and in the constituency. Monday in Parliament was a late night, as along with my Labour colleagues, I voted on amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, resisting attempts by the Tories, Lib Dems and Reform to water down the biggest package of workers’ rights in a generation. In the constituency this week, I visited the wonderful Bark and Bloom, a professional dog groomers, based in Grazeley Green and earlier today popped in to Theale Green School to hear how they are investing in PE, community sport and girls’ football. I finished the week with my regular in person constituency surgery in Tilehurst.
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Bark and Bloom
Thank you to Bark and Bloom, based in Grazeley Green, for welcoming me to their wonderful Spa and Grooming Parlour this afternoon.
It was enlightening to catch up with owners Laura, Hannah & Jo to hear about their wonderful business and discuss challenges in the sector. I am going to raise their thoughts with the small business minister.
You can tell that they are truly passionate about caring for their furry friends and I was delighted to meet Rodney and Margot too!
Theale Green School 3G Pitch
Thank you to Theale Green School for welcoming me into their school on Friday to discuss how they are investing in PE, community sport and girls’ football.
I’m particularly pleased that they are developing plans to expand their already-excellent facilities with a 3G pitch. This will not only benefit the students, but will also bring a huge benefit to the local community.
As a mum to very sporty children, I know just how valuable sport and PE is for children and young people, and I’m delighted that schools like Theale Green are recognising the benefits of getting out and moving!
Tackling Poor Performing Estate Management
Last month I wrote to people living in the Clarendon Rise/Horsecroft Way estate on Long Lane in Tilehurst, having been contacted about the fees that they are being charged by property management companies, Homeground and FirstPort and the quality of the maintenance that is being carried out by FirstPort.
I want to thank everyone who has responded to my survey. However, it is disappointing that on yet another estate in Reading West and Mid Berkshire, residents are raising concerns about maintenance not being carried out, poor communication and a lack of transparency around charges from property management companies.
I have written to both Firstport and Homeground setting out the concerns that residents have raised and have asked for them to meet with me and with residents, so that these issues can be addressed.
I am pleased that the Government is consulting on regulation of the property management sector so that residents have routes of redress for poor service and there are clear lines of accountability for managing agents.
Birch Copse Primary School visit to Parliament
It was a real pleasure to have Year 6 from Birch Copse Primary School in Parliament on Monday!
I always value the opportunity to speak to local children about life in the House of Commons and my role as an MP, and we even had newly appointed Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds MP come along to talk about his role.
It’s so important that our young people are engaged in democracy, and I would encourage any local school looking to visit Parliament to email my office.
Constituency Surgery
It was another busy constituency surgery today. This one of the most important and rewarding parts of my job – listening to residents’ concerns and doing what I can to support them through the challenges they are facing. From housing and healthcare to antisocial behaviour, my team and I are ready to help local people. If you do need to get in touch about an issue please email my office.
Biggest package of workers rights in a generation
I was really proud on Monday night to have voted with my Labour colleagues on amendments to the Employments Rights Bill, resisting attempts by the Tories, Lib Dems and Reform to water down the biggest package of workers’ rights in a generation. They were attempting to block measures that would end exploitative zero hour contracts, ‘fire and rehire’, establish day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave, and strengthen sick pay.
People in Reading West and Mid Berkshire will massively benefit from these measures, and I am delighted that we managed to vote them through.
Great news for the economy
There was great news for the UK economy this week, with figures showing that our economy was the fastest growing amongst the G7 group of countries which includes the US, Japan and Germany.
These figures are not just numbers on a page. When the economy grows it means jobs are created, small businesses thrive, living standards go up, and people have more money to buy the things that they want. And importantly it means that we have the space to innovate and find new solutions to the challenges that we face, benefitting us now and into the future.
…and for the NHS
There was also fantastic news that patients in Reading West and Mid Berkshire are benefitting from access to quicker care with Labour, with 42,691 extra appointments delivered at the Royal Berks in just one year – part of over 5 million extra appointments delivered across England since Labour was elected.
Thanks to record investment in technology and facilities like new radiotherapy machines and the new Urology Department at the Royal Berks, alongside radical cuts to bureaucracy, and more community care, we are reversing more than a decade of decline and poor services under the Conservatives. We’re also investing in local GP surgeries, having recruited over 1,500 more GPs nationwide as well as providing extra funding for surgeries in Theale, Compton and Pangbourne to modernise their buildings. And we finally have the money allocated for a new Royal Berkshire Hospital, which I want to see built as soon as possible.
These figures are a huge step in the right direction for patients in our community and a welcome sign that we are getting our NHS back on track.
Dates for your diary
West Reading Safer Community Forum, 6.00pm to 8.00pm on Thursday 2 September. If you live in West Reading and would like to talk to me, local councillors and the local police team about crime or anti-social behaviour, please email my office. Details of the event will be sent to people who have registered a few days in advance.