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Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. I had a proper ‘pinch me’ moment on Monday, speaking at the Dispatch Box in the House of Commons for the first time. It is such a huge privilege to be working to give every child across the country the best possible start in life. A huge thank you to everyone who came to my Meet Your MP event in Burghfield Common last Sunday. It was a really great conversation –and I am really pleased that the local neighbourhood police team have confirmed that they are addressing the issues with antisocial behaviour that were raised by residents. To keep up to date with what I am doing in Parliament and in the constituency, you can follow me on Facebook or Instagram. Meet your MP, Burghfield Common It was great to meet and chat with residents at my Meet Your MP event in Burghfield Common last Sunday. We covered lots of topics, including the Government’s reforms to the planning system, tackling antisocial behaviour, support for apprenticeships and issues with parking at school drop off and pick up. Following the concerns that were raised about incidents of antisocial behaviour, my team has been in touch with the local neighbourhood police team. I am pleased to report that they have confirmed that in response to these incidents, they have been carrying out targeted ASB operations. This has included dispersal authorisations having been put in place on 3, 10 and 11 October as well as action specifically related to the incidents involving the use of catapults. Additionally, I am also really pleased that for Halloween the police will be using dispersal powers and have additional patrols in place in the Burghfield area. If you are aware of any incidents of antisocial behaviour, please do report them to Thames Valley Police. My next Meet Your MP event is in Calcot on Sunday 23 November – details on how to register are at the bottom of the bottom of the newsletter.
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Boost for free breakfast clubs Labour’s free breakfast clubs have already opened their doors to nearly 180,000 children, serving over 2.5 million breakfasts. And this week, we have announced a partnership with British businesses – Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Weetabix and Magic Breakfast UK – so schools with one of the free clubs can get nutritious food for less. Our Best Start free breakfast clubs are already providing a lifeline to working families, giving much needed breathing room in the mornings by freeing up to 95 hours per year, and putting money back into their pockets to the tune of £450 a year. This Government is backing our schools, supporting families, and ensuring every child gets the best start in life. Strengthening penalties for polluting water companies After, 14 years of Conservative failure left water infrastructure crumbling and sewage being dumped in our rivers like the Pang, it is still shocking, but not surprising that Thames Water received just one star – the lowest possible rating from the Environment Agency for their environmental performance in 2024. So, I welcome the Government plans announced this week to introduce stronger penalties of up to £500,000 for water companies who commit environmental offences. Currently, the Environment Agency struggles to impose financial penalties for frequent, minor and moderate offending – such as some breaches of a licence or a permit because it needs to prove an offence to the same high legal standard used in criminal courts – making penalties too expensive and time-consuming to pursue for less serious offences. The proposed changes would lower the standard of proof needed, making it much easier and quicker to hold water companies to account. These changes would sit alongside existing enforcement tools, including unlimited financial penalties – known as Variable Monetary Penalties – where offending is proved to a criminal standard. There would remain the option of prosecution for the most serious offences. Thames Water got away with polluting our rivers for too long, and this government is holding them to account. We’re delivering on our manifesto commitment to clean up our waterways, ensuring that there are no unfair bonuses for water bosses and investing in our water infrastructure alongside systemic reform. Local beer on tap in the House of Commons! We have really great independent brewers in Reading West and Mid Berkshire who produce a range of fantastic beers. So, I am delighted that I have the opportunity to celebrate one of those beers – Renegade Brewery’s Good Old Boy, having requested for it to be a guest beer in Strangers’ Bar in the House of Commons. I will definitely be recommending it to my colleagues! |
Casework wins for residents
I have a fantastic casework team who support me in helping residents try to resolve a range of issues. So, it is really great when we hear from someone that we have been able to help. In the last couple of weeks, we were able to support two constituents with long-term health conditions who were struggling to cope where they were living. After we intervened, they have been allocated more suitable housing.
If you or anyone you know needs help or support with issues such as housing, support from the NHS, support for young people, antisocial behaviour or anything else, you can get in touch with me here.
Date for your diary
Meet Your MP, Calcot, 2.00pm to 3.00pm on Sunday 23 November If you live in Calcot 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