Constituency Newsletter 10 January

Helping cut the cost of living

it was fantastic on Monday to hear from the Prime Minister on his visit to Reading about the action the Government is taking including freezing rails fares for the first time in thirty years, saving £340 on a season ticket from Reading to London, and extending the £3 cap on bus fares until March 2027.

But that’s not all. Other measures the Government has taken to ease the cost of living that will kick in this year will include, taking £150 off energy bills for the average household in April, the fuel duty cut extended until September, prescription charges frozen to keep them under a tenner, the expansion in funded childcare, saving families on average £7,500 a year, and an increase in the State Pension, giving pensioners up to an additional £575 a year.

And what’s more new analysis has found that for households with a mortgage in Reading West and Mid Berkshire, the average cost of that mortgage over a year has fallen by nearly £3,000 since the General Election – meaning that people have over £200 extra each month in their bank account – thanks to the decisions this Government has taken to stabilise our economy.

This isn’t mission accomplished though – I know that people are frustrated at the pace of change – and that not enough people are feeling it fast enough. But this coming year, with wages increasing faster than prices, more people in Reading West and Mid Berkshire will see the change in their weekly shop and their bills.

Together, we are getting Britain back on track. But we can only give our country the renewal it needs if we come together to reject the division and decline peddled by Reform, the Tories, and others and move forwards to build a better Britain and a better Reading West and Mid Berkshire.

If you work in a skilled trade, I want to hear from you.

I’m proud to represent an area with a strong tradition of skilled trades. Since being elected as MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire I have met with dozens of small business owners and entrepreneurs to hear from them what they want from Government.

I want to continue to hear from as many businesses from across the constituency – especially from people working in building and associated trades. Please share your views and experiences with me here.

Small Business Spotlight

On Friday, I stopped off for a fantastic chai latte (as well as helping out stamping logos on their cup sleeves) at the Garage Kiosk in Linear Park by Beansheaf Community Centre yesterday while out and about in the constituency. It is a great place to pop in for a cuppa after a walk in Linear Park.

Lifting over half a million children out of poverty

I am so proud to be part of a Labour Government that is going to lift over half a million children out of poverty.

Thursday was an important milestone on that journey, as we introduced the legislation that will remove the unfair two-child cap and change children’s lives. 1,790 children in Reading West and Mid Berkshire will be better off thanks to the choices of this Labour Government.

Road Safety Strategy Launched

I’ve been campaigning for safety improvements to the A34 slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon because local people have told me how dangerous they feel to use. In fact, far too many people feel unsafe on our roads in Reading West and Mid Berkshire and there were over 900 road casualties in our community between 2018 and 2024, including 17 fatalities. This is unacceptable.

I’ve raised these concerns directly with Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood, and I’m glad to see many of the issues I highlighted reflected in the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy — the first in over a decade — which recognises the importance of investment in safer roads as well as responsible driving.

Importantly, the strategy also commits to establishing a Road Safety Investigation Branch. This new body will investigate serious road incidents, identify what’s gone wrong, and make recommendations to prevent future harm.

On the A34 slip roads, the review I secured last year is underway and due to conclude soon. I’ll continue pressing to ensure it delivers the improvements needed to keep local people safe.

You can read the full Road Safety Strategy here

A new Animal Welfare Strategy

Like many people, I know the joy animals bring to our lives.

I’m proud to support the government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, which will deliver some of the strongest animal welfare reforms in a generation and protect animals at home, on the farm, and in the wild.

We’re closing the loopholes that allow animal suffering and delivering on our manifesto promise to protect the animals we all care about.

…and exciting news for animal lovers

I’m so excited to see the return of Goeldi’s Monkeys to The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys! One of the new arrivals is the great-granddaughter of Sooty and Meeko, who arrived at The Living Rainforest back in 1997 – continuing the strong West Berkshire legacy of protecting this beautiful species.

I was delighted to visit the team at The Living Rainforest before Christmas, and am proud to support them as they continue to promote wildlife conservation and host school groups from across the country. You can find out more or book a visit here.

Date for your diary

Meet Your MP, Aldermaston, 1.30pm to 2.30pm on Sunday 25 January If you live in Aldermaston or nearby and would like to come along for a chat with tea and biscuits between 1.30pm and 2.30pm, you can register here

My team will confirm the venue to those registered in advance of the event.

Best wishes

Olivia