Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire.
It was a privilege to take part in the Remembrance Sunday parades and services in Tilehurst and Pangbourne over the weekend, and I would like to thank everyone who has worked hard to put on events in our local community to honour those brave men and women who have fought for our country. I was proud to see the Government publish a Veterans Strategy, renewing the nation’s contract with those who served, with £27m for a new veteran-wide support service and new funding for a dedicated wraparound homelessness service.
I was delighted that my River Pang campaign had a win this week, while the Government also committed to phasing out animal testing and announced action to tackle the driving test backlog. I also had the honour of taking a local tech founder into the heart of Westminster, visiting the brilliant team at the Guide Dogs Reading Hub, and celebrating Anti-Bullying Week in Parliament.
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A Major Win for Our Chalk Streams Back in June, I urged Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to consider introducing stronger protections for our precious chalk streams. I’m delighted to report that the Minister has now agreed to consult on new protections as part of our wider national planning policy reforms. This is a huge step forward, and I’m grateful that the government has listened to me and to all the brilliant campaigners working tirelessly to protect precious habitats like the River Pang. I will continue working closely with the Minister and campaign groups to ensure these proposals deliver real results for our local area. Backing Tech & Digital Inclusion in Reading West and Mid Berkshire Reading West and Mid Berkshire is full of innovative local businesses and people working hard to equip our young people with the skills of the future. That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that Digit<all>, a charity based here in Reading West and Mid Berkshire, has been awarded over £175,000 from the Government’s Digital Inclusion Fund. This funding will expand their brilliant EcoCode programme, which aims to provide nearly 20,000 young people with hands-on STEM and coding experience. Supporting initiatives like Digit<all> boosts digital inclusion, helps grow our economy, and raises living standards for everyone. Earlier this week I was also honoured to bring Stuart from Code Wizards Group to 11 Downing Street for the Chancellor’s reception for SMEs in the South East. Code Wizards are such a local success story, working in the gaming industry to help produce the games many of you will play at home. It’s great to be able to give them the opportunity to come to Downing Street and be recognised by the Government for the trailblazers they are. Local Government Reorganisation Update I am pleased that Reading Borough Council have carried out a comprehensive public consultation around their proposals for local government reorganisation and that they have listened to the views of local residents. It is right that neither Theale nor Pangbourne are included as part of Reading’s submission should the plans for a new Ridgeway Council go ahead. I want to thank all of the residents who have been in touch with me to share their thoughts, following the publication of proposals by both West Berkshire and Reading Borough Councils. I will continue to represent residents’ views as the process moves forward. Visiting the Guide Dogs Reading Hub On Friday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Guide Dogs Reading Hub to see the incredible work they do supporting people with sight loss. It was inspiring to meet the dedicated staff and volunteers who make such a difference every day. We got a behind-the-scenes look at their amazing work, discovered the brilliant CustomEyes Books service that makes reading accessible for every child, watched expert guide dog training in action, and even met TV’s very own Titch, named after national treasure Alan Titchmarsh! They’re always looking for people to volunteer, and you can find out more here if you’d like to support this crucial work. Tackling the Driving Test Backlog I know how frustrating the driving test shortage has been for young people and families across the constituency. Getting your driving license should be a moment of independence, not a constant cycle of bookings portals and exploitative resellers. That’s why I’ve repeatedly raised concerns with the DVSA, and welcomed the launch of Reading’s new test centre earlier this year. This week’s announcement from the Government brings further good news:
These measures are a major step forward in tackling the backlog and ensuring fairness for learner drivers. Ending Animal Testing & Investing in Alternatives Many constituents have contacted me about their concerns regarding animal testing. I’m therefore very pleased that the Labour Government has now published its plans to phase out animal testing altogether and invest £75 million in safe, effective alternatives. The UK is set to become a world leader in developing new testing technologies—creating jobs, growing our economy, and protecting animals at the same time. Anti-Bullying Week This week I proudly supported the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s Anti-Bullying Week, working to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive at school. I wore odd socks at work, much to the amusement of my colleagues, and met with some inspirational school staff and students who are leading the way when it comes to peer support. As someone who experienced bullying herself at school, this issue is personal to me. I never want any child to experience bullying, and we can all work together to make a difference. Best wishes for the week ahead, Olivia |