Welcome to my March update! Here is a snippet of how I have been representing you in Parliament and across Luton South and South Bedfordshire.
Continuing to push for lifts at Luton Station
Continued delays by Network Rail to progress Access for All works and install lifts at Luton Station is completely unacceptable, and I know how frustrating this is for my constituents across Luton South and South Bedfordshire.
As this past weekend marked Disabled Access Day, it felt fitting to raise this matter in Parliament, and I was grateful for a positive response from the Leader of the House. You can view this here.
I also had a productive update last week from Network Rail, who informed me that preparatory works have begun to install lifts at Luton Station, and they are aiming to commence further works later in the Spring.
I am focused on ensuring all my constituents have a fully accessible station, with improved infrastructure and reliable services and will continue to do all I can to make sure Access for All becomes a reality.
Ride along with Bedfordshire Police
I recently joined Bedfordshire Police on a ‘ride along’ to see first hand the work of police officers on a Friday night shift.
Joining a team of two response officers it was hugely insightful to observe how they dealt with requests that came in, particularly their sensitivity when dealing with vulnerable people.
Keeping eyes open for useful intelligence (and suspects!) as we drove round various parts of Luton, was all part of the job of keeping us safe.
I welcome the recent funding announced for Bedfordshire Police as part of the government’s core funding settlement. Our force in Bedfordshire are reliant on specific grants to tackle complex and violent organised crime and I was keen to emphasise the importance of maintaining this funding to the Policing Minister. You can view my question here.
Celebrating International Women’s Day in Parliament and Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Saturday 8th March marked International Women’s Day and I was glad to mark the occasion in Parliament and in Luton South and South Bedfordshire.
At the last general election, a record 263 female MPs were elected, so it was great to join my fellow female MPs in Parliament for a celebratory picture in the Chamber.
On the day itself, our Luton Mayor hosted an inspiring event for International Women’s Day at the Town Hall and we heard some powerful and inspiring stories.
Keynote speaker Saj Zafar talked about her fight against misogyny and racism and her journey to become the first and youngest Muslim woman prison governor.
As we reflected on the theme of #AccelerateAction, there was an emphasis placed on the importance of the government’s plan to tackle violence against women and girls and the necessity of male allyship in achieving gender equality.
A brilliant day to celebrate all the wonderful women in our lives!
Crime and Policing Bill
The Labour government’s flagship Crime and Policing Bill represents the biggest package of new laws on crime and policing for decades.
These proposed laws will tackle antisocial behaviour, shop theft and street crime head on, giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to tackle local crime.
The Bill also includes measures to address the most serious violence and highest-harm offences such as knife crime, violence against women and girls, cybercrime, child sexual abuse, and terrorism.
You can read more on the measures included in the Bill and the positive impact this will have in our constituency here.
Attending the inaugural Luton Apprenticeship Awards!
It was wonderful to join the inaugural Luton Apprenticeship Awards alongside Cllr Javeria Hussain.
A great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of individuals, providers and organisations committed to delivering apprenticeships!
Congratulations to all the worthy winners!
The Employment Rights Bill
This month, the Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill returned to the House of Commons for its third reading.
The strengthened Bill will deliver the biggest upgrade to rights at work in a generation with over thirty reforms, including:
- Providing ‘Day 1 rights’ of employment, including protection from Unfair Dismissal, entitlement to Paternity Leave, Unpaid Parental Leave.
- Establishing Bereavement Leave and making Flexible Working the default.
- Banning exploitative zero-hours, abolishing the scourge of fire and rehire.
- Improving pay and conditions through Fair Pay Agreements and re-establishing the School Support Staff Negotiating Body.
- Increasing protection from sexual harassment, introducing Equality Menopause Action Plans and strengthening rights for pregnant workers.
- Making improvements to and strengthening Statutory Sick Pay
I was very proud to vote for the Bill to fix the insecure labour market, which has left too many in insecure and unpaid work for far too long.
Free breakfast club rollout across Luton South and South Bedfordshire
The Education Secretary announced the first 750 schools who will be ‘early adopters’ of Labour’s free breakfast clubs scheme. This includes two schools in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, and I am delighted that Denbigh Primary School and Someries Infants will be some of the first schools to offer a free breakfast club from April.
Breakfast clubs will set children up for the day, improve attendance and attainment and break down barriers to opportunity, giving children in Luton South and South Bedfordshire and across the country the best start in life.
You can watch my contribution on this announcement in Parliament here.
Attending celebrations at Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton
It was great to be invited to join Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton to mark a special day, celebrating the 648th anniversary of the birth of Guru Ravidass.
Huge congratulations to them for recently being awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service.
This prestigious honour is well deserved, recognising their tireless service to our community across Luton and beyond!
A new deal for GPs
The Labour government announced a landmark deal with GPs this month. The new agreed contract will modernise general practice by:
- Cutting through the red tape that ties up GPs time, so they can spend more time
with patients - Requiring practices to allow patients to book appointments online
- GPs will be paid more if they allow more patients to see the same doctor each
appointment - Backing GPs with an extra £889 million next year, as we rebuild general practice.
These reforms are part of the government’s plan to make general practice fit for the future and will support GPs in taking the first steps to end the 8am scramble for appointments, which so many patients currently endure every day.
You can read more on this deal here.
Opening Kensworth Community Play Area
The sun was out in Kensworth for the grand opening of the new Community Play Area.
It was an honour to be invited by Kensworth Parish Council to cut the ribbon and officially open it to the public!
A pleasure to join councillors, pupils and teachers from Kensworth CE Academy, our public service workers and the local community to mark the occasion!
Debate on financial sustainability and governance of football in England
I am delighted that a strengthened Football Governance Bill has been re-introduced to Parliament, which will establish an Independent Football Regulator, empower communities and protect the heritage of local clubs.
In my contribution to a Westminster Hall Debate on football governance, I was very proud to highlight the brilliant work of Luton Town Football Club, who are paving the way when it comes to putting fans at the heart of the club.
You can watch my speech in full here.
Visiting Luton, South Bedfordshire and Harpenden Samaritans
It was great to catch up with the local Samaritans team recently. The branch has been operating in Luton, South Bedfordshire and Harpenden for nearly 60 years, providing crucial support via phone, web chat or even face to face for those at crisis point.
This wonderful organisation is entirely volunteer driven, and they rely solely on donations each year to be able to keep delivering this vital service. If you are able to donate to the local branch in any way, or support by volunteering in any way, you can find out more here.
If you are struggling and need support, you can reach the national helpline at any time on 116 123 or for the local branch, call 07846 850213.
Visit to Luton Citizen’s Advice
I was pleased to meet with Rubina and the team at Citizens Advice Luton, discussing the important work they do to support people in our town, as well as how they are working with Luton Council and other stakeholders to ensure a joined up approach to support.
Citizen’s Advice are available to support on a range of topics, including advice on housing, benefits, debt or immigration issues. Equally, if you are interested in becoming one of their volunteers, find out more here.
Celebrating St. Patricks Day
It was fantastic as always to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, kicking off with Luton Irish Forum’s 26th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in the town centre, with flags from every county proudly on display!
From Bhangra drums to traditional Irish music and dance, it was a beautiful representation of everything Luton is about – coming together to celebrate our vibrant and diverse town!
In Parliament, I was glad to join Irish in Britain’s Parliamentary drop-in to hear more about how they are representing Irish organisations.
I will continue to champion our thriving Irish community in Luton South and South Bedfordshire.
