October has been a busy month in Parliament and across Luton South and South Bedfordshire. Keep reading for a snippet of what I’ve been up to and to hear about some great new announcements for our constituency!
Tell us your vision to improve our Luton communities with new funding
Following the announcement that Luton is set to receive £1.5 million in community funding under the government’s new Pride in Place strategy, I’m pleased to launch a survey alongside Luton North MP Sarah Owen to hear directly from residents about how they would like this to be spent.
Local residents will shape how this funding is targeted to ensure it is spent on visible improvements that really matter, to bring people together, improve health and wellbeing, and strengthen our communities.
Whether it’s enhancing public parks, refurbishing community venues, or revitalising high streets, everyone is encouraged to have their say.
Launching my 5th annual Small Business Awards
This month I was delighted to officially launch my 5th annual Luton South and South Bedfordshire Small Business Awards!
We have so many excellent small businesses across our constituency that contribute to our local economy and community, and I want your help to recognise them.
Nominate your favourite local small business in a range of categories through the form on my website now! The winners will receive special recognition on the 6th December to celebrate Small Business Saturday.
Major deal with Türkiye secures 1000 jobs across Luton South and South Bedfordshire
I welcome the Labour government’s announcement that it has secured an £8 billion deal to export 20 Typhoon jets to Türkiye.
This is the biggest fighter jet deal in almost 20 years and will secure 20,000 jobs across the UK, including 1000 in and around Luton South and South Bedfordshire.
Great to be briefed by Minister Luke Pollard on this announcement and hear more about how the government is making defence an engine for growth, delivering good, well-paid, unionised jobs.
Gaza Peace Plan
I welcome the first phase toward ending the devastating conflict in the Middle East and am relieved to see the peace plan underway — including the release of hostages and prisoners and the delivery of vital humanitarian aid.
I am proud of the UK government’s role in securing this vital step forward alongside international partners, but this peace remains fragile. We are continuing to see reports of Israeli strikes which have caused further suffering and loss of life, and continued restrictions on the entry of aid. Further to the first phase of the peace plan, I asked the Prime Minister directly to reaffirm the government’s long-term commitment to working with international partners on supporting Gaza’s physical and political reconstruction. You can watch this below.
This week, the Minister for the Middle East reiterated the need for de-escalation and urged all parties to uphold the ceasefire. The government is now working with international partners to move from the ceasefire to phase two of the peace plan, including disarmament of Hamas, a monitoring mission, an international security force, and transitional governance in Gaza.
This issue is deeply important to people in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, and I will continue to follow developments closely.
The Renters’ Rights Act becomes law
The Labour government’s Renters’ Rights Act has now officially received Royal Assent and become law!
This Act will transform the private rented sector and provide the biggest upgrade to renters’ rights in a generation, increasing living standards in Luton South and South Bedfordshire and across the country.
Key measures include:
- Abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions
- End to rental bidding wars
- Strengthened rights for tenants to request pets
- New rules to ensure homes are safe
Post Services Survey Update
Thank you to everyone who took part in my survey on postal services in Luton South & South Bedfordshire!
Following your feedback, I met with the government minister and contacted Ofcom, the postal regulator, to relay your views.
Ofcom confirmed it was investigating Royal Mail’s performance and recently announced that it has issued a £21 million fine for missing 2024/25 delivery targets.
I will continue to follow updates on this and I encourage constituents to contact me if they continue to experience issues.
Raising community cohesion with the Home Secretary following attacks on Heaton Park Synagogue and Peacehaven Mosque
Recent attacks on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester and Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex must be condemned. Violence directed at any community – be they Jewish or Muslim, of all faiths or none – are attacks on our entire country.
Upon returning to Parliament earlier this month, I took the first opportunity to ask the Home Secretary what cross-governmental work is being done to ensure strong community cohesion is maintained across our communities in the face of increasing far-right and racist rhetoric.
There is no place for hate in Luton. It is vital we do not allow those who wish to divide us to succeed.
£863,000 funding to tackle homelessness in Luton
I’m very pleased to have secured £863,000 funding from the government to tackle homelessness and support families in Luton this winter.
This funding is part of a nationwide £84 million boost. It will offer immediate help for children and families in temporary accommodation, strengthen partnerships with community organisations, and improve existing frontline local services.
Read more here: Luton MPs secure £863,000 funding injection to tackle homelessness in the town
No Place for Hate in Luton
Earlier this month I joined Sarah Owen MP, Cllr Hazel Simmons, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard and other community partners to affirm our commitment that there is no place for hate in Luton, and set out a course to ensure everyone across our communities is safe, heard, and respected.
Luton is one town of many voices, and I’m proud of the strong community cohesion we have built. We must work together to keep this strong, and will not allow those who wish to divide us to succeed.
It was great to meet with Communities Inc in Parliament ahead of this community meeting to get an insight into their strategy to empower bystanders and tackle the everyday negative biases that contribute to discrimination and hate crimes.
For more information and resources: https://communitiesinc.org.uk/
Over £500,000 funding secured for Culture Trust Luton
A pleasure to welcome Museums Minister, Baroness Twycross, to Luton to mark the launch of the Labour government’s new £20 million Museum Renewal Fund.
I’m delighted that Culture Trust Luton has been awarded over £500,000, helping to ensure we can continue to celebrate our unique and diverse history here in Luton. This funding will be vital in keeping Luton’s museums open, expanding outreach, and continuing to work with our diverse communities to improve the exhibitions offered.
Alongside the Minister we visited Wardown House, Stockwood Discovery Centre, and the Hat Factory to showcase Luton’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Read more about the visit and scheme here: Rachel Hopkins MP welcomes Museums Minister to Luton as part of Labour Government’s £530,000 funding boost for The Culture Trust
Celebrating Diwali and Hindu New Year
I was delighted to visit the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Luton to join their Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations.
Diwali is a time to celebrate light over darkness, good over evil and unity over division, and the day was full of celebrations, symbolising the importance of coming together.
Our Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, and across the country, play a vital role in our communities – championing unity, peace and hope.
Thank you to everyone there for such a warm welcome and I look forward to joining you again soon.
Joining the Railway Industry Association in Parliament
Great to join the Rail Industry Association in Parliament, hosted by Julia Buckley MP, for the launch of their report on Station Investment Zones.
The report sets out how our local train stations can become the centres of place- based regeneration, boosting growth, employment, and home-building.
Here in Luton, we all know that our station desperately needs investment and redevelopment. I will continue to fight for this and look for new avenues to achieve the change we need to see.
Read their full report here: Station Investment Zones: A new model for investment in transport, housing and growth RIA
Visiting Luton’s Army Reserve Centre
Lovely to be invited to visit Luton’s Army Reserve Centre recently alongside Sarah Owen MP.
Great to tour the site, see training drills in action, and hear from the reserves about what they do and why they decided to join. We even got to test out the driving simulator!
It was an honour to watch the presentation of the Kings Warrant and Volunteer Reserve Service Medals which recognise exemplary service. A huge thank you to all those in our armed forces for their dedication to serving our country.
