As we head into the Parliamentary summer recess, I’m looking forward to spending even more time in Luton South and South Bedfordshire! It’s always a brilliant opportunity to engage more with our community, including local businesses, charities, and more.
This month in Westminster has certainly been a busy one, though, with a new Prime Minister entering 10 Downing Street and kicking off his time in office through some key announcements for our area.
Read on to find our more and see what I’ve been up to this month. Stay even more up to date by following me at Rachel Hopkins MP on Facebook and @rachelhopkinsmp on Instagram.
Pride in Place Central Luton Chair announced!
I’m delighted to welcome Dr Nina Pearson as the Independent Chair of the Central Luton Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board!
As a retired GP who spent 22 years caring for local residents, I know Nina will be a brilliant champion for everyone in our Central Luton community.
Nina will be joined by local residents, councillors, and me as your local MP, on the Neighbourhood Board to engage with the community and spend £20 million revitalising Central Luton over the next ten years!
Stay tuned to have your say on what you want to see in Central Luton.
Raising human rights abuses in Kashmir
Recent violent unrest, human rights abuses, and communications blackouts in Kashmir have understandably been a major cause of concern among many Luton South and South Bedfordshire constituents.
Our community’s strong ties with Kashmir mean that such concerning issues have real consequences here at home, including impeding contact with relatives and loved ones.
I voiced these concerns in Parliament and asked the Minister for updates about how the Government is working to uphold human rights in the region and assist British nationals.
Watch below.
Action to tackle the cost of living
Very glad to welcome our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to his post. In his first two weeks it’s been great to see Andy, alongside our new Chancellor John Healey, take key steps to give people in Luton South and South Bedfordshire some more breathing room when it comes to the cost of living.
- Removing VAT on domestic electricity bills
- Reinstating the £2 bus fare cap across England
- Slashing business rates on pubs, social clubs and music venues by 20%
I warmly welcome these immediate steps to help working people in areas like ours with the cost of living. Good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart. I look forward to working alongside Andy and our Government to deliver it.
Standing up for local leaseholders
Leaseholders in Harrowden Court, Stockwood Gardens, and more areas across Luton South and South Bedfordshire have shared their concerns with me about unaffordable rising costs, communication issues, and repeated faults in their homes.
In a recent debate I raised these issues in Parliament and put on record my support for increased protections for leaseholders.
I’m very pleased that since this debate the Government has announced a new set of regulations as part of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, meaning:
- Landlords are required to set out detailed information about what service charge payments cover
- Stronger legal rights for leaseholders to challenge unfair costs
- Landlords must provide annual reports on the condition of buildings and plans for major works
Watch my full speech from the debate below.
New free breakfast clubs for Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Children in Luton South and South Bedfordshire deserve the very best start in life
So it’s great news that the Government has announced a huge expansion of free breakfast clubs, including Foxdell Primary School and Hillborough Junior School right here in our constituency
Free breakfast clubs are already making a difference in our community – offering good, healthy breakfasts for kids and helping parents get to work on time.
Read more here.
Support for Palestine
I recently attended the Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East summer reception in Parliament.
Very glad to hear Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot, former Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell MP speak about the future of UK/ Palestine relations and reaffirm our joint commitment to freedom, peace and security for Palestinians.
Government action on fireworks
While fireworks can be a great way to mark celebrations and cultural events, I know that antisocial firework use is a major concern across Luton South and South Bedfordshire, with frequent use and excessive noise levels being distressing for people and animals alike.
I’ve been glad to support Sarah Owen MP’s campaign on this, and am very pleased to see the Government launching a consultation on reducing the noise level of fireworks available for sale to the public.
Please do have your say in the consultation below so we can continue pushing for much-needed changes.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
Delivering opportunities for the next generation
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham this month announced changes to the education system, widening choices and opening up access to technical and skills education earlier.
By putting power in the hands of schools, employers, and local leaders, we can ensure the next generation have the skills they need and opportunities they deserve, no matter what field they want to go into.
With exciting infrastructure developments on the way in and around Luton South and South Bedfordshire, it’s vital we make sure our young people are first in line for the new work, skills, and apprenticeship opportunities.
Read more here.
Joining Luton Irish Forum’s AGM
A real pleasure to be invited to join Luton Irish Forum ‘s 2026 AGM, celebrating another year of their brilliant work supporting Luton’s Irish and broader community
Alongside Sarah Owen MP, I was honoured to unveil an art installation as part of LIF’s Bábóg Project, which commemorates the 9,000 babies who are believed to have died in Ireland’s Mother and Baby institutions. Together we reflected on their memory and the strength of survivors who have shared their story.
Earlier this year, we got the great news that the Government agreed to pass Philomena’s Law, which I was proud to co-sponsor. This will help to secure justice for and protect 13,000 survivors of Mother and Baby Homes living in the UK.
Very glad to continue to support LIF’s work on this issue and efforts to bring our Luton community together. Here’s to another great year ahead!
Visiting Whipsnade Zoo
In Luton South and South Bedfordshire we are lucky enough to have the UK’s biggest zoo right on our doorstep!
I had a brilliant time at Whipsnade Zoo, seeing lots of their new arrivals (including the very cute baby rhino Mick!) and learning more about the zoo’s vital conservation work.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of ZSL, and 200 years of pioneering science and conservation. From driving international breeding programmes for endangered animals like rhinos and elephants, to countering British biodiversity loss and housing the world’s only freshwater conservation aquarium, the work that goes on at Whipsnade is truly remarkable.
Very pleased to see their efforts to keep the amazing experience of a zoo visit accessible, with £35 family tickets, a free return visit to Whipsnade or London Zoo with all summer tickets purchased directly, and 50% off zoo admission at the gate when you travel by bus or train.
Find out more about these offers here: https://www.whipsnadezoo.org/plan-your-visit/whipsnade-zoo-offers
And the zoo bus service from Luton town centre here: https://www.centrebus.info/bus-services/zoo/
Briefing on Anti-Muslim Hostility
I recently joined the APPG for British Muslims for a parliamentary briefing on rising levels of Anti-Muslim hostility in the UK.
We discussed the British Muslim Trust’s latest report, which provides valuable insight into the experiences of British Muslims, the factors driving hostility, and future action to tackle this head on.
The Government recently adopted a non-statutory definition of Anti-Muslim Hostility. I was very glad to see this step which will help us to better identify this prejudice in all its forms so we can fight against it.
I’m always pleased to support the British Muslim Trust’s ongoing work. You can find the full document below and report instances of Anti-Muslim Hostility via their website.
Reforming adult social care
Under our new Prime Minister, it’s promising to see the Government tackling the difficult issues our country faces head on.
For too long social care has been in crisis. It’s time for us to face this issue together, working across party lines and with people in our communities.
I’m very glad to see the Big Conversation on Care being launched, kickstarting this work and setting out a framework for reform.
Have your say in the Big Conversation on Care here: https://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/
Civil Service Pension Scheme
I recently joined PCS, the Civil Service Union, to hear from and show my solidarity for those affected by Capita’s mismanagement of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
After working diligently and paying in for many years, it is simply unacceptable that so many people are unable to access their pensions and that Capita has repeatedly missed the deadlines to resolve these issues.
A number of Luton South and South Bedfordshire constituents have been in touch to raise these issues with me, and I can assure them I am in ongoing contact with Capita and the Government to push for resolution.
The Cabinet Office pensions recovery task force is working to resolve thousands of cases across the country. If you are having issues accessing your Civil Service Pension administered by Capita, please do get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Kensworth Family Fun Day
The sun was shining on the Kensworth Family Fun Day! Live music, the dog show and lots of stalls, activities and food all contributed to a lovely afternoon.
Well done to all the volunteer team who worked really hard to pull everything together!
Thanks also to Sylvia, Secretary of Kensworth Village Hall, for her continued efforts keeping such a great little hub going.
If you’re interested in getting involved as a volunteer, or to possibly hire the hall, more info here: www.kensworthvillagehall.com
Hillsborough Law
I was incredibly proud to vote for the Hillsborough Law this month as it returned to Parliament.
This monumental legislation has been decades in the making, and comes thanks to the dedication and courage of the families and campaigners fighting in memory of the 97 people who lost their lives.
They have created a legacy, changing our country and its institutions so they truly serve ordinary working people.
By introducing a legal duty of candour, new statutory offence of misconduct in public office, and huge expansion of legal aid, this law will ensure that never again can institutions evade accountability and inflict such injustice.
Discussing HMOs on BBC Politics East
I’m very pleased that Luton Council is introducing selective licensing to better regulate HMOs in our town – protecting tenants and ensuring everyone has a safe and secure home.
While some HMOs offer suitable housing solutions, I see and hear firsthand in Luton how many people end up living in substandard conditions and falling through the cracks of regulation.
Thank you to Cllr Alia Khan as portfolio holder for housing for all her work driving this forward.
Watch our discussion on BBC Politics East below.
Love Luton summer reception
Brilliant as always to join Love Luton for their 16th annual summer reception!
We heard from fabulous guest speakers Professor Deborah Johnston MBE, Vice Chancellor of University of Bedfordshire, Cllr Basit Mahmood as portfolio holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth and Gary Sweet, CEO of Luton Town Football Club!
Great to reflect on lots of exciting developments happening for our town this year, coinciding with lots of celebrations to mark 150 years of Luton as a borough, including Proms in the Park on Sunday 13 September!
And as always, there is the annual Love Luton run fest taking place on Sunday 11 October, which you can sign up for now: https://loveluton.org.uk/runfest/
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