Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy - Rachel Hopkins MP for Luton South & South Bedfordshire

The Conservative Government’s National Insurance hike will force many into financial hardship

Rachel Hopkins MP has called on the Conservative Government to cancel its planned National Insurance hike in April to prevent families from facing further financial hardship. The Conservative Government will intensify the cost of living crisis by implementing its planned National Insurance hike. Increasing National Insurance by 1.25% will cost families an…

Energy Bill Crisis

Rachel Hopkins MP’s speech in Energy Bill debate Unfortunately, I was not selected to speak in Labour’s Opposition Day debate titled Value Added Tax on household energy bills. Read the speech I planned to deliver below. — Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Soaring energy costs will mount huge pressure on households in Luton South, with ordinary people paying the price of a decade of…

Rachel Hopkins MP Criticises Failure of Government’s Kickstart Scheme

East of England misses out on 9,898 jobs for young people under failed Tory job scheme Kickstart, the government’s flagship employment support scheme for young people, has failed to support as many job seekers in the East of England as was promised. The latest figures on the performance of the programme show that by December 2021, only 8,010 had…

Luton South Small Business Awards 2021 Winners

I was delighted to support Small Business Saturday through my first Luton South Small Business Awards. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we’re so lucky to have such a great range across Luton South who supported our community throughout the pandemic. Do shop local and support Luton…

Labour’s Green Housing Plan

The cost of living crisis is hitting families in Luton South hard. With increasing energy bills, food costs, and regressive taxes, people have never needed a green housing retrofit programme more. The Labour Party‘s home insulation and zero-carbon heating plan would improve the UK’s energy security, create jobs and reduce…

Housing Climate Standards

The cost of living crisis is hitting families in Luton South hard. With increasing energy bills, food costs, and regressive taxes, people have never needed a green housing retrofit programme more. The Labour Party‘s home insulation and zero-carbon heating plan would improve the UK’s energy security, create jobs and reduce…

One Week Left To Nominate Your Favourite Local Business

The first batch of certificates have been posted out to nominees for my #LutonSouthSBA2021. You can nominate your favourite local business using the link below. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GIAKNO/

Luton South Small Business Awards

Luton South Small Business Awards I am delighted to launch my first Luton South Small Business Awards, where I want to hear from you about which small businesses in Luton South you think deserve special recognition. Small businesses are at the heart of our community, and during the pandemic we all relied on them. Now is the time to recognise and celebrate…

Supporting the Bill to End Fire & Rehire

Stop Fire and Rehire Bill While fire and rehire is not new, it has gained prominence during the pandemic as a result of high-profile businesses, such as British Airways, Heathrow Airport and British Gas, using the pandemic as an excuse to force lower wages and longer hours on their workforce.…

Access to Cash Debate

With personal debt rising, protecting #AccessToCash is critical to helping people manage their money. In Luton South, free-to-use ATMs have reduced by 30% in 3 years, disadvantaging our most vulnerable. If Government doesn’t prevent ‘cash deserts’, communities will suffer.

Rachel Hopkins MP Calls For Business Rate Reform

Labour forces vote on cutting business rates, as new figures show over 300,000 businesses at risk across the country   Labour MP Rachel Hopkins MP will today urge the government to cut business rates and support struggling businesses in Luton South. It comes as Rachel Hopkins MP also revealed new figures, based on…

Jobs at Risk at Vauxhall

Yesterday I wrote to Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, about the jobs at risk at Luton’s Vauxhall plant due to supply chain issues. Job losses will exacerbate the economic impact of the pandemic. The Government must step up to support workers, not step…

Visiting Luton’s Pubs

During the pandemic, I consistently called for greater support for the hospitality industry. Today I’ve been visiting some of our excellent pubs in Luton South. It was good to meet with Cherrie & Connor from the Castle Live, Paulette from the Chequers, and catch up with Alison at my local…

Supporting Local Businesses In Bury Park

This afternoon, I visited businesses in Bury Park with some of the Dallow and Biscot ward councillors. Lots of people are shopping local and businesses are recovering well. We need to support independent businesses to help our local community thrive. https://www.facebook.com/RachelHopkinsMP/posts/573231767378846

Protect British Steel

Protecting our steel industry is vital for our national interest and for building a more equal society. I wasn’t called to speak in yesterday’s debate to safeguard our steel industry but here is the speech I was going to give. “Steel is a critical industry for our economy and national…

Support for Pubs

As a member of the APPG on Pubs, I share your concerns about the financial sustainability of pubs. I agree that pubs are at the heart of our local communities and are vital social and community hubs for so many people. They make an important contribution to the UK economy…