I was deeply concerned to hear about her detention in Israel alongside fellow MP Abtisam Mohamed, and wholeheartedly agree with the Foreign Secretary that it is unacceptable, counterproductive, and absolutely no way to treat British Parliamentarians.
As a friend and neighbour, I know that Yuan Yang is a dedicated representative working tirelessly for our communities in Reading.
Please see National highways web page for full details and diversion routes: nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/so...
This follows the bridge repairs at J12 of the M4 at Theale which this weekend necessitated a full closure on the east side of the junction.
I understand that the IKEA carpark will not open tomorrow and I advise people to follow guidance from National Highways: South-East before making a journey.
I've been in touch with IKEA, West Berkshire Council and National Highways today following significant congestion at the IKEA Calcot Retail Park. All agencies are responding as swiftly as possible to prevent any further issues tomorrow.
If, like me, you think we need to protect clubs from rogue owners and put fans back at the heart of football - then please sign my petition at: oliviabailey.co.uk/back-the-foo... (4/4)
However, we need to make sure that this sort of thing can’t happen again. This Government's Football Governance Bill plans to establish an independent football regulator, and bring in a new set of rules to empower fans and keep clubs at pride of place in their communities. (3/4)
Whilst we’ve seen similar talks fall through in the past, I remain cautiously optimistic that the club will succeed in finding new owners - and that this will be the first step in the long road back to where Reading belongs. (2/4)
I welcome the news from Reading FC that they have entered into a period of exclusivity with a potential buyer. 🧵(1/4)
We can protect the beautiful countryside I’m proud to represent, while also building the affordable housing we need to ensure the sustainability of our villages for generations to come (5/6)
We need councils to match the government’s ambition when it comes to these areas, supporting the use of rural exception sites and community-led programmes to build small-scale developments for local people (4/6)
Without affordable housing, young families in rural communities are often priced out of the places in which they grew up – taking students from classrooms, punters from pubs and volunteers from local services (3/6)
We need to build more homes, but the specific housing needs of rural communities like the villages in my constituency are often missing from the conversation. (2/6)
I was delighted to lead my first Westminster Hall debate this afternoon, on the topic of affordable rural housing – an issue vital for many of my constituents 🧵 (1/6)
The Prime Minister also spoke about the British jobs that will be boosted by this announcement, and this is particularly welcome in Reading West and Mid Berkshire where the defence sector is such a big employer. (5/5)
We will continue to make the world a safer and more prosperous place by deterring and preventing conflict and targeting our aid more effectively. (4/5)
To pay for this, the government has had to make a difficult choice in reducing Overseas Development Assistance and reinvesting it in defence. This reflects the need to respond to the evolving nature of the threats we face as a country while maintaining economic stability. (3/5)
As the PM outlined, this is the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, and is necessary as the UK faces an era of profound change, intensifying geopolitical competition and conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home. (2/5)
I have just listened to the Prime Minister announce his commitment to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament. This is a momentous day for our country and our national security. (1/5)
There's obviously still work to be done as we fix our NHS, but this - and last week's news that waiting lists have fallen 4 months in a row - is strong evidence that our health service is firmly on the road to recovery.
I'm delighted by today's news that we've already delivered the 2 million extra NHS appointments we promised - 7 months early!
Watch my speech here: fb.watch/xL3fKkoTs6/
(5/5)
My story is just one of many, but I hope that it will go some way to give young people in Reading West and Mid Berkshire the confidence to be themselves and keep striving for progress. (4/5)
One of the reasons I wanted to be an MP was because I’ve seen how personally how politics can transform lives, and it was an honour and a privilege to pay tribute to the LGBT+ people throughout history who have fought for our rights - while also acknowledging the work we have yet to do. (3/5)
As a teenager, I would have never thought I’d be standing in the Commons chamber as a proud lesbian MP, celebrating all the progress we have made as a country. (2/5)
I’ve spoken in the House of Commons many times since I became an MP, but yesterday was a particularly special occasion as we marked LGBT+ History Month. (1/5)
We need action not rhetoric to secure our borders. I have written for @labourlist.bsky.social on how this Labour government is delivering just that.
This Labour government are delivering on our promise to put more money in people's pockets.
This week we've confirmed significant increases to the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage from April, set to boost pay packets by as much as £2500 a year.
It was brilliant to see many of those firms at the ADS reception in Parliament today and meet Paul and Heather - two constituents who have benefited from the fantastic apprenticeships offered at QinetiQ and NCC Group. (2/2)
