Research from Common Wealth, Greenpeace and Dale Vince shows that decoupling gas from electricity pricing could cut bills by hundreds of pounds for households and businesses.
I’m pleased that the Chancellor is now actively exploring how to make this happen. (2/2)
the UK’s energy market is fundamentally broken. Gas prices are still setting electricity bills even when much of our power comes from cheaper renewables.
Over 40 Labour MPs have joined me in writing to the Chancellor, calling for an end to this outdated system. (1/2)
This funding will make a real difference by supporting the transformation of their primary venue into a fully accessible, energy-efficient creative hub for deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists, participants and audiences.
Congratulations to everyone involved – I can’t wait to visit soon.
I’m very happy to see that TwoCan Inclusive Theatre Company in Eastington has been awarded £283,169 from the government’s Creative Foundations Fund.
TwoCan is an exceptional charity, providing accessible creative opportunities for disabled people across the area. (1/2)
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The best ways to improve services are:
- Increase investment in buildings, equipment & technology
- Shift care into the community to focus on prevention & public health
- Address the social care crisis to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and poor outcomes
www.ippr.org/articles/bis...
This report makes for interesting reading. Not least because it dramatically demonstrates that the best way to fix the NHS is change the way money is spent and care is delivered, not the funding model. It shows that the UK's system is amongst the most efficient in the world (see graph).
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With 1/3 children leaving primary school overweight or obese, this is long overdue.
This is a strong first step but evidence shows that universal free school meals can lead to a reduction in childhood obesity levels. I'll continue to campaign for the extension of this programme nationwide.
I’m delighted the government is overhauling school food standards.
Unhealthy options will no longer be served daily, deep-fried foods are being banned, and fruit will replace sugar-laden treats as a staple
This is Christina.
She is my 93 year old father-in-law’s amazing carer. She flew back to her native Hungary to vote in today’s election - and get Orban out.
This evening’s news is excellent for democracy and bad news for both Putin and Trump. Christina will be delighted.
It was great to visit recently and meet with CEO & Principal David Withey, and to hear more about the brilliant work being done to support local young people.
Colleges like SGS play a vital role in our communities, helping young people build skills, confidence, and give them opportunities. (2/2)
Really pleased that @sgscollege.bsky.social has been awarded over £2m to help fix and maintain their buildings. They're just one of 175 colleges that are set to benefit as part of a £1.7bn package of investment. (1/2)
The situation is increasingly dangerous, with President Trump threatening actions that clearly amount to war crimes. This is a war between two belligerent leaders and the people of Iran and beyond are the victims.
We must do what we can to de-escalate the situation and stop the war.
The cruel 2 child cap has finally been abolished.
This will lift 450,000 children out of poverty, including 1320 here in Stroud.
Ending the cap is the most cost effective way to tackle poverty and will deliver long term benefits for families and our economy.
This is the right thing to do.
Have just heard that cartoonist Glen Baxter died this week. This cartoon is one of my favourites. Happy Easter.
The Easter Egg Hunt at Lower Chedley was known to be one of the toughest in the whole of Wiltshire.
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As usual, I am grateful to those who work over the holiday period, in shops and hospitality, as well as in our emergency services - thank you.
I hope everyone has a lovely Easter.
I am happy to be at home with my family this weekend.
Easter is the key Christian festival of the year, and I hope that everyone has the opportunity for some peaceful reflection over the next few days.
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Today marks the start of a new financial year and we should begin to feel the benefits of the economic measures taken by this Labour government.
Here are just 5 ways in which we're tackling the cost of living crisis:
Even more impressive is their impact locally. In just a few years, they’ve grown to employ 100 people in the area and are making a real contribution to our community. (2/2)
Great to visit McMurtry Automotive's factory down in Wotton last week.
Huge thank you to Tom and the team for showing me the amazing Spéirling PURE fan car. A genuinely amazing feat of engineering, an electric car that can go from 0-60mph in just 1.55 seconds. (1/2)
Absolutely delighted that Rodborough Fields and Frome Banks Preservation Group have now taken ownership of part of Rodborough Fields.
Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard and donated to make sure this could happen.
There is still more to do - see the website here: rodboroughfields.org.uk
I stand for the values of compassion, care, and community.
Today, thousands will travel to London (including many from Stroud), to show our unity against the politics of hate and division.
March together, for love, for hope, for unity.
Dursley's Dr Tom Sutherland was on Radio 4 this week talking about the increasing demand for young people's mental health services.
We are working on a national strategy to prevent mental illness. We need much faster access to lower level community support.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Since becoming an MP I've launched Comedy on Prescription, Football on Prescription and a new podcast talking about men's health with most of the audience being socially prescribed tickets from local GP practices.
It's a powerful, community-led way to improve wellbeing. #SocialPrescribingDay (2/2)
🥳Today is Social Prescribing Day 🥳For over 30 years I've been championing creative, innovative interventions for patients. Not every problem that I see as a GP can simply be solved with medicine alone. People need social connection, creativity, activity, community - not just a prescription (1/2)
These are great first steps but we need to go further in safeguarding our democracy.
Personally, I'd like to see a complete overhaul of the way our elections are financed but in the short term - donations from citizens residing both at home and abroad should be capped. (2/2)
I welcome the findings of the independent Rycroft Review and the swift action taken by our government that will make elections safer and fairer.
Cryptocurrency donations will be banned and British citizens abroad will face an annual cap on their donations. (1/2)
I'm glad that the government is funding replacements meaning that the life-saving work can continue, despite this unacceptable attack. (2/2)
Shocked and deeply saddened by the arson attacks on four Hatzola ambulances in London last night, which appears to be an antisemitic attack. Hatzola is a volunteer-led charity providing lifesaving emergency care to thousands of people every year, free of charge and for all communities. (1/2)
With £28.4m secured for Gloucestershire’s Bus Improvement Plan, we must ensure it reaches the communities that need it most. I’ve asked the Council and Stagecoach to meet and work together to restore vital local connections. (2/2)
I’ve written to Gloucestershire County Council calling for urgent action on local bus services. Residents in Berkeley, Sharpness and across the Severn Vale are facing unreliable, infrequent routes leaving many cut off from work, school and healthcare. (1/2)