Come Join Me for a Coffee and a Chat! If you live in the St Briavels or Brockweir area, come grab coffee and have a chat with me! I’m hosting a drop-in Coffee Morning on Friday 31st October, 10:00am–12:00pm, and I want to hear what matters most to you — both locally and nationally. Sign up here: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.co.uk%2Fe%2Fcoffee-morning-with-matt-tickets-1856855888949%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator%26utm-source%3Dwsa%26utm-campaign%3Dsocia

A lot of people ask, “Why vote Labour?” Here’s why… With a Labour Government, Schools Succeed! The Forest of Dean will not be forgotten under Labour. The Secretary of State for Education, the Schools Minister, and I all share a strong belief in the education on offer here in the Forest. We’ve seen the progress—and you’ve felt it. Now, let’s realise our full potential. With Labour on their side, no child is left behind. Here’s what our local secondary schools and further educa

It was fantastic to meet Julie Doyle, CEO of Amplius, and the brilliant team from Harry's Pals Charity and Harry’s Pledge at Portcullis House in Westminster yesterday. I’m really proud to be working with them to set up a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to campaign for free counselling for parents who receive the devastating news that their child has a life-threatening or severely life-limiting condition. Every parent deserves support, compassion and understanding at

The new V-Levels will open doors to practical, career-focused learning from engineering and digital design to creative industries and more. I’ve heard from young people and employers about the need for education that prioritises skill development and real opportunities into work. I’m pleased that this new qualification will help bridge the gap between young people eager to enter the workforce and businesses needing skilled workers. I’ll be in discussions with education provid

A huge step forward in protecting children and mothers from abuse. This morning, I stood outside Parliament with fellow MPs who have campaigned tirelessly to protect vulnerable children, and I am proud see the government listen to the brave voices of victims who have come forward to make this vital change happen. We joined members of the public who have been instrumental in championing important changes to the Victims and Courts Bill. Under the new amendments, anyone convicte

I have co-signed a letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in support of the Its Never You campaign for Hugh’s Law. This campaign goes to the heart of what our welfare state must provide: a safety net families can rely on when the worst happens. Currently, there is no bespoke provision for families facing long term or life-threatening childhood illness. We are putting that right! This is a landmark moment and a significant step forward in delivering vital pare

Great to catch up with so many of you at my recent Coffee Morning in Newent! We all sat down together to talk about what matters most locally and share ideas on how we can keep making progress. These relaxed drop-in Coffee Mornings are a brilliant way for me to have proper chats with you, hear your thoughts, and work together on local priorities.  Keep an eye out for future dates—we’re working hard to make them even easier for everyone to get involved and attend. Thanks to ev

If someone you know needs an extra helping hand when it comes to getting online, please encourage them to make the most of the workshops and support available next week! These sessions will: Provide access to digital tools and resources to support day-to-day living. Give the confidence and skillset needed to be online and not be left behind in a digital world. Bridge barriers that prevent digital inclusion. Please do share this with your friends, family and individuals that y

I’m really pleased to share that, after working closely with government departments, I was able to secure a £30,000 reimbursement for one of our most vulnerable constituents. A big thank you to Dosh, who reached out to my office on behalf of the individual they support with money management. These are real successes for real people here in the Forest of Dean, and my team and I are working hard every day to deliver results like these. If you or someone you know needs my suppor

Four years ago today, we lost Sir David Amess — a kind, compassionate man who dedicated his life to helping others. His warmth, humour, and sense of duty touched everyone who knew him, and his loss is still deeply felt across Parliament and beyond. There can be no place for violence, hatred, or intimidation in our politics. Sir David’s legacy reminds us of the importance of kindness, respect, and safety in public life — values we must all continue to uphold. We remember him w

I’ve co-signed this letter to the Chancellor to highlight just how important the hospitality sector is — both nationally and here in the Forest of Dean. Our local pubs, cafés, restaurants, and B&Bs are more than just businesses. They provide jobs and apprenticeships, support local suppliers, and offer spaces for people to come together. Like many sectors, hospitality has faced real challenges in recent years, from rising costs to staff shortages, but it remains one of the UK’

The Labour Government is bringing back family services to our communities, with £221,184 of investment for Gloucestershire. Supporting families is at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, and I’m so pleased that this funding will help families across the county. This builds on the fantastic legacy of the last Labour Government’s Sure Start programme, which transformed support for parents and gave thousands of children the best possible start in life. The new Best Start Hubs

I’m pleased to share that Dean Heritage Centre has been awarded £58,285 in Government funding — support I’ve been pleased to help secure with my colleagues in Government. This funding will help the museum continue its fantastic work preserving and celebrating the Forest of Dean’s rich heritage, improving visitor experiences and developing new ways to share local stories. Dean Heritage Centre is a much-loved part of our community — many of us have fond memories of visiting, an

I recently visited Chronos Technology Ltd in Lydbrook and met with Charles and the team to learn about the work they’re doing in defence...

This week, I join families, charities, and campaigners across the UK in marking Baby Loss Awareness Week (9–15 October) — a time to...

In september, I attended The Labour Party  Conference in Liverpool. It was inspiring to be with colleagues, campaigners, trade unionists...

I recently met with Natalie and Joanne from Forest Sensory Services (FSS)  at Fox’s Bridge to talk about the brilliant work they’re doing...

Some issues rise above politics. They’re not about party lines, political point scoring, or personal benefit – they’re about doing what...

This morning’s horrifying attack in Manchester — outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur — is a devastating reminder of the scourge of...

I’m pleased to launch this year’s Christmas Card Competition! The theme is: “An Adventure Christmas in the Forest of Dean” From steam...