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

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

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

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...

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...

I want to hear from you about the issues that matter most to our communities in the Forest of Dean. Take a few minutes to fill out this...

My team of caseworkers and I have worked alongside Newport Bus Company to secure an improved Bus 72 route for constituents across the...

What a momentous day for English sport! A huge congratulations to England Women for winning the Rugby World Cup — what a performance. I...

I recently met Adam and Tina at Leeways Packaging Services Ltd , a local packing solutions business employing nearly 150 people here in...

The Roost & The Cowshed Cottage have BOTH won the Visit England ROSE Award 2025! These businesses represent the excellent hospitality on...

Another Day, Another Set of Roadworks… and Another Letter. For the second time in two days, I've had to write to Gloucestershire County...

I've written to Gloucestershire County Council  about the traffic chaos in Coleford caused by temporary lights at the Gloucester Road /...

This is not a party political or even general political post, but something my team and I are participating in to help raise vital funds...

Supporting families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is a top priority for me. My casework team, in partnership...

Next Thursday, 25th September, I’ll be holding a Coffee Morning in Newent. It’s a chance to drop in, have a chat with me and my casework...