MP SEND Event Parent carers, educators, and SEND professionals are invited to my third SEND Event, this time bringing parent carers together with educators, support services and professionals to drive meaningful, practical improvements that matter. The evening will include professionals offering support for parent carers, alongside updates from me on government progress and a continued commitment to provide tangible support and improvements. 26th February 6pm–8pm Central Fore

Great opportunity for young people! National Grid is offering a range of paid apprenticeships across engineering, business, digital and more, with on-the-job training and recognised qualifications. If you or someone you know is looking to build a long-term career in the energy sector, this could be a great opportunity. Find out more and apply here https://jobs.nationalgrid.com/.../early.../apprenticeships

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is consulting on its new Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2026–2030 and wants to hear from local people. This plan sets out how GFRS will identify and manage risks in our communities over the next four years – including fire cover, flooding and wildfires, learning from major national incidents, improving culture within the Service, and making sure resources are used effectively. Your views will help shape how the Service operat

Happy New Year to everyone across the Forest of Dean! As we begin this new year, I’d like to share some of my priorities and what I’ll be working on for the Forest of Dean in the months ahead. You can read my article here: https://www.theforester.co.uk/.../the-view-from ... I am committed to serving the Forest of Dean on the issues that matter most to you, and to making sure our voice is heard in Westminster. I am wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

Just before they broke up for Christmas, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with some sixth form students from Dene Magna. It was brilliant to talk with them about exciting projects ahead and get a real feel for what matters most to them, and to young people more broadly. Visiting schools and engaging with students of all ages is really important to me, and I’m committed to ensuring this only increases as we head into 2026. Thank you to all the staff and students for taki

I would like to wish everyone across the Forest of Dean, and beyond, a very Merry Christmas. I am sending my best wishes for a happy Christmas and a good year ahead. The Forest of Dean’s strength has always been its people, and that’s never clearer than during this festive season. Thinking of you all during this special time—Merry Christmas!

Pleased to celebrate the delivery of 37 new affordable homes in the Forest of Dean. The government is committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes and projects like these show what can be achieved when partners work together to meet local housing needs. These developments will provide much-needed affordable homes for local people, available to rent or through Shared Ownership. This is a strong example of how thoughtful development can support thriving, sustainable communitie

It’s been a week since the team at Lydney Boxing Club put on their annual boxing show. Some of our office were lucky enough to attend and, once again, Bryan, and the team delivered an impressive evening, packed with talent. Lydney Boxing Club plays an important role for many young people across the Forest of Dean, and Bryan and the team continue to develop real, up-and-coming talent that we’re proud to support. I’ll continue working with Bryan and the club to help ensure thei

Last night, Five Acres hosted their Christmas Carol Service at Coleford Baptist Church, and I was grateful to be invited. The evening brought together voices from across our community, with traditional carols, brilliant performances and a real celebration of the Forest of Dean during this festive season. For me, the highlight of the evening was how clearly it reflected what makes the Forest of Dean so unique—our community spirit! Thank you to the Five Acres Leadership Board f

Last night I hosted my ‘Mince pies with Matt’ evening, and it was fantastic to welcome so many of you to come and have a chat with me. I met a wide range of people, including veterans, police officers, landlords, and residents, who were concerned about various topics such as SME challenges, illegal parking, planning concerns, fundraising and support for veterans, as well as speed limits and assistance for local businesses. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come along

I am excited to announce that the Winner and Runners-up for my Christmas Card Competition this year are… Winner: WILLOUGHBY from Huntley C of E Primary School Runners-up: RHYS from Heart of the Forest Community Special School , & RONNIE from Coalway Junior School   Congratulations to our fantastic winner and runners-up! Their designs are fantastic—creative, colourful and full of Christmas spirit. These designs will be seen across the forest, the country and in Parliament! I w

This week I held a constituency surgery in Newent at Three Shires Garden Centre It was brilliant to chat with customers and staff, and to discuss the topics and issues affecting constituents across the Forest of Dean. I’m keen to meet as many of you as possible—and that includes going to the places you are. A big thank you to the staff at Three Shires Garden Centre for being so welcoming and for making it easy to connect with even more constituents. Next week is my ‘Mince Pie

I am pleased to announce that the Forest Voluntary Action Forum - FVAF  alongside partners of the DIGI Partnership (Digital Inclusion Gloucestershire Imitative) will receive significant funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund. FVAF supports hundreds of local voluntary and community organisations, helping them deliver vital work across the district. Their Digi@Home project tackles digital exclusion by offering free

An extra £14,460,492 will be invested in Gloucestershire’s buses! Ensuring that people in the Forest of Dean who rely on our bus services see meaningful improvements. This Labour Government is supporting every community to take back control of their buses and providing fair funding to make it happen. Routes improved Improved access to jobs, schools and town centres Passenger needs put first It’s vital that the Forest of Dean gets the funding it deserves so that the people

My team and I, alongside SENDIASS, are holding more advice sessions next week, with a couple of 1:1 slots available for parent carers, families or individuals looking for support, guidance, and advice. Teaming up with SENDIASS this year has meant that so many of you across the Forest of Dean have received the support you needed, and we’re committed to continuing that. Please see the details below: Date: Thursday 18th December Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm Where: Coleford If you would

Today, I visited the M48 Severn Bridge to hold urgent talks with National Highways, following this week’s public meeting on roads and transport across the Forest of Dean. The immediate closure of the Prince of Wales Bridge on 9th December highlighted the issues I heard at the public meeting, reinforcing the need for further infrastructure such as a third crossing. On Monday, I heard first-hand how congestion, weight limits, the removal of the bridge toll, and closures are aff

Thank you to everyone who attended my public meeting last night to discuss roads and transport across the Forest of Dean. I was pleased to welcome representatives from Gloucestershire County Council, including the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & Strategic Highways, the Highways Managers for both the Forest of Dean and West Gloucestershire, and a representative from Street Works. Highways England and the Cabinet Member for Highways at Gloucestershire County Council

Every week, I publish a column in The Forester and the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review. This week, I discuss the Budget and what it means for people in the Forest of Dean. Have a read here   https://www.theforester.co.uk/.../the-view-from ... I’m committed to keeping all residents, from every part of our community, up to date on the work I’m doing as your MP. Look out each week for my published column, where I share updates on upcoming events, projects I’m working on, an

Today, as part of the 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence, I was grateful to visit Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC). GRASAC offers free, confidential and non-judgemental support for anyone affected by rape or sexual violence. The amazing team there help survivors, as well as their family members, cope with the immediate and long-term impacts of sexual violence and take steps toward healing and recovery. Providing emotional and practical suppor

Thank you to all the pupils and children across the Forest of Dean who have entered my 2025 Christmas Card Competition! There have been so many fantastic entries, and I’ve loved seeing the imagination and creativity from children across our communities. I’ll now begin the difficult task of choosing a winner and notify you all of the winner very soon. Good luck to everyone who took part!