On Sunday, I joined the panel on Politics West to discuss some of the big issues affecting our communities, including: School responses to extreme heat. Supporting farmers in the Forest of Dean and across the country. The future of our country and communities with new leadership. These conversations matter because they affect all of us. Take a few minutes to watch some of the highlights below 👇

The works along the A40 have already caused huge upheaval and massive congestion for people in the Forest of Dean. For many of you, these closures will have affected, and will continue to affect, your journeys to work, access to healthcare appointments, school runs, local businesses’ operations, and everyday life. I fully understand and share your frustrations. What Forest of Dean residents are being forced to endure is not good enough. These repairs are essential to keep

I'm proud to be #MadeInStateSchool. This Social Mobility Day, I'm joining the 93% Club's #MadeInStateSchool campaign to celebrate the experiences, opportunities, challenges and people that have shaped my journey. Like 93% of people in the UK, I went to a state school, Lliswerry High School, and it shaped the person I am today. Despite the challenges our school community faced, the teachers created an environment where we felt supported and encouraged. They gave us far more th

A huge thank you to everyone who has signed the petition so far! Let's keep the momentum going. Please feel free to share and display the attached poster—it's fantastic to see so many businesses across Cinderford and the surrounding area already showing their support. I spent time in Cinderford this week speaking with parents, students and local residents, and the message was clear: we must do everything we can to protect the future of Forest High School. Please continue to s

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National Fish & Chip Day is coming up on 5th June, and I’m launching a competition to find the very best fish & chip shop in the Forest of Dean! Our local chippies are at the heart of our communities — serving great food, supporting local jobs, and bringing people together week after week. So now it’s over to you! Nominate your favourite chip shop for the chance to win the title of “Best Fish & Chips in the Forest of Dean” this National Fish & Chip Day. Whether it’s for the c

It was great to visit Restorative Gloucestershire this week and meet Julie and the team to hear more about the incredible work they are doing to support victims across Gloucestershire. Restorative Justice gives victims the opportunity to explain to offenders the real impact of their crime, ask questions, and have their voices heard. It also helps offenders understand the consequences of their actions, take responsibility, and make amends. Restorative Mediation similarly gives

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the emergency ambulance call centre in Bristol and see firsthand the incredible work being done there. Spending time alongside staff, listening to live calls and experiencing the pace and pressure of the job was eye-opening. It’s an incredibly fast-moving, high-pressure environment where decisions are made in seconds and every moment counts. Sitting with the team gave me a real hands-on understanding of the challenges they face every

5,232 renters in the Forest of Dean are getting more rights today! • No more bidding wars. It will be illegal to request, encourage or accept offers above the set price. • Landlords will not be able to ask for more than one month’s rent upfront. • No more “no-fault” evictions. All evictions will require valid grounds. • An end to fixed-term tenancies. All tenancies will default to being a monthly rolling contract. • More rights for your pets. Landlords must consider pet reque

I recently visited Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service ( GDASS ) and had the opportunity to spend time with Heather and Tessa, hearing more about their incredible work. They, along with the wider team, do truly essential work supporting victims who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic abuse. Across the Forest of Dean, they provide not just practical help and advice, but also understanding, reassurance, and a vital source of support at incredibly difficul

It was brilliant to welcome Hartpury University and Hartpury College to Parliament this week for an inspiring event on women in sport. I was proud to sponsor this important discussion, which brought together voices from across sport, politics, and the wider sector. The focus was on how we can do more to create equal opportunities for women, from driving investment to raising the profile of women’s sport. It was especially powerful to hear Zoe Stratford and Sam Monaghan share

On Thursday, I was pleased to host my third SEND event here in the Forest of Dean, bringing together parent carers, families, charities, local organisations and professionals to discuss the Government’s proposed SEND reforms. It was really valuable to hear lived experiences directly from families, alongside those working to support them every day. Concerns raised included access to services, mental health support, part-time timetables, and the need for clearer communication a

Last week I launched a Mock Parliament, bringing together students from all six of our secondary schools. It was fantastic to see young people exploring how Parliament works, debating topics they care about—from AI to climate change—and building confidence to use their voice. We were also joined by the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip), who held a Q&A with students and explained the role of a whip in government. This was the fir

Following recent correspondence from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Chris Nelson, I, Alex McIntyre for Gloucester , and Simon Opher for Stroud have responded in a joint letter, set out in full below. That correspondence related to proposals for increased police precept flexibility—which would be funded through higher council tax—and a one-off Home Office grant for IT systems. At a time when residents across Gloucestershire continue to face cost-of-living pressures, we do

This morning, I attended a really important meeting to discuss the reality of the hospitality sector in the Forest of Dean and beyond. Alongside Phil at The Farmer's Boy Inn , I met with Wayne Childes from The King’s Arms, Newent; Wayne Edge from Flamin Edges at The Yew Tree , Longhope; Mark Terry-Lush from the Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourism Board; and Jonathan Lane, the District Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy. The hospitality sector plays a vital role in commu

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

UK Parliament Week is just around the corner! I’m encouraging all our local schools to get involved in UK Parliament Week 2025 (24th–30th November). This is a great opportunity to access a wealth of resources that help young people understand what Parliament does and how they can make their voices heard. Last year, Forest of Dean schools engaged brilliantly—we were the top constituency in the South West and ranked among the top 25 in the whole country! This year, we’re alread

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...