Rail Minister’s visit to Luton Train Station
I welcomed the Rail Minister to Luton train station this month. He saw for himself the lack of step free access and the leaking roofs. While I am pleased that he confirmed that Access for All works to install lifts to each platform will be going ahead this year, I will continue calling for further improvements to the station.
Luton DART opening
It was brilliant to be at the official opening of the Luton DART. It will be truly game changing for both passengers and our town, as it will help unlock key economic growth and prosperity to Luton.
The new seamless journey between Luton Parkway rail station and London Luton Airport takes less than 4 minutes. Find out more (including 50% discount for Luton residents): https://lutonrising.org.uk/our-developments/luton-dart/
Opening Luton’s Young Person’s Sanctuary
I was pleased to join Mind BLMK, East London NHS Foundation Trust, and Resolutions Luton to officially open their new Young Person’s Sanctuary.
The hub has been co-produced with young people as a safe space to drop-in between 4-10pm for mental health support. Learn more about this new hub here.
Celebrating the birthday of Shri Guru Ravidass in Luton
It was great to join Shri Guru Ravidass Sikh community earlier this month to celebrate the 646th birthday of Shri Guru Ravidass and the 40 year anniversary of their Gurdwara being established in Luton.
St Patrick’s Day
It was St Patrick’s Day this month. Luton Irish Forum’s yearly parade, with representatives from the counties of Ireland and various community clubs, was excellent – in spite of the rain! I was also pleased to celebrate in Parliament earlier in the week.
Celebrating Naw Ruz New Year in Luton
Members of our Luton Baha’i community also invited me to pop into their New Year, Naw Ruz, celebration. I enjoyed listening to the talk about the Baha’i faith’s focus on unity, particularly of all humankind, and equality.
Speaking in the Budget debate
I spoke in the debate on the Government’s Budget about how it will fail to improve the lives of people living in Luton South. You can watch my video here.
Veterans’ Voice
As Shadow Minister for Veterans, I launched Labour’s Veterans’ Voice. It’s a nationwide listening campaign to hear veterans’ and their families’ lived experiences and shape our plans for the next general election. Watch the campaign launch video.
Supporting the campaign to ban trophy hunting
Many Luton South constituents have written to me about the campaign to ban trophy hunting as the Bill reached its Remaining Stages of the House of Commons in March. I was pleased to support the ban, and you can read my full statement on the Trophy Hunting Bill here.