Welcome to my April update. I hope everyone celebrating enjoyed a lovely Easter and joyous Eid. Here’s a snapshot of how I have been representing Luton South this month.
Football Governance Bill
The Government finally introduced the Football Governance Bill this month. As the Member of Parliament for Luton South, home to our Premier League football club, I’ve met with Luton Town FC and its CEO Gary Sweet to discuss the bill, alongside Luton Town Supporters’ Trust and Loyal Luton – because ultimately football is about the fans.
I was pleased to speak in the Bill’s Second Reading, where I touched on why this Bill is so important, sharing past experiences of Luton Town FC fans under the club’s previous ownership – from ‘Manager Idol’ to threats to change the club name. We Lutonians sadly know the ugly side of the beautiful game better than most.
The Football Governance Bill must serve fan interests and protect the sustainability of English Football.
You can read my full speech here.
Pressing the Government on GP numbers in Luton
14 years of underfunding has left GPs overstretched and overworked. And it means the number of patients per GP is nearly 25% higher in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes than the national average.
Constituents regularly contact me as they have been unable to speak to their GP or access an appointment, with some patients being forced to wait weeks for urgent appointments.
This month in Parliament, I pressed the Minister on growing the GP workforce and the Government’s plans to cut the proportion of doctors who are GPs. Following this, I have also written to the Minister raising this important issue, read my letter here.
Joining Eid celebrations in St George’s Square
It was lovely to attend 1Eid festival in St George’s Square alongside the Mayor, Cllr Yaqub Hanif, and his fellow Central ward Councillor Cllr Fatima Begum. It was great to see families celebrating in our town centre, enjoying excellent food and fun rides! I hope everyone celebrating had a wonderful Eid.
Famine in Gaza
In Gaza, Oxfam projects 1.1 million people will face catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Children are starving. In Parliament this month, I pressed the Government again on what it is doing to ensure aid gets into Gaza. Watch my video here.
Speaking up for families stuck in temporary accommodation
As the housing crisis worsens, over a thousand families in Luton South are stuck in temporary accommodation with wait times as high as 9 years.
Under the Conservatives, nationally temporary accommodation numbers have increased by 119% since 2010. The Government’s failure to tackle the housing crisis has left families in Luton to suffer.
Biscot Wellbeing Hub
I had a lovely time at Biscot Peace and Wellbeing Hub’s Spring Festival, featuring children’s performances, local community group stalls, and games.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the Peace Forge in action as part of the project to repurpose knives from police amnesty bins into garden tools.
The Biscot Wellbeing Hub is a great collaboration between St Andrew’s Church Luton, the GP practice and Dr Tahir Mehmood, local council and voluntary sector services, and Cllr Tahmina Saleem who has been vital to helping bring people together.
APPG for Sixth Form Education
I was pleased to be re-elected chair of the APPG for Sixth Form Education. I’m proud to champion sixth form education and sixth form students, pressing for the best education and opportunities for young people in Luton South and across the country.
Contaminated Blood Scandal
Two victims of the contaminated blood scandal are dying every week. In Parliament, I presented a petition to the Government on behalf of those affected by the scandal in Luton South and across the UK.
Justice delayed, is justice denied. The government must promptly implement the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Find out more about the Infected Blood Inquiry here.
Supporting Luton Roma Trust
Earlier this month, I joined Luton Roma Trust and partner organisations for an important conference on ‘Empowering the Roma in Luton’.
We discussed challenges facing the Roma community in Luton, and their ‘Talk, Listen Change’ report on access to healthcare services, co-produced with University of Bedfordshire. You can read more here.
The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission
This month, I had the privilege of responding to questions on behalf of the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission.
Ensuring public confidence in the UK’s electoral system is hugely important.
Watch the session here and find out more on the role of SCEC here.
My Luton News article & pressing the government on the date of the General Election
Finally, the Prime Minister has said he will hold a general election in June or July if his party does well at the locals in May. The Tories are once again putting their own interests above the good of the country. Watch me press the Government on this here.
Read my latest article ‘Luton and Bedfordshire deserve a change in government’ here.
