Welcome to me September update, here’s a snapshot of how I have been representing Luton South & South Bedfordshire this month.
Prime Minister’s Questions
The Conservatives oversaw a decade of broken promises to passengers using Luton Station, with a decade of waiting for accessibility improvements – Access for All funding was initially awarded in 2014,
This month, I asked the Prime Minister about Labour’s ambitious plans to renationalise our railways, and how this will deliver improvements to rail infrastructure at Luton Station. I was pleased to hear him recognise the need for faster and more effective decisions on critical infrastructure, which are so vital to ensuring that people that use Luton Station get the service they deserve.
I continue to raise accessibility and infrastructure improvements at Luton Station to ensure it is on the new Labour Government’s agenda.
Visiting Whipsnade Zoo
I visited Whipsnade Zoo to learn more about their vital conservation work, including their work to preserve extinct in the wild species. Fascinating to hear from Lucy about how they are breeding extinct in the wild freshwater fish.
It was an amazing experience feeding giraffes Wilfred and Luna, and meeting calves Timba and Myra.
It’s great to hear about their work with local schools, alongside their Community Access Scheme, where individuals and community groups can access affordable tickets.
Find out more here.
Marking the ongoing crisis in Gaza & the West Bank
I attended an important parliamentary reception this month, jointly hosted by CAABU, Action for Humanity and Fair Square, to mark the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.
Powerful speeches from the Palestinian Ambassador, Husam Zolmot, Action for Humanity CEO Othman Moqbel, human rights lawyer Dalia Qumsieh, and Mays Nassar underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire and to get more aid into Gaza.
Decarbonising the Automotive Industry
Labour’s commitment to decarbonising Britain’s automotive industry is vital for securing the sector’s future and safeguarding high-quality jobs at Luton’s Vauxhall plant. I raised this in Parliament, and was pleased to hear that the Government is engaging with Stellantis and the plant’s owner, to support them in decarbonisation.
I was also pleased to have one of my regular meetings with Unite Vauxhall conveners, where we discussed a range of issues relating to the automotive sector. I will continue to stand up for skilled manufacturing jobs in Luton South & South Bedfordshire.
Annual Milad 2024
It was an honour to join Jamia Islamia Ghousia Trust for their 41st Annual Milad Un Nabi SAW Conference, which celebrates the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. I was pleased to speak alongside Sarah Owen MP, PCC John Tizard, and others.
It was also a pleasure to welcome the new Deputy High Commissioner for Pakistan on his first visit to Luton.
The Darzi Report on the NHS
The Lord Darzi report into the NHS was published this month, revealing it’s in “critical condition.” The report found the NHS has struggled with timely patient treatment for nearly a decade, with soaring mental health and community service waiting lists and lagging cancer survival rates.
In my question, I highlighted the impact of 14 years of Conservative cuts on public health, emphasising that prevention is better than cure. I am pleased to see local government and community perspectives will be central to the Labour Government’s approach moving forward.
Labour’s new era for education
With a new school term, comes a new era for education. In my September Luton News article, I wrote about Labour’s plan for comprehensive reform of our education system, from early years upwards. Read my article here.
It was a pleasure to take part in Revoluton Arts‘ #PublicTrust installation. The installation by American artist, Paul Ramírez Jonas, gave us an opportunity to make our own promises. where people could make pledges not just to Luton but to ourselves. I pledged to serve my community.
Find out more about the installation here: https://www.revolutonarts.com/events/event/public-trust/
New Affordable, Social and Council Homes
Our Labour Government will prioritise building new social rented homes, alongside protecting existing stock, to ensure secure, quality homes for everyone.
Earlier this month, the Government announced it had already started reviewing the increased Right to Buy discounts introduced under the Tories, with changes due to be implemented in Autumn. On top of this, Labour has given councils more flexibility to use Right to Buy receipts to build and buy more homes. You can watch and share my my question on Facebook and X.
