Welcome to my October update. This is a snippet of what I have been up to this month to represent the people of Luton South & South Bedfordshire, both in Westminster and here in the constituency.

The Budget

This week, the Chancellor delivered the first Labour Budget in fourteen years! There were many announcements including investment in our NHS, education, housing, a green industrial strategy and much more.

Most importantly, the Budget reaffirmed this Labour Government’s commitment to fix the foundations of our country and deliver change by fixing the NHS and rebuilding Britain, while ensuring working people don’t face higher taxes in their payslips.

You can read more on what has been announced below and view the Budget in full here. 

Launching my fourth annual Small Business Awards!

I have officially launched this year’s Luton South & South Bedfordshire Small Business Awards.

Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and play a vital role in our communities. You can read more about the awards in my Luton News article here.

I want all our small businesses across Luton South and South Bedfordshire to be celebrated, so get involved and support your favourite local small business by nominating them for an award!

Check out this year’s new categories and how to nominate your favourite local small business below. Please also like and share on Facebook and X.

Meeting FBU reps in Parliament

It was great to meet with Darren, Jamie, Craig and Rebecca from the Bedfordshire FBU this month along with my fellow MPs from across the county.

As part of the wider FBU rally day in Westminster, we discussed the needs of the fire service, national standards and how we can work together to ensure the New Deal for Working People delivers for our public sector workers.

I was also very interested to hear about issues impacting them at a local level and look forward to continuing to work together.

Renters Rights Bill

I was pleased to be able to speak in support of the Government’s Renters Rights Bill in Parliament this month. This legislation will see the largest package of reforms to the private rented sector in over 40 years.

I know that many private renters in Luton South and South Bedfordshire do not currently have the safety and security they deserve in their homes. Labour will overhaul the sector completely, banning harmful Section 21 notices, ending rental discrimination, ensuring a legal standard for property conditions and giving local authorities greater enforcement powers to tackle unscrupulous landlords.

You can watch my speech in full below.

LoveLuton Run Fest

It was wonderful to see people from across the town come together earlier this month to raise money for some worthy causes. Despite the chilly morning, it was a wonderful warm atmosphere and full of community spirit. I was very proud to walk 5k to raise money for Show Racism the Red Card, the UK’s leading anti-racism charity. A big well done to all the participants and volunteers involved!

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East

I had the opportunity to question Ministers on recent attacks by the IDF on UNIFIL bases in Lebanon. Further escalations in this conflict are deeply concerning, and the UK Foreign Secretary alongside France, Germany and Italy have condemned threats to UNIFIL’s security – these attacks go against international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.

I am glad that the Minister reconfirmed the government’s commitment to UNIFIL in the Chamber. You can view my full question here.

Labour is clear that we need urgent de-escalation of conflict in the Middle East, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and an influx of humanitarian aid to enter the region.

I also welcome sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary in direct response to continued violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. You can read more on this here. 

Employment Rights Bill

I was very proud to support this Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill in Parliament this month.

This Bill represents the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation and will bring forward transformative measures, including ending exploitative zero-hour contracts, ensuring the minimum wage reflects the cost of living and strengthening statutory sick pay.

This is our first step to ensure we Make Work Pay, grow the economy and raise living standards across the country!

Visiting CEMEX UK chalk quarry

It was fascinating to visit CEMEX UK chalk quarry in Kensworth! It is one of the largest chalk quarries in Europe, which directly supports operations at one of the largest cement kilns in the country.

Their unique pipeline system means 400 HGV trucks a day are off the road. CEMEX is committed to being nature positive by 2030 and they are protecting our unique biodiversity as part of their restoration processes. It was so interesting and informative to learn about the business and the amazing industry we have right here in Luton South and South Bedfordshire!

Windrush celebrations at All Saints Church

I had the pleasure of attending the annual Windrush celebration at All Saints Church this month. It was a wonderful afternoon of music, stories and culture to celebrate the wonderful impact our Caribbean diaspora has had in our local community.

There were also questions raised directly with me in respect of repeated delays to those who have made claims under the existing Windrush compensation scheme.

I was therefore very pleased by the Home Secretary’s announcement that Labour will deliver on our manifesto commitments, providing a £1.5 million government grant to support victims of the scandal in claiming compensation, appointing a Windrush Commissioner and re-establishing a dedicated Windrush Unit within the Home Office.

It is vital we work with those who suffered as a result of this appalling scandal to deliver long overdue justice.

Rural Crime Action Week

As part of Rural Crime Action Week, I joined John Tizard, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, in Billington to talk about rural crime and issues impacting our communities.

We met with Matt from The Baa T-Room , Boozy Boar & Greenfarm Farmshop about the issues faced by farms and rural businesses.