Welcome to my November 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.
My 4th Annual Small Business Awards!
There are just a couple of days left to nominate for my Luton South & South Bedfordshire Small Business Awards.
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and play a vital role in our communities. I want all our small businesses across Luton South and South Bedfordshire to be celebrated, so do not miss out on having your say, and support your favourite local small business by nominating them for an award!
Check out this year’s categories and how to nominate your favourite local small business below. You have until Sunday to make your vote count! Please also like and share on Facebook and X.
My 2024 Budget Speech
I was very proud to participate in the Budget debates following our Labour government’s first Budget. Politics is about choices. After years of the same – more decline; more austerity and working people paying the price, I am glad that the Budget delivered by this Labour Government will fix the foundations of our country so we can fix the NHS and rebuild Britain.
Through investment in our education system, housing and healthcare and so much more, this Budget marks the start of a new chapter towards making people in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, and across Britain, better off.
You can watch my full speech here.
Luton’s Vauxhall Plant
The proposed closure of Luton’s Vauxhall Plant was announced this week by Stellantis. I know this is deeply concerning news for our town and I appreciate that many families will be worried about what the future holds.
I took the first opportunity to ask the Prime Minister for reassurances that there would be cross-departmental government support for the automotive sector in response to this decision, and importantly that there would be efforts to keep good, skilled jobs in Luton. You can view my PMQ here.
Decarbonisation must not mean deindustrialisation and the decimation of good skilled jobs in our town. I am grateful to the Secretary of State for recognising this in his statement to the House. I am also glad he re-affirmed his commitment to work with Stellantis and agreed to visit Luton’s Vauxhall plant with me to meet with workers and their trade union representatives. You can watch this here.
I have written to Chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, Liam Byrne MP, to request an inquiry into Stellantis’ proposed closure of Luton’s Vauxhall van plant.
We need the full picture of the factors that have informed the proposal and how the UK Government can work to secure a solution. You can view my letter below.
I have also spoken with various media outlets regarding Stellantis’ proposal to close the Luton site. You can view my contributions on BBC Look East and ITV Anglia or listen to my interview on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Improved bus services for Luton South and South Bedfordshire
I welcome the Department for Transport’s recent bus funding announcement, which will deliver over £9 million for bus service improvements across both local authorities covering my constituency.
People across our constituency deserve frequent and reliable transport links, giving them access to vital services such as Luton and Dunstable Hospital, as well as using buses for socialising, shopping, and commuting.
This is the latest stop on this Labour Government’s journey to deliver better buses across the country.
Watch my response to this statement here.
Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week
I know that crime and anti-social behaviour impact many people across our communities, and it is vital we tackle these issues with a joined-up approach to ensure these problems are dealt with at their root. At one of my most recent surgery sessions in South ward, local residents raised their concerns with me regarding crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
As part of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, I held a meeting with multi-agency partners from Bedfordshire Police and Luton Council Neighbourhood Enforcement, alongside South Ward Councillor Charmaine Isles, to discuss these issues and how we can work together to address it.
It was a very productive meeting with some solid action points to take forward. I am also very glad that the Labour Government has announced major policing reforms to make sure money is invested in neighbourhood policing, and a designated performance unit within government to drive force-level improvements across the board and end the postcode lottery on law and order.
UK Parliament Week
I was glad to visit schools across Luton South and South Bedfordshire as part of UK Parliament Week.
This is an annual event designed to get people engaged in what Parliament is, what it does and how to get more involved. I was very glad to visit schools including Someries Infants and Hillborough Juniors, to answer some very interesting questions from the children and I was even treated to some lovely singing! It was great to be able to explain more about my role as an MP.
National Respect for Shopworkers Week
As part of National Respect for Shopworkers Week, I visited the Co-op in Caddington to meet Lauren, Steve and Gavin alongside representatives Paul and Tori from Usdaw Union.
Usdaw’s 2023 survey indicated that 70% of retail workers had faced verbal abuse and 46% were threatened by a customer. Store manager Lauren told me about her personal experiences and the unacceptable levels of fear and abuse herself and colleagues face whilst at work.
This Labour Government is committed to ensuring this is tackled once and for all. At the Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Conference last month, the Minister for Policing, Crime and Fire laid out this Labour government’s plan to do so, including:
- Introducing Respect Orders to tackle the worst ASB offenders and stamp out issues such as public drinking and drug use
- End the effective immunity, introduced by the previous government, granted to low level shoplifting of goods under £200 to remove the perception that those committing low value shop theft will escape punishment.
- Introducing a new specific offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.
Luton Irish Forum Business Brunch
I was glad to join the Luton Irish Forum for their business brunch in November, welcoming Irish Ambassador Martin Fraser to Luton alongside Luton Mayor Cllr Tahmina Saleem.
We had a lovely morning of networking with some brilliant local businesses as well as some music and of course a delicious Irish breakfast! I thank the Luton Irish Forum for arranging this event and for all they do to support our Irish diaspora, as well as our wider community in Luton.
Attending the Music24 EP Launch
I was delighted to attend Music24 charity EP launch event this month.
The Luton based music charity supports socially isolated and vulnerable adults across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. They have created a 3 track-EP at the iconic Abbey Road Studios to mark their 10th anniversary and raise awareness of the importance of connection, inclusivity, and equality through music.
The EP, featuring service users, staff and volunteers is available on Youtube, so please watch below and share to support this brilliant charity.
Annual Thanksgiving event for Luton, Dunstable and Surrounding Kenyan Community Forum
It was wonderful to join the Luton, Dunstable & Surrounding Kenyan Community Forum for their annual thanksgiving event alongside Sarah Owen MP and our Deputy Mayor Councillor Babatunde Ajisola.
It was a lovely evening of food, dancing and celebration. Importantly, this annual event is a great opportunity to recognise the brilliant work the Forum do to support our community in and around Luton.
