Welcome to my final update of 2024. I would like to wish everyone in Luton South and South Bedfordshire a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Here’s a snapshot of what I have been up to in Parliament and the constituency this month.

My 2024 Luton South and South Bedfordshire Small Business Awards!

On National Small Business Saturday on 7th December, I was out all the way across our constituency meeting the winners of my 2024 Luton South & South Bedfordshire Small Business Awards!

I am proud to champion the wonderful small businesses we have across our constituency. They are the lifeblood of our communities and vital to our local economy, providing jobs, growth, and opportunity.

You can view the full list of this year’s winners here.

Rachel Hopkins MP with this year
Rachel Hopkins MP with this year's Small Business Award winners

Labour’s Plan for Change

This Labour government was elected on the promise of change, to deliver a decade of national renewal through five missions, each reflecting the priorities of working people.

To do that, the Prime Minister set out our Plan for Change this month, with clear, measurable milestones that the British people can expect to see delivered by the end of Parliament.

This includes higher living standards; 1.5 million homes built; hospital backlogs ended; police back on the streets in every community; a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn; and secure, home-grown energy.

These measures will deliver real, positive change for people in Luton South and South Bedfordshire – increased levels of housing, a better healthcare service, and breaking down barriers to opportunity for young people.

What does the Plan for Change mean for you graphic
What does the Plan for Change mean for you graphic

Standing up for workers at Vauxhall

Since Stellantis proposed the closure of Luton’s Vauxhall Plant at the end of November, I have been continuing to stand up for workers. I was very glad to arrange a meeting between Unite the Union representatives from the plant, Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP, and Ministry for Industry Sarah Jones MP, alongside Sarah Owen MP.

We are committed to continuing to work together and I was grateful that the Secretary of State wrote to me after our meeting to confirm he had written to Stellantis directly, asking them to pause the consultation to enable more time for discussions with Government about options to keep the plant open. You can read this letter here.

I was also glad to be able to join workers and their trade union representatives protesting against the closure of the plant this week. My priority from the outset has been workers and their families, and I am committed to working with the government, trade union representatives and Luton Borough Council to keep good, skilled automotive jobs in Luton and ensure the best possible outcome for our town.

Rachel Hopkins MP meeting with the Secretary of State, Minister for Industry, Unite the Union reps and Sarah Owen MP
Rachel Hopkins MP meeting with the Secretary of State, Minister for Industry, Unite the Union reps and Sarah Owen MP
Rachel Hopkins MP with Vauxhall workers and Unite reps
Rachel Hopkins MP with Vauxhall workers and Unite reps

Debate on Israel and Palestine

I participated in a Westminster Hall Debate on e-petitions relating to arms sales to Israel and the recognition of Palestine. I know that my constituents across Luton South and South Bedfordshire want to see peace in Palestine and an end to the brutal conflict.

It is vital that we also see the recognition of a Palestinian state, a commitment I am proud that this Labour government made within our manifesto.

The Palestinian people deserve a future of hope, equality, and freedom from occupation. I took the opportunity to ask the Minister for an update on progress towards this. Watch here or read my speech in full below.

Hospice care funding boost

This week, our Labour government has announced a funding boost for hospice care, investing £100 million for improving buildings, kit and technology and a £26 million grant for children and young people’s hospices

Our hospice staff and volunteers do so much to support people receiving end-of-life care and their loved ones. I wanted to put on record my support for the brilliant Keech Hospice Care and their Smiley Sam and Santa train, raising funds and spreading joy across Luton this Christmas. You can watch this here.

Luton Post Office

Following the announcement that WH Smith in Luton Point would cease trading on 18th January 2025, there were many concerns surrounding the future of Luton Post Office, which sits within the store. I wrote to the CEO of the Post Office to express my concerns regarding the potential loss of this vital service. You can read this letter below.

I am pleased that the Post Office has now confirmed they intend to maintain a branch in the town centre and are currently reviewing applications for a new operator. You can read more on this here.

Rachel Hopkins MP letter to the CEO of the Post Office
Rachel Hopkins MP letter to the CEO of the Post Office

International Human Rights Day

Tuesday 10th December marked International Human Rights Day, commemorating the anniversary of one of the world’s most ground-breaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said, “Human rights are the foundation for peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.”

Unfortunately, the rights and freedoms of all are not universally guaranteed in our world currently, and so it felt very timely that to mark the day in Parliament, I attended a conference with Labour colleagues and members of the Kashmiri community from across the country.

Sadly, we know many in Kashmir continue to suffer awful human rights violations, and this remains the longest unresolved issue for the UN, spanning 75 years. It was important to hear the voices of so many women and young people amplified as we gathered to re-affirm Kashmir’s right to self-determination.

I know that I have a wonderful Kashmiri community in Luton South and South Bedfordshire, and I will always listen and engage to champion Kashmir in Parliament.

Rachel Hopkins MP at a conference on Kashmir in Parliament
Rachel Hopkins MP at a conference on Kashmir in Parliament

Continuing to push for lifts at Luton Station!

I spoke with BBC Look East regarding the continuous delays to works beginning on lifts at Luton Train Station. My constituents deserve a fully accessible station, and continued failure to deliver on this is completely unacceptable. I will continue to work with Ministers and push Network rail to ensure we finally get lifts at Luton! Watch here.

Celebrating the University of Bedfordshire

I was very proud to speak about the University of Bedfordshire in a Westminster Hall debate on higher education funding.

The diverse student population of our University is reflective of our welcoming and vibrant town, and we are lucky to have an institution which does so much to engage in our local community, opening doors for people across Luton South and South Bedfordshire and beyond. View some of my speech here.

Fireworks drop-in

It was great to join Sarah Owen MP for her Fireworks Bill drop-in this month.

The drop-in was also attended by representatives from Help For Heroes, the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, The Firework Campaign and Combat Stress.

The wide range of organisations present highlights just how far reaching the impact of fireworks can be for both people and animals.

I know people across Luton South and South Bedfordshire suffer because of anti-social firework use and I am proud to support Sarah’s Bill, which aims to implement tougher restrictions on the sale and licensing of fireworks.

 

Rachel Hopkins MP and Sarah Owen MP at the Fireworks drop-in, in Parliament
Rachel Hopkins MP and Sarah Owen MP at the Fireworks drop-in, in Parliament

Visiting Luton’s Royal Mail office

It was great to visit the Luton Royal Mail Delivery Office on Dunstable Road in the run-up to Christmas!

Buzzing with activity, they are running an efficient operation this festive season. It was lovely to meet Naz and his team as well as one of their reps from the Communication Workers Union to thank them for all their hard work.

Rachel Hopkins MP with the team and CWU reps at Luton
Rachel Hopkins MP with the team and CWU reps at Luton's Royal Mail office

Visiting Whipsnade Tree Cathedral

I enjoyed my visit to the National Trust’s Tree Cathedral in Whipsnade last week.
It was great to hear from the team about the brilliant conservation work they are doing as well as their local engagement strategy to encourage more people to visit the site.
To learn more about the Tree Cathedral or to get more involved, click here.
Rachel Hopkins MP with the team at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
Rachel Hopkins MP with the team at Whipsnade Tree Cathedral
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