I thanked hundreds of local school children across Redditch and the Villages for entering this year’s Christmas card competition. The winning design is by Maggie from Woodfield Academy, which will feature on the front of my constituency Christmas card. Runners-up Alice from St Pete’s Catholic Middle School, Jacob from Walkwood Middle School, Ivana from St Thomas Mall Catholic First School and Henok from Picture Oak School will also be featured. I also thanked sponsors 10 Pin,

I updated residents on the campaign against plans for a 51‑person HMO on the former Hotel Rafiya site in Winyates Green. I praised local residents and the Winyates Green Residents Association for submitting nearly 500 objections to Redditch Borough Council, calling the proposal “completely unsuitable and inappropriate” for the area. I urged planning officers to use their delegated powers to reject the application without it going to committee and pledged to attend any plannin

I backed the Government’s Railways Bill, which will create Great British Railways to bring track and train services under one public body, improving reliability and accountability for Redditch passengers. I welcomed a £3 billion national bus funding boost, including £15 million for Worcestershire, to expand routes and introduce zero-emission buses. I also praised a record £148.7 million investment to repair potholes and improve local roads. I stressed that these reforms will

I welcomed the Government’s historic Child Poverty Strategy, which will lift 2,350 children in Redditch out of poverty by scrapping the two-child limit and expanding support for working families. The strategy includes free school meals, breakfast clubs, increased childcare support and higher wages. I praised these measures for making life easier for struggling families and giving every child a better start in life. I will continue working with local organisations to ensure fa

I celebrated Small Business Saturday by meeting local entrepreneurs, including The Redditch Craft Bakery and Rusty’s Collectables, highlighting the vital role small businesses play in keeping Redditch’s high streets vibrant. I praised the dedication of family-run shops and independent retailers, noting that Redditch has nearly 4,000 small and medium-sized businesses. I highlighted recent government support, including energy bill cuts, expanded apprenticeships and increased fu

I met with Chief Fire Officer Jonathon Pryce KFSM to discuss local fire and rescue priorities in Redditch and the surrounding villages. They discussed recruitment, community fire safety, home visits and joint working between fire and police services. I praised firefighters for their vital work and highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships to keep communities safe. I welcomed the opportunity to deepen engagement and ensure residents benefit from improved emergen

I hosted a well-attended Coffee Morning at the REDI Centre, fulfilling my pledge to be accessible and listen directly to residents. Over 30 local people attended, raising issues including the rise of Houses in Multiple Occupation, dangerous driving, parking pressures, anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping. I committed to raising these concerns with the council, police and health bodies to push for practical solutions. I thanked attendees for sharing their experiences and conf

I joined West Mercia Police on patrol in Redditch town centre as part of the government’s “Winter of Action” initiative. The campaign targets shop theft, street crime and anti-social behaviour, with increased uniformed patrols and partnership work to protect shoppers, retail workers and visitors. I accompanied officers to see how they are tackling prolific offenders and supporting local businesses. I praised the work of neighbourhood policing teams and pledged to continue wor

I welcomed the Government’s announcement that every Best Start Family Hub in Worcestershire will have a dedicated SEND practitioner from April 2026, building on the vital work of local community groups. This expansion means families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities will get expert, early support, helping to break the cycle of delayed intervention. The hubs will act as a one-stop shop for families, offering speech and language sessions, parenting pro

I chaired the launch of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Packaging in the Circular Economy, bringing together MPs and Peers to support sustainable packaging and British manufacturing. The group will focus on reducing waste, increasing reuse and recycling and protecting UK jobs. I praised the vital role of packaging in the economy and food supply chains, highlighting the importance of innovation and sustainability. I pledged to champion local businesses and wor

I celebrated UK Parliament Week 2025 by engaging with hundreds of young people across Redditch and the Villages. I visited schools, youth groups and community organisations, where students asked questions on mental health, safety, education and the environment. At Woodfield Academy, I helped launch their new Woodfield Parliament, with pupils electing Class MPs and setting their own priorities. I invited every school to submit questions for me to raise in Parliament, ensuring

I visited VIP Day Centre in Winyates to celebrate 10 years of award-winning, affordable dementia care in Redditch. I praised the centre’s person-centred approach, which helps reduce social isolation and enables people to remain at home longer. VIP Day Centre’s services cost just £11.95–£12.50 per hour, a fraction of domiciliary care and have won national recognition for quality and innovation. I highlighted the vital support the centre provides for families and pledged to cha

I warned that cyber-attacks pose a serious threat to local jobs and businesses, supporting calls for an empowered Economic Security Minister following the JLR cyber-attack that disrupted Redditch’s supply chain. I highlighted the impact on local firms and called for stronger government leadership, practical support and reforms to improve cyber-security across supply chains. I backed the Business and Trade Committee’s recommendations, including supply chain mapping, modernised

I met NHS England leaders to discuss winter preparations for local health services in Worcestershire, focusing on paediatric care and flu vaccinations. I pressed for details on extra capacity for children’s care and clear communication for parents. NHS England outlined nearly £450 million in investment for urgent care, mental health and community services to reduce A&E waits. I also highlighted the new “flu walk-in finder” to boost vaccination rates, especially for children a

I reiterated my support for prostate cancer awareness after attending the Westminster Darts Championship in Parliament, hosted by James Frith MP to raise funds and encourage men to check their risk. The event brought together MPs, darts players and charity supporters as part of the “Even Bigger 180” campaign, which has raised over £2 million for Prostate Cancer UK’s TRANSFORM trial. I praised the power of sport to raise awareness and urged men to speak to their GP about conce

I thanked residents who attended my latest Coffee Morning at Batchley Community Centre, where local people raised concerns about fly tipping, damp and mould in homes, anti-social behaviour and road safety around Hewell Road and Batchley Road. Residents also highlighted the need for more youth provision, school parking solutions and interest in a residents’ association. I confirmed my team is already following up cases with the council, housing providers and police. I will now

I visited Acts of Kindness (Redditch Foodbank) on Church Green East to support this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal. I met Wellbeing Project Manager Nancy Deakin and volunteers, seeing gift-wrapping sessions and hearing how the team is ensuring children from families facing hardship receive presents this Christmas. I praised the charity’s year-round work and said no child should wake up without a gift. I encouraged residents and local businesses to donate new, unwrapped toys, vol

I used the International Men’s Day debate in Parliament to call for stronger support for men and boys in Redditch, highlighting the need for earlier intervention and honest conversations about mental health. I welcomed the Government’s new 10-year Men’s Health Strategy and praised local male role models, including carers, coaches and community leaders. I stressed the importance of boys seeing positive real-life examples and called for action to tackle pressures from online in

I paid tribute in the House of Commons to Gerry Marsden, a dedicated Royal British Legion volunteer and Redditch’s Poppy Appeal Organiser. Gerry has collected for the Poppy Appeal for 40 years, raising over £500,000 and ensuring Redditch honours those who served. I praised Gerry’s leadership and commitment and thanked all volunteers who support the appeal. The Leader of the House also expressed gratitude for Gerry’s work and that of all Royal British Legion volunteers. I enco