Weekly Update
My weekly Parliamentary Update
This week in Parliament, the Labour Government continued delivering for the country, fixing the foundations of our country whether that be investing in children’s services, addressing potholes and more.
My Vote for the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill
The Government’s first duty is to keep the nation safe, and we are proud of those serving in our Armed Forces.
This week, the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill was introduced, fulfilling our manifesto promise to create an independent commissioner to improve service life for personnel and their families.
After years of Tory underfunding, morale in the Armed Forces is at a record low, and recruitment faces a crisis. The new commissioner will act as a champion for service members and their families, addressing issues like housing, childcare, and kit shortages, while holding ministers accountable. For the first time, families will have a direct advocate dedicated to improving their lives and tackling systemic issues.
Potholes
Fourteen years of Conservative neglect have left our roads in a shocking state, costing drivers nearly £500 million in pothole-related damage last year alone. Labour is taking action, fixing seven million more potholes annually and investing £1.6 billion—nearly 50% more than the Conservatives promised. Additionally, Labour is helping drivers by freezing fuel duty, saving the average motorist £55, and tackling soaring car insurance costs through a new task force. I’m pleased to see Enfield Council receive over £1 million to invest in our highways and roads.
Funding for Families and Children
Families in Enfield North will benefit from a £126 million national funding boost to support early years services. Enfield will receive over £1.5 million, enabling our residents to access early years support such as pregnancy support, infant feeding advice, parenting classes, and more. This funding ensures every child gets the best start in life. Families in Enfield North elected Labour to deliver change, and we’re making a real difference that will impact generations to come.
Southport Murders Inquiry
This week marked the conclusion of the trial concerning the tragic Southport murders. Following the guilty plea of Axel Rudakubana, it is clear that systemic failures across multiple agencies allowed this preventable attack to occur.
The Government has announced an independent public inquiry to uncover how this happened and address rising youth violence and extremism. Measures will include stronger regulation of online knife sales and the introduction of a new Prevent commissioner. I’ll continue supporting efforts to ensure such tragedies never happen again and that victims’ families receive the answers they deserve.
Deposit Return Scheme
This week, Parliament approved the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers. This initiative is a key part of our plan to reduce waste and move toward a circular economy. By offering money back on bottles and cans, we will reduce litter, improve recycling rates, and protect our environment. The scheme is expected to create 4,000 jobs, save 46 million tonnes of CO2 by 2035, and invest £10 billion in recycling infrastructure. It’s a vital step in turning the tide on plastic waste and protecting our wildlife.
Digital Government Innovations
As Minister for AI and Digital Government I want to put government in people’s pocket, by making our services easier and better to use. Therefor I was excited to announce three new tools to simplify access to government services:
1. The Gov.UK App will streamline applications like childcare support.
2. The Gov.UK Wallet will allow users to store documents, like driving licences, digitally.
3. Gov.UK Chat will make it easier to find guidance quickly.
These tools will modernise government services and make them more accessible for everyone.
National Campaign Weekend
It was fantastic to see so many volunteers out on the doorstep last week. Keep an eye out for updates on our next campaign session—I hope to see you there!
