I HOPE you had a lovely Easter.
Thank you to everyone who attended my advice surgery in Filton, joined my ‘Coffee with Claire’ event in Frenchay, and spoke with me and our volunteer team on your doorsteps in Winterbourne, Patchway, Bradley Stoke and Little Stoke.
This month, my small team and I have also been working on 722 new cases for residents.
To me, getting out and about and listening to you is crucial for serving our community well.
With around 75,000 people in our constituency, it naturally takes a bit of time to get around.
If you need support, please do get in touch at claire.hazelgrove.mp@parliament.uk.
The cost of living has been too high for too long and I support the government’s plans to tackle this. In April, millions of the lowest paid workers received a pay rise.
The increase in National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage will benefit 280,000 workers in our region by up to £1,400 a year.
This is alongside an increase of up to £470 in the state pension and the rollout of the first free breakfast clubs in primary schools. There’s more to do, but this support will make a difference in our community.
There’s been good progress in getting the NHS back on its feet, through investment and reform. Waiting times have been cut for 80,000 cancer patients and overall waiting lists are down five months in a row. We’ve recruited 1,500 more GPs. More to do, but our Plan for Change is delivering change that matters to people’s lives.
I spoke in Parliament in support of the government’s swift action to allow veterans’ ID cards to be used as voter identification. This wasn’t allowed before so some veterans, who have given so much, may not have been able to vote.
With family who have served, I’m very glad to see this change.
Parliament belongs to everyone, and I’ve invited every local school. It’s been fantastic to host students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Bradley Stoke and Winterbourne Academy recently, and hear their questions and ideas.
People in our community make a difference every day. The Critical Care Transport Teams in Aztec West provide care for critically ill babies, children and adults. It was a privilege to join them and families they’ve supported to mark their one-year anniversary here.
It was super to visit our fantastic postal workers at the Bristol Mail Centre and see how they deliver half a million (!) packages and letters across our region daily.
I also visited Rolls-Royce and MBDA to meet more excellent apprentices, graduates and skilled workers who do vital work in the defence industry, which is receiving a government funding boost.
My next ‘Coffee with Claire’ event is in Filton on May 10.
There’s more information on upcoming events at clairehazelgrove.co.uk/coffee-with-claire