I HOPE everyone’s settling back in well into your usual routines – or even new ones – after the summer.
For many families this will involve new childcare. I know how expensive this can be, and have raised this in Parliament, so I’m pleased that the new offer of 30 hours of government-funded childcare a week started in September.
This could save local families a significant £7,500 per child, per year.
Last month I reported on my recent ‘Coffee with Claire’ event focusing on improving support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and my online survey.
I have now sent a letter to the Education Secretary sharing the views of parents and carers across our community.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed – I’m glad to have made your voices heard nationally as part of this effort to help all children thrive.
I was proud to vote for the Renters’ Rights Bill which includes ending no-fault evictions and giving the right to request a pet. I was part of the small cross-party group of MPs who scrutinised the bill line-by-line to make sure it is as impactful as possible.
I also voted to give local authorities more control over local bus networks and put them back in the hands of communities who rely on them. Our new government has already provided nearly £15 million for the day-to-day running of our buses in the West of England.
I want to see Parliament better represent our country, so was pleased to vote to remove outdated hereditary peers from the House of Lords.
Locally, I was honoured to support the launch of a new workshop and facilities at Patchway Men’s Shed, having helped by putting them in touch with Taylor Wimpey who then kindly provided their new roof! This is an important gathering space for local men.
I welcomed Defence Secretary John Healey to veteran-founded Rowden Technologies in Filton, as the national Defence Industrial Strategy launched.
I met with Avon and Somerset Police, which I do regularly to raise issues I hear from you.
Visiting Frenchay Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, I was inspired by their care and impact.
I also visited the management team at Cribbs, and teams at Marks & Spencer and John Lewis & Partners.
It was good to discuss the government’s actions to tackle shoplifting, including ending the downgraded response to shoplifting under £200, and introducing a specific offence for assaulting a retail worker. Nobody in our community should go to work in fear.
I also held my monthly advice surgery in Frenchay, ‘Coffee with Claire’ in Winterbourne and knocked on doors to listen to fellow residents in Cribbs.
My small team and I worked on 438 new cases in August for fellow residents. If you or your family need help or if you would like more information about my local events, doing politics differently, please get in touch at claire.hazelgrove.mp@parliament.uk.
You can keep up to date with my activities through social media at facebook.com/ClaireRHazelgrove.