I HOPE you’re keeping well as the seasons change.
Last month, my small team and I worked on 581 new cases supporting fellow residents and, to provide further support, I held my regular advice surgery in Downend.
I ran my latest ‘Coffee with Claire’ event in Charlton Hayes, and ‘Pub Politics’ in Stoke Gifford. Thank you to all who joined. It’s invaluable to hear directly from you, and brilliant to see some people who live just streets away meeting one another for the first time, too.
Back in Westminster, I was proud to stay late at night to fight for strengthened rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave, and statutory sick pay, against opposition to the Employment Rights Bill.
The Bill will also end exploitative zero-hours contracts alongside shocking ‘fire and rehire’, like we saw from P&O Ferries.
I fully support the Prime Minister’s decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine. Our government backed the push for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and urgent humanitarian aid.
I remain committed to advocating for a long-term peace deal between Israel and Palestine, through a two-state solution.
Another landmark moment was our government’s introduction of the Hillsborough Law.
This vital legislation will ensure that public servants face real consequences if they fail to tell the truth during investigations or inquiries. The Hillsborough disaster should never have happened, and I’m glad that our PM has worked closely with the families of the 97 victims on this law, in their name.
I also voted for the Sentencing Bill, which will deliver new powers and punishment, like banning offenders from attending public venues, clearer recognition of domestic abuse in sentencing, and stronger protections for victims.
Both before and since entering Parliament, I’ve been working on ways to improve financial education for young people and reduce the postcode lottery for vital life skills. I co-led the launch of the latest report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group focusing on this, which explores the piecemeal state of financial education across the UK.
I’ve raised this with ministers and am hoping to see progress in the upcoming conclusions from the Independent Curriculum and Assessment Review.
At the recent Labour Party conference, I had good conversations with charities and organisations that I know matter to people locally, including Cancer Research UK, Shelter and Dementia UK.
I met with LINK’s CEO there, to raise the growing lack of access to cash locally.
We also had the good news there that our community has been recommended for potential new towns investment, connecting development between Brabazon and the science park with not only the homes but the infrastructure and green spaces we know we need here.
I have been raising the need for improved local infrastructure since my very first question in Parliament, so I am glad we are being actively considered as a priority nationally.
Please get in touch any time, if you need support or would like to share your views, at: claire.hazelgrove.mp@parliament.uk.