I HOPE you’re enjoying the fantastic community events we have at this time of year, from fireworks nights to Christmas events – it makes for a truly lovely end to the year.
It was a privilege to speak at a memorial unveiling at Aerospace Bristol, remembering those who died during test flights with the Bristol Aeroplane Company between 1910 and 1960.
Thank you to all who volunteered or gave to the Poppy Appeal. I attended powerful Remembrance events in Downend, Filton, Stoke Gifford, Patchway and at MOD Abbey Wood.
I was also proud to lay a cross on our community’s behalf in Parliament.
With family members who served, this has always felt such an important time of year to me.
It’s also important to support those who are serving now, and the new Defence Housing Strategy includes £9 billion over the next decade to upgrade and modernise 9 in 10 of the military homes housing Armed Forces families, including 201 across the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency.
In the past month, my small team and I have worked on 704 new cases supporting fellow residents.
I’ve held an advice surgery in Charlton Hayes and informal ‘Coffee with Claire’ event in Stoke Park.
At a time where, unfortunately, some seek to divide, I believe that coming together, listening (whether we agree or not) and making positive change happen together matters. This will always be my approach as your MP.
Locally, I’ve been advocating for residents by meeting with FirstPort to raise concerns about leaseholders’ issues.
This comes as the new Renters’ Rights Act becomes law. Having played a key role on the committee that scrutinised the bill line-by-line, I was pleased to see it receive Royal Assent.
It will help ensure the 8,596 households renting locally have the same chance of a decent home in what has been a lottery until now.
Ending ‘no fault’ evictions and introducing the right to request a pet are among the living standards boosts.
I also met with members of our Hong Kong community to hear a range of experiences, and have raised concerns they shared with the Home Office.
I welcomed Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to Airbus in Filton, where she saw more of the important work here shaping the future of flight, and in Parliament I welcomed the UK-Türkiye Typhoon fighter jet deal, supporting jobs at Rolls-Royce in Filton and SMEs.
I’ve also visited JobCentre Plus in Horfield and the new St Peter’s Hospice Superstore to Filton.
UK Parliament Week saw schools and community groups explore how democracy works. It was super to visit Callicroft Primary Academy and SGS College Filton to hear and answer questions from young people.
I co-hosted an event in Parliament to showcase the impact of universities in our part of the world, and welcomed Tom El-Shawk from Future Space – a thriving hub for start-ups at UWE – to 11 Downing Street for a reception with the Chancellor.
Thanks to all who have given so much to our community in 2025. I wish you a joyful Christmas, and all the best for 2026.
You can get in touch anytime at claire.hazelgrove.mp@parliament.uk.