I HOPE you are enjoying the summer and, like me, many of the brilliant community events put on by great local organisations.
My first month as your new MP has flown by. I’ve been hitting the ground running, both giving us a strong voice in Westminster and getting things set up here too.
It’s not widely known, but when you’re elected you set up a small business from scratch, from creating job adverts to recruit a team, to finding an office – that’s all me – alongside attending inductions, speaking and voting in parliament, attending events, asking questions of ministers, and working to solve urgent casework for people locally.
I’ve now recruited a great and full team, all starting across the next month, who share my commitment to serving you well. Thank you for your patience while it’s just me.
Despite a challenging financial backdrop, we’ve been making quick progress wherever possible in this first month.
Here’s just some of the change our new government has already brought about:
• Voted to bring our railways into public ownership
• Met NHS leaders to get the 40,000 extra appointments each week and 700,000 urgent dental appointments in place as quickly as possible
• Started hiring 6,500 new teachers
• Lifted the ban on onshore wind
• Scrapped the Rwanda scheme and started setting up a new Border Security Command
• Created a national wealth fund to help grow our economy.
I’ve asked questions for our community in the House of Commons, both on ensuring that we can have improved access to vital infrastructure, including GP appointments and NHS dentists, as our communities grow, and of the previous government about the £22 billion financial black hole impacting our services.
I’ve also taken part in important briefings, including on special educational needs and disabilities, raising our local challenges with the Education Secretary, and on the recent violent disorder. I’d like to thank Avon and Somerset Police and all involved in protecting our communities and country in the face of this.
As the Prime Minister made clear, those who took part will now face firm justice.
From Frenchay’s Flower Show to Lyde Green’s Summer Sizzler and Patchway’s Throwback Festival, alongside brilliant school fairs, it has been lovely to see and speak with so many of you at community events.
We’ve had some big celebrations too, marking Coniston Community Centre’s 20 years of service and ten years of FACE (Foundation for Active Community Engagement) in Filton. Thank you to everyone involved.
If you have any challenges that you need support with, or any other enquiries, please email claire.hazelgrove.mp@parliament.uk.