Westminster updates - October ‘26:
Over the past month in Westminster, I:
👨👧 The Dad Shift – Met campaigners from The Dad Shift in Parliament to discuss the importance of supporting fathers and families. It was encouraging to see progress towards extending parental pay support to self-employed dads and same-sex partners, helping more parents spend valuable time with their children in the earliest weeks of family life.
🚆 East West Rail reception, Westminster – Hosted East West Railway Company’s parliamentary reception alongside CEO David Hughes and Rail Minister Peter Hendy. It was a great opportunity to champion the benefits East West Rail will bring to Buckingham and Bletchley, including better connectivity, new jobs and investment in our local economy.
🏗️ Bletchley Station investment – Continued to make the case for East West Rail and reflected on securing £17 million from the Growth Mission Fund, alongside £5 million from Milton Keynes City Council, for a new eastern entrance at Bletchley Station that will support regeneration and improve access to the town centre.
💷 Financial literacy in schools – Met with Education Secretary Lucy Powell MP to discuss the future of financial education and the Curriculum and Assessment Review. I continue to support efforts to strengthen financial literacy and ensure young people leave school better equipped to manage money and make informed financial decisions.
🚌 Winslow and District Community Bus – Caught up with David and the team from Winslow and District Community Bus to hear about their fantastic work connecting local communities. For 25 years, volunteers have helped residents access services, visit markets and stay connected across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.
📢 Autumn Budget – Welcomed a number of measures announced in the Budget, including support with energy bills, the continuation of the 5p fuel duty cut, increases to the National Minimum Wage and changes to business mileage rates designed to support working people and businesses.
🏛️ Budget Debate, House of Commons – Contributed to the Budget Debate in Parliament, raising issues important to Buckingham and Bletchley and scrutinising the Government’s plans for growth, public services and the local economy.
🚜 Sustainable Farming Incentive – Questioned Defra ministers about the future of the Sustainable Farming Incentive and the support available to farmers, highlighting the importance of agriculture and food production across our rural communities.
🏆 Buckingham and Quainton Primary Schools – Celebrated Buckingham and Quainton Primary Schools receiving OPAL awards, recognising their commitment to enriching play opportunities and supporting children's wellbeing.
🔬 Bletchley Investment Taskforce – Asked the Minister for Science, Innovation and Investment to visit Bletchley and meet the Bletchley Investment Taskforce to see first-hand the opportunities for growth, regeneration and innovation in our town.
📺 ITV Anglia – Appeared on ITV Anglia to discuss the Budget and what its measures could mean for residents, businesses and communities across Buckingham and Bletchley.
