Their success demonstrates the importance of investing in the right facilities for the women’s game. After the Lionesses last Euro win in 2022 it’s estimated around 70,000 women and girls took up football. So, it was good to see the Labour Government rethinking their decision to cut funding for women’s football, after they scrapped the 2023 Lionesses Futures Fund earlier this year.

Congratulations were also due this month to …

D-Day veteran Mr George Carpenter, who celebrated his 100th birthday in Gosport, at Stokes Bay D-Day Memorial. It was an honour to be invited to join Mr Carpenter, and his family, for this very special occasion. Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick, was in town and came with me to meet Mr Carpenter and thank him for his service to our country.

Our hometown, Gosport for winning the ‘Future Skills’ category in the 2025 Visa ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ Awards. 

I was delighted to join the ceremony in Parliament alongside Peter Paddon from Gosport Borough Council. 

Gosport’s winning entry was the Digital Peninsula Initiative that focuses on tackling digital exclusion and assisting residents and businesses in navigating the complexities of the digital world.

This month sees the most important provisions of the Online Safety Act, that I helped to develop as a Minister, come into force. From now on, tech giants will need to strengthen the process of age verification on sites where children can potentially access harmful content; reform the way their algorithms work to ensure that dangerous content is not pushed towards young vulnerable viewers; and hold legal responsibility to keep children safe. You can find out more about the Online Safety Act and what it means for your family’s young social media users here.

I also introduced my own legislation in the House of Commons. The aim of my Bill is to update the 25-year-old laws that regulate fertility treatment. Regular readers might remember how appalled I was to hear that when the virtual fertility clinic, Apricity, went bust this winter, it left no financial protection and alternative provision to women already undergoing emotionally and physically challenging fertility treatment. You can read my speech in the Chamber here.

In addition to introducing my own legislation, I quizzed the Prime Minister on the successes and failures of his government. During the Liaison Committee hearing, which gives Chairs of all Parliamentary Committees, a chance to question the Prime Minister on their policy issues, I asked Keir Starmer about the Government’s support for charities (especially in light of the recent disastrous blow to the sector due to hikes in Employer NICs). I also raised the future of the BBC and enquired on the progress with the Charter review that keeps getting delayed, leaving our public broadcaster and license fee payers in limbo. You can watch the session and follow our exchange at 15:19 and 15:55 here.

In the Parliamentary Chamber, I raised the struggles facing the horseracing industry due to the upcoming Racing Tax. Major events like Goodwood, Royal Ascot, and Cheltenham, bring joy to millions of fans and attract tourists from all over the world, at the same time employing 85,000 around the country. I asked, the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, how is she going to support the industry that contributes so much to the UK economy. My question is available here.

I am quite concerned to hear that Labour Government is looking to remove organisations that come under the wing of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, as statutory consultees in the planning process. But what does the Sports Minister, Stephanie Peacock, have to say about it? You can watch our discussion at one of the CMS Committee sessions that I chaired here.

Creative industries attract investment, boost employment, and make the UK unique on an international stage. Is the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan ambitious enough? I asked Chris Bryant whether he feels that the plan is sufficient. You can listen to his response here.

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which I chair, launched an inquiry on children’s TV and video content. 

We will explore challenges associated with children’s programming and assess how to maintain access to high-quality content for younger generations. 

I caught up with the Play School presenter, Baroness Floella Benjamin, who many of you will remember from childhood, to discuss the inquiry, find out more here.

I took part in the debate on WASPI women in Parliament. The Department for Work and Pensions was found guilty of maladministration under the Labour Government between 2005 and 2007 but impacted women did not receive any financial compensation. I asked whether Liz Kendall has any plans to reverse the Government’s decision to not provide financial support to those affected. You can listen to my contribution here.

As only the 311th woman to ever be elected, I was delighted to join female MPs from across the House to mark 97 years since women won the vote on equal terms with men. Centenary Action arranged this special event to share the great progress we have made, with 40% of today’s MPs being women.

Steps Within in Gosport is another example of the magic that can happen when women come together to support each other. The team helps those tackling addiction through the challenging recovery journey. Run by women and for women, it is a safe space with both individual and group support on offer. 

You can find out more about Steps Within and their brilliant work here.

I dropped by the IFA2 at Daedalus to hear an update from the National Grid team on the work of this vital piece of energy infrastructure. 

I was fascinated to hear that the IFA2 alone can import enough electricity to power a million homes and sells any surplus we create to France.

For Bakes Sake on 122 High Street lets you build your own cupcakes and was funded by entrepreneur investor, Simon Squibb.

At the brand-new Haslar Coffee Quarters in the Royal Haslar Waterfront Village, Maria and the team offer not only drinks and light meals but also fun classes like yoga and book club.

I caught up with José Calaza and the team at McDonalds to discuss investment in Gosport, local jobs, and their new spot on the High Street.

And Flamin' Good Crafts has just moved to Stoke Road, running teaching sessions and workshops in sewing, crochet and crafts. Learn more here.

I was charmed by the performance of one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, Much Ado About Nothing, by the Villagers Open Air Drama in the perfect setting of Little Woodham 17th Century Village. 

You can find out more about this talented team here.

Not to miss in the upcoming months:

Gosport Heritage Open Days will take place in Gosport from 12-21 September. There are over 70 events on offer including visits to Gosport’s forts and Haslar Hospital, guided walks around the Wild Grounds, Stanley Park and Royal Clarence Yard, and events on D-Day and local naval history. You can browse activities here or consider joining the team of volunteers by contacting them at [email protected].

Gosport Summer Passport Scheme has now officially kicked off! Paddle boarding, kayaking and even driving experience is on the list of activities, so send in your registration from asap here.

Lily Baggott, from Gosport Runner Beans, is hosting a Charity Sports Day on Saturday 16th August. Family-friendly events will be on offer, so you can check out how to take part in the activities here. All proceeds will be donated to the Newlife Charity that assist disabled and terminally ill children.

What you have frequently contacted me about:

Many of you expressed your concerns over the recent appalling performance of Southern Water. Along with other Conservative MPs, I wrote a letter to their CEO asking him to reject the £700,000 ‘incentive payment’ that he is due to receive. I feel that bonuses are not appropriate in the context of constant service failures of Southern Water in the constituency and around the country. You can read the letter here. I am also arranging a public meeting with Southern Water management team on Thursday 4th September. If you would like to attend, please email me at [email protected].

The situation in Palestine is heart-breaking and many of us have been appalled to see the extent of devastation and human suffering on the ground in recent media reports. I signed a cross-party letter to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary asking the Government to recognise a Palestinian state. A two-state solution has seen support across the House for years, and, while this move may not make any meaningful difference right now, I think it’s is time to send a clear message that there need to be renewed efforts to seek an end to this terrible crisis. 

I am aware that many of you are struggling with access to NHS dentists. I recently met with NHS England in Parliament to raise this, and I am pleased to hear that the Government is introducing a consultation on reforming the NHS dental contract. It is open until 19th August, and you can have your say here.

In an interview with Care Home Professional, I talked about challenges associated with the provision of adult social care services, my time as the Minister of State for Care, and the need to stop this issue being a political football if we want to bring meaningful reform. You can read my take on the past and present legislation here.

The A32 is always an ongoing topic of concern with unpredictable delays and daily congestion. I am working with local engineers and academics to look at potential changes that could improve the flow of traffic. I am keen to hear your views on reform and what it will mean locally - share your feedback here.

Gosport Police have been working on the ‘Not In Our Town’ campaign that has so far delivered a 63% drop in anti-social behaviour, 52% reduction in robberies, and an 11% decrease in violent crime. Very well done to our dedicated police officers and their brilliant collaboration with the council and community services.

Some of you got in touch about Melvin Jones House in Stubbington and the rumours that it will be used to house asylum seekers. The Director of Housing at Fareham Borough Council has confirmed that there are no plans to accommodate asylum seekers at the site. At this stage, the property is marked for demolition and redevelopment. 

I share constituents’ concerns about experiments on animals. I signed a letter by Animal Free Research UK calling for the Government to phase out cruel animal experimentation. You can read the full text here.

I had a chance to meet with NoToRogueRescues in Parliament to talk about the need for better regulation of dog and cat rescue centres after a number of high-profile animal cruelty cases. 

I know that many of you feel strongly about the topic and I encourage you to sign the petition to push for robust legislation here.

So that's it for July and my regular newsletters will be back in September! As ever, my team and I are here for any questions, thoughts or concerns you may have. Please do get in touch via [email protected]