Westminster Work

I have continued to speak up on a range of issues including Leasehold reform, the Middle East, climate change and the housing crisis.  

I have worked on raising awareness about the dangers of fake eBikes, and their links with the exploitative gig economy. This received national press coverage following the report of the All Party Cycling & Walking Group’s report that I was proud to have been a part of.  

Regular readers will know that I was one of many Labour MPs who encouraged the Chancellor to drop the 2-child benefit cap, due to the levels of poverty too many young children grow up in. I was glad that the Chancellor listened and scrapped the two-child benefit cap at the budget.  

With the growing crisis in Sudan, I wrote to the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, expressing my hope that the UK Government would play an active part in de-escalating the situation there.   

As you may be aware I am a Commons sponsor of the Terminally Ill (End of Life Bill), which is currently in the Lords and due back to the commons in the new year. 

Trains, Planes & Automobiles (and buses, ports, bikes, wheelchairs and more) Transport is a large part of my parliamentary week, as I am the Chair the Transport Select Committee.  

We hold the Government, departmental agencies and the sector to account and Committees are part of the quiet change that is often not recognised at the time. Sometimes, the work of Committee Chairs leads to real change, even if it takes time. For example, with the Driving Test backlog: in December 2024, we met with the Minister and the DVSA CEO and kept pushing for action, but progress was slow. This month, when the Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, came to the Committee, she announced major changes—including using Ministry of Defence examiners to help clear the backlog. 

The Governments work to nationalise our railways in full took a step closer with the publication of the Railways Bill, which will see an overall improvement of services for all, putting passengers at the heart. The Committee also visited to and through the Eurotunnel with Getlink to see the new immigration booths to deal with the EES visas, as well as the passenger and freight facilities.  The tunnel, along with HS1, is operating at 50% of capacity, so there is significant scope for both container freight and more passenger services to and from mainland Europe.  

On Remembrance Sunday I laid my Wreath at the service at St Philip & James Church in Whitton, while young people laid my wreaths at services in Heston, Hounslow, Isleworth, & Heston. And on the 11th, I was at the service in Osterley. 

Marigold Festival. The Grand Hall at Osterley House is showcasing beautiful rangoli designs with paper marigolds by the local Darpan (Bengali) Community. They’ve been working on this since August, and it’s on display until January—don’t miss it! 

After the jailing of a staff member at a Twickenham nursery (now closed), I joined Munira Wilson MP to meet parents and Under5s specialists to discuss how to make childcare safer. Our offices will work together to support these changes, and the families affected. 

At Hounslow Community Foodbox I met with the volunteers who continue to provide a lifeline to those in need of food and household products. We shouldn’t need foodbanks in the UK today, but many people still rely on them. That’s why support for Foodbox and similar charities is so important. Every donation helps—whether it’s money, food, or your time (especially if you can help with driving). Your contribution can make a real difference in someone’s life. 

We marked the 7th anniversary of the Open Kitchen on Great West Road, which has served over 800,000 free hot meals year-round with no referral needed. This incredible work is thanks to volunteers, founder Ehsan Choudhry, and the charity Muslim Hands. 

The M4 elevated section runs above the A4 in Brentford. At the site meeting with National Highways and their contractor, I learned it has decades of life left in it, and here appear to be no bodies buried in the structure.  However, work will continue to be needed each year for the next 5 years to repair the concrete and sort the drainage in sections.  

It was a pleasure to be at the police commendation awards ceremony.  West Area borough commander Jill Horsfall honoured those officers and members of the public who have shown extreme bravery, courage, professionalism and/or life-saving skills at some point in the past year.   

The Duke of Gloucester celebrated the centenary of the Great West Road, which was opened by his grandfather George V.  As a former architect, he was fascinated to learn from local historian James Marshall about the history of the road and the art deco factories that lined the “Golden Mile” from Chiswick to Syon Lane. 

Our Postal Workers work in all weathers, bringing our letters and, increasingly, parcels to our doors. I visited the Hounslow sorting office to thank them for all they do, as well as learning a bit about the normal day for a postie! 

Charlotte House Residential Care Home invited me to attend their nativity play, for residents and their relatives, which was impressive. I was also inspired by the residents’ Dementia Choir, led by music therapist Tracy of “Craft n Beat”, as she brought back memories through music.  

As Christmas approaches, it’s been delightful to attend the light switch-on and carols in Whitton, Isleworth and Brentford, and to see the Christmas tree in Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament. 

Finally, I want to give a huge thank you to my fantastic team—Jo, Amy, Alistair, Joe, and Alex. I couldn’t do the work I do in Parliament and across the constituency without their dedication and support. 

With Season Greetings and best wishes for a peaceful and happy New Year.