As we step into the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve had over the last six months and share some highlights.
In just six months, the new Labour government is delivering on our Plan for Change with investment and reform to deliver growth, more money in people’s pockets, rebuild Britain and get the NHS back on its feet.
This plan is built on the strong foundations of a stable economy, national security and secure borders.
People remember how we inherited unprecedented challenges, with crumbling public services and crippled public finances.
The government is investing £150 million in the Border Security Command over the next two years.
We’re bringing forward more NHS appointments. By bringing an end to the strikes, we have made sure that staff will be on the front line not the picket for the first winter in three years.
We’ve boosted the living wage to £12.21 an hour.
We’re tackling the massive Crown Court backlog that has reached a record high of over 73,000 – nearly double the 38,000 seen before the pandemic – which means victims facing unprecedented waits for justice.
It’s why we need to have more police back on the beat, with 13,000 more officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood roles and a named officer in every community through our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee in England and Wales.
Change will take time, but it is happening.
This week, the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill was introduced to Parliament. It is the single biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation, putting children’s interests at the heart of government policy, with landmark reforms include measures to improve school standards, ease cost of living for parents and strengthen children’s safeguarding.
The focus of Labour’s Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill is to make ‘child-centred government’ a reality through a series of reforms to deliver on the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity.
We want to see the best start to life for children with a record proportion of five-year-olds starting school ready to learn, allowing teachers to focus on the whole class. That means 75% hitting the Early Years Foundation Standard at age 5, up from 67% currently.
Locally, as the MP for Feltham and Heston, I’ve been privileged to engage with residents and businesses locally and in Parliament, support our young people and local community projects.
I want to take this moment to thank our residents, volunteers, businesses, and supporters— your dedication, hard work, and passion inspire me every day.
Together, through tough times we’ve shown the power of community.
As we move into 2025, I know that spirit will continue to drive and build a stronger, more inclusive community, better services and greater prosperity for all.
A very Happy New Year to all in our community.