In May, the country celebrated 80 years since the unconditional surrender of German forces and the end of World War II in Europe, and the men and women who served in our armed services to defend the freedoms we hold dear today.
The British armed forces at that time were a global force, with personnel serving from the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the West Indies, Canada, and Australia. Many of those who served ended up in Lewisham, and I am proud to represent their descendants today.
In our new and uncertain world, the fight for peace and liberty continues, and so does the gratitude our country has towards our armed services. The government announced VALOUR, a UK-wide veteran support system to ensure veterans have easier access to essential care and support.
Backed by £50m of funding, our aim is to establish a new network of VALOUR-recognised support centres across every nation and region of the UK, unleashing the full potential of veterans.
The nation owes a duty to those who’ve served to defend our country, and it is only right that the Government steps up its support for them.
The Armed Forces set most people up for success in life, but when veterans need help, support is too often a postcode patchwork. VALOUR will work with enterprising health, employment and housing charities to shape more tailored local support.
VALOUR marks a major milestone in meeting our manifesto promise to fully implement the Armed Forces Covenant.
Local Election Results
Thank you to all those who campaigned in the recent election results across the country. I was glad to see that Labour was able to retain three regional mayoralties, including West of England, which I know many local members assisted with.
I share the disappointment that many feel at losing the Councils we were in control of, especially with the rise of reform.
It is essential to view these results in context, as new governments typically lose seats following a general election, as seen in 1980 and 1999. The government I am a part of was elected on a mandate of change, and we view this as the result of an electorate hungry for change.
On the doorstep step many issues were raised, such as the Winter Fuel Allowance. We are committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected. The Government is reviewed its approach to the Winter Fuel Allowance and ensured that more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments going forward. The Prime Minister announced that a decision will be made at the next fiscal event.
Saving British Steel
Parliament was recalled for an emergency Saturday sitting during Easter Recess as Labour acted to save British Steel. The Government passed emergency legislation to protect steel production at Scunthorpe, allowing ministers to direct the workforce and secure raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running.
British Steel’s owners had accelerated closure plans despite ongoing negotiations, prompting swift Government action. The company supplies 90% of Network Rail’s steel requirements and is the UK’s major supplier of construction sections. Without intervention, Britain would have become the only G20 country unable to produce primary steel.
The Government had made a generous support offer with conditions to protect workers and taxpayers, but the owners consistently refused these terms. The strategic decision aims to secure UK-manufactured steel for nationally important projects, including airports, rail infrastructure and housing, as part of the Plan for Change.
Labour committed to keeping all options on the table to protect the thousands of steelworkers, their families and the Scunthorpe community, whilst securing billions in support for British industry.
Ministerial Update
Whilst schools had their Easter break, it did not mean that the Department for Education wasn’t quiet. I was delighted to speak at a Parliamentary event organised by Foundations, the What Works Centre for Children & Families. Foundations do fantastic work providing practical solutions to policymakers and practitioners, enabling them to support children and families in need.
April also saw the initial rollout of Breakfast Clubs nationwide, with nearly 180,000 children able to access free breakfast at school. This is part of Labour’s plan to provide quality nutrition and free childcare, saving working parents money and ensuring that no child starts school hungry. To celebrate, I was joined by local Labour members, who distributed leaflets at Downderry Primary School, one of the local schools that signed up to the scheme.
Teachers Pay
Labour is delivering on our promise to make teaching pay, with the recent decision by the Education Secretary to accept a 4% pay boost to teachers’ salaries this September, building on the 5.5% pay increase last year.
Teachers have been overstretched and undervalued for far too long, and this pay increase recognises their dedication to the challenging and vital task of inspiring the nation’s children and ensuring they thrive in the classroom and beyond.
This pay rise is being accompanied by additional investment in our teachers to drive up recruitment and retention, including tax-free financial incentives and progressive development. We have seen a 2,000-person increase since last year in the number of people training to become teachers due to this.
All this was the result of the difficult decisions the chancellor took last year, such as ending tax breaks for private schools.
Foreign Affairs update
Good deals for Britain
Labour announced trade deals with three of our most important partners and economic allies in May.
Our agreements with the EU, the USA and India show that Britain is back on the world stage. These deals will boost the UK economy, remove barriers to British businesses, and put more money in the pockets of working people.
In 2018, I was elected on a promise to improve relations with our European partners. I am glad to see that under a Labour government, this is finally happening.
The deal with the EU will cut red tape, allowing for much easier cross-border trade, meaning an extra £9 billion a year boost to the economy. Britons will be able to use e- gates in Europe, cutting down waits at passport control, and have more freedom to take their pets abroad with the introduction of ‘pet passports’.
Israel – Hamas War
The government and I remain committed to the two-state solution and urge both Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire. Hamas must release any hostages who remain. We remain clear that Israel should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as rapidly as possible, but it must be done in a way that creates the conditions for negotiations towards a two-state solution.
I also agree that the Israeli settlements and settler violence in the West Bank are illegal, that they do nothing for Israel’s security, and endanger the prospects of a two-state solution. Recently, the Foreign Secretary met Palestinian community members in the West Bank, where he heard how communities, and made it clear to Israeli Ministers that the Israeli Government must clamp down on settler violence and end settlement expansion.
Ukraine – Russo War
The government is ironclad in its support for Ukraine, and we are working with allies to ensure that Putin agrees to an immediate ceasefire without conditions, much like Ukraine has pledged to do.
In April, representatives from the UK, France, Germany and the US met multiple times to support President Trump’s commitment to stop the killing and achieve a just and lasting peace. Additionally, we continue to condemn Russia’s missile and drone attacks on civilian targets, as well as the continued shocking abductions of children and attempts to wipe out Ukrainian culture.
Hither Green Station Upgrade
In June, Hither Green Station is celebrating its 130th birthday, and as a gift, it is receiving a £28 million upgrade, with the installation of a new footbridge and entrances. The new footbridge, featuring 16-person lifts for each platform, will provide step-free access to all platforms, serving as a significant boost to accessibility at the station.
Work began earlier this year, and I visited the site in May to view the progress and receive a briefing on the plans.
Network Rail has done a great job in communicating with local residents to mitigate their concerns and minimise disruption. The work is expected to be completed by August 2027.
Bakerloo Extension
Support for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension project is picking up steam, and I am proud to back it.
The extension is a serious upgrade to transport links in Southeast London, and Phase 2 will bring a direct tube line from central London to Catford and Lower Sydenham. The project will speed up journey times, encourage economic growth, create new jobs and reduce our reliance on cars.
If you want to show your support for the Bakerloo Line extension, you can visit the campaign’s website: https://www.backthebakerloo.org.uk
Happy days Breakfast club & Base Zero Nursery 30th Celebration
This month was the 30th birthday of Happy Days Breakfast Club & Base Zero Nursery. This is a fantastic local business that supports families and children in Bellingham.
Set up by Lewisham resident Julie, they provide breakfast clubs and nursery services to the local community and are well-loved, as evidenced by the former children who now send their children there. They held a celebration at their nursery, to which I was invited to attend and give a speech.
I was impressed by the nursery’s facilities and the commitment to the community, and I thank them for inviting me to share their special celebration.