Dear resident,
As we settle in to the new year, I wanted to update you on the work I’ve been doing both locally and in Parliament to support our community and continue pushing for meaningful change in the issues that matter most to you.
Environmental Action and Climate Commitments
As part of my role on the Environmental Audit Committee, I’ve been scrutinising the government’s approach to meeting its climate goals. Recently, I questioned Secretary of State Ed Miliband on the government’s clean power target for 2030. It’s clear that while progress is being made, there is still much work to be done to ensure we meet this ambitious goal. I raised concerns about potential overlaps in the work of various government bodies, ensuring that we avoid duplication and focus our efforts effectively.
Additionally, I was encouraged to hear about the cross-departmental work that is already underway, especially the collaboration with the Department for Education to upskill the workforce for climate projects. This is vital as we need a skilled workforce to help deliver the green transition.
I also sat in the committee on accepting the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025. This is a key piece of legislation that will play an important role in reducing emissions and ensuring that businesses contribute their fair share to the UK’s climate commitments.
Supporting SEND and Vulnerable Groups
I am proud to co-chair the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) APPG, and we recently held our first evidence session. The ongoing feedback from parents, carers, and experts will be instrumental in shaping policy and improving support for children and families across the country.
I also met with Age UK to discuss the ‘People Keeping Well’ campaign, which focuses on helping older adults stay healthy, active, and engaged in their communities. This is vital as we support our ageing population and ensure they have access to the services and opportunities they need.
Local Engagement and Community Support
On the ground, I’ve been meeting with constituents on a range of issues—from housing to support with Universal Credit claims. My regular constituency surgeries continue to be a key part of my work, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to assist with your concerns.
I had a chance to visit Loxley Brewery and The Wisewood Inn, an important local business that contributes to our community fabric. Supporting our local enterprises is crucial, and I will continue working to ensure they thrive.
I met with Hospice UK to talk about how we can better support families facing terminal illness, ensuring they have the care and support they need.
I also met with Carter Knowle School to see the work they are doing, and hear about the challenges they are facing. I will continue to work with schools in the constituency to ensure every child receives the best educational experience possible.
Parliamentary Work
In Parliament, I spoke on the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. It is reassuring to see that this Bill, unlike previous legislation, explicitly complies with Convention rights. I am concerned that Section 59 of the Illegal Migration Act is not being repealed in this Bill. This makes any asylum or human rights claim made by a national of a “safe state” inadmissible. Blanket bans on asylum claims from entire countries are fundamentally flawed, and we have seen the dangers of legislating that a country is safe when in reality it may be not so for everyone. For instance, Georgia is one of the countries the previous government added to the ‘safe states’ list but has becoming an increasingly hostile and dangerous place for LGBTQI+ people.
A fair system would also mean people seeking asylum were able to access the UK safely. The ‘four Ps’ approach to tackling organised criminal gangs outlined in the Bill’s explanatory notes – to ‘prevent’, ‘pursue’, ‘protect’ and ‘prepare’ are all important parts of disrupting the business model of criminal gangs, but we must not lose sight of who needs protecting in this. No one wants to see more deaths in the Channel, but prosecuting people smugglers needs to go hand in hand with other measures to prevent Channel crossings. This Bill must be used a vital opportunity to set out a clear plan for reviewing and expanding safe and legal routes to the UK, and I hope that these important points can be addressed as the Bill progresses.
As co-chair of the Migration APPG I was pleased to host researchers from the University of Sheffield on EUSS scheme issues. It raised a lot of key issues. I was also elected to co-chair the APPG on Local Nature Recovery.
I met with the British Liver Trust to hear about the work they are doing. Liver disease is on the rise, but 90% of cases are preventable. That’s why the British Liver Trust are raising awareness about the importance of looking after your liver. If you would like to contribute to their work you can do donate through this link.
I am committed to continuing my work both locally and nationally to support our community and push for policies that improve lives and protect our future.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to hearing from you in the coming months.
Warm regards,
Olivia Blake MP
