Dear resident,
I am writing to update you following another busy few weeks in Parliament and here in Sheffield.
In Parliament
Over recent weeks, I have attended a number of Parliamentary drop-ins, including raising awareness of prostate cancer and the WASPI campaign. I am grateful to the many active civil and campaign organisations who work with parliamentarians, helping us make better laws and policies.
As Chair of the APPG on SEND, I hosted a joint event with the APPG on Education, bringing together Parliamentarians, practitioners, and families to discuss how we can build an inclusive education system that works for every child. I also met with More Than a Score, a campaign calling for SATs to be abolished, highlighting the systemic issues with the assessment framework and the severe impact it has on SEND children.
Together with Abtisam Mohamed MP, I met with Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh to discuss protecting Sheffield’s committee system as part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. I am delighted that the Government has put forward an amendment to the Bill, allowing Sheffield to retain the committee system and strengthen our local democracy. I would like to pay tribute to local residents who have tirelessly advocated for this and worked with us to secure this result.
It was a pleasure to host the University of Sheffield’s Equald team for the launch of their report in Parliament. The report provides a collection of toolkits to help people set up, use, and evaluate Individual Service Funds.
I also attended the University of Sheffield’s ‘Mind the Gap’ campaign in Parliament, an important piece of work looking at how to tackle digital exclusion.
Migration and Asylum
Last week, the Home Secretary announced a series of reforms to the asylum and immigration system, taking inspiration from Denmark’s immigration system. I set out why this is not the right thing to do in The Independent and LabourList. You can watch my parliamentary contribution here. You can also watch my clips of my interviews on with BBC, Sky News and ITV on my social media pages.
Stonewall and Rainbow Migration found that LGBTQI+ people are routinely harassed and abused in detention centres, that many feel forced to hide their sexual orientation and gender identity because they do not feel safe, and evidence that detention staff displayed discriminatory attitudes towards LGBTQI+ people in detention and failed to protect them from abuse. I wrote to Minister Alex Norris regarding the detention of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers, coordinating a cross-party letter with 33 parliamentarians calling for urgent reform to ensure that all people seeking safety in the UK are treated with dignity and respect.
I chaired the launch of PCS Union’s report on ‘Welcoming Growth’ in partnership with LSE and Together With Refugees. The report presents the economic case for a fair and humane asylum system.
Miscarriage and Women’s Health
Last month, I spoke in the Baby Loss Awareness Week debate, reflecting on the experiences shared by families and campaigners. Following the debate, I joined Sarah Owen MP and Myleene Klass at the Miscarriage Association event to support efforts to improve bereavement care and ensure all families receive the compassion and support they deserve. You can watch part of my contribution here.
I also met with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Minister for Women’s Health to discuss how we can better support neurodivergent women, improve miscarriage care, and ensure equitable access to IVF, osteoporosis treatment, and eating disorder services. These are issues that affect thousands of women across the country, and I’ll continue to press the Government for action and investment in women’s health.
Transport
Across Sheffield Hallam, residents have raised concerns about speeding, dangerous driving, poor enforcement, and pedestrian safety – particularly near schools, residential areas, and busy junctions. I joined Minister for Local Transport Lilian Greenwood to support Labour’s upcoming Road Safety Strategy, the first national plan in over a decade to tackle the rising number of deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads.
I also joined South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and Council Leader Tom Hunt campaigning for better rail links between Leeds and Sheffield to boost the region’s connectivity and opportunities for growth.
Climate and Nature
Last month, I launched the Climate and Nature Crisis Caucus in Parliament with Zero Hour, a new cross-party group dedicated to tackling the twin crises of climate and nature. This is why climate change and biodiversity loss are not distant or separate. The same burning of fossil fuels that overheats our atmosphere also drives the destruction of forests and oceans that could protect us. You can read my piece about the launch on LabourList here.
I made two interventions, which you can watch here, in a debate on badger culling, pressing the Government to prioritise evidence-led approaches to tackling bovine TB that protect both animal welfare and biodiversity.
In a debate on COP30, I highlighted the links between climate change and food production, and the vital role of local food co-operatives in building resilient communities. I also urged the Government to stand firm against approving the Rosebank oil field proposals, which would undermine the UK’s climate commitments.
It was a pleasure to speak at the event hosted by Sustainable Food Places. A sustainable food system is the foundation of a fair and resilient society. This is why I support calls for a right to food. We must recognise that access to good, healthy, sustainable food should not be privilege but instead is a fundamental part of what it means to live with dignity and security.
Environmental Audit Committee
As part of my work on the Environmental Audit Committee, I questioned the Brazilian Ambassador about their hopes for COP30. It is essential that this conference emphasises the urgent need for coordinated action, addressing the twin crises of climate and nature.
The Environmental Audit Committee has also recently produced two reports. The first report speaks to the Government’s aim to build 1.5 million much needed new homes this Parliament. The report sets out a comprehensive analysis of how the Government can meet this ambition, whilst achieving the targets that commit it to improving the natural environment and reversing nature’s decline. It also challenges the narrative that nature is a blocker to housing delivery, instead arguing that a healthy environment is not a luxury but a necessity for resilient towns and neighbourhoods.
In January the Government announced that it would support and encourage airport expansion in the UK as a driver to deliver the goal of economic growth. The second report outlines what the Committee’s concerns around government ambitions on net zero and issues around airport expansion.
Gaza and the Middle East
Like many across our constituency, I welcomed the news of a ceasefire in Gaza. Yet, as the humanitarian catastrophe deepens, it is vitally important that this is addressed through the unrestricted flow of aid. I asked the Prime Minister what extra monitoring, new mechanisms and assurances he is seeking to ensure that parties on the ground can get essential aid to every person who needs it. You can watch my contribution here.
It is also important that Israel allows independent foreign media, including British journalists, unfettered access to report from the ground. I asked the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee whether her committee would investigate the impact of Israel’s ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza. You can watch my question here.
Issues in the Constituency
In the past few months, problems with leaseholds have become a significant issue in the constituency. Members of my team recently met with residents from Riverdale Flats and the co-CEO of Rendall and Rittner to discuss ongoing issues. The meeting was constructive, and I will continue to monitor progress to ensure residents’ concerns are addressed.
I understand that many residents have experienced difficulties following the purchase of their leasehold by an individual. My office is currently working on this issue and is in the process of collecting evidence and supporting residents who have been affected. We held an online meeting with the Leasehold Advisory Service that was well attended. If you have been affected by this experience please do reach out to us.
In the Community
I was pleased to visit Sheffield Children’s Hospital where I met their dedicated staff and play specialists. It was great to hear about the work they are doing and how they are making their services more friendly to neurodiverse young people.
It was a pleasure to welcome Katie Bollard, owner of Crosspool Social, to Number 11 Downing Street for the Small Business Reception. Katie met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP, and there’s been some fantastic local press coverage celebrating her success. You can read more about it here.
It was also great to meet with Breast Cancer Now to support their Wear It Pink Day campaign. They’re working tirelessly to ensure that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives – and lives well. I’m incredibly inspired by my constituent Lucy Akhavan, who is fundraising for Weston Park Cancer Charity in memory of her mother, who she sadly lost 11 years ago. You can read more about Lucy’s campaign here. Lucy also offers free radiotherapy tattoo removal at her clinic, Saffron and Berry in Broomhill.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my update. If there’s anything my team or I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at olivia.blake.mp@parliament.uk.
Kind regards,
Olivia Blake MP