You can sign up to get Laura's updates direct to your inbox here!
Welcome from Laura
My apologies if I have written this before, but as the blossom explodes across West Berkshire I really cannot think of a lovelier corner of this country than this. I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine.
My month began with the enormous (and unexpected) privilege of attending Their Majesties Coronations at Westminster Abbey. West Berkshire’s links to the Royal Family are special and unique and it was an incredible honour to attend the Abbey on behalf of my constituents and then join so many street and village parties the following day. I know how proud our community is of our royal connections and we all wish the King every success in his reign.
You can read my article on this that was published in the Newbury Weekly News here: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/newbury-weekly-news-coronation.
In Parliament
Illegal Migration Bill
Following my first speech on the Illegal Immigration Bill, in which I spoke in support of the UK’s commitment to human rights, I spoke again on the Bill when it returned for its final Commons stages.
I am glad that the Government has committed to creating new safe and legal routes, which will ensure we can continue supporting and welcoming those from around the world that most need it. And I made clear that the Bill seeks to "extinguish a route nor a right". It is right that the Government takes action to stop the illegal Channel Crossings that are now completely under the control of people smugglers but at the same time ensures that safe routes exist for those in immediate humanitarian need.
I also spoke about the need for proper age verification and identification checks, based on my own experiences of these issues in the immigration tribunals and High Court before I entered Parliament.
The Bill is now with the House of Lords for further consideration.
You can watch my first speech here: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/laura-speaks-illegal-migration-bill-parliament
And my second speech here: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/lauras-illegal-migration-bill-speech
GWR services to Newbury, Kintbury & Hungerford
A number of constituents have been in touch about rail services through the Newbury constituency since GWR’s May timetable change.
There has been a reduction in coaches on the busy commuter service which runs at 0736 from Hungerford and 0745 from Newbury which has led to overcrowding. I contacted GWR about this last week and was told that their timetabling team is looking into this specific service as a matter of urgency.
However, despite these assurances I think there are wider issues about the adequacy of the GWR service through the constituency, especially given the reduction in direct services between Paddington and Hungerford implemented quite recently. I raised this matter with the Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt in the Commons last week.
Added to this, I have also today written to the Rail Minister and Mark Hopwood at GWR about the issues of overcrowding and my continuing campaign to reinstate more direct services to Kintbury and Hungerford.
You can watch my question and read the speech on my website: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/laura-asks-government-action-gwr-services
Continuing my work on domestic abuse
It was a pleasure to meet domestic abuse campaigner Frank Mullane who set up AAFDA – Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse – after the murder of his sister Julia Pemberton and her son William by her husband 20 years ago. Julia lived in Hermitage, near Newbury, and her case gained notoriety at the time because of the repeated warnings she had made to the police about the threats to her life.
We discussed recent changes to the law that I have secured, including longer sentences for domestic homicide on which he campaigns. Locally, I also visited Berkshire Women’s Aid and FLAG DV – the “Free Legal Advice Group for Domestic Violence” – an organisation offering pro bono support to domestic abuse victims based in Newbury. They have recently received a significant grant from the Ministry of Justice to support their work and I am determined to see them become firmly established with the Department as a leading domestic abuse service in the South East.
Finally I was honoured to be included on Grazia Magazine’s “Power List” of 25 trailblazing women from different walks of life for my work in this area of the law.
You can find out more on my website: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/grazia-power-list-laura-named-her-campaigns-domestic-abuse
Calling for tougher animal welfare rules
I have been struck by the number of constituents who have written to me about welfare conditions at MBR Acres, a beagle breeding facility in Huntingdon where puppies are bred for scientific testing.
Whilst I’d like to make animal testing a thing of the past, in the meantime, I think animals used in scientific testing should enjoy the same protections as others under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. To that end, I have been working with animal welfare campaigners and constituents to raise concerns about MBR Acres and I am pleased to say that I recently raised this issue with the Farming Minister in Parliament.
You can watch this here: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/raising-constituents-concerns-about-animal-welfare-laura-asks-minister-about-mbr-acres
My other contributions in Parliament:
- Having worked with the Royal Berkshire Hospital on their 'Building Better Berkshire' community engagement programme, I welcomed the Government's pledge to fund the Hospital upgrade: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/laura-welcomes-government-pledge-royal-berks-hospital
- As Counsel to the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse from 2016-17 I listened to the Home Secretary’s statement on the Government’s response to the report and asked a question about protecting children online: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/lauras-question-home-secretary-independent-inquiry-child-sexual-abuse
And I joined Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales on Channel 4 to discuss action the Government has taken to get more prisoners into work – doubling the number of ex-convicts finding steady employment within 6 months of release since 2021.
You can watch the interview here: https://www.laurafarris.org.uk/news/laura-joins-channel-4-discuss-prison-conditions
In Newbury
Business Roundtable with Science Minister George Freeman
To welcome the creation of the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), which is focused on progressing the UK’s scientific and technology sector, I welcomed the Science Minister for an online roundtable with some of West Berkshire’s leading innovators in these fields.
The session was a valuable opportunity for local businesses to input on the development of Government policy, and is the precursor to a wider meeting of leading businesses in the Thames Valley and M4 Corridor on how the Government can best support our technology and science enterprises.
Visiting Autism Berkshire
Regular readers of my newsletter will know that local child and adolescent mental health services are a really important issue for me. This is why I recently visited Autism Berkshire, based in Reading, to hear about the work going on there to support families and young people.
I know that many families that write to me feel overwhelmed and frustrated accessing diagnoses and services, so it was great to meet Autism Berkshire to hear about the support services they can offer from the start including help in the educational environment irrespective of a formal diagnosis.
More funding for flood defences
After years of lobbying I am delighted that my efforts – and those of West Berkshire’s Conservative Councillors – paid off in April when a further £6.3 million of funding was announced from the Environment Agency to complete the flood defence projects in Thatcham and to undertake work in Lambourn and Newbury.
In Thatcham, the funding will create three new flood storage areas protecting 110 properties, completing the final stages of their flood alleviation scheme and money will also go towards flood protection schemes for at-risk homes in Lambourn, and a surface water plan for the Clay Hill area of Newbury.
Funding boost for West Berkshire schools
After lobbying the Department of Education, I am delighted that three schools in West Berkshire have been selected to benefit from the Government’s £456 million investment in school buildings. Francis Baily Primary School, Whitelands Park Primary School and Trinity School will receive significant funding towards building improvement and making buildings more energy efficient. This follows the announcement last December that John O'Gaunt School in Hungerford would receive funding from the Schools Rebuilding Programme.
In addition I am delighted that a number of schools have been selected for investment from the Government's grassroots sports fund. Over half a million pounds will be spent in West Berkshire, going towards new goalposts, spectator areas, maintenance equipment, storage, floodlights at a number of sites, as well as a new artificial grass pitch at John O'Gaunt School.
Finally the Department for Education have announced that West Berkshire’s general education budget will receive a significant funding boost of £2.7m. This will mean that a typical primary school will receive approximately £35,000 extra and a typical secondary school £200,000. I know from my regular school visits how urgently needed this additional funding it to meet rising costs.
And, I was also very excited to attend the formal opening of Mary Hare’s new primary school at Snelsmore Common. The primary school has moved from their Newbury site, with both the primary and secondary schools on the same site meaning they can better share resources and best practice.
‘Glimpses of India’ cultural event
It was a real treat to attend the Glimpses of India cultural event at the Phoenix Centre, organised by Bharatiya Sanscruti, an Indian cultural group. It featured music and dance from every region in India and was a riot of colour and energy involving performers of every age. It was a brilliant illustrating of how India’s rich culture contributes to our own here in West Berkshire.