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January Update

Updated: Feb 4

January was another busy and productive month in both Parliament and here in Newbury and the surrounding areas. In addition to scrutinising Government policies in the Select Committees, I attended over 45 events, visits, and meetings with local organisations, communities, and businesses. I also managed to visit a few more of our local schools and businesses. Here’s a recap of what I’ve been working on this month.


Holding the Government to Account

As part of the HCLG Select Committee, I had the chance to quiz the Deputy Prime Minister on local government funding and housing. I secured an acknowledgment that councils need greater flexibility in managing their resources, particularly while awaiting long-term funding settlements. I also pressed him on the Government’s target of delivering 1.5 million homes during this Parliament. While I fully support building more homes, this must come with the right infrastructure—something this Government has failed to deliver so far.


I also attended two other Select Committees. The Procedure Committee published its first report into the poor quality and slow responses to written questions from Government departments—this directly impacts MPs' ability to hold ministers to account. As a guest of the Public Accounts Committee, I joined a review of the 2024 General Election, examining issues such as delays in postal voting and the impact of mandatory photo ID requirements.


Tackling Sewage Pollution in Our Rivers

In Parliament, I once again spoke about the alarming levels of sewage pollution affecting the Newbury constituency’s precious chalk streams, the River Kennet and the River Lambourn. In 2023 alone, the Kennet suffered 362 sewage spills, lasting over 4,000 hours, while the Lambourn faced five spills totalling 38 hours. These incidents have caused significant harm to local wildlife and impacted businesses reliant on tourism and angling, and it is simply unacceptable.


The Government has now announced an independent commission to review the water industry, but I warned against using this as an excuse to delay much-needed action. Instead, I urged ministers to support the Liberal Democrats' proposal to replace Ofwat with a new Clean Water Authority—one that would hold water companies to account for both financial and environmental performance. Something we have long been pushing for.


Cost-of-Living Crisis and Supporting Local Charities

With news of rising bills once again, the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect families and businesses across Newbury, West Berkshire, and beyond. I’ve been meeting with many of our amazing local charities that provide crucial support—including food banks, housing advice services, and mental health support organisations.


This month, I attended the V365 Volunteer Fair at the Corn Exchange, which showcased the incredible work of local charities and encouraged more people to get involved. I also visited the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, where it was highlighted that charities in the area will need to find an extra £385,000 just to maintain current services due to increasing costs. West Berkshire Mencap faces a £160,000 shortfall next year. In Westminster, I raised this issue in a debate about National Insurance contributions, arguing that charities should not be left struggling due to Government policies introduced without impact assessments. I also visited Newbury and Thatcham Repair Cafe where I saw the great work they are doing to build community and reduce landfill.


January Job Fair

I was delighted to co-host a job fair this month, which saw over 185 people attend. A huge thank you to West Berkshire Council and Newbury Job Centre for their support in making this event such a success. It was fantastic to see so many people exploring new opportunities and connecting with local employers. If we can, I’m hoping to organise another job fair later in the year to continue supporting our community in finding meaningful employment.


Casework Update

My team and I have been incredibly busy this month, handling a significant volume of casework. In January alone, we created 480 new pieces of casework, closed 519 cases, received 968 casework-related emails, and sent 940 emails. A notable 31% of the casework was related to energy, utilities, and the environment, including questions and feedback on the Climate & Nature (CAN) Bill and the Sunshine Bill. We’re here to help, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need support.


Campaigning for Fairer Healthcare and Support Services

There was positive news for Eastfield House, with approval given for the surgery to move premises—a long-awaited development that will improve healthcare provision in the area.

I also visited Strawberry Hill Medical Centre and Priors Court, where I heard first-hand about the pressures on local services, particularly around funding and recruitment. Additionally, I held a roundtable session with the Berkshire Care Association to discuss the ongoing crisis in the social care sector. Following this, I attended a drop-in event in Parliament and pledged to champion fair funding for social care, ensuring that local providers receive the support they need.


Championing Our Local Economy

Supporting local businesses remains a key priority, and I was pleased to visit Benchmark, a renowned furniture maker in Kintbury, to hear about their future plans. I also joined a roundtable with the horseracing industry, a vital sector for our local economy, to discuss how we can ensure its continued success.


On a lighter note, it was wonderful to hear that three of our local restaurants—The Woodspeen, Damson, and The Goat on the Roof—have been recognised nationally.


Engaging with Schools and Young People

I always enjoy visiting schools and hearing from students about the issues that matter to them. This month, my team and I:


📍 Held a Q&A session at Falkland Primary School.

📍 Welcomed Park House School students to Westminster, where they took part in a lively debate.

📍 Visited Kintbury Primary School, discussing the impact of falling birth rates on school funding.


I also met with the Lambourn Youth Council, a fantastic group of people keen to make a difference in their community. Their enthusiasm and ideas were inspiring, and I look forward to supporting their initiatives.


Marking Holocaust Memorial Day

This month, I attended Holocaust Memorial services both in Westminster and Newbury. At the Parliamentary event, I was deeply moved by the testimony of Yisrael Abelesz, who was just 14 years old when he was sent to the concentration camps. With each passing year, and as we lose the last survivors, it is more important than ever that we continue to tell their stories and educate future generations about the horrors of the Holocaust.



 

Spoken Contributions and Key Issues Raised in Parliament

In addition to the debates mentioned earlier, I spoke in Parliament on a range of issues, including:

• Football Regulation Bill – I attended a session with the EFL to discuss the impact of the Football Governance Bill, which aims to ensure fairer financial support for lower-league clubs.

• A34 Road Safety – I began discussions with ministers and neighbouring MPs about improving the A34 slip road near Newbury, which local residents have highlighted as a serious accident risk.

• SEND Provision – I spoke about the need for better funding and services for children with special educational needs and their families.

• AI and the Workforce – I contributed to a debate about how artificial intelligence can support people with learning needs in the workplace, ensuring that technology is used to increase accessibility rather than create new barriers.

• Local Council Funding – I highlighted the importance of safeguarding funding for local councils to ensure they can continue delivering essential services.

• Social Care Crisis – I called for a comprehensive strategy to address the growing pressures on the social care sector.


Voting Record

In January, I voted on several key issues, including:

• Supporting amendments to the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill to ensure stronger protections for local communities and the environment.

• Backing measures to improve transparency and accountability in Government spending.


Early Day Motions (EDMs)

I supported several EDMs in January, including:• A motion calling for greater investment in mental health services for young people.• A motion highlighting the need for urgent action to protect chalk streams and other vulnerable waterways.


Written Questions

I submitted a number of written questions to Government ministers, including:

• Queries about the timeline for delivering infrastructure improvements alongside new housing developments.

• Questions about the Government’s plans to address the backlog in NHS dental services.



If you’d like to raise an issue with me or find out more about my work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: lee.dillon.mp@parliament.uk.

 







 

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