My Parliamentary Postbag – September Edition: A Look at My Correspondence

These monthly newsletters will provide an insight into some of the correspondence I receive from you. While they won’t cover every topic raised with me, they will offer a general overview of some of the key issues and questions you want to know my views on.

Animal Welfare

Caged Birds:

You shared concerns about the breeding of gamebirds in cages.

I know that as a nation of animal lovers, many people have strong feelings on the use of cages for birds. That’s why I appreciate concerns specifically about the treatment of gamebirds that are bred and reared specifically for shooting.

I am pleased to say that on 4 September the Government launched its Call for Evidence on the gamebird industry. This will help Ministers strengthen the evidence base on gamebird rearing, release and shooting and to understand all impacts, positive and negative, associated with these activities. This will include evidence on biodiversity, protected sites and habitats, biosecurity and disease, bird of prey crime, animal welfare, use of natural resources and other relevant impacts. The Call for Evidence will close on 1 November 2026 and responses will be reviewed carefully, including by independent expert reviewers. I understand no decisions have been taken at this stage, and any future proposals would be subject to public consultation. I will follow developments on this subject, and I encourage you to submit a response here: https://consultations.defra.gov.uk/call-for-evidence-on-gamebird-release-shooting-and-welfare-during-rearing-in-england

More generally, the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes provides guidance on how to meet the welfare needs of gamebirds under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It sets out that barren cages for breeding pheasants and partridges should not be used, and that any system should be appropriately enriched. I know the Government remains firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare, and I’m pleased to see the Government’s ambitious new Animal Welfare Strategy, which will work closely with industry to phase out the use of enriched cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs. I am even more glad to share with you that I understand that ending the use of cages and crates is a key priority for Ministers in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Frankenchickens:

You raised concerns about fast-growing meat chickens and asked that I support a timetable to end factory farming of chickens.

I recognise that there are important welfare concerns around the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds, and I welcome the Government’s commitments to improving the welfare of farmed animals through its Animal Welfare Strategy. This includes promoting the use of slower-growing breeds, and I welcome the work being done by Ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to work with the industry and support voluntary efforts to move away from fast-growing breeds.

I also welcome the Government’s funding of a review into the welfare implications of fast-growing meat chickens, as well as the Animal Welfare Committee’s review of livestock breeding, published in April 2026. I believe it is incredibly important that future improvements to animal welfare are informed by the available evidence.

I welcome the work of supermarkets that have made and fulfilled the Better Chicken commitment, while I am disappointed that some restaurant groups have chosen to withdraw from their commitments. There are also legal protections in place for farmed animals, including through the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007. I believe it is important that these protections are properly enforced and that potential breaches are taken seriously. I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind in future discussions on animal welfare.

Phasing Out Animal Testing:

You asked me to sign the PETA’s open letter regarding the phasing out of animal testing.

Animal welfare is an important issue for many of my constituents, and I am committed to supporting the long-term phasing out of animal testing wherever possible. I welcome the Government’s new animal testing strategy, published in November 2025 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy) and I recognise the urgency of transitioning away from animal testing and am determined to support meaningful change through coordinated, cross-government action.

The Government’s strategy is intended to support efforts to end the use of animals in testing wherever possible, while ensuring that alternative methods are introduced as soon as they are proven to be safe and effective. The strategy, alongside this latest funding announcement, represents an important step forward for animal welfare in the UK. By drawing on our scientific expertise and innovation, we can make meaningful progress towards reducing reliance on animal testing while continuing to support vital research. It is encouraging to note that the strategy has been welcomed by organisations including the RSPCA and Cruelty Free International. I have met with Animal Free Research UK, RSPCA, PETA and LUSH on a number of occasions to discuss the urgent need to phase out animal testing and their individual proposals. Whilst I am unable to sign open letters, I can assure you that I will continue to meet with the organisations above and raise my voice in support of animal welfare reform whenever and wherever I can. I completely appreciate the strength of feeling behind this, and as a dog owner and animal lover myself, I join you.

Education, Employment and Pensions

Will you back six weeks of paternity leave?

You asked me to back the campaign to increase statutory paternity leave from 2 weeks to 6 weeks at 90% of earnings and improve support for self-employed dads.

As a parent myself, I understand how precious the first few weeks with a new baby are and how quickly they pass. I recently met with Dad Shift who highlight the fact that 1 in 3 dads do not take the paternity leave already available to them for financial reasons, as well as the staggeringly low take-up of shared parental leave. They arranged a formal conversation about how we take this forward as well as support dads locally. Last year, I also held a coffee morning at Ashby Ivanhoe FC for dads to discuss the challenges they face.

The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review received over 1,500 responses during the call for evidence last summer. Ministers are continuing to engage with a range of stakeholders, including advocacy groups, trade unions and business representatives to inform their ongoing work. The Review will be concluded in early 2027 and the Government will outline next steps for taking any reforms forward to implementation.

SEND Reform:

You raised concerns regarding SEND provision and speech and language challenges.

I am very aware of the challenges faced by SEND families and, most importantly, the impact these can have on children and young people. SEND is one of the most common areas of casework received by my office. I have held several roundtables with SEND parents and local teachers to hear directly about their experiences and have raised this feedback with the Secretary of State for Education. I have also met with schools across the constituency and the local college, many of whom are doing everything they can to support children while they wait for an EHCP, often without additional resources. On speech and language challenges specifically, it was announced last year that up to 20,000 children nationally will have their needs identified and supported earlier, breaking down barriers to opportunity. You can read more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/earlier-support-for-speech-and-language-for-20000-children Following on from your email, I have submitted some questions into the House of Commons library to understand the current gap in provision and where we go from here. If you would like an update, please do come back to me on this issue.

The Government’s White Paper sets out proposals to improve SEND provision, including digital Individual Support Plans, increased specialist support in schools, and a new tiered approach to support: universal, targeted, targeted plus and specialist. The consultation has recently closed and the Government will be reviewing the feedback and considering the next steps. The proposed reformed system of support for SEND would require legislative change. Whilst it may take a while, wider support and funding for schools would be introduced to prepare for a reformed system. I will continue to raise these concerns and advocate for better SEND support when I meet my ministerial colleagues.

Social Media Bans and VPNs

You asked me to oppose proposals to “ban” under-16s from social media and to restrict access to privacy tools such as VPNs.

I recognise that this is a sensitive issue and that there are legitimate concerns around both protecting children and safeguarding privacy. As a parent, I have seen the potential harms children can face online, including the risks posed by predators on gaming platforms, and I greatly welcome action to strengthen protections.

The Government’s proposed measures are currently expected to come into effect from Spring 2027, with regulations due to be brought before Parliament to scrutiny and debate. I recognise that there are differing views on what this should look like. It is incredibly important that we ensure any age-verification system respects privacy and meets the highest standards of data security. The Government has stated that it does not intend to ban or age-gate VPNs, recognising their legitimate uses for privacy and security. During the Statement in the House a few months ago on the Social Media Ban for Under 16s, I asked the Secretary of State to confirm how we will ensure that free education resources continue and how this will be implemented in light of the ban https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-15/debates/D7F73285-1B09-409A-B9CA-49AED9B76D10/SocialMediaBanForUnder-16S?highlight=education#contribution-C596D3CD-6ACB-436C-86AA-830979F63D4A. I will continue to follow all proposals incredibly closely and will keep your thoughts in mind in future discussions.

Pensions:

You asked for an update on the Government’s position on the state pension and triple lock.

There has been a lot of misinformation shared following the Prime Minister’s speech at Labour Party Conference last month and I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify what the proposed changes are and when they would theoretically come into play. I sat on the Work and Pensions Select Committee for eighteen months and the conversation around how we can make a pensions service that works for everyone, whilst ensuring the needs of older people are met, was a frequent discussion.

The state pension will continue to rise, alongside a reliable, high-quality care service that gives people greater security and peace of mind later in life. Meanwhile, we will start to lay the groundwork for the National Care Service now and introduce it in the next Parliament. Our current social care system has been under pressure for years. Too many older people face huge care costs, while others struggle to get the support they need to live safely and independently. The proposed National Care Service would be based on principles similar to the NHS, with everyone contributing and everyone having access to support when they need it. The aim is to provide high-quality personal care without people having to face unaffordable costs, while making care at home the priority wherever possible. That means helping older people remain independent, in familiar surroundings, and treated with dignity.

The triple lock will remain unchanged throughout the current Parliament, as promised in our manifesto. There was a recent statement in the House which explains the proposed changes in detail which you can read here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-10-13/debates/72F06588-BF33-4C21-8542-EE9E1293D7C9/PensionsTripleLock

Environment and Rural Areas

Rural Reset:

You copied me into correspondence to the Prime Minister calling for a ‘rural reset’, a new relationship with the countryside, built on working with and listening to the people who live, work and care deeply about it.

I am proud to be one of the founding members of the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG) which was established to ensure that rural voices are heard at the heart of government and to develop the research, evidence and policy solutions needed to unlock rural potential and deliver meaningful change across our rural heartlands. The Group met with Andy Burnham prior to him becoming Prime Minister to share some of the issues that constituents raise with us in rural communities.

The LRRG continues to publish independent research, commission polling, convene evidence from stakeholders and rural residents, and develop policy proposals that support economic growth, stronger rural communities and better policymaking across government. Please be assured that ensuring our rural voices are heard is a priority for me, and if my office can be of any assistance to you in any way, big or small, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also find the LRRG’s published reports on the website here: https://www.labourruralresearchgroup.com/research

Water Nationalisation

You asked me to support comprehensive improvements to the water industry, to back a stronger Clean Water Bill, and urgent action to clean up our rivers.

I’m incredibly pleased to see the Prime Minister commit to repeal Margaret Thatcher’s 1989 ban on public ownership of water companies. The Prime Minister has clearly set out that, when it comes to sanctioning failing companies, nothing is off the table. The Government’s White Paper ‘A New Vision for Water’ sets out further reforms for the water industry including tighter discharge limits, enhanced monitoring and the creation of a new single water regulator with stronger, more proactive tools to enforce the rules and ensure water companies are fully held to account for sewage pollution.

Pollution incidents from the activities of the water industry are unacceptable and have a devastating impact on our environment. If you haven’t already, I recommend watching ‘Dirty Business’, a docudrama on Channel 4 which explores a decade-long investigation into sewage contamination in Oxfordshire. I had the opportunity to meet some of its creators in Parliament, and it was incredibly inciteful.

The water industry must do more to reduce pollution and protect our rivers, lakes and seas, so I was proud to sit on the Bill Committee for the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which the Government introduced to increase accountability, strengthen sanctions and make pollution coverups a criminal offence. It also created a new duty on water and sewerage undertakers to produce annual Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs). I have spoken in Parliament on a number of occasions specifically in regard to sewage in our communities, and the water sector more broadly. I recently met with Severn Trent’s CEO to raise constituent concerns directly and I will continue to do so. We are due to introduce a new Clean Water Bill in Parliament, as introduced in the King’s speech, which will go further to close loopholes that currently allow failing bosses to get handed big bonuses and also give greater public control over water companies.

Health and Social Care

Palliative Care:

You asked me what work the Government is doing to focus on greater investment in and equitable access to high-quality palliative, social and hospice care.

Social care affects every community, whether its older people needing support, adults living with disabilities, or families caring for loved one. That’s why I greatly welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement on social care, pledging to lift up care workers through pay and training, working across party lines to find lasting solutions. The Prime Minister has also asked Louise Casey to report on how to build a National Care Service by summer 2027, a year earlier than planned. A vital part of that work will be Baroness Casey’s Big Conversation on Care, which is open until April 2027. I encourage you to share your thoughts on the future of adult social care, so it’s designed specifically for the people it’s there to serve: https://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/

All of this will go towards building a strong palliative, social and hospice care network, including £4,6 billion for adult social care by 2028/29. Our care workers do an incredible job day in and day out and I saw this first hand whilst working for Leicester Housing Association and Advance Housing and Support, and it’s been my pleasure to visit Bright Hope in our constituency, and LOROS hospice which sits just outside of it. I have previously written to Ministers on behalf of Rainbows Hospice and some of the concerns they had, so please be assured that I join the Prime Minister in believing that improving palliative care in England is an absolute priority.

Private Equity in NHS contracts:

You raised concerns about the growing role of private equity in NHS-contracted services.

I recognise that this is an important issue and that there are legitimate concerns about ensuring NHS funding is used effectively and that patient care remains the priority. The NHS was founded on the principle of care based on need, not ability to pay, and I will always support it as a publicly funded service that is free at the point of use.

Alongside investing an extra £29 billion in the health service, the Government is making use of spare capacity in the independent sector to help reduce waiting lists. I believe this capacity should be used where appropriate, while ensuring the NHS is not reliant on the independent sector in the long term. I also welcome the Government’s measures to strengthen oversight of insourcing, including the Public Interest Test and Insourcing Strategy, and the forthcoming Social Value Model. I believe it is important that NHS funding is properly scrutinised and delivers value for patients. I have taken on board your concerns about private equity and will continue to follow developments in this area closely.

National Cancer Plan:

You asked me to urge the Health Secretary to prioritise implementing the National Cancer Plan and shared work by Macmillan Cancer Support.

I welcomed the publication of the National Cancer Plan earlier this year and its ambition that three in four people diagnosed with cancer from 2035 will be cancer-free or living well five years later. Its measures are expected to save an additional 320,000 lives by 2035 and commits the NHS to meeting all three cancer waiting-time standards by March 2029, including ensuring that 85% of patients begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.

Early diagnosis rates are at a record high, all three principal cancer standards have improved over the past year, and around 250,000 more people received a timely diagnosis or had cancer ruled out than in the year before the General Election. The Plan is supported by £2.3 billion for diagnostics, more than £650 million to complete the national rollout of lung cancer screening by 2030, £70 million for new radiotherapy machines and £200 million for Cancer Alliances. I welcome that every cancer patient will get an individual support plan that covers treatment, mental health and employment support, alongside a named local care lead. Prevention is equally important. Building on the 10 Year Health Plan, the Government is seeking to move care from hospitals into communities, embrace digital technology and shift the focus from sickness to prevention. Measures include HPV vaccination and improvements to bowel cancer screening, as well as ensuring the next generation can never legally buy cigarettes. A new three-year Neighbourhood Early Diagnosis Fund will target deprived and underserved communities to reduce inequalities in cancer care.

I am pleased that in September the Health Secretary announced a reformed National Cancer Board. It will meet quarterly to scrutinise progress against the Plan’s more than 100 commitments, with dedicated leads for inequalities, rare cancers, and children and young people. I have met with Macmillan Cancer Support on a number of occasions and will continue to do so. During a statement to the House on the Plan, I asked the previous Minister Ashely Dalton how she will ensure that it works for semi-rural areas like ours, addressing cross-boundary issues. You can watch my question here: https://fb.watch/K4Mc5447y-/. I will continue to push Ministers so our area can benefit strongly from this plan.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

You asked me to become an RNIB Champion to support blind and partially sighted people in North West Leicestershire.

The RNIB does vital work in supporting individuals and raising awareness of the barriers people with sight loss face. Before being elected, I supported the RNIB’s #SeeDifferently campaign to make elections more accessible by adding ALT Text to images and graphics and capitalising each word in your hashtags. I also signed an Early Day Motion in support of the Leicestershire sight loss charity Vista. Before becoming your MP, I worked closely with Vista when I was part of a voluntary sector consortium where I was a founding trustee alongside Vista, so it was a real disappointment when the charity closed its doors recently. Thankfully, some of the services are continuing with a new provider.

I have now signed up as an RNIB Champion and look forward to receiving briefings from the charity and local data about sight loss in North West Leicestershire to help me support my constituents.

Other

BBC License Fee

You asked me to support changes to the TV licence system, ahead of the BBC Charter Review.

The BBC is a British institution that has been at the heart of our national life for over 100 years. However, I recognise that the way people watch TV is changing and that the licence fee may need to change too. The number of UK households holding a TV licence has fallen by 2.4 million since its peak in 2017/18 and that trend is expected to continue.

I therefore welcomed the Government’s decision to hold a public consultation as part of the BBC’s Charter Review. The consultation sought feedback on how to ensure the BBC is funded sustainably and fairly, and explored options around reforming the licence fee, alongside ways in which the broadcaster could operate more efficiently and generate additional commercial revenue. Ministers are keeping all options open, though they have ruled out general taxation.

I will continue to follow this issue closely and look carefully at any proposals that come forward from Ministers. Any future settlement needs to safeguard our national broadcaster for the long-term whilst recognising the changing media landscape.

Bonnie Blue

You shared your concerns regarding adult-content creator Bonnie Blue and her newborn baby.

Thank you for contacting me following the incredibly disturbing content released by Bonnie Blue, posting videos in which her newborn baby appears to be beside her whilst she promotes her content. I understand that numerous safeguarding claims have been made already, and that she has been reported to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). As a parent I am absolutely disgusted, and I understand how distressing this must be for many of you. I am having conversations with colleagues internally on this issue and will update this answer accordingly.

I remain incredibly concerned more broadly about what young people are being subjected to online, and I recently co-signed a letter to Google and Apple calling on them to do more to protect children from image-based sexual abuse.

Capita Synergy Shared Services Contract

You raised the issue of the Synergy Shared Services Contract being awarded to Capita following on from the Civil Services Pension Scheme.

I sat on the Work and Pensions Select Committee for roughly eighteen months and was updated regularly then of the issues surrounding Capita’s handling of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. I am actively working towards ensuring that constituents who are still awaiting their pensions receive them without further delay, and I encourage you to get in touch if you need any support from me on this.

Regarding the decision to award further contracts to Capita, following on from their recent history with the Civil Service Pension Scheme. This is something that I continue to maintain a dialogue with my ministerial colleagues and individuals at the Cabinet Office on. I also appreciate the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) for providing valuable evidence and insights into these contracts and for their members for contacting my office to raise their concerns.

It may also be noted that the Minister handling the investigation into the problems caused by Capita with the Pension Schemes, Sally Jameson MP, will be relaying her findings and also outline the Governments update on this matter further to the House of Commons in October. Capita must uphold its contractual responsibilities to the expected standards, and I will be closely monitoring the execution of the Synergy project closely.

Support the redistribution revolution in North West Leicestershire:

You asked me to support the redistribution revolution campaign by urging the Government to introduce tax incentives for businesses to donate surplus food, and to promote the campaign.

As the former Co-Chair of the Food and Drink All-Party Parliamentary Group, I know that there are many benefits to making sure good food is eaten and not wasted – both in terms of the environment and for our communities. I am proud that in May this year, the Government announced a new national programme to redistribute surplus food. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is also working with food retailers, redistribution organisations and charities to increase the redistribution of surplus food. This includes looking at opportunities to strengthen links between businesses and redistribution networks, and by improving the use of real-time data to make sure food can reach those who need it and not go to waste. I am aware that Defra is also developing plans with local authorities to improve access to healthy, affordable food in areas of greatest need.

In June last year, the Government provided grants totalling over £13.6 million to over twelve outstanding food charities across England. I’m also very pleased with the creation of an independent Circular Economy Taskforce to help reduce waste, focusing on five priority sectors, including agrifood. Therefore, I am confident that the Government is committed to food redistribution and whilst I won’t be writing to them directly I am hoping to visit Felix soon. The Government also does not comment on measures they are considering in the Budget ahead of time.

Council Tax Debt:

You raised concerns about levels of council tax debt and accompanying use of bailiffs by Local Authorities to try and collect this debt.

Council tax is vital in ensuring councils have the funding they need to deliver essential public services, and I believe they should have reasonable powers to recover unpaid tax. However, I strongly believe households should not be subject to disproportionate enforcement action when councils seek to reclaim unpaid debt.

Treating those unable to pay in the same way as those who wilfully choose not to is wrong and I believe it is unreasonable to have those who owe debt, especially vulnerable people, subjected to unmanageable lump sum payments or liability orders. This can lead to bailiffs being sent in without people being offered a payment plan or provided with a welfare check.

That is why I welcome Government plans to change the way council tax is billed, collected and enforced. Vulnerable people will now have more time and support to settle their outstanding council tax bills under reforms to make the system fairer. Changes will be made to the outdated bill administration process, which has left people facing unnecessary stress and anxiety. From next year, households will now be given two months to settle their bills, with a requirement for councils to work with them on sustainable repayment plans. Council tax billing will also be shifted to 12-month payments by default, rather than the current 10 months, and the costs councils can charge when recovering overdue bills will be capped at £100. Proportionate action will continue to be taken against those who avoid paying council tax, but I believe these reforms will ensure there is more help and support available for people in genuine hardship.

Folic Acid:

You have asked me to oppose the mandatory folic acid fortification.

From 13 December 2026, folic acid will be added to non-wholemeal wheat flour in England. The policy is intended to reduce pregnancies affected by neural tube defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly. The Government estimates that mandatory fortification will prevent around 200 cases each year. The policy follows decades of scientific review. The UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) first recommended mandatory fortification in 2006.

Non-wholemeal wheat flour will be fortified with 0.25 milligrams per 100 grams of flour. Fortifying non-wholemeal wheat flour will have the greatest reach because 99% of households buy bread and 76% of people consume white bread. Around two-thirds of the flour produced in the UK goes into bread products, while the rest is used in a range of foods such as biscuits, cakes, ready meals and soups. Only non-wholemeal wheat flour will be fortified with folic acid, meaning individuals who cannot or choose not to eat products containing it can do so by choosing products made from unfortified flour. This includes wholemeal flour, gluten-free products and other flour types such as soya or those from ancient grains like spelt.

I recognise that some people may have concerns about folic acid, including those with vitamin B12 deficiency, those receiving certain cancer treatments or taking some epilepsy medicines. In July, Ministers said that scientific reviews had found no substantive evidence that mandatory folic acid fortification of flour would cause adverse health outcomes in the groups considered. NHS guidance also distinguishes between folic acid taken as a medicine or supplement and the much lower amounts added to food.

Fuel Duty:

You wrote to me about the impact high fuel costs are having on people across the constituency and asked that I support measures to cut fuel duty.

Travel costs remain too high for many people, particularly those travelling long distances to work or essential appointments. I know many families and businesses are incredibly concerned about the potential impacts on the cost of living during these uncertain times.

That is why I welcomed the announcement in May that there would be no increases in fuel duty this year. Recognising the pressure that the war has put on fuel prices, the temporary 5p cut has been extended until the end of this year and will save the average motorist over £120 this year, compared with the plans inherited from the previous Government. I understand that future rates will be confirmed in the Budget later this month. The Government has also announced additional, targeted support for those businesses most exposed to rising fuel costs, giving hauliers 12-month road tax holiday – meaning they will pay £1 at renewal, saving £600 for a typical heavy lorry and £912 for the biggest vehicles on the road. To support farmers and the rail freight industry, the Government has cut duty on red diesel by over a third from mid-June until the end of this year. This is the lowest rate in over 20 years, and a 10p per mile increase in tax-free mileage rates was also announced, backdated to April 2026, helping those who need to drive for work, from care workers to plumbers. I welcome the introduction of Fuel Finder launched earlier this year, designed to reignite competition and enable drivers to find the best deals for the cheapest duel in their area. It is estimated that Fuel Finder could lead to savings for drivers of £10.4billion over ten years, around 1-6p per litre at the pump.

I know how much this means to constituents and I have spoken in Parliament on a number of occasions about the impact high fuel prices have on constituents. You can read some of my contributions below. I also wrote directly to the Minister earlier this year to share my concerns about potential petrol pump profiteering (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Uqxj98w3T/).

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-03-05/debates/81A10E2E-89A4-4C37-8271-2A0545DBF9C6/EnergyMarkets?highlight=fuel#contribution-B3B200A8-AB17-45EB-9796-DAB2752B2F33

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-02-10/debates/309C680E-A278-45C7-8A06-507BE947DF96/HouseholdEnergyBills?highlight=fuel#contribution-0721473D-E06D-46BF-8F79-54692795A111

Immigration and Asylum Bill:

You raised concerns about the Immigration and Asylum Bill and asked that I keep your comments in mind when it returns to the House.

I recognise that this is a sensitive issue and that there are legitimate concerns around maintaining a fair and compassionate asylum system, while also ensuring that immigration is properly controlled and that the system is sustainable for the country. I am carefully considering the provisions of the Bill as it progresses through Parliament, including the proposed changes to asylum support, appeals, family life and routes to settlement.

I recognise that there are differing views on what this should look like. I believe it is incredibly important that Home Office decisions are made in a timely and accurate way, and that people have appropriate access to legal advice, particularly where decisions can have such significant consequences for individuals and families.

I have also taken on board your concerns regarding the right to work for asylum seekers and the treatment of refugees, and I will keep these views in mind as I consider the Bill and its implications. I will continue to follow the proposals incredibly closely and will keep your thoughts in mind in future discussions.

Super-rich and the cost-of-living crisis

You wrote to me to highlight research by War on Want which shares concerns that the super-rich have been profiting from the cost-of-living crisis.

I share the Government’s continued commitment to ensuring that the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax, and I will continue to support taxation that is underpinned by fairness, while protecting working people, delivering economic stability, and investing in public services such as our NHS.

I am pleased that at last year’s Budget, the Government announced additional measures to close the tax gap. Taxes on property, dividend and savings income will be increased by 2%, addressing the unfairness in how different forms of income are taxed. The Government is also tackling imbalances in the property tax system, asking those who own the highest-value properties to contribute more through a surcharge on residential properties in England worth £2 million or more. The combination of measures announced at Budget 2024, Spring Statement 2025, and Budget 2025 brings the total revenue from closing the tax gap announced this Parliament to £10 billion in 2029-2030.

I share your concerns regarding companies profiting from soaring prices specifically and previously wrote to the Minister with my concerns that fuel companies were profiting from the price rises. You can read that letter here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Uqxj98w3T/. I will continue to speak to my Ministerial colleagues on these issues and recognise that the upcoming Budget this month may very well address some of the points you have raised.