As your MP, I'm working hard to push for meaningful change, both in our community and across the country.

These are my priorities.

Tackling the cost of living crisis

I know that far too many Hemel residents are struggling, which means helping them through the cost of living crisis is my number one priority. That’s why I support Labour’s plan to switch on Great British Energy and to reduce bills by cutting VAT for home energy use.

In power, Labour will be giving more support for local businesses, including cutting rates, and create more and better paid jobs in every community.

You can find a range of support here.

Improving access to health services

I will work to see an end to the unacceptable waiting times local residents face by backing Labour’s plan to deliver 40,000 new appointments.

Our new Labour government will be improving access to health services right across Hemel, including the general hospital, GPs and dentists, and deliver proper urgent care and local services.

I am committed to rebuilding Hemel Hospital with an ambitious range of services. You can see my full commitment here.

You can see my latest update on Hemel Community Hospital here.

Building homes and protecting our environment

We desperately need new and affordable homes so that young people in Hemel don’t need to move away.

I’m supporting Labour’s plan to build 1.5 million affordable homes where there is no risk to the environment, backed up by the right infrastructure in the right places, like schools and shops.

Cutting crime and tackling anti-social behaviour

I want to see more community police officers in Hemel so we can take tough action on anti-social behaviour, burglary and street crime.

I will also fight to reopen the front desk at Hemel Hempstead police station, as closing it in the first place made no sense at all.

I have been going through the new “Crime and Policing Bill” line-by-line using information I have gathered by talking to people and seeing crime firsthand on a ride-along.

You can see my update on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour here.

More local opportunities

I will fight for better-paying and more secure jobs for people in Hemel.

That means working with local businesses, schools and charities to protect shopping centres from shock closures like Wilko’s and investing in skills and apprenticeships in Maylands.

This government has made work pay by:

  • Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will get a £1,400 boost a year.

  • 18- to 20-year-olds on the Minimum Wage will see a record extra £2500 per year.

  • A record cash rise for apprentices, boosting wages by 18%

Addressing the SEND Crisis

I’ve heard many touching stories about the challenges faced by families in Hemel with SEND. I’m committed to advocating in parliament on their behalf.

I have joined the All-Parliamentary Group on SEND to make sure we work cross-party to fix the broken system.

So far, I have met with 15 head teachers across Dacorum to gain their insights on how to improve. I have also been holding SEND surgeries, handling 44 cases personally. I’m pleased to say that we have helped secure an expedited ADHD assessment after years of waiting. We have also secured more funding in the budget, providing an extra £1bn for SEND services made available to councils from this year.

I am committed to solving this crisis and ensuring that our most vulnerable children get the support they need.