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| My Winter Update Newsletter An update for all of the constituents of Norwich North on my work recently as your voice in Parliament and in the constituency. |
| In the constituency… In the last few weeks, I have been busy in the constituency, working on issues important to you, including: Street Lights – Many constituents have been in touch with me regarding the issue of street light switch-offs in Dussindale. My office has been in contact with the County Council to raise these concerns and I am pleased to see a review is being brought forward. Pensioners and Winter Advice and Support Days – I held two successful support days for pensioners and those seeking help through the winter months in conjunction with the City Council, Age UK Norwich and Citizens Advice. We were able to offer advice and sign up several people to benefits they didn’t know they were entitled to. Youth Engagement – Violent and gang-related crime is a blight for our young people and I was delighted to meet recently with the Sprowston Youth Engagement Project and to mention The Joe Dix Foundation in the House of Commons. I also enjoyed a lively Q&A session with the 17th Norwich Scouts whose ideas surrounding accessible transport I raised with the Transport Secretary. First Bus – After hearing from my constituents about issues surrounding ticket inspectors, accessibility for the disabled, and reliability on several routes, I held a constructive meeting with First Bus to ensure they are delivering for their customers. Domestic Abuse – I visited the Sue Lambert Trust who provide amazing support services and refuge for many survivors of sexual abuse and violence in our City. |
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| Casework Breakdown |
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| In November, my office received 582 pieces of new casework and engaged in helping everyone who has been in touch – closing 795 cases from the months previous. The highest portions of casework were understandably regarding assisted dying, to which I have listened carefully and outlined my position below. Another issue featuring prominently was animal welfare, especially surrounding bonfire night and concerns around support for stray dogs. I recently met with the Blue Cross Charity and am working with my colleagues in DEFRA to improve welfare for dogs across the country. |
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| In Parliament… |
| I have been representing Norwich North in the House of Commons on a range of issues important to my constituents, including: Violence Against Women and Girls – I raised the unacceptable wait for rape and sexual assault cases to be brought to court in Norfolk, with an arrest now potentially not being brought to court until January 2026. Knife Crime and County Lines – Support groups like the Joe Dix Foundation in Norwich do an amazing job of keeping young people away from violent and drug-related crime; I raised their work and asked the Minister what we preventative measures the Government are working on to protect young people. Bus Travel – After speaking to the 17th Norwich Scout Group, I raised their points about the importance of accessibility for young and vulnerable people in our bus network. Women’s Health – I raised the issue of unacceptable waits for women accessing gynaecological care, including for life-altering conditions such as endometriosis, and sought assurances from the Department for Health and Social Care that work was underway to reduce these. Children and Social Care – I met with the Minister for Children and Families to discuss the issues that parents are having with education and care plans being transferred between local authorities. The UEA – I raised the importance of protecting jobs for university staff and ensuring students from low-income backgrounds are supported, as well as continuing to push for a dental school at the University. |
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| Assisted Dying Vote |
| The vote on the Terminally-Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was in November, commonly referred to as the Assisted Dying Bill, and I voted for the proposals. I know this is an extremely emotive and complex issue and I listened carefully to the views expressed by my constituents and consulted with experts before making my decision. I want to thank everyone who got in touch about the issue, many of whom have shared heart-breaking stories of loss and unbearable suffering, and want to invite constituents to read my full statement on the Bill HERE. |
| SEND Crisis |
| I spoke to BBC Norfolk in November regarding the SEND provision crisis in Norfolk and problems that my constituents are facing. I raised the need to repurpose Angel Road as a specialist SEND school, the £1bn that Labour are pumping into SEND provision, and why we must listen to frontline staff to solve problems in the system. You can listen to an excerpt from that interview HERE. |
| Violence Against Women and Girls November 25th marked the beginning of the UN’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, during which we can reflect on the epidemic of violence against women and girls that we are seeing the world over. According to the UN, every ten minutes a woman is killed by an intimate partner or family member. Violence is happening everywhere. I spoke in the Westminster Hall Debate held by Apsana Begum on the 27th November and raised the importance of support for local organisations like Leeway, the Sue Lambert Trust, and Dawn’s New Horizon, as well as emphasising the need for improvements to our judicial system and a holistic approach to combating misogyny at its source. You can view that debate HERE. |
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My November Newsletter
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