I am really happy to start my column with some truly wonderful news. Having raised the tireless and brave campaigning of my constituent and friend Andy Airey and Tim Owen and Mike Palmer at Prime Minister’s Question Time, I have secured a meeting with Rishi Sunak and the 3 Dads Walking. As you will know the 3 Dads each tragically lost their precious daughters to suicide. For a period in the Commons last week, the customary uproar, jeering and political theatre of PMQs fell silent, attesting to just how important the moment was. Important, because the meeting in question will discuss embedding age-appropriate suicide awareness in the school curriculum. A move that I, PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, and the 3 Dads believe will break the stigma around suicide and equip young people with the skills to keep themselves suicide-safe, and ultimately help save lives. Coinciding with Children’s Mental Health week, Barnardo’s published a report recommending more support to be implemented in educational settings. This is crucial for early intervention, thereby improving outcomes and better managing healthcare resources.
Recently I was delighted to welcome Education Minister Robert Halfon to Ullswater Community College, Penrith, where we met with Headteacher Stephen Gilby, students and staff to discuss all the great work being done to widen opportunities for young people in our area. For the Minister for Skills, Further and Higher Education to find time in his busy schedule to visit is a testament to the brilliant team at UCC who equip their students with the skills to thrive in a range of pathways from apprenticeships and vocational training to A-Levels and university courses. It was great to discuss the importance to the school of the Government rebuild programme that I have secured for UCC.
Moreover, I was so pleased the Minister listened to concerns locally surrounding challenging transport links for education and training. This is an issue I’ve made real progress on, securing a dedicated bus getting Alston youngsters to college and a travel bursary for rural 16-18-year-olds to afford the next step in their education. But we cannot lose focus on this, and I will continue to urge the new unitary authorities to prioritise fair and sustainable post-16 transport to make sure our children have the same opportunities as those in larger towns and cities across the UK.
This month, as ever, I’ve been extremely impressed how Cumbrian innovators are leading global markets while looking after local families and communities. Specifically on my visits to Innovia Films in Wigton and Bells of Lazonby, I’ve seen how, although very different businesses, both are world-leaders in their fields with thriving research and development wings. They also invest in Cumbrian communities, support school schemes and apprenticeships, all while providing well-paid jobs and growing our economy. These two companies are by no-means alone and throughout my time as your representative I’ve met with exciting, innovative and community-oriented companies doing their best for local people. Having fought for action on VAT, support for businesses off the heating grid and proactive measures to boost staffing levels, I will continue to bang the drum for all local businesses that are so pivotal to society here in Cumbria.
Beyond businesses, I’ve had a really positive month, getting out and about right across Penrith and The Border. I met with community campaigners in Croglin planning to convert the retired church into a community hub with a permanent exhibition for visitors and space for local groups. They have my full support and I look forward to assisting with this exciting project as it develops. I also met with brewers and farmers at a cracking event at the Fell Bar in Penrith that saw Fell Brewery and The Tailored Goat Company unite to support each other in producing sustainable, high-quality food and
drink in Cumbria; met with healthcare and planning bosses to boost local infrastructure; as well as the team tasked with rolling out the Conservative Government’s £100 million Cumbrian broadband scheme. All really positive things that I am proud to shine a light on as your Member of Parliament.
Down in Westminster this month, I also urged decision makers to boost Cumbrian rail infrastructure by restoring the Penrith to Keswick line, called for the Borders Railway to be extended down through Longtown to Carlisle and reopening Gilsland Station. This would boost the economy, open opportunity for culture and education, and help stave off rural isolation. I’ve also supported legislation to make sure millions of people can keep their well-deserved tips, put rural crime in the national spotlight and supported Cumbria’s vital energy sector during Nuclear Week in Parliament.
My work is never done though and through my role on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, I’ll be putting two new reports to Government in due course on Food Security and Rural Mental Health. These reports represent countless hours of quizzing expert witnesses, researching topics and compiling data but are so important to make sure decision-makers understand how legislation impacts people on the ground.
As the only Veterinary Surgeon in the Commons, I have also just triggered a Parliamentary Inquiry into Pet Welfare and Abuse, probing into the cruel practices that persist in the pet sector such as ‘puppy mills’, unscrupulous importing of heavily pregnant dogs or those with cropped ears and puppy smuggling. With my background, I think it is so important that, in addition to standing up for the good folk of Penrith and The Border, that I also lend my voice from time to time to our furry and feathered friends that cannot speak for themselves.
