4. Defending the Voiceless

Rebecca was drawn into public service with a mission to help the most vulnerable in society. Way back in 2003, she worked on Plymouth City Council's Homeless and Social Housing Unit and more recently she has chaired the Commission on Violence Against Women and Girls as a councillor.

In her first six months in office, Rebecca has worked with her constituency-based team to host surgeries and resolve almost 1,000 pieces of casework, helping countless vulnerable constituents with access to government resources.

In Parliament, Rebecca always has the vulnerable in the front of her mind and is not afraid to take difficult positions. On the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, she highlighted often overlooked safeguarding concerns, voting against the legislation.

The South West Devon MP has also been a vocal critic of the Government's decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. She has pointed out that 82% of pensioners that live below the poverty line are set to lose the £300 payment, calling on more support to help the elderly keep warm through the winter.

View recent articles on Rebecca's work to protect the vulnerable in South West Devon below.

News

Rebecca fights for local WWII veteran's care home costs at the despatch box

Last week I spoke from the Despatch Box about Ivor Foster, one of the few remaining World War II pilots from RAF Bomber Command who is paying through the nose for his care.Having lived to the ripe old age of 99 years and eight months, he is dishing out £5,000 a month to live in a local care home.

Rebecca asks Labour Minister about Women's Health Hubs

I have been determined to carry on my local council work tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as an MP in Parliament.I recently asked a Women's Minister whether the Labour Government were committed to continuing the Conservative Government’s work by making sure there is a Women’s Health

Rebecca meets with Plympton Timebank

It was great to meet with Plympton Timebank South West last month.Timebanking is a simple idea - for every hour you spend helping someone, you earn an hour back from your time bank.

Rebecca discusses spiralling cost-of-living with Citizens Advice Plymouth

It was really helpful to meet with the team at Citizens Advice Plymouth on one of my routine visits to discuss current issues affecting constituents in South West Devon.They shared that the rising cost-of-living is pushing local residents ever-closer to a financial cliff edge, while government suppo

Rebecca attends ribbon cutting of Ivybridge Police Station

It was great to attend the opening of Ivybridge Police Station with the Chief Constable James Vaughan, Ivybridge Town Council Mayor Cllr Alan Spencer, Police Enquiry Officers Matt and Kevin, and other local leaders.According to plans, Ivybridge's reopened station will be available to members of the

6,000 living with learning disability in South West Devon, Rebecca learns

Almost 6,000 are estimated to be living with a learning disability in South West Devon, with 825 living in long-term care.I recently met with Mencap, a charity which supports people living with a learning disability, to discuss how we can break down barriers in areas such as healthcare, social care,