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 demands action on Winter Fuel Payments

The first decision Labour took in office was to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. I have been campaigning relentlessly with my Conservative colleagues for almost a year for this cruel policy to be reversed.Finally this has cut through.

Rebecca leads cross-party call to reverse cuts to Adoption Support Fund

Yesterday I led a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament to raise urgent concerns about the Government’s decision to cut the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) by 40%.This fund, introduced by the last Conservative Government in 2015, has supported thousands of adoptive and kinsh

Conservatives launch Deportation Bill

Yesterday my Conservative colleagues and I voted against Labour's soft Borders Bill and stopped a Liberal Democrat amendment which would allow asylum seekers to work while their applications are being processed and make a bad situation worse.This follows the Deportation Bill which Conservative Leade

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.