In Parliament

Earlier this week, I questioned the Minister for Local Government about the proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), specifically the potential merger of Plymouth with the neighbouring South Hams District Council.I raised serious concerns about the implications for councils with lower levels

It was brilliant to speak at the Women in Parliament APPG event on Championing Women in Rural Areas last week.

Last Thursday I met with schoolchildren and teachers from Woodford Primary School and Boringdon Primary School.The schoolchildren came up with some excellent question during the Q&A on protecting nature, replacing nets on tennis courts and football pitches and access to skate parks.

It was a real pleasure to welcome my constituents, Richard and Ed from Cattewater Harbour to Parliament earlier this week for Prime Minister’s Questions and lunch We had a great conversation about the vital role Cattewater Harbour plays at the heart of Plymouth’s maritime economy.

Following last week’s events, where the Government was forced to abandon key elements of its own proposals at the eleventh hour, their Welfare Bill has become a textbook example of poor policymaking.

Labour's Pensions Bill leaves behind Britain's grafters, the self-employedOn Monday I warned Labour that a gaping hole in their bill with leave the self-employed - the plumbers, electricians, start-up entrepreneurs and carpenters like my Dad - high and dry in their old age.Auto-enrolment into pensio

This morning was the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast in Westminster Hall. I’m delighted that Rev James Croucher from St. Matthew's Church, Elburton made the journey up from South West Devon to attend. It was great to share breakfast with him.

The Assisted Dying Bill has passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons by a narrow majority of just 23 votes.

Yesterday, after just 46 minutes of backbench contributions and the fastest speech by a government Minister I have ever heard, Parliament voted to decriminalise abortion.Whilst many may welcome this move, making changes to such significant legislation in this way is not how we should be doing it.

On Friday I raised concerns about the further watering down of safeguards in the Assisted Dying Bill.Removing the checks of a coroner does not square with a commitment to enact legislation with the 'strongest safeguards in the world'.