I recently sat down with Georgie Newbery of Common Farm Flowers, Charlton Musgrove, to discuss how residents from across the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency can support their local businesses - on Small Business Saturday, during the festive season, and all year round.

This year’s Women in Defence charter data report shows that women are still vastly underrepresented across the defence workforce, particularly in positions of leadership. I look forward to meeting with ministers – as promised by the Leader of the House – to address this unacceptable shortcoming.

Since 2022, 1600 Ukrainians have found safety and support here in Somerset. This week, I asked the Foreign Secretary about the Government’s plans to implement a pathway to settled status, so Ukrainians can integrate fully into the UK without fear of returning to an active war zone.

On Monday, I asked the Minister how he can expect rural businesses to have confidence in a Government which used inaccurate statistics to calculate APR increases and this year’s botched Budget:

Last week, to mark National Tree Week, Somerset Council Green Estates staff and over 150 community members – including volunteers from RNAS Yeovilton and Friends of Ham Hill – came together to plant 3,000 native trees over 3 hectares at Pit Wood.

It was a privilege to join them on Saturday morning!

🎙️ My response to the Budget on BBC Radio Somerset yesterday.

💼 It's a botched Budget from a low-growth Government, and a Chancellor who has diagnosed the disease, but failed to administer the cure.

✅ Do have a listen and tell me what you think about the Government's plans.

Last year, ticket scams cost music lovers over £1.6m – money which is often used to fund other serious crimes and dangerous organised crime groups.

Today I asked the Government to commit to holding a debate in Parliament to discuss the ticket resale market and ticket scams.

Ahead of today’s Budget, I asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to listen to farmers, the EFRA Select Committee, and his own backbench MPs about the devastating impact that Inheritance Tax hikes will have on family farms - like Wyke Farms, in my constituency.

🏠 Nearly 300 households in Somerset are in temporary accommodation, including 120 with children & Somerset is spending £3.4m a year to meet demand. Yesterday, I asked the Minister what steps will be taken to boost affordable housing & create longterm solutions, so families can have stability.

⚠️ Waste crime is hitting rural communities hard, costing the UK £1bn a year.

🔶 Last week in Parliament I urged the Secretary of State to back Lib Dem plans for tougher action, better data & real support for the Environment Agency & NCA to tackle organised waste crime and illegal dumping.

Yesterday in Parliament I highlighted the South-west's brilliant defence-related manufacturing sector, including Needles & Pins Aerospace, a small women-led business in Somerton. I asked the Govt to make sure small providers & UK suppliers get equal opportunity to compete for the larger contracts.

This week I raised concerns in Parliament about the EA’s decision to halt main river maintenance in Somerset, shifting responsibility onto riparian owners who simply can’t shoulder it. With flood season on the way, I’m pushing for better support & am pleased the Minister agreed to visit next year.

Yesterday I raised the growing pressure on dairy farmers, including the fall in milk prices that threatens their livelihoods. I’ve brought forward my Dairy Farming & Dairy Products Bill to push for fair supply chains, clear origin labelling & a stop to trade deals that undercut British farmers.

In Pitney & across rural Somerset many off-grid homes face huge costs to move away from oil. Yesterday I pressed the Minister on support for these households & the role of renewable liquid fuels. Good to hear the Warm Homes Plan will tackle barriers & a new consultation is now open: respond GOV.UK