Weekly Ministerial Round-up

This week began in Parliament with 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – a key opportunity for MPs from across the House to hold us to account and scrutinise our progress. We responded to questions on ensuring fair funding for rural communities and those facing higher levels of deprivation – essential to making sure money reaches the right places.

It was a privilege to then attend a 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟎 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 celebrating the vital role Co-operatives and Mutuals play in driving UK growth and prosperity. After being 𝐫𝐞-𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨-𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 on Monday, it was fantastic to be there and discuss the real meaningful change the sector has brought to the UK.

On Wednesday, I sat in the chamber for weekly Prime Ministers’ Questions and for the Chancellor’s 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰. After hearing announcements on nuclear projects, boosts to affordable & social housing and putting our NHS on a firmer footing, we then focused on what the Spending Review means for local government and communicated this back to the sector through conversations with our mayors and labour leaders at the County Council Network.

Thursday was focused on 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥. While the Council has made encouraging progress for recovery, thanks to the hard work of local councillors and staff, there is still a long road ahead. My Written Ministerial Statement reaffirmed our commitment to working collaboratively with Croydon and other local authorities to stabilise finances and deliver for residents. Sometimes, deeper intervention is necessary- but always with partnership at its core.

The week also saw significant activity in the Commons. I supported votes on my Department’s 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥, which aims to create a planning system needed to deliver the high-quality homes and essential infrastructure that communities across the country need.

Friday was spent remaining in London through to participate in key votes on the 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥, including on amendments around advertising and the responsibilities of medical professionals in these deeply sensitive conversations. Next week, the bill will return for more scrutiny, and I will continue to listen to the debate and ensure that safeguards are not lost in this process.