Image courtesy Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government In just under a fortnight’s time, the biggest ever change in the private rented sector will take place, transforming the rights of thousands of private sector renters in Bristol South. A third of properties in Southville are privately rented, and more than a quarter of those in Bedminster and Windmill Hill are the same. From the 1 May there will be no more “no fault” evictions meaning landlords will no longe

Plug-in solar panels offer an opportunity for households to save on energy bills Recent conflict in the Middle East has brought home how dependence on volatile international fossil fuel markets has left this country vulnerable. We need to get to a place where events beyond our control do not lead to everyday essentials becoming unaffordable. The economic plan pursued by this Government since Labour was elected in July 2024 has been showing its benefits – going into this confl

The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, speaks at a press conference about the situation in the Middle East The war which began between Iran and the US and Israel on 28 February is rightly a concern for people across Bristol South and our country. In this post, I will outline how the Government is responding. In a press conference on Monday 16 March, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer set out his three priorities for while this conflict persists. Firstly, he has rightly made protectin

Visit to St Peter's CofE Primary School in Bishopsworth, January 2026 Previously, I have written on this blog about important reforms that this Labour Government is undertaking to make sure every child, no matter their start in life, has the chance to thrive and go as far as their talents will take them. I have talked about our reforms to special educational needs provision , which will make schools more inclusive places where getting the right support is a matter of course r

The Education Secretary, Bridget Philipson, updates the MPs in the House on the Government's SEND reforms Far too often I am contacted by concerned parents whose children have been pushed aside, out of education for months, and whose needs are not being met.     No one doubts the current system of Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) provision is failing young people, support is delayed by a complex bureaucracy, and children miss out on the early help they need.    

I am proud to have voted for the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation Parliament has passed the landmark Employment Rights Act: the biggest uplift to workers’ rights for years.   This is a major win for working people in Bristol South and in every part of the country.  The Act will decisively tilt the balance of power towards workers allowing for pride, security and respect in work. For many people, the world of work in Tory Britain was far too often characteris

This week the Labour government announced a new Animal Welfare Strategy ,  which will deliver the most significant improvement for a generation in the welfare of pets, farmed and wild animals.     Half of the adult population of the UK share their lives with a pet, a figure which is much higher in parts of Bristol South. They are loved companions, can help keep people active, lower stress levels and be good for children’s physical and mental health. We are already making it e

Minister Jess Phillips MP delivers the Government's Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy in the House on Thursday 18 December Launched this week, the strategy and action plan to combat violence against women and girls is a huge step forward in meeting our manifesto pledge to halve this abuse in a decade. The Prime Minister made this a priority when he led the Crown Prosecution Service in 2012 and has now followed through with that personal commitment.   The scale of the

Photo credit: forestofavon.org Earlier this month, the revised national Environmental Improvement Plan  (EIP) was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The EIP is our country’s long-term plan to improve the natural environment, clean up our air and waterways and protect environmental security. It also seeks to improve everyone’s access to nature. It can be sensibly considered as the companion to the Planning and Infrastructure Act. The E