This week one of the most moving campaigns came to Westminster, the Lullaby Trust, accompanied by the parents of Genevieve Meehan, were advocating for greater safeguards in early years settings. John and Katie Meehan told us their heartbreaking story, of how their precious daughter was killed at a nursery setting, and they are calling for a number of measures which, if implemented, would make children safer. I really do admire them for having the strength to campaign in this way, and it was a privilege to be able to talk to Katie about what had happened and the changes she believes are essential. I have already raised this with the Minister, and will never forget the family’s quiet strength and dignity.
Next week another family, this time from my constituency, are bringing their campaign to Westminster. I have been working with the family of Lillia Jakeman to make tofersen available for those living with SOD1 MND. There are only a handful of people impacted by this horrible disease, and as I said to the Minister, this week, really it should not be difficult to make this new treatment available to those who would benefit. Lillia is one of them, and I was pleased to get confirmation this week that I will be able to take members of her family and the APPG for MND to Downing Street to deliver a letter to the Prime Minister calling for him to act.
Across this constituency small businesses are still waiting for clarity from the PM and Chancellor as to what changes they are planning to bring forward on business rates. It is two weeks ago that both the PM and the Chancellor acknowledged that changes would have to come forward in order to secure the viability of, in particular, the pub sector. But not only have we had no detail about any changes, but it is clear it is not just pubs that are going to suffer. I have been contacted by cafes and restaurants across this constituency, but also retailers, and other small businesses who are deeply worried about a hike in business rates which looks to run into many thousands of pounds. From the Speaker’s Office this week we did grant an Urgent Question on this, but there were far more questions than there were answers forthcoming.
