Before taking on the role of your MP, I served as a school governor and witnessed firsthand the consequences of years of underinvestment and neglect by the previous government on our education system. Forest High School (FHS) in Cinderford is a prime example of these challenges.

During my recent visit, I saw the difficult conditions that both teachers and students endure in an outdated building that urgently needs replacing. I recently met with the Department for Education to discuss the matter and have written to government ministers requesting an urgent visit, which I hope will be arranged in the near future. While no promises have been made, I remain optimistic that FHS will move into new building, until then, I will continue to advocate for the vital investment and attention the school requires. However, the educational challenges in our area extend beyond infrastructure. I am deeply frustrated by the lack of understanding from Cabinet Members at Gloucestershire County Council regarding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is one of the most common concerns I hear from local families, and it is appalling that we find ourselvesfacing a crisis in SEND provision in the Forest of Dean.

According to the latest data from Parliament, the Forest of Dean has the highest percentage of mainstream pupils receiving SEND support in Gloucestershire, with 17.1 per cent of pupils requiring assistance. Yet, the resources available to these children are woefully inadequate. The only state-funded special school in the area, Heart of the Forest Special School – which I had the privilege of visiting recently – is already oversubscribed and currently unable to accommodate any more students. This leaves families with no choice but to send their children to schools that do not meet the level of provision required or travel long distances to facilities in neighbouring areas. This is simply unacceptable. Therefore, I have written to Kirsten Harrison, Director of Education at Gloucestershire County Council, requesting that GCC urgently address this shortfall and seek to establish an additional SEND provision in the Forest of Dean. I will continue to keep you updated on this campaign, as I know how important this issue is to so many families in the Forest. I have recently been contacted by firefighters who have expressed significant concerns regarding Gloucestershire County Council’s decision to alter the shift patterns within Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service. The new system proposes to change shifts from 9-hour days and 15-hour nights to 11-hour days and 13-hour nights. A key concern raised relates to the significant impact on those with caregiving responsibilities, which will have a disproportionate effect on women in the service. Additionally, there is apprehension that these changes will contribute to the departure of experienced staff, further exacerbating the already critical staffing shortages within the service. I share the concern of the Firefighters that the decision was made without adequate consultation. I have written to Councillor Dave Norman MBE, the Cabinet Member responsible for fire services, and Mark Preece, the Chief Fire Officer, to express my concerns about this. I look forward to meeting with them soon, where I will urge them to reconsider their position and consult meaningfully with our firefighters. You may have seen in the media that the government is pressing ahead with its NHS plans. I am encouraged by recent figures showing that Labour has already delivered an additional two million appointments in the first five months of office. These efforts are already making a positive impact, with waiting lists falling by 140,000 between July and November 2024—the lowest level in 18 months. While there is still much more to be done in the Forest of Dean, it is encouraging to see progress being made. If you have any ideas for improving the NHS, please do not hesitate to write to me. I am always happy to help with healthcare issues. For those who may not know, I was appointed to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee in January. The Committee was a small group of MPs tasked with scrutinising and amending the Bill to ensure it brings about real, effective change for children and families. The bill has now successfully passed through the committee stage in Parliament.