This week marks the end of the first parliamentary session. It has been a long 21 months, but I am proud of the legislation we have passed to begin rebuilding this country after years of decline.
We have delivered the Employment Rights Act, the biggest ever upgrade in workers’ rights, and the Renters’ Rights Act, giving tenants greater security by ending no-fault evictions.
Through the Great British Energy Act, we are establishing a publicly owned company to support clean energy and cut bills.
The Removal of the Two Child Limit Act will lift 450,000 children out of poverty, including 1,320 here in Stroud.
The Water (Special Measures) Act strengthens environmental protections, blocks bonuses for polluting executives, and ensures tougher enforcement against persistent offenders.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will give local people more control, including a new community right to buy assets at risk.
As a backbench MP, my role is to improve legislation. Alongside colleagues, I have worked to secure a cap on rent in advance, strengthen statutory sick pay, and extend bereavement leave to those experiencing pregnancy loss.
I am particularly pleased to have led the campaign in support of expanding free school meals. From September, over 500,000 more children will be eligible, lifting 100,000 out of poverty.
There is much more to do over the next three and a half years, but these changes mark a strong start, and people will begin to feel the difference.
