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claireyoungmp.bsky.social
Liberal Democrat MP for Thornbury & Yate. Member of the Energy Security & Net Zero Select Committee. For casework, please email: [email protected]
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It's outrageous that parents of children with SEND can face fines, prosecution, and even prison time when their children don't get the support they need to be in school. Today I challenged the Prime Minister on this and urged him to take action to stop this scandal.

It's incredibly disappointing to hear of Nat West's decision to close its Yate branch. Using the Post Office is an option but we are yet to hear about plans for Yate Post office. Nat West’s decision makes it crucial that the Post Office stays in Yate Shopping Centre

Welcome this long overdue step. @eddavey.libdems.org.uk first called for it 16 months ago. The Government should make clear that it will sanction other extremists in the Netanyahu Cabinet who continue to advocate the violent annexation of Palestinian territory. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

It was good to meet with Julie Simpson, Executive Head at St Mary's School in Yate. Like many other school leaders she is worried about education funding. South Glos is one of the lowest funded authorities in England and I am campaigning to change that.

"With the right support, you can achieve great things." Watch @AdamJamesDance.bsky.social tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 Jamie Oliver’s Dyslexia Revolution.

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill is the key plank of this Government's housebuilding strategy. However, unless zero carbon homes are at the heart of this we will struggle to bring down bills and reduce emissions. I am proud the @libdems.org.uk are continuing to fight for this.

As a football fan, I was very excited to get up close to the Women's Euro 2022 trophy as part of a Football Association's reception that was 'Celebrating the Lionesses'. Good luck to the team as they defend their title in Switzerland in July.

Today, I pressed Ministers to review their woolly 'grey belt' definition to ensure it doesn't allow developers to salami slice our Green Belt. I was disappointed they refused to do so.

This is a welcome climbdown and will offer relief to many struggling pensioners this winter. I am glad the Chancellor has listened to the @libdems.org.uk and finally reversed her decision, the question now is why did it take so long and what did she gain from it?

Thank you to everyone at St Peter's Hospice who took time to chat with me. I was able to see the facilities and talk about the funding challenges they face to continue its wonderful work.

Providing free school meals to more pupils is the right decision and something the @libdems.org.uk have been pushing for. However, hunger doesn't take holidays and we need to ensure support is also available when schools are out - as already is the case here in South Gloucestershire.

🌞🌞🌞 When I presented the Sunshine Bill to Parliament in January, ministers promised to bring proposals soon. Today, they’ve been true to their word. Soon, all new homes will include solar energy generation by default, saving people money on bills and cutting carbon emissions too. It’s a win-win. 1/4

Solar panels are an easy way to help both reduce emissions and bring down bills. I am glad the Government have listened to @maxwilkinson.bsky.social and adopted the @libdems.org.uk proposal to have them required for most new developments. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Eid Mubarak to those celebrating today

Making sure a child doesn’t go hungry in school can change their life. It's why @libdems.org.uk‬ have championed free school meals for so long and are delighted that Labour have looked to our manifesto to tackle the cost of learning crisis.

Asked the Minister for Early Education a straightforward question: Will any of the funding for the expansion of Free School Meals come from existing school budgets? Instead of a clear answer, he gave vague reassurances that the plans are fully funded. Schools deserve clarity, not empty promises

We @libdems.org.uk have long been campaigning for this - but it is only a first step in ending child poverty. To end the cost of learning crisis, the Government must also commit to auto-enrolling eligible children for free school meals, lifting the two child benefit cap, and capping uniform costs.✏️

The new funding for transport projects in the West of England is to be welcomed, however it must be spent for the benefit of the whole region - not just Bristol. Yesterday, I pressed the Chief Secretary on just how this new money will benefit people in our area.

It has been a busy few weeks, with lots of big events in Parliament and a short recess - which gave me more time out and about locally. Here is just some of what I’ve been up to 👇

I was delighted to sponsor and sign the Early Day Motion in Parliament to congratulate Fair Share - the UK’s leading food redistribution charity - on its 30th anniversary. They redistributed the equivalent of 135 million meals last year. fareshare.org.uk

The Severn Tunnel will be closed from Monday 9 June to Friday 20 June, as well as on Sunday 29 June. For news on alternative routes and rail replacement services to South Wales check with GWR . A limited service will still run between London and Parkway. www.gwr.com/travel-infor...

It was great to be able to mark World Cider Day in Parliament yesterday. Thanks to the National Association of Cider Makers for helping us celebrate this iconic British drink and see some of many of the new versions - including alcohol free options- that are on offer.

After the recess, I'm looking forward to getting back to Westminster so I can continue representing you in Parliament - like I did recently on the subject of business rates.

I was very pleased to host members of the charity Contact at Westminster recently to discuss school attendance and how government policies impact children with special educational needs. contact.org.uk/about-contac...

Congratulations to everyone at Almondsbury Community Shop; they've just been awarded their King's Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie. www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/2519249...

Enjoyed seeing Billy Ocean at the Good Times festival in Chipping Sodbury. Congratulations to James Murden and the team for bringing some big names to our doorstep this last week.

The Energy Security and Net Zero Commons Committee of which I am a member published its first report today. It's about cutting energy bills and carbon emissions, and making homes warmer and cheaper to heat. We've made recommendations to the government. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...

Congratulations to Olveston Primary School for becoming a Beacon School for health and wellbeing. The school says it's very proud to be the only school in South Glos to attain this award so far.

It is an economic, as well as moral, imperative for Government to properly fund therapy for vulnerable, traumatised children. The Government's refusal to invest in our children's future will hurt us all in both the short and long term. #ASGSF

The Minister once called the Adoption Support Fund ‘critical’ to preventing adoption breakdowns. Yesterday, I asked how she can now gut it - ignoring the harm to children and families. Cutting this fund is a clear betrayal.The government must reverse these cuts and commit to lasting support.

Tonight, MPs have been discussing the proposed new Mental Health Bill, which I welcome. In the debate, I highlighted the need for timely support in a crisis.

Fantastic to be taking a bit of Chipping Sodbury with me to Buckingham Palace this week, in the shape of a fascinator from Heather Norman Hats and Accessories heathernorman.co.uk

Here are some of the things I got up to last week as your Member of Parliament. To get regular email updates directly into your inbox, sign up to my fortnightly newsletter! 📧 www.claireyoung.org.uk/newsletter

I had a pedal in Thornbury as part of the Ride for Connor charity fundraiser. Connor Walker died from cancer last year. He was able to be looked after at home in Thornbury thanks to specialist respite nurses from St Peter's Hospice and Connors family are raising money for them.

It was fascinating to visit the Repair Cafe in Alveston. A real hive of activity and lots of items being given a new lease of life! Thank you to Peter Waller and the team for making me so welcome. Keep an eye out for the next event in October.

Talking about the work of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, in releasing our report on farming today.

Your have a chance to chat face to face with Bristol Water and Wessex Water

🔌 I spoke in support of a key clause in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill to speed up the rollout of electric vehicle charging points. 🚗 Backing EVs is essential for cleaner air, climate goals, and closing the gap with countries like Norway — where 90% of vehicle sales are electric.

Some time out after a recent surgery at Dyrham and Hinton Village Hall. It's a beautiful part of the world.

Areas like South Gloucestershire are seeing increasing levels of flooding. However, the Government has only allocated money for flood protection until next April. Today I challenged them on this and urged them to set out plans to protect our homes and farmland.

It was great to visit The Forecastle in Alveston. It houses single homeless people with support needs and other people with a connection to South Glos who need housing. I spoke to a resident who is thriving there as well as Sarah Kidger and Rachel Pinchin from Elim Housing.

I attended the Mental Health Foundation Reception in Parliament earlier today to mark #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. Remember that if you’re struggling or supporting someone who is, then you’re not alone. Support is available and no one should be afraid to say they need help.

We know where destructive divisive politics will lead. We know what’s at stake. And it falls to us to stop it. youtu.be/C4I0YPATcJQ

A busy time last week with the big VE Day celebrations. Here is what I did as your MP:

The @KelloggsUKI Breakfast Club Awards are a chance to celebrate all the Breakfast Clubs who have made a difference this year. I’m hoping schools in Thornbury and Yate apply for a grant of £1000 to help fund your breakfast club. #kelloggsbreakfastclub www.kelloggs.co.uk/en_GB/our-st...

A reminder that for three nights, from Monday 12 May (10pm to 6am), the A46 will be closed in both directions between the Cold Ashton roundabout and the London Road interchange. More information from the National Highways website: nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updat...

I had a great time in Thornbury for the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Thank you to Sandra and the Love Thornbury team for organising such a lovely event.

Great to see the @Octopus_Group_ #EntrepeneurAwards are back, so we can celebrate the many entrepreneurs who have made a difference. I would love to nominate lots of businesses in the Thornbury and Yate area - please comment below if you think this should be you or a business you love!