Callum’s Catch Up 10.12.24
Small Business Saturday and our Plan for Change
It was fantastic to meet so many local shoppers and entrepreneurs over the course of Small Business Saturday.
Despite the weather I came away feeling really energised and proud to represent an area that has such a diverse range of retail and hospitality venues. Click here to read more about who I met, and what I ate, drank, and saw. I also covered the day live on my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts (links all at the bottom of this newsletter).
In Westminster, we are working hard to pass through legislation that will make people’s lives better, such as making spiking a specific criminal offence. More needs to be done beyond changing the law, and this is why venue staff are going to be offered training in relation to spiking so that women can feel safer at night.
And in case you missed it, last week our Prime Minister announced his Plan for Change. He explained in further detail the targets that our mission-driven Government is focusing on. They are ambitious, but achievable, and most importantly reflect what we have heard from you.
Nationally we’ve committed to reducing waiting times, building 1.5m homes and creating the conditions so that at least 75% of five year olds are school-ready. Locally I am working hard to ensure every person has access to the services and opportunities they deserve.
Away from both Westminster and the constituency, on Friday I participated in a National Farmers Union Poultry Day to learn more about British egg production. I was taught about the importance of flock welfare, traceability and sustainability.
As an MP for a rural area, I will do all that I can to learn more about agriculture so that I can best represent you - and I was proud to speak on behalf of our rural communities this week in the House of Commons (more later). I would share pictures, but I’m wearing a hairnet in all of them…
Local visits
Elsewhere in the constituency this week I:
Held a roundtable with local small businesses and have committed to relaying their recommendations to the relevant stakeholders in government.
Popped by the Winslow Association of Business and Community’s Christmas social.
Attended the Shri Srinivasa Kalyanam event in Milton Keynes (pictured) with my fellow MPs Chris Curtis and Emily Darlington.
In Westminster
Back in Westminster I:
Spoke in the House of Commons about how proud I am that our Government is providing £5bn to farmers over the next two years. This is a positive and dramatic change from the previous Conservative administration, who failed to spend £358m of the agricultural budget. Click here to listen/watch.
Hosted an event with Colour in Tech where we discussed how we can help company founders from underrepresented groups.
Met the Duo the Duolingo owl (pictured)! I speak German and am passionate about the benefits of learning languages.
