Early Spring 2025 newsletter
The year is going so fast - I can hardly believe it's spring already.
This is an important year for change, as key government legislation is moving ahead.
So far we have seen the Water (Special Measures) Bill passed into law. This blocks bonuses and brings criminal charges against water executives when they are responsible for polluting waterways, along with requiring timely independent monitoring of sewage discharges.
Great British Energy, a landmark initiative of the new government, is soon to make its way into law. It will drastically reduce the UK's reliance on buying fossil fuels in a volatile international market by supporting renewable energy, bringing people's bills down and helping the environment.
The first roll-out of primary school free breakfast clubs is already here, with Morley Primary School being among the first.
Government action is working. Our election pledge to deliver an extra two million NHS appointments by the end of this year has been delivered seven months early, and waiting lists have fallen by over 160,000 since the new government took office.
The foundations for a year of change are being built.
As ever, if you have any comments, concerns or problems which I can help you with, please get in touch at Jonathan.Davies.MP@parliament.uk
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan
Jonathan Davies MP
Member of Parliament for Mid Derbyshire
In Westminster
Fighting for better SEND in Derbyshire
My colleague, Linsey Farnsworth, MP for Amber Valley, secured an important debate on the crisis in special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision in Derbyshire.
See what I had to say here.
Better health for everyone
The rise in food banks since 2010 is shocking. When I was younger, we didn't have food banks. Since 2010, the numbers have massively increased.
Those who are struggling to get by often find it more difficult to access healthy and nutritious foods.
We need to do more to ensure that everyone can enjoy a balanced diet, and reduce long-term health challenges.
National Apprenticeship Week
I met with apprentices from Rolls-Royce's Raynesway site when they visited Westminster.
You can read more about their visit here.
Listening to experts on flooding
Evidence Week brings together parliamentarians, researchers and the public to discuss how evidence used to make policy decisions is scrutinised.
I met with experts from Rothamsted Research, who explained how we can support our farmers through extreme wet weather conditions with effective policymaking.
You can read more about their work here.
Backing English tourism and the Peak District
England is a wonderful country, with stunning countryside and a rich history.
Derbyshire is home to the Peak District National Park and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, amongst so much else.
Tourism opportunities are abundant, and that's why I met with Visit Peak District & Derbyshire to discuss what I can do to help support them.
Supporting freedom and democracy
I was pleased to meet once again with Timothy Cho and the All Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea, who brought a group of North Korean escapees to parliament.
We must never forget how lucky we are to have the freedoms of thought and belief that are denied to others in the world.
Ensuring our national security
It is essential that we fulfil our security obligations in an increasingly dangerous world.
As part of the Parliamentary Armed Forces Scheme, I travelled to Norway with other MPs where UK military personnel briefed us on the risks Russia poses to us in the high north.
The scheme has underlined the sacrifices our armed forces make to keep us safe. Personnel are away for weeks on end from their families and friends to protect the nation from threats.
Protecting critical infrastructure
With Luke Pollard MP, minister for the armed forces, I learned about the importance of protecting our submarine cables and underseas connections.
By sabotaging these cables, as has happened recently, countries like Russia can attack the UK's access to the internet, our data, and our energy sources.
Our security services do great work protecting us from such threats.
In Mid Derbyshire
Fighting to keep Derbyshire care homes in public ownership
Recently, Derbyshire County Council announced that it was putting the Ada Belfield Centre on the open market. This follows a similar decision on Briar Close House in Borrowash.
I want the council to work with the NHS to retain the care homes as part of a council-owned and run service, and I have suggested alternatives for the council to consider.
Watch me speak on this topic here.
Protecting communities from flooding
I convened a series of site visits with Derbyshire County Council and the Environment Agency to discuss steps they are taking to protect homes and businesses from flooding.
You can read more about why we need better flood management here.
Massive investment in Mid Derbyshire skills
I was really pleased to hear that Rolls-Royce signed its biggest ever Ministry of Defence contract, with £9 billion invested in Derby. This will create more than 1,000 new good-quality jobs, and safeguards 4,000 other roles, as well as developing world-class skills across Derby and Derbyshire.
Watch here to find out more.
Derbyshire Climate Coalition
My meeting with the Derbyshire Climate Coalition was a stark reminder of just how much work we must do to live sustainably.
You can read more here about how I am supporting initiatives in Mid Derbyshire and Westminster to make the move to a cleaner future.
Supporting community organisations
I met with Deaf-initely Women, a charity based in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. It brings deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind women together for mutual support and to help women access services.
You can read more about Deaf-initely Women here.
Tackling high street crime
Too often, shops and shopworkers face antisocial behaviour, violence and theft. I visited the Co-op on Smalley Drive in Oakwood to hear about a concerning incident last year.
I was impressed by the amazing bravery of the staff, and I am pleased that the new government has introduced stronger measures to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
No one should be at risk of violence at their place of work.
Meeting with Severn Trent
It was good to meet with Severn Trent to pass one some of the feedback I receive from residents about the water industry, and to hear what Severn Trent is doing about it.
You can read more about my visit here.
Visiting ASDA
Following my visit to the Spondon ASDA in December, I went again to find out more about another innovative community scheme they run.
Their supported internship scheme gives young people the chance to learn invaluable career and life skills while developing confidence.
Read more about my visit and the scheme here.
Derventio Housing
Derventio Housing has an amazing story. It started as a night shelter and now has 700 units of supported housing across a dozen local authorities.
Their transformation started from realising that night shelters save lives, but they don’t stop residents from rough sleeping forever.
You can read more about Derventio Housing here.
Belper Foodbank
I dropped in at Belper Foodbank which does great work providing a hot meal and a warm space for people who need it. The staff were open and supportive, and Citizens Advice were also on hand to provide assistance.
You can read more about it here.
Supporting local care homes
It was really valuable to visit the MHA Willowcroft Residential and Dementia Care Home in Spondon.
MHA is a not-for-profit care provider which runs retirement accommodation and day centres as well as care homes. I very much enjoyed visiting and talking to staff about the important work that they do.
You can read more about my visit here.
Protecting communities from flooding
I convened a series of site visits with Derbyshire County Council and the Environment Agency to discuss steps they are taking to protect homes and businesses from flooding.
You can read more about why we need better flood management here.
Massive investment in Mid Derbyshire skills
I was really pleased to hear that Rolls-Royce signed its biggest ever Ministry of Defence contract, with £9 billion invested in Derby. This will create more than 1,000 new good-quality jobs, and safeguards 4,000 other roles, as well as developing world-class skills across Derby and Derbyshire.
Watch here to find out more.
Derbyshire Climate Coalition
My meeting with the Derbyshire Climate Coalition was a stark reminder of just how much work we must do to live sustainably.
You can read more here about how I am supporting initiatives in Mid Derbyshire and Westminster to make the move to a cleaner future.
Supporting community organisations
I met with Deaf-initely Women, a charity based in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. It brings deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind women together for mutual support and to help women access services.
You can read more about Deaf-initely Women here.
Tackling high street crime
Too often, shops and shopworkers face antisocial behaviour, violence and theft. I visited the Co-op on Smalley Drive in Oakwood to hear about a concerning incident last year.
I was impressed by the amazing bravery of the staff, and I am pleased that the new government has introduced stronger measures to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
No one should be at risk of violence at their place of work.
Meeting with Severn Trent
It was good to meet with Severn Trent to pass one some of the feedback I receive from residents about the water industry, and to hear what Severn Trent is doing about it.
You can read more about my visit here.
Visiting ASDA
Following my visit to the Spondon ASDA in December, I went again to find out more about another innovative community scheme they run.
Their supported internship scheme gives young people the chance to learn invaluable career and life skills while developing confidence.
Read more about my visit and the scheme here.
Derventio Housing
Derventio Housing has an amazing story. It started as a night shelter and now has 700 units of supported housing across a dozen local authorities.
Their transformation started from realising that night shelters save lives, but they don’t stop residents from rough sleeping forever.
You can read more about Derventio Housing here.
Belper Foodbank
I dropped in at Belper Foodbank which does great work providing a hot meal and a warm space for people who need it. The staff were open and supportive, and Citizens Advice were also on hand to provide assistance.
You can read more about it here.
Supporting local care homes
It was really valuable to visit the MHA Willowcroft Residential and Dementia Care Home in Spondon.
MHA is a not-for-profit care provider which runs retirement accommodation and day centres as well as care homes. I very much enjoyed visiting and talking to staff about the important work that they do.
You can read more about my visit here.
Family Support Derbyshire
I met with Family Support Derbyshire, a service that helps build resilience and support networks for new parents and families.
Family Support Derbyshire is staffed by amazing parents who are looking out for other parents, ensuring they are not acting alone.
You can read more about my visit here.
Holocaust Memorial 80th anniversary
It was a solemn privilege to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at Derby Cathedral.
This year, Holocaust Memorial Day fell on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
We must continue to remember all victims of genocide - wherever it has been perpetrated - and redouble our efforts to prevent such atrocities happening again.