On Thursday, I joined PCSO Beata Marcelino from Avon and Somerset Police on a ‘Walk and Talk’ around Wincanton. Apply for a Walk and Talk here to share your experiences and help make your community safer for women: buff.ly/Fj9ZeMy

Yesterday I was out across the constituency hearing how flooding has affected homes, businesses & livelihoods. More rain is expected tonight & the ground is saturated but flood risk is low in most areas according to the flood check service. Don't forget to report flooding here: buff.ly/u2kayo4

Since 2023 the cost of rural crime has tripled each year. In Glastonbury & Somerton organised crime is rising & rural policing is underfunded & overstretched. This week I pushed the Govt for properly resourced rural crime teams & a Countryside Copper Guarantee so rural communities can feel safe.

A Flood Support Drop-In is running all day until 5pm in Davis Hall, West Camel. Somerset Council representatives & Police Community Support Officers are available to support anyone affected by flooding & to help vulnerable people out of flooded properties. More information: buff.ly/kIlLMkW

The Glastonbury and Somerton constituency is home to Smith and Evans – multi-award-winning makers of natural wines. However, local winemakers are prevented from taking full advantage of the growing market for UK wine by spiralling taxes and Extended Producer Responsibility for glass packaging.

This week I challenged the Govt on its mistreatment of women hit by failures in communication on State Pension age changes. 8,000+ women in Glastonbury & Somerton were denied the chance to plan, some were forced to return to work in their 70s. I'll keep pushing for fair compensation for WASPI women.

On Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of others killed under Nazi persecution. Antisemitism has no place in our country or abroad.

Flood alerts are in place across Somerset. Check the flood risk where you are: check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk?fbclid=IwY2x...

Contact [email protected] to book your space at my upcoming 'Meet Your MP' event in Street: 6-7.30pm on Friday 13th February! Venue details will be shared with attendees nearer the time of the event.

Last week, I pushed the Minister to reverse his decision to remove the remoteness funding uplift and put Somerset Council on a fair financial footing.

The Somerset Eel Recovery Project is leading on crucial conservation and cultural efforts to revive our local eel population. Visit their website to find out how to get involved: www.somerseteelrecoveryproject.co.uk

I had a wonderful time Wassailing at the Shoemakers Museum in Street on Sunday! With brilliant music provided by the Langport Mummers, we sprinkled cider on the oldest apple tree in the orchard, offered toast to the robins, and fired shots to scare away bad spirits and welcome a bountiful harvest.

I was proud to sponsor f40’s Parliamentary Drop-In event on Monday. f40 campaigns on behalf of 43 of the lowest-funded local authorities for education across England, including Somerset Council.

It is vital that the quality of our children’s education does not diminish due to cost-cutting measures. I am glad to hear that legislation will be passed to bring in inspections for multi-academy trusts, ensuring strong governance and accountability; until then, pressure to academise must lift.

Great to discuss outdoor recreation, learning, and access to nature with Fran Steele and Tricia Rawlingson-Plant who runs Mill on the Brue Activity Centre in Bruton. Outdoor learning is currently considered optional; I’m supporting Tim Farron’s campaign for it to be added to the national curriculum.

On Friday I paid a visit to Toybox Preschool in Ansford and Castle Cary. Sadly, Employers’ National Insurance hikes and other spiralling costs mean that they are struggling to survive. I will keep fighting the cost-of-doing-business crisis to ensure nurseries like Toybox can keep their doors open.

Fireworks may be a joyful spectacle for many of us, but for pets, livestock, and wild animals, they can be stressful, fear-inducing, or - in the case of Vicky’s cows - even deadly. The current noise limit on private displays does not go far enough: more must be done to protect our animals.

I am delighted to have been re-elected as chair of the APPG for Rural Services. I look forward to continuing the group’s vital work, advocating for our rural communities and ensuring their voices are heard and needs met within Parliament.

Yesterday, I challenged the Minister for Trade at a Parliamentary Roundtable, alongside Richard Clothier MBE of Wyke Farms. The South West brims with potential, but in order for rural businesses to flourish, the Government must invest in infrastructure: transport, connectivity and access to skills.

While the Water White Paper shows some promise in its commitment to tackling pollution, it goes nowhere near far enough to deliver the fundamental reforms needed. The Government must listen to Liberal Democrat calls for water companies to become mutually-owned public benefit corporations.

Last weekend, I spoke on ITV West Country about the need for increased investment in community flooding resilience - particularly with the onset of climate change meaning extreme weather patterns are becoming the norm. Visit Somerset Council’s website for flooding advice: buff.ly/zuKE7os

🟨 Follow me on Instagram - @SarahDykeMP 🟨

Happy 30th anniversary to Carymoor Environmental Trust! It was a pleasure to celebrate their fantastic accomplishments with the team – alongside School Councillors from Castle Cary Primary School – on Friday 🌿 Visit www.carymoor.org.uk to find out how to support Carymoor’s vital work.

17th January - “Old Twelfth Night” - is celebrated with Wassailing traditions. Local cider makers tell me that business property relief uncertainty is undermining their confidence and holding back investment in rural areas. I’ll keep fighting for traditional cider makers in Somerset and beyond.

Keir Starmer failed to answer my question at PMQs, so today I’ve written to his minister to demand action. She should strip South East Water of their licence immediately. Thousands of people are still without water. The Government has no time to lose.

I was delighted to participate in the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Select Committee’s Q&A sessions at the Oxford Real Farming Conference. We've led on vital work over the last year, pushing for the Government to make concessions on IHT hikes for farmers and demanding clarity on SFI payments.

Abbas and Templecombe Parish Council have exciting plans to upgrade their local recreation ground - but they are sadly struggling to find the funds to do so. The Government must provide the investment that rural parish and town councils need to improve their sports and leisure facilities.

Flood Re is a joint non-for-profit initiative between the Government and insurers which aims to keep the flood cover element of household insurance available and affordable for eligible homes at the highest flood risk: www.floodre.co.uk

Yesterday, I asked the Minister about the support the UK is offering to ordinary Iranian citizens. While military action would risk undermining their protests, it is vital that we focus on doing all that we can diplomatically to protect the Iranian people’s right to freedom of expression.

In their latest u-turn, I am glad to hear that the Government have abandoned their plans to introduce a mandatory Digital ID scheme:

This week, during the debate on the final stages of the Finance Bill, I took the Government to task over its failure to understand rural and farming communities. Visit my YouTube to watch my full speech: buff.ly/UnEUGWe

Leonardo’s site in Yeovil provides jobs and apprenticeships to Somerset residents, bolsters our economy, and helps to ensure national security in a time of international turmoil. The Ministry of Defence must recognise the vital role played by Leonardo as they develop their Defence Investment Plan.

“Wessex Water has gotten away with environmental vandalism.. for far too long. From carelessly polluting beaches and rivers throughout the south-west with filthy #sewage to losing millions of litres of water through leaky pipes,” says @sarahdykeld.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/business/202...

As Chair of the Women in Defence APPG, I was pleased to meet with the Minister for Veterans and People- to discuss long-term careers for women in defence. With private sector representation at 24%, there is a long way to go before the defence sector achieves its potential as a beacon of equality.

There can be no tolerance for violence against women in girls – in rural areas, or elsewhere. I look forward to working with the Minister moving forwards to ensure that the Government’s new Strategy will give these women the support and protection they need.

As the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, I was proud to stand up in Parliament today to put rural issues on the agenda.

Sign my petition to join me in demanding the Government reverses its disastrous decision to remove Business Rates relief for hospitality:

The Government’s decision to increase the Family Farm Tax threshold has brought relief to many farmers across the country – but it also further demonstrates Labour’s failure to understand the farming industry. I will keep pushing for this misguided tax to be abandoned altogether.

I am pleased to share that a new Drop & Collect Post Office service will be opening at Premier Fivehead Service Station on Thursday 15 January, offering prepaid parcel ‘collect and return,’ bill payment, and mobile top-up services. To find out more, visit buff.ly/VeVDD42

🪶 Today is National Bird Day. Between 1970 and 2024, wild bird populations fell by almost one-fifth in the UK. 🪶 The Somerset Ornithological Society does fantastic work monitoring and preserving Somerset’s bird population. Visit their website to find out how to support their work:

Today is World Braille Day. To learn more about how this fascinating tactile code removes barriers to communication and information for blind and partially sighted people, visit RNIB’s website here: buff.ly/vsOW5mv

🎆 Happy New Year to everyone in Glastonbury and Somerton! 🎆 I’m looking forward to another year of representing you, both down in Westminster and here in the constituency. Wishing you all a wonderful 2026 - and if you have any issues I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I was so pleased to hear that Richard Clothier of Wyke Farms has been appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire. As a fully carbon-neutral cheddar producer, Wyke showcases the very best of British agriculture and food production – all while giving back to Somerset’s natural biodiversity 🧀🎉

Massive congratulations to Sarah Massey on being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire. As Managing Director of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Sarah led an all-female senior leadership team and broke records to hold the biggest, most popular women’s rugby tournament in history🏉🎉

For some, Christmas can be a lonely or overwhelming time. You’re not alone, and help is there if you need it. Samaritans 116 123 SHOUT text SHOUT to 85258 CALM 0800 58 58 58 Age UK 0800 678 1602 National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247